The 2024 WNBA season tips off Tuesday night with four games. Three of the league's top teams -- the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun -- will hit the court tonight. But all eyes will be on 2024 No. 1 draft pick Caitlin Clark as the Indiana Fever face off against the Sun.
Each night, our team of fantasy and betting experts will break down every game on the WNBA slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.
Here's what to look for tonight:
Tuesday's Fantasy Stream Team
Karlie Samuelson, F, Washington Mystics (Rostered in 26.2% of ESPN leagues).
Samuelson had a career-best season in 2023, capitalizing on the injuries plaguing the Los Angeles Sparks. She averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game and emerged as a reliable streamer throughout the season. Samuelson signed with the Mystics this offseason and immediately fills a need for a team in need of perimeter shooting. Given her track record, Samuelson should remain dependable for fantasy managers to start the season.
Alysha Clark, F, Las Vegas Aces (Rostered in 21.3% of ESPN leagues).
Clark was consistently fantasy-relevant last season, averaging 14.0 fantasy points per game while playing a reserve role for the Aces. Despite having one of the top starting lineups in the league, the Aces still need help from their second unit. Clark should be able to maintain her fantasy impact and have productive game against a Phoenix Mercury team that ranked last in defensive rating last season.
Picks, Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. All odds are provided by ESPN BET.
New York Liberty at Washington Mystics
7 p.m. ET, Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Line: Liberty -10.5
Money line: Liberty (-750), Mystics (+500)
Total: 163.5 points
BPI prediction:
Liberty: 63.7% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 3.9 points
Injury report
Liberty: No injuries reported
Mystics: Shakira Austin (Day-To-Day)
Best bet: Breanna Stewart over 8.5 rebounds. Stewart is poised for a strong performance in the season opener Tuesday. She has already proven her rebounding prowess, clearing 8.5 rebounds in 63% of her games last season. She also has excelled in games where the Liberty won by double digits. Stewart should have plenty of opportunities to pile on the boards against a Mystics team that ranked 11th in rebounds allowed per game last season.
Best bet: Washington Mystics (+10.5). The Mystics enter their second season under Eric Thibault without Natasha Cloud and Elena Delle Donne. But there's still hope with rising stars such as Brittney Sykes, returning players Ariel Atkins and Stefanie Dolson, and newcomer Aaliyah Edwards. Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen showed potential in the preseason, though Washington's defense needs work. The Liberty have scorers and experience to win Tuesday night with reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and other stars on the roster, but New York's defense was an issue in the WNBA Finals last season. This game could be closer than the double-digit spread suggests. This line also seems inflated since the Mystics have more talent. There could be uneven play from both the Liberty and Mystics in the season opener. I am a good with backing Washington at home.
Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun
7:30 p.m. ET, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.
Line: Sun -6.5
Money line: Fever (+230), Sun (-320)
Total: 168.5 points
BPI prediction:
Sun: 65.2% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 4.3 points
Injury report
Fever: Kelsey Mitchell (Day-To-Day), Damiris Dantas (Out)
Sun: No injuries reported
Best bet: Caitlin Clark under 6.5 assists. While Clark is undoubtedly a generational talent, transitioning to the WNBA will likely take some time. She didn't surpass 6.5 assists in any of her preseason games and faces a Sun team that could pose a challenge to the Fever offensively, after ranking second in defensive rating last season.
Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces
10 p.m. ET, Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
Line: Aces -15.5
Money line: Mercury (+900), Aces (-2000)
Total: 168.5 points
BPI prediction:
Aces: 85.5% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 12.2 points
Injury report
Mercury: Morgan Bertsch (Day-To-Day), Brittney Griner (Out)
Aces: Chelsea Gray (Out)
Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm
10 p.m. ET, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
Line: Storm -7.5
Money line: Lynx (+290), Storm (-420)
Total: 164.5 points
BPI prediction:
Storm: 59.3% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 2.6 points
Injury report
Lynx: Sika Kone (Out), Dorka Juhasz (Out)
Storm: No injuries reported