WNBA Odds, Starting Lineups and Game Previews for July 16, 2026
Thursday’s WNBA card features two night games, beginning with the Portland Fire visiting the Washington Mystics before the New York Liberty meet the surging Dallas Wings. The following report includes the available betting lines, projected starting lineups, injury information, recent results, scoring leaders and matchup efficiency analysis. Betting odds are subject to movement.
Portland Fire at Washington Mystics
Injuries
Portland Fire: Guard Jordan Harrison is listed as out.
Washington Mystics: No unavailable or questionable players were listed in the supplied injury report.
Game Odds
+5.5
-5.5
+170
-205
163.5
WAS -5 to -5.5
Expected Starting Lineups
Portland Fire
- GCarla Leite
- GSarah Ashlee Barker
- FEmily Engstler
- FBridget Carleton
- CMegan Gustafson
Washington Mystics
- GSonia Citron
- GGeorgia Amoore
- FKiki Iriafen
- FMichaela Onyenwere
- CShakira Austin
Portland Fire Recent Form
Portland enters the matchup after a 90-87 road loss to the Connecticut Sun. The result moved the Fire to approximately 10-14 on the season. Portland remained competitive after falling behind early and generated 87 points, but it was unable to overcome Connecticut’s interior production and early shooting efficiency.
Last Game Shooting
Opponent Shooting
Season Offense
Possession Factors
Washington Mystics Recent Form
Washington is coming off a 79-62 victory over the Toronto Tempo, improving the Mystics to approximately 12-10. Washington overcame a difficult offensive first half by controlling the third and fourth quarters, winning the second half 53-30. The Mystics’ defense held Toronto to 62 points while their frontcourt created a decisive advantage around the basket.
Last Game Shooting
Opponent Shooting
Season Offense
Possession Factors
Leading Scorers
Carla Leite — Portland
Bridget Carleton — Portland
Sonia Citron — Washington
Kiki Iriafen — Washington
Efficiency and Matchup Analysis
Portland Fire
Washington Mystics
Portland has played at the more aggressive offensive tempo, but its defensive efficiency and ball security have prevented the Fire from consistently converting that pace into positive results. Portland averages 15 turnovers per game and owns a turnover rate above 16%, placing added pressure on a defense that has allowed 114 points per 100 possessions.
Washington owns the stronger rebounding profile. The Mystics average 36.8 rebounds compared with Portland’s 29.5 and carry a significant advantage in overall rebound percentage. That gap could become especially important if Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen establish position against Portland’s frontcourt.
The Mystics’ primary weakness remains offensive consistency. Washington averages only 81.1 points and shoots below 29% from three-point range. Portland can remain competitive by protecting the ball, limiting second-chance opportunities and forcing Washington’s perimeter players to win the game from outside.
Game Summary
This matchup contrasts Portland’s guard-oriented creation with Washington’s superior size and rebounding. Carla Leite must organize the Fire offense while producing enough perimeter scoring to prevent the Mystics from loading the paint. Washington can control the game through Austin and Iriafen, particularly if Portland continues to struggle on the defensive glass.
The posted total reflects two offenses that have dealt with turnover and half-court efficiency concerns. Portland’s pace can create scoring opportunities, but Washington’s preferred path is a more physical contest built around defense, rebounding and interior touches.
The Pick
New York Liberty at Dallas Wings
Injuries
New York Liberty: Marine Fauthoux, Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally are listed as out.
Dallas Wings: Haley Jones, Alanna Smith and C. Verona are listed as out.
Game Odds
+1.5
-1.5
+102
-122
175.5
174.5 to 175.5
Expected Starting Lineups
New York Liberty
- GSabrina Ionescu
- GPauline Astier
- FBreanna Stewart
- CJonquel Jones
- CHan Xu
Dallas Wings
- GArike Ogunbowale
- GPaige Bueckers
- GAzzi Fudd
- CJessica Shepard
- CAwak Kuier
New York Liberty Recent Form
New York’s previous game was a 90-85 road loss to the Minnesota Lynx, leaving the Liberty at approximately 13-10. The Liberty remained within one possession late in the fourth quarter but could not produce the necessary defensive stops against the league’s most efficient teams.
Last Game Shooting
Opponent Shooting
Season Offense
Possession Factors
Dallas Wings Recent Form
Dallas extended its winning streak with a 96-91 victory over the Chicago Sky. The Wings improved to approximately 16-8 behind 22 points and 11 assists from Paige Bueckers and 19 points with 10 rebounds from Jessica Shepard.
Last Game Shooting
Opponent Shooting
Season Offense
Possession Factors
Leading Scorers
Breanna Stewart — New York
Jonquel Jones — New York
Paige Bueckers — Dallas
Jessica Shepard — Dallas
Efficiency and Matchup Analysis
New York Liberty
Dallas Wings
Dallas enters with the stronger offensive rating and one of the league’s best ball-security profiles. The Wings average only 10.3 turnovers per game, while their 11.4% turnover rate is substantially better than New York’s 16.2%. That difference creates additional shot volume for a Dallas offense averaging 89.5 points.
Paige Bueckers has been the central driver of that efficiency. She combines 20.7 points with 6.3 assists while shooting better than 51% from the floor. Jessica Shepard strengthens the offense with elite finishing, offensive rebounding and playmaking from the center position.
New York still presents one of the league’s most difficult frontcourt matchups. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones give the Liberty scoring, defensive length and rebounding on both ends. New York’s challenge will be replacing the shooting and versatility lost through the absences of Fiebich and Sabally.
Dallas generally plays with better possession continuity, while New York carries the stronger defensive personnel. The Liberty must disrupt Bueckers without allowing Shepard to dictate the game as a scorer, rebounder and passer. Dallas must keep New York away from the free-throw line and avoid allowing Stewart to establish an early rhythm.
Game Summary
This is the most competitive matchup on Thursday’s schedule. Dallas enters with momentum, efficient guard play and a narrow edge in both offensive and net rating. The Wings’ ability to protect the basketball gives them a reliable possession advantage against a Liberty team that has been more turnover-prone.
New York remains dangerous because of its frontcourt talent and championship-level defensive ceiling. The Liberty can slow Dallas by controlling the defensive glass and forcing the Wings to execute late in the shot clock. Dallas will attempt to accelerate the game through Bueckers, Ogunbowale and Fudd while using Shepard as a high-post facilitator.
The elevated total reflects two offenses capable of approaching 90 points. The game’s decisive factors are likely to be New York’s turnover count, Dallas’ perimeter defense and which frontcourt controls the rebounding and second-chance scoring categories.
