WNBA Preview | August 16, 2026
A three-game Sunday features the tightest game of the week between two teams separated by a single game, plus a Seattle squad looking to build on its first win in eleven games. Fever at Dream tips at 5:00, followed by Sky at Storm at 5:00 and Fire at Mercury at 7:00.
Fever and Dream Meet in a Genuine Coin-Flip Game
Indiana Fever @ Atlanta Dream | 5:00 PM ET | WNBA League Pass
These two teams enter separated by a single game in the standings, Indiana fourth at 22-12 and Atlanta fifth at 21-12, and the market has priced this about as close to even as a game gets. Caitlin Clark dropped 29 points in Indiana's last game against Dallas, a reminder that the Fever's ceiling remains as high as anyone's when she's rolling. Both rosters have been playing well lately, Indiana 8-2 over its last ten and Atlanta also 8-2 in that same window.
DraftKings has Indiana +2.5 on the road, with the total at 188.5. With records this close and both teams playing similarly well recently, the number reflects a fair coin flip more than a clear edge either way. Lean Indiana +2.5.
Atlanta wins if their recent 8-2 form continues at home, and the Dream's depth proves the deciding factor in a genuinely even matchup.
Indiana wins if Clark builds on her 29-point outing against Dallas, and the Fever's road execution matches their recent home form.
PICK
IND +2.5
O/U 188.5
Over ↑
A genuine coin flip between two teams playing equally well.
Sky Visit a Storm Team Looking to Build on Its First Win in Eleven Games
Chicago Sky @ Seattle Storm | 5:00 PM ET | WNBA League Pass
KEY STAT
11
Consecutive losses Seattle snapped on Friday, ending the streak with a 97-88 win over this same Chicago team.
Seattle enters with real momentum after finally breaking an 11-game losing streak on Friday, though it's worth noting Dominique Malonga had a quiet outing in that win after a stretch of strong individual performances, so the streak-snapping result was more of a full-team effort than a one-player show. Chicago, meanwhile, was just blown out 91-71 by Golden State and has lost six straight on the road, a genuinely rough stretch heading into Seattle.
The two teams already met once this week, Seattle winning 97-88, and Seattle has actually won six of the last ten meetings in this head-to-head series historically. A team playing free after snapping a long losing streak, at home, against an opponent on a six-game road skid, is a real form edge worth respecting.
DraftKings has this close, Seattle -1.5, with the total at 178.5. Given the head-to-head history and Chicago's road struggles, the home team is worth backing even against the standings. Lean Seattle -1.5.
Chicago wins if they snap their six-game road skid and their recent shooting struggles turn around against a Seattle defense that has been mostly overmatched all season.
Seattle wins if the Storm carry Friday's full-team momentum into a second straight win over this same opponent, even with Malonga looking to rebound from a quieter outing.
PICK
SEA -1.5
O/U 178.5
Under ↓
Storm win again behind real momentum off the snapped skid.
Fire Visit Phoenix With Carla Leite Projected to Play
Portland Fire @ Phoenix Mercury | 7:00 PM ET | WNBA League Pass
Portland's leading scorer Carla Leite played through her recent knee injury in the team's last outing and is projected to play again Sunday, a real boost for a Fire offense that has otherwise leaned on Bridget Carleton and Megan DiLeo to fill the gap when she's been limited. Phoenix, tenth at 13-22, has its own inconsistencies, and a healthier Portland changes the shape of this matchup from what the standings alone would suggest.
DraftKings has Phoenix -5.5, with the total at 176.5. With Leite trending toward full health, this number may carry more value for Portland than the market currently reflects. Lean Portland +5.5.
Portland wins if Leite plays close to full strength and Carleton and DiLeo continue producing alongside her, and Phoenix's own inconsistencies show up at exactly the wrong time.
Phoenix wins if Kahleah Copper's scoring floor holds up against a healthier Portland roster, and the Mercury protect home court the way a team with a talent edge should.
PICK
POR +5.5
O/U 176.5
Under ↓
Fire keep it close with Leite trending toward full health.
What to Watch For Today & Tonight.
Indiana and Atlanta enter separated by a single game with matching 8-2 stretches over their last ten, and Caitlin Clark's 29-point outing against Dallas raises the ceiling on that game further. Seattle looks to build on Friday's full-team effort that snapped an 11-game skid, with Dominique Malonga looking to bounce back from a quieter night in that same win. And Portland's health picture with Carla Leite projected to play changes the read on their trip to Phoenix from what the standings alone suggest.

