The 2025 WNBA season tips off with a marquee matchup as Paige Bueckers makes her much-anticipated pro debut for the Dallas Wings. With high expectations and a home crowd behind her at College Park Center, Bueckers will look to make an immediate splash and put the Wings back in the championship conversation.
Dallas enters the opener with momentum, but the Minnesota Lynx come in with something to prove. After a tough ending to their 2024 campaign and a roster shake-up that includes Kayla McBride's absence to start the season, the Lynx aren't the same team—but they’re still dangerous.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier could be the X-factor in spoiling Bueckers’ debut, setting up a compelling clash of rising stardom vs. elite experience.
Let’s break down the key betting angles, including Paige Bueckers props and my top WNBA picks for Friday, May 16.
Paige Bueckers player prop picks
- Best bet
Paige Bueckers Under 14.5 points
(-115) - SGP pick
Bueckers Under 14.5 points
Bueckers 3 assists
Bueckers 2 threes made
(+700)
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
Paige Bueckers best bet
Paige Bueckers Under 14.5 points (-115 at bet365)
Getting the Minnesota Lynx as your first regular season matchup may not be what Paige Bueckers had in mind. A team that is likely still fuming from coming up short in a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. But hey, you deal with the hand that you are dealt and Bueckers has never shied away from a challenge. As the No. 1 overall pick begins her rookie season, the Dallas Wings are entering a new chapter with new weapons on their roster such as DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith and Tyasha Harris.
Though Bueckers & Co. may be in just enough luck to squeeze out a win at home due to the Lynx being without Kayla McBride (personal), Alanna Smith ruled as doubtful (quadriceps), and Dorka Juhasz out for the season; there's still the defensive presence of Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, and Bridget Carleton.
The two teams went 2-2 in their regular season matchups last season, where Collier had a quiet game (to her standard) in their last meeting posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. After the Wings got the last laugh with scoring the final two wins over the Lynx in 2024, there's one thing for certain: Collier and the Lynx didn't forget. I expect old wounds to come into play for tonight with Collier and Williams putting the clamps on Bueckers in every way that they can to spoil her debut.
Consider this a welcome to the league from veterans to rookie as I take the Under for Bueckers points prop.
Paige Bueckers same-game parlay
Paige Bueckers Under 14.5 points
Paige Bueckers 3+ assists
Paige Bueckers 2+ threes made
Much like what we've seen throughout Bueckers career at UConn, if she isn't able to have a solid offensive performance then count on her to find ways to get her teammates involved as a true facilitator. With Collier and Williams managing to keep Bueckers contained, count on her racking up a few assists to make up for it.
And though I'm looking at the Under for Bueckers points prop for tonight, I can bet on her finding a few good looks from the perimeter as finds a way to get some points rolling in for her debut. Where there's a will, there's a bucket for Paige Bueckers and she will find her way just enough to swim just below the Under in scoring against the Minnesota Lynx.
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