Atlanta Dream vs. Minnesota Lynx Picks and Predictions, Saturday, May 9th, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx open up their season on Saturday night in the WNBA in this Dream vs. Lynx prediction. These teams will meet three times this season, and Atlanta is currently listed as a 4.5-point road favorite, even though the line opened at just -2.5. The total is set at 157.5. Tipoff is set for 8:00 EST. See below for our Dream vs. Lynx prediction, and check out all of our best WNBA Predictions!
Atlanta Fell Short in the Postseason
The Atlanta Dream had a strong regular season last year as they finished as the three seed for the postseason. Unfortunately, this was immediately followed by a first round upset against the Indiana Fever. The Dream will look to build on their regular season success, as they bring back a roster full of talent.
ESPN has Atlanta listed 3rd in their preseason power rankings, and a large factor for this is having Allisha Gray on the roster. Gray is a 6'0 guard who has been averaging over 15.0 PPG over each of the last three seasons for Atlanta. She is coming off her best season yet, where she finished with 18.4 PPG, and knocked down 2.3 threes per game. A concern for the Dream is that forward Brionna Jones is coming off knee surgery, and will not be ready to start the season.
This will put more pressure on two other returning starters, as Rhyne Howard comes back after averaging 17.5 PPG as a 6'2 guard, and and Jordin Canada added 11.2 PPG and 5.7 APG as a 5'6 point guard.
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Lynx Take a Step Back
The Minnesota Lynx were one of the top teams in the league last season, but eventually lost in the semifinals of the playoffs against Phoenix. The bad news did not end there, as five time All-Star Napheesa Collier left Game 3 with an ankle injury that left her sidelined for the rest of the series. The Lynx are hoping Collier will be able to return by June.
The Lynx also lost starters Bridget Carleton, and Alanna Smith, while also losing a few other rotational pieces. Minnesota may use these early games to get extra minutes for Olivia Miles, she was the number two pick in the draft out of TCU as a point guard, and will get plenty of reps due to the roster turnover.
Their returning starters include outside shooter Kayla McBride who finished last season with 14.2 PPG while making 2.6 threes per game, and Courtney Williams is a 5'8 ball handler who averaged 13.6 PPG last year.
Dream vs. Lynx Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Dream vs. Lynx
- Dream -4.5 (5 units)
The money poured in on Atlanta in this matchup, making the line jump from 2.5 at open to 4.5 at the time of publishing. This is due to the roster turnover for the Lynx, especially with Collier on the sidelines until June. Atlanta lost Carleton to the expansion draft, and Alanna Smith to free agency, those losses will be difficult to navigate early this season. Atlanta still has Gray, Howard and Canada available here, that will be enough firepower to get the cover.
Take Atlanta to cover.
Over/Under Pick for Dream vs. Lynx
- Under 157.5 (4 units)
This number is set far too high to start the season. Minnesota will not be able to do their part, as they will not have formed chemistry on offense with three of their top performers from last season gone. The Dream will be able to focus their defense on McBride and Williams, and it is still unclear if Miles is ready to perform at the next level this quickly. Atlanta will play at a slow pace as they control this game while hitting the under.
Take the under.
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