WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Our WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Sunday, August 23, 2026—are live with the Fever's Kelsey Mitchell projected as the most likely player to score first.

Dimers’ first basket projections make use of key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily WNBA player projections.

Mitchell, Shakira Austin and Dominique Malonga lead Sunday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also spotlight tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.

WNBA first basket predictions tonight (August 23, 2026)

• Kelsey Mitchell (Fever): 17.0% probability
• Shakira Austin (Mystics): 15.6% probability
• Dominique Malonga (Storm): 15.4% probability
• Sydney Taylor (Sky): 14.7% probability
• A'ja Wilson (Aces): 14.7% probability
• Kiki Iriafen (Mystics): 13.2% probability
• Isabelle Harrison (Tempo): 13.1% probability
• Megan Gustafson (Fire): 12.8% probability
• Jackie Young (Aces): 12.7% probability
• Paige Bueckers (Wings): 12.2% probability
• Caitlin Clark (Fever): 11.8% probability
• Laura Juskaite (Tempo): 11.8% probability
• Kamilla Cardoso (Sky): 11.7% probability
• Flau'jae Johnson (Storm): 11.2% probability
• Bridget Carleton (Fire): 11.1% probability
• Kiki Rice (Tempo): 11.0% probability
• Carla Leite (Fire): 11.0% probability
• Jessica Shepard (Wings): 10.9% probability
• Arike Ogunbowale (Wings): 10.6% probability
• NaLyssa Smith (Aces): 10.5% probability
• Sonia Citron (Mystics): 10.2% probability
• Alanna Smith (Wings): 9.1% probability
• Makayla Timpson (Fever): 8.9% probability
• Natasha Cloud (Sky): 8.8% probability
• Kia Nurse (Tempo): 8.6% probability
• Emily Engstler (Fire): 8.6% probability
• Ezi Magbegor (Storm): 8.2% probability
• Azura Stevens (Sky): 8.1% probability
• Jordan Horston (Storm): 7.9% probability
• Monique Billings (Fever): 7.9% probability
• Jade Melbourne (Storm): 7.4% probability
• Awak Kuier (Wings): 7.3% probability
• Chelsea Gray (Aces): 7.2% probability
• Michaela Onyenwere (Mystics): 6.8% probability
• Courtney Vandersloot (Sky): 6.8% probability
• Nyadiew Puoch (Fire): 6.6% probability
• Julie Allemand (Tempo): 5.5% probability
• Stephanie Talbot (Aces): 4.9% probability
• Lexie Hull (Fever): 4.4% probability
• Georgia Amoore (Mystics): 4.2% probability

WNBA first basket picks today (August 23, 2026)

• Sydney Taylor (Sky): 5.2% edge at +950
• Kelsey Mitchell (Fever): 2.9% edge at +610
• Megan Gustafson (Fire): 2.3% edge at +850
• Arike Ogunbowale (Wings): 1.5% edge at +1000
• Kia Nurse (Tempo): 1.4% edge at +1300
• Bridget Carleton (Fire): 1.1% edge at +900
• Alanna Smith (Wings): 0.7% edge at +1100
• Courtney Vandersloot (Sky): 0.5% edge at +1500
• Natasha Cloud (Sky): 0.4% edge at +1100
• Nyadiew Puoch (Fire): 0.3% edge at +1480
• Emily Engstler (Fire): 0.2% edge at +1100
• Jordan Horston (Storm): 0.2% edge at +1200

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 WNBA prop bets for 8/23.

Conclusion: Betting on today's WNBA first basket

For Sunday, August 23, 2026, Kelsey Mitchell, Shakira Austin and Dominique Malonga lead our first basket projections, while Sydney Taylor shapes as the strongest value play at +950. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ WNBA first basket model.

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