WNBA Odds and Lineups for July 29, 2026
Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings
Injuries
Atlanta Dream: Indya Nivar is out. Te-Hina Paopao is out.
Dallas Wings: Haley Jones is out. Alanna Smith is out. C. Verona is out.
WNBA Odds
Odds are taken from the uploaded sportsbook report and may move before tipoff.
Expected Starting Lineups
- G Allisha Gray
- G Jordin Canada
- G Rhyne Howard
- F Naz Hillmon
- F Angel Reese
- G Arike Ogunbowale
- G Paige Bueckers
- G Azzi Fudd
- C Jessica Shepard
- C Awak Kuier
Atlanta Dream Recent Form
Atlanta entered the All-Star break at 16-10 after defeating the Chicago Sky 93-91. The Dream shot 41.9 percent overall and 28.6 percent from three-point range. Chicago finished at 52.2 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Atlanta survived the opponent’s superior overall shooting by creating extra possessions, getting to the free-throw line and producing enough late-game shot making to close the margin. That profile remains important against a Dallas offense with multiple creators and one of the league’s strongest passing centers.
Dallas Wings Recent Form
Dallas improved to 18-9 with a 101-97 road victory over Portland. The Wings shot 48.6 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three. Portland shot 56.9 percent overall and 38.5 percent from deep.
The Wings overcame Portland’s hot shooting by winning the possession battle. Dallas held a 45-29 rebounding advantage, generated a 16-4 edge in second-chance points and received a triple-double from Jessica Shepard. Those extra opportunities helped Dallas score 101 points despite allowing unusually efficient shooting.
Leading Scorers and Player Comparison
Gray is Atlanta’s most reliable half-court scorer. She combines downhill pressure with pull-up shooting and has enough defensive activity to influence both sides of the matchup.
Howard supplies the Dream’s highest-volume perimeter shooting. Her 3.2 made threes per game make her the primary spacing threat against Dallas.
Bueckers has been the Wings’ leading scorer and primary advantage creator, shooting efficiently while keeping turnovers relatively controlled.
Shepard’s rebounding and playmaking from the frontcourt create matchup problems. Her passing can punish aggressive help against Bueckers and Ogunbowale.
Efficiency Report
81.1 PaceAtlanta plays one of the faster styles on the card. The Dream average 89.3 points, 34.6 rebounds, 20.3 assists and 12.8 turnovers per game. Their offensive profile is driven by transition chances, offensive rebounding and free throws more than elite jump shooting. Atlanta’s 43.7 percent field-goal rate and 31.1 percent three-point rate leave the offense vulnerable when second chances and foul shots disappear.
79.5 PaceDallas averages 90.2 points, 34.0 rebounds and 22.5 assists while committing only 10.5 turnovers per game. The Wings’ 46.5 percent shooting and strong assist production make them the cleaner half-court offense. Their main concern is defensive resistance, especially when opponents finish efficiently at the rim or create repeated paint touches.
Atlanta owns the stronger defensive efficiency, while Dallas has the more efficient offense and better ball-security profile. The matchup may turn on whether the Dream can force turnovers and dominate the offensive glass without surrendering clean transition looks after missed shots.
Game Summary
This is the tighter of Wednesday’s two markets. Dallas has home court, superior offensive efficiency, more reliable shooting and a lower turnover rate. Atlanta counters with a better defensive rating, more disruptive perimeter defense and the league’s top individual rebounder in Angel Reese. The posted total of 179.5 reflects two teams that can play quickly, but each side also has a clear path to slowing the other through rebounding and physical half-court defense.
The Pick
Golden State Valkyries at Phoenix Mercury
Injuries
Golden State Valkyries: No players were listed as out in the supplied RotoWire lineup report.
Phoenix Mercury: Shay Ciezki is out. Kara Dunn is out.
WNBA Odds
Odds are taken from the uploaded sportsbook report and may move before tipoff.
Expected Starting Lineups
- G Veronica Burton
- G Cecilia Zandalasini
- F Gabby Williams
- F Kayla Thornton
- C Kiah Stokes
- G Kahleah Copper
- G Monique Akoa Makani
- F Noa Brochant
- F Alyssa Thomas
- F DeWanna Bonner
Golden State Valkyries Recent Form
Golden State entered the break at 19-8 after a 90-82 home loss to Washington ended a nine-game winning streak. The Valkyries shot 43.1 percent overall and 36.4 percent from three-point range. Washington shot 52.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Golden State protected the ball with only eight turnovers and made 12 threes, but the Valkyries were overwhelmed 49-28 on the glass. That rebounding deficit gave Washington enough interior control and efficient possessions to overcome Golden State’s perimeter volume.
Phoenix Mercury Recent Form
Phoenix improved to 10-18 with an 86-82 road victory over Los Angeles. The Mercury shot 47.3 percent overall and 25.9 percent from three. The Sparks shot 40.0 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Phoenix created 28 assists on 35 made field goals and committed only 12 turnovers. Alyssa Thomas controlled the game with a triple-double, allowing the Mercury to overcome a poor three-point shooting night through paint scoring, passing and late-game execution.
Leading Scorers and Player Comparison
Williams is the Valkyries’ leading scorer and most versatile perimeter defender. Her ability to create in transition is especially important in a game expected to be played at a slower pace.
Salaün provides high-value floor spacing, averaging 2.5 made threes while shooting 39.4 percent from deep. Her availability off the bench gives Golden State another way to stretch Phoenix’s frontcourt.
Copper is Phoenix’s top scorer and most direct rim attacker. She must produce efficient offense against the league’s top-rated defense for the Mercury to stay within the number.
Thomas drives the Mercury’s offensive structure. Her passing, rebounding and ability to initiate from the frontcourt reduce the pressure on Phoenix’s guards.
Efficiency Report
74.9 PaceGolden State plays at the slowest pace in this matchup and wins with defense, ball security and three-point volume. The Valkyries average 81.9 points, 32.2 rebounds, 18.3 assists and only 10.7 turnovers. Their 34.7 percent three-point shooting is a major part of the offense, while the league-best defensive rating consistently forces opponents into difficult half-court possessions.
79.7 PacePhoenix averages 83.0 points, 31.5 rebounds, 19.5 assists and 13.2 turnovers. The Mercury shoot 43.9 percent overall and 32.2 percent from three, making their offense heavily dependent on Copper’s scoring and Thomas’ creation. Phoenix’s defensive efficiency ranks near the bottom tier, but the team’s ability to switch size across several positions can still disrupt lineups that lack a dominant interior scorer.
Golden State owns the clear defensive advantage and a meaningful edge in three-point volume and turnover prevention. Phoenix has the best individual scorer in Copper and the best facilitator in Thomas, but the Mercury must avoid empty possessions because Golden State is built to protect leads in low-possession games.
Game Summary
The market has installed Golden State as a solid road favorite and posted a low total of 155.5. That number fits a Valkyries team that plays slowly and defends at an elite level. Phoenix’s path to competitiveness requires Copper to score efficiently, Thomas to control the glass and the Mercury to keep Golden State’s spot-up shooters from generating clean looks. Golden State’s superior record, defense and ball security explain the road price.
The Pick
