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Read Article WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Saturday, July 18, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today driven by expert analysis of WNBA slate on 7/18.
Our WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Saturday, July 18, 2026—are live with the Valkyries' Kaitlyn Chen projected as the most likely player to score first.
Dimers’ first basket projections draw on detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily WNBA player projections.
Chen, Kiki Iriafen and Breanna Stewart lead Saturday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also highlight tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
WNBA first basket predictions tonight (July 18, 2026)
| Player (Team) | FB Probability |
|---|---|
| Kaitlyn Chen (Valkyries) | 17.3% |
| Kiki Iriafen (Mystics) | 14.3% |
| Breanna Stewart (Liberty) | 14.3% |
| Kelsey Mitchell (Fever) | 13.3% |
| Olivia Miles (Lynx) | 13.2% |
| Janelle Salaun (Valkyries) | 13.1% |
| Caitlin Clark (Fever) | 12.2% |
| Kayla McBride (Lynx) | 11.9% |
| Aliyah Boston (Fever) | 11.8% |
| Shakira Austin (Mystics) | 11.3% |
| Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) | 11.0% |
| Sonia Citron (Mystics) | 10.7% |
| Carla Leite (Fire) | 10.7% |
| Sarah Ashlee Barker (Fire) | 10.4% |
| Natasha Howard (Lynx) | 10.2% |
| Emily Engstler (Fire) | 9.9% |
| Courtney Williams (Lynx) | 9.9% |
| Serah Williams (Fire) | 9.9% |
| Jonquel Jones (Liberty) | 9.7% |
| Bridget Carleton (Fire) | 9.0% |
| Pauline Astier (Liberty) | 7.9% |
| Veronica Burton (Valkyries) | 7.9% |
| Michaela Onyenwere (Mystics) | 7.6% |
| Kaila Charles (Valkyries) | 7.2% |
| Marine Johannes (Liberty) | 7.0% |
| Lexie Hull (Fever) | 6.7% |
| Cotie McMahon (Mystics) | 6.1% |
| Sophie Cunningham (Fever) | 6.0% |
| Nia Coffey (Lynx) | 4.7% |
| Kiah Stokes (Valkyries) | 4.6% |
WNBA first basket picks today (July 18, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kayla McBride | Lynx | 1.9% | +900 | 11.9% |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Fever | 1.9% | +780 | 13.3% |
| Sarah Ashlee Barker | Fire | 1.3% | +1000 | 10.4% |
| Kiki Iriafen | Mystics | 1.2% | +660 | 14.3% |
| Caitlin Clark | Fever | 1.1% | +800 | 12.2% |
| Michaela Onyenwere | Mystics | 0.9% | +1400 | 7.6% |
| Emily Engstler | Fire | 0.8% | +1000 | 9.9% |
| Courtney Williams | Lynx | 0.3% | +940 | 9.9% |
Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.
For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of NBA prop bets for 7/18.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Saturday, July 18, 2026, Kaitlyn Chen, Kiki Iriafen and Breanna Stewart lead our first basket projections, while Kayla McBride shapes as the strongest value play at +900. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ WNBA first basket model.
For tips and resources on responsible wagering, visit our Responsible Gambling section.
Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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