Setting the Stage

With the 2026 WNBA season tipping off on Friday, May 8th, it is time to outline where to place your focus and what to keep in mind early on.

First, the league has officially expanded from 13 to 15 teams with the introduction of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Both franchises are looking to secure their first WNBA wins, but the Tempo look particularly dangerous with Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes coming off highly productive offseasons at Unrivaled 2026. Monitoring the WNBA betting lines for these new teams will be a massive advantage.

Second, massive movement reshaped the league this offseason. Key players shifted rosters, highlighted by the blockbuster trade sending Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, where she will now be supported by the established core of Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.

Given all these changes as the new season begins, the WNBA betting odds will feature plenty of early season inefficiencies. HOF is here to provide the insightful analysis you need to capitalize on early season unpredictability, whether you are hunting for the best WNBA player props today or tracking shifting WNBA betting lines.

Picks

Breanna Stewart o5.5 rebounds – Friday May 8th, CON Sun vs NY Liberty

During the New York Liberty preseason, Breanna Stewart averaged 5.5 defensive rebounds per game. When combining that baseline production with her A- Matchup Grade in the HOF app, the data indicates a high probability that she will return to her previous season average of 6.5 rebounds per game. Targeting Stewart for over 5.5 boards is our first official player prop for the 2026 WNBA season!

Alyssa Thomas to record a Double-Double – Saturday May 9th, PHX Mercury vs LV Aces

Thomas was the only player last season to tie Angel Reese in double-doubles while also leading the league in triple-doubles. She has continued that strong form, leading her team in preseason assists and finishing second in rebounds. Looking at her performance in away games last season, her likelihood of recording a double-double saw a 10% increase, jumping from 58% up to 68%. Pairing that with her specific stats against the Las Vegas Aces, she holds a 63% overall chance to record a double-double. When factoring in the away game boost, that probability climbs to 75%, as she successfully hit the mark in 3 out of 4 road matchups against the Aces last season.

Caitlin Clark 8+ Assists – Saturday May 9th, DAL Wings vs IND Fever

With Caitlin Clark returning to the regular season following her injury last year, she is easily one of the most anticipated players in the betting markets. While historical data is somewhat limited due to her missed time over the last two seasons, Clark's preseason performance indicates a full return to her high scoring form. Furthermore, Caitlin Clark  is carrying a massive 42.7 assist percentage coming out of the offseason. Considering she only failed to hit her primary assist line 4 times in the games she played last year, makes her a highly favorable target for early season props.

Azzi Fudd 3+ Threes – Saturday May 9th, DAL Wings vs IND Fever

Azzi Fudd makes her highly anticipated rookie debut against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Fudd brings an elite shooting pedigree to the professional level, having shot over 405 from beyond the arc during her college career. She has already demonstrated that her volume translates to the WNBA, finishing the preseason averaging 3.5 three point attempts per game. Given the expected fast pace of a matchup featuring Clark, Fudd will likely see plenty of perimeter opportunities in transition. This combination of established efficiency and proven preseason volume makes targeting the over on her made three pointers a strong play for opening weekend.

Angel Reese 25+ Points + Reb – Saturday May 9th, ATL Dream vs MIN Lynx

Coming off a phenomenal season, Angel Reese has moved to the Atlanta Dream, joining a roster that features Rhyne Howard. Howard led the league in three pointers made per game last year. We can project that Reese's rebounding opportunities will increase significantly when sharing the floor with a high volume perimeter shooter who is already averaging 4 three point attempts per game. Reese tied for the league lead in double-doubles last year and successfully hit the 25+ points + rebounds line in 70% of her games. The combination of her consistent historical production and this new favorable team dynamic is exactly why she is selected for this combined prop.

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