Jul 22, 2026
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Read Article WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Thursday, June 18, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today guided by expert analysis of WNBA slate on 6/18.
Our WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Thursday, June 18, 2026—are live with the Fever's Aliyah Boston projected as the most likely player to score first.
These projections make use of detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily WNBA player projections.
Boston, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese lead Thursday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also identify tonight's best first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
WNBA first basket predictions tonight (June 18, 2026)
| Player (Team) | FB Probability |
|---|---|
| Aliyah Boston (Fever) | 14.3% |
| Rhyne Howard (Dream) | 12.1% |
| Angel Reese (Dream) | 11.7% |
| Allisha Gray (Dream) | 11.5% |
| Kelsey Mitchell (Fever) | 11.4% |
| Caitlin Clark (Fever) | 10.3% |
| Sophie Cunningham (Fever) | 9.1% |
| Naz Hillmon (Dream) | 7.6% |
| Jordin Canada (Dream) | 7.0% |
| Monique Billings (Fever) | 5.0% |
WNBA first basket picks today (June 18, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allisha Gray | Dream | 1.0% | +850 | 11.5% |
| Naz Hillmon | Dream | 0.5% | +1300 | 7.6% |
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 6/18.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Thursday, June 18, 2026, Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese lead our first basket projections, while Allisha Gray shapes as the strongest value play at +850. 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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