The WNBA’s Friday night lineup features three matchups — but all eyes will be on the showdown between the league‑leading Minnesota Lynx and the sixth‑place Indiana Fever.
Minnesota’s MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier is questionable after missing Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Dream with an ankle injury. Friday’s clash comes on the second night of a back‑to‑back for the Lynx, who dropped that first contest without her.
Indiana has injury troubles of its own. Superstar rookie Caitlin Clark remains sidelined, and the team recently lost sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham to a season‑ending injury. That leaves the Fever leaning heavily on Kelsey Mitchell, the WNBA’s fourth‑leading scorer at 20.4 points per game. Tip‑off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Why Bettors Are Watching This Game Closely
Before making any moves, fans might want to check picks from WNBA insiders Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai.
Barzilai — a Stanford Ph.D. and former Director of Basketball Analytics for the Philadelphia 76ers — founded HerHoopStats.com, a leading site for women’s basketball analytics. Wetzel, the site’s lead betting writer, uses a sharp blend of math and hoops knowledge to turn their prediction model into winning calls.
Their track record? A stellar 202-111-2 (+57.9 units) in the 2024 WNBA season, plus 147-88-1 (+47.1 units) during the 2024-25 NCAA season. Back in 2023, they went 238-185-1 (+29.5 units) in WNBA action.
Wetzel & Barzilai’s Best Bets for Lynx vs. Fever
- Minnesota -6.5
- Napheesa Collier Over 28.5 points + rebounds + assists
Breaking Down the Picks
Minnesota -6.5 Yes, the Lynx are on the road after a loss in Atlanta — but if Collier returns, oddsmakers might have set this line too low. Minnesota has held its own even without her, making this a bet worth considering.
Collier Over 28.5 PRA (Points + Rebounds + Assists) This number suggests sportsbooks are bracing for a minutes limit — but Collier has cleared it in 21 of 27 games this season. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve hasn’t typically eased her back slowly, either. After her last injury, Collier played over 40 minutes in an overtime game. If she suits up, the value here could be huge.
If she’s ruled out, the bet is void — but if she plays, the payoff could be big.
