WNBA Preview | August 22, 2026

A three-game Saturday headlines with Indiana looking to bounce back from a snapped win streak against a red-hot New York team, plus a reeling Los Angeles squad hosting Connecticut and Atlanta chasing more history in Phoenix. Fever at Liberty tips at 6:10, followed by Sun at Sparks at 8:10 and Dream at Mercury at 9:10.

Fever Look to Bounce Back Against a Red-Hot Liberty Team

Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty | 6:10 PM ET | Prime Video

Indiana's five-game winning streak ended Thursday in a 91-85 loss at Dallas, even with Kelsey Mitchell setting a WNBA record with her 21st straight game scoring 20 or more points, a 37-point outburst that wasn't enough. Caitlin Clark had a rare rough shooting night in that loss, just 10 points on 4-for-15 from the field, though she still finished with nine assists. Indiana sits fourth at 24-13, half a game up on Atlanta.

New York, seventh at 22-15, is on a 9-3 run since late July and enters well-rested off a three-game homestand start before the FIBA World Cup break. The Liberty are still missing Satou Sabally, out since June 23 with no clear timetable, and Leonie Fiebich remains questionable. Despite the absences, New York has found real form, and the Liberty already beat Indiana once this season in Brooklyn back in June.

DraftKings has Indiana +2.5 on the road, with the total at 186.5. Given Indiana's talent gap and the way this line reads as fairly generous to a home team still missing key rotation pieces, the road team is worth a look. Lean Indiana +2.5.

Indiana wins if Clark bounces back from a rare off shooting night and Mitchell's record-setting streak continues, and the Fever's road execution overcomes Thursday's disappointing finish.

New York wins if their 9-3 form since late July continues, and the rest advantage from a well-timed homestand proves decisive against a Fever team still stinging from Thursday.

PICK

IND +2.5

O/U 186.5

Over ↑

Fever keep it close behind Mitchell's record streak and a motivated Clark.

Sun Visit a Sparks Team Mired in a Six-Game Skid

Connecticut Sun @ Los Angeles Sparks | 8:10 PM ET | Prime Video

Los Angeles enters on a genuine six-game losing streak, falling to 12-24 after Thursday's home loss to Atlanta, and the Sparks will be shorthanded again Saturday. Cameron Brink led LA off the bench in that loss with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Nneka Ogwumike added 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Connecticut, dead last and eliminated at 9-25, has its own absences: Brittney Griner is out for a fourth straight game with a left knee injury, and Aaliyah Edwards is also ruled out.

Despite the bleak overall records on both sides, the historical trend here is striking. Connecticut has covered the spread in 10 of its last 11 meetings in Los Angeles, a pattern that has held up regardless of either team's form in a given season.

DraftKings has Los Angeles -4.5, with the total at 168.5. Given the historical ATS trend and the Sparks' active six-game slide, the underdog is worth real consideration here. Lean Connecticut +4.5.

Los Angeles wins if Ogwumike and Brink combine for enough offense to finally snap the six-game skid, and their bench depth compensates for Connecticut's own absences.

Connecticut wins if the historical trend in this specific matchup holds again, and Los Angeles's losing streak continues against a team playing loose with nothing to lose.

PICK

CON +4.5

O/U 168.5

Under ↓

Sparks may win, but the historical trend makes the full number a fade.

Dream Chase More History in Phoenix

Atlanta Dream @ Phoenix Mercury | 9:10 PM ET | WNBA League Pass

Atlanta arrives fresh off setting a franchise record with 124 points in a 124-88 rout of the Sparks Thursday, with Angel Reese posting a stunning perfect shooting night. Reese leads the league in rebounding at 11.9 per game and continues to anchor a Dream team that's third in the league in scoring at 91.2 points per game. Phoenix, meanwhile, has been steady if unspectacular, led by Alyssa Thomas's do-everything line of 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.

DraftKings has Atlanta -6.5, with the total at 177.5. Coming off a historic offensive performance, Atlanta's momentum is real, though the road trip and Phoenix's own defensive stability temper how much that Thursday outburst should carry over. Lean Atlanta -6.5.

Phoenix wins if Thomas's all-around game controls the tempo and Atlanta shows any letdown after Thursday's historic offensive outburst.

Atlanta wins if Reese and the Dream carry even a fraction of Thursday's offensive rhythm into Phoenix, and their talent gap proves decisive on the road.

PICK

ATL -6.5

O/U 177.5

Over ↑

Dream win and cover behind real momentum off a franchise-record night.

What to Watch For Tonight.

Indiana's response to Thursday's rare bad shooting night from Clark, against a New York team playing its best basketball since late July, is the clearest storyline to open the night. Connecticut's remarkable historical cover rate in Los Angeles, 10 of 11 in recent meetings, is worth tracking against a Sparks team in genuine freefall at six losses in a row. And Atlanta closes the night in Phoenix looking to build on the best offensive performance in franchise history.

Reply

Avatar

or to participate