Thursday delivers a two-game WNBA slate. The Sparks will be hosting the Lynx and the Mystics will be hosting the Aces. Below, I have featured three of my favorite WNBA player prop bets for Thursday on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Napheesa Collier O 22.5 points (-115)
This line is too low for Collier on Thursday, and backing the MVP frontrunner for this over is a smart; she is currently a -400 favorite to win MVP on DraftKings Sportsbook. In 33.5 minutes per game this season, Collier is leading the WNBA with 23.9 PPG. She is shooting a career-high 52.8% from the field, and her 28.7% usage rate ranks third in the league.
Collier is facing the Sparks, who are a prime matchup this season, with the club ranking third in pace and 11th in defensive rating of the 13 WNBA teams. This will be Collier’s third matchup of the season with Los Angeles. In the first two, she posted 23 and 32 points. Collier is shooting an eye-popping 67% from the field against the Sparks, which is her best field goal percentage against any team this season. Lastly, this game will be on the road in Los Angeles and Collier has been more productive on the road this season, averaging 25.4 PPG and eclipsing 22.5 points in six of her seven road starts.
Shakira Austin 23+ Points + Rebounds (-120)
Since moving into the Mystic’s starting lineup eight games ago, Austin has been outstanding. With the starting job, the center is leading the Mystics with 16.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Austin is leading Washington in plus/minus during this stretch, and she has tallied 23+ PR in five of these eight starts. Tonight, Austin is facing the Aces, who she just posted a 13-point and 13-rebound double-double against two weeks ago.
Las Vegas ranks ninth in defensive rating this season, and the team could be without three-time MVP A’ja Wilson (questionable, wrist) tonight. This season, the Aces’ defensive rating has been a putrid 111.3 with Wilson off the floor. Sitting Wilson makes sense tonight, after she missed the second half of Tuesday’s matchup with the Liberty, but nonetheless, Austin should produce on her home floor even Wilson suits up and Austin is a strong bet for 23+ PR.
Chelsea Gray U 5.5 Assists (-160)
Gray is an excellent bet for under 5.5 assists vs. the Mystics. This season, the guard is only averaging 4.3 assists per game, and she has stayed under 5.5 assists in 13 of her 19 starts. Washington ranks fourth in defensive rating since moving Austin into the starting lineup eight games ago, and the Aces are a 2.5-point underdog for this matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Gray is only averaging 3.9 assists per game in losses this season, and Wilson’s potential absence is concerning for Gray as a playmaker. 36% of Gray’s assists have gone to Wilson this season. With Wilson off the floor this season, Gray is only averaging 3.6 assists per 30 minutes. This 5.5-assist line is far too high for Gray on Thursday and this number is likely to drop, so attacking this under quickly is wise.
