Sparks vs. Wings WNBA Betting Odds, Picks: Paige Bueckers expected to play through knee injury
The Dallas Wings look to strengthen their playoff position when they host the Los Angeles Sparks Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.
Dallas returns from the FIBA Women’s World Cup break at 24-16 and riding a four-game winning streak. The Wings have clinched their first playoff berth since 2023 and are tied with New York and Washington at 24-16 with four games remaining.
Los Angeles is 15-25 and has been eliminated from playoff contention, but enters with consecutive victories and wins in three of its last four games. The Sparks beat Seattle 90-74 immediately before the break.
Dallas has won both meetings this season, 104-96 in Los Angeles in June and 90-82 at home in July.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
Dallas is an 8.5-point home favourite on the WNBA odds with a -385 moneyline, while Los Angeles is +290. The total sits at 177.5 points.
The Wings are 14-6 at home, including five straight victories at College Park Center. Los Angeles is 8-12 on the road.
Dallas has scored at least 90 points in both victories over Los Angeles this season, including 104 in the first meeting.
Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks have nothing left to play for in the standings, but Nneka Ogwumike’s final four games provide plenty of motivation.
Ogwumike plans to retire after the season, ending a 15-year career. She leads Los Angeles with 8.9 rebounds per game and is second to the recently added Kelsey Plum in scoring with 17.2 points per game.
Ogwumike had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the Sparks’ final game before the break. Rae Burrell added 22 points in that victory over Seattle.
The Sparks’ biggest problem has been defence. They rank 14th in the WNBA in opponents’ scoring and have a -4.4 net rating.
Dallas Wings
Dallas has considerably more at stake with playoff seeding still unsettled.
Paige Bueckers leads the Wings with 20.5 points and 5.9 assists per game. She is expected to play despite dealing with right knee patellar tendinitis during the World Cup, where she helped the United States win gold.
Dallas will be without Alanna Smith after she suffered a lower-leg injury while playing for Australia. Azzi Fudd is also out for the season following a knee procedure.
The Wings have nevertheless won four straight during their six-game homestand, and have four remaining games against teams currently outside the playoff field.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Sparks vs. Wings?
Dallas has won both meetings by eight points, making an 8.5-point spread uncomfortable, particularly with Smith and Fudd unavailable.
But the Wings have considerably more at stake, have won five straight at home and should have Bueckers available despite her knee issue.
Los Angeles has played better recently and should score enough to prevent this from becoming a rout, but Dallas has reached 90 points in both meetings.
Take the Wings to win and the Over, with Dallas completing the season sweep 94-85.