The WNBA season is back, and it tips off Friday with a premier matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the Dallas Stars. The Lynx narrowly lost to the New York Liberty in a thrilling WNBA Finals, and the team will look to get over the hump in 2025. Conversely, the Stars finished with the worst record in the W last season, but a revamped lineup and No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers should be enough to keep this team more competitive.
Will the new-look Wings soar in their home opener, or will Napheesa Collier and the Lynx prove too much to handle?
Read my Lynx vs. Wings predictions and WNBA picks to see how I’m betting the spread and the point total and which two player props I’m targeting for this marquee showdown in Dallas.
Lynx vs Wings predictions
My Lynx vs Wings best bet: Wings +5.5 (-110 at bet365)
The Dallas Wings reward for finishing 9-31 last season was the No. 1 pick in UConn phenom Paige Bueckers. The superstar guard will look to make an immediate impact with her new team, and she’ll be joined by a trio of newcomers. The Wings added DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris and NaLyssa Smith to plug some holes in the roster, and this team looks far more formidable than it did a season ago.
The Minnesota Lynx sported a commanding 18-8 ATS record on the road last season and the Wings were just 6-14 ATS at home. Still, Dallas covered in three of four head-to-head matchups with Minnesota last season and won two of them straight up.
Dallas can take advantage of a size mismatch in the paint in this one. All-Defensive center Alanna Smith is doubtful for Minnesota, and with backup Dorka Juhasz sitting out the season, the Lynx frontcourt isn’t nearly as deep as it was in 2024. Teaira McCowan and NaLyssa Smith both stand at least 6’4 and should be able to score and rebound with authority in this one, particularly with more attention on the perimeter.
Dallas can space the floor effectively with Bueckers and elite scorer Arike Ogunbowale, spreading out the defense and allowing McCowan and Smith to get some easy looks under the basket.
Minnesota is an imposing team, but spotting them 5.5 points in an opener on the road feels a bit irresponsible. The atmosphere at College Park Center will surely be electric tonight with Bueckers making her WNBA debut and the Wings showing off their new lineup. I expect this to be a more competitive Wings team and for Dallas to come out with a ton of energy. Give me the home team and the points.
Paige Bueckers pick: Buckets to Come In Regular Season Debut
My best bet
Paige Bueckers Over 14.5 points (-105 via bet365)
Bueckers enjoyed a phenomenal college career at UConn, averaging 19.8 points per game across four seasons while hitting 42.3% of her shots from beyond the arc. She scored 10 and 15 points in two preseason matchups with the Wings, logging fewer than 25 minutes in each. In
a fast-paced game against last season’s championship runner-up, expect Paige Buckets to play big minutes and come out firing. For what it’s worth, the last three No. 1 picks have all scored at least 15 points in their WNBA debuts. Most recently, Caitlin Clark dropped 20 in the 2024 opener.
Lynx vs Wings same-game parlay (SGP)
Dallas Wings +5.5
Over 164
Teaira McCowan Over 7.5 rebounds
The Wings played with the fasted pace in the W last season at a frantic 98.05. Dallas finished fourth in points per game at 84.2 and sixth in offensive rating at 102.1. The Lynx were sixth in scoring at 82 points per game and fourth in offensive rating at 102.8.
These two teams can score the ball effectively, and despite Minnesota’s strong defense, Dallas’ fast pace should lead to plenty of offensive opportunities, and the new-look Wings have added multiple scoring options. I expect this one to be a high-scoring affair.
At 6’7, McCowan stands only in Brittney Griner’s shadow, and she’ll be the tallest one on the court tonight. With Alanna Smith out and limited big bodies in the frontcourt for Minnesota, McCowan should have no problem pulling down rebounds. McCowan has averaged 8.3 boards across six WNBA seasons, most recently corralling 8.1 in 2024.
Last season, she averaged 9.7 boards at home compared to 6.3 on the road, and she pulled down at least eight boards in 14 of 20 home games. Expect her to be crash the glass with authority tonight against a Lynx team that allowed the fifth-most rebounds per game to opponents in 2024.
Lynx vs Wings odds
Lynx vs Wings live odds
Lynx vs Wings opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota -5.5 (-110) | Dallas +5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Minnesota -245 | Dallas +200
- Over/Under: Over 164 (-110) | Under 164 (-110)
Lynx vs Wings trend
The Lynx and Wings have hit the Over in seven of the last 10 head-to-head matchups. Find more WNBA betting trends for Lynx vs. Wings.
How to watch Lynx vs Wings
| Location | College Park Center, Arlington, TX |
| Date | Friday, 5-16-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ION |
Lynx vs Wings latest injuries
Lynx: Aubrey Griffin (knee) ruled out.
Wings: No injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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