Connecticut Sun vs New York Liberty Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Friday May 8 2026
Use Code WWWC Connecticut heads to New York on May 8 for a matchup that immediately tests how the Liberty will function offensively without several major contributors available. The betting market still views New York as a heavy favorite despite a lengthy injury report, while Connecticut enters trying to stay competitive behind veteran frontcourt play and defensive effort. Bettors searching for early-season WNBA picks should expect a slower-paced game shaped heavily by roster limitations on both sides.
Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Connecticut +10.5
- Total Pick: Under 160.5
- Projected Final Score: Liberty 80, Sun 72
Odds and Line Movement
Opening Odds
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | +17.5 -112 |
| New York | -17.5 -108 |
Current Odds
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | +10.5 -108 |
| New York | -10.5 -112 |
Line Movement - Spread
| Date | Time | Connecticut | New York | Public Betting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/08 | 09:24:34 AM | 10.5 -108 | -10.5 -112 | CONN 62%, CONN 58% |
| 05/08 | 08:41:06 AM | 10.5 -112 | -10.5 -108 | CONN 62%, CONN 58% |
| 05/08 | 08:12:09 AM | 10.5 -108 | -10.5 -112 | CONN 62%, CONN 58% |
| 05/07 | 07:51:22 AM | 10.5 -110 | -10.5 -110 | CONN 89%, CONN 67% |
| 05/07 | 07:09:17 PM | 11.5 -110 | -11.5 -110 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 05:16:12 PM | 11.5 -114 | -11.5 -106 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 05:14:56 PM | 11.5 -114 | -11.5 -106 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 05:09:21 PM | 12.5 -114 | -12.5 -106 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 05:08:23 PM | 11.5 -110 | -11.5 -110 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 05:07:45 PM | 12.5 -114 | -12.5 -106 | CONN 91%, CONN 80% |
| 05/07 | 03:23:01 PM | 12.5 -110 | -12.5 -110 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:27:48 PM | 12.5 -108 | -12.5 -112 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:27:23 PM | 12.5 -110 | -12.5 -110 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:24:52 PM | 13.5 -118 | -13.5 -104 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:24:46 PM | 13.5 -114 | -13.5 -106 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:24:27 PM | 13.5 -110 | -13.5 -110 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 01:08:13 PM | 13.5 -114 | -13.5 -106 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 06:53:56 AM | 14.5 -120 | -14.5 -102 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 06:53:28 AM | 14.5 -138 | -14.5 +112 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/07 | 06:52:57 AM | 14.5 -106 | -14.5 -114 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/06 | 11:29:55 PM | 14.5 -110 | -14.5 -110 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/06 | 11:17:39 PM | 14.5 -106 | -14.5 -114 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/06 | 11:04:02 PM | 14.5 -104 | -14.5 -118 | CONN 100%, CONN 100% |
| 05/06 | 10:08:25 AM | 15.5 -114 | -15.5 -106 | |
| 05/04 | 02:22:56 PM | 15.5 -112 | -15.5 -108 | |
| 05/04 | 02:05:31 PM | 15.5 -110 | -15.5 -110 | |
| 05/04 | 02:01:18 PM | 16.5 -114 | -16.5 -106 | |
| 05/04 | 11:31:23 AM | 16.5 -112 | -16.5 -108 | |
| 05/04 | 11:31:11 AM | |||
| 05/03 | 07:29:26 PM | 16.5 -112 | -16.5 -108 | |
| 05/03 | 07:02:14 AM | 17.5 -112 | -17.5 -108 |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public Betting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/08 | 08:12:09 AM | 160.5 -105 | 160.5 -115 | OV 55%, UN 72% |
| 05/08 | 08:10:13 AM | 160.5 -106 | 160.5 -114 | OV 55%, UN 72% |
| 05/07 | 05:20:42 PM | 160.5 -110 | 160.5 -110 | OV 55%, UN 72% |
| 05/07 | 05:16:12 PM | 161.5 -106 | 161.5 -114 | |
| 05/07 | 12:48:56 PM | 161.5 -106 | 161.5 -114 | OV 86%, OV 66% |
| 05/07 | 10:48:03 AM | 161.5 -108 | 161.5 -112 | OV 86%, OV 66% |
| 05/07 | 12:18:51 AM | 162.5 -110 | 162.5 -110 | OV 100%, OV 100% |
| 05/06 | 11:38:09 PM | 161.5 -110 | 161.5 -110 | OV 100%, OV 100% |
| 05/06 | 11:17:45 PM | 161.5 -108 | 161.5 -112 | |
| 05/06 | 10:08:25 AM | 160.5 -108 | 160.5 -112 | |
| 05/04 | 02:01:37 PM | 160.5 -112 | 160.5 -108 | |
| 05/04 | 11:31:24 AM | 161.5 -106 | 161.5 -114 | |
| 05/04 | 01:23:13 AM | 161.5 -106 | 161.5 -114 | |
| 05/03 | 07:29:06 PM | 161.5 -110 | 161.5 -110 | |
| 05/03 | 07:02:14 AM | 162.5 -110 | 162.5 -110 |
Sun vs Liberty Betting Preview
Connecticut enters this matchup facing major roster challenges, but the market may still be overvaluing New York despite the Liberty’s own injury concerns. The Sun struggled last season, finishing 11-33 while averaging only 75.8 points per game, and the offensive outlook becomes even more uncertain with several rotation pieces unavailable.
Leila Lacan’s absence stands out after she averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals last season. Connecticut is also without Nell Angloma, Shey Peddy and Aaliyah Edwards, removing depth in both the backcourt and frontcourt. Edwards being unavailable is particularly concerning against a New York team that still possesses size and rebounding advantages.
Connecticut will likely rely heavily on Brittney Griner to stabilize the offense and interior defense. Griner averaged 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds last season with Atlanta, and her veteran presence becomes critical for a Sun roster searching for scoring consistency after losing additional production from Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey.
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Even with those challenges, Connecticut could still remain competitive because New York’s injury situation has significantly reduced the Liberty’s offensive ceiling.
New York remains the superior overall roster entering this matchup after finishing 27-17 last season while averaging 84.4 points per game. The Liberty still feature elite frontcourt talent capable of controlling the paint and rebounding battle, even with several major absences limiting offensive flexibility.
Breanna Stewart remains the centerpiece after averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks last season. Jonquel Jones also continues to provide efficient interior production with 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
The injury report is the biggest reason bettors may hesitate to lay double digits. Sabrina Ionescu is out after averaging 18.2 points and 5.7 assists last season, removing one of the league’s best creators and late-clock scorers. Satou Sabally, Raquel Carrera, Leonie Fiebich and Rebecca Allen are also unavailable, reducing depth, spacing and perimeter shot creation.
Without Ionescu orchestrating the offense, New York may struggle to create enough separation offensively to justify such a large spread despite holding clear advantages on paper.
Sun vs Liberty Key Matchups and Handicap
The biggest handicap question entering this game is whether New York can generate enough efficient offense without several major contributors available. The Liberty remain the more talented team overall, but losing Ionescu dramatically changes the offensive flow and late-game shot creation.
Connecticut’s offensive outlook is also limited, which is why the total becomes attractive to the under. The Sun already ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring production last season, and several injuries further reduce available scoring depth entering this matchup.
Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones should still control stretches of the game physically, particularly against a Connecticut roster lacking frontcourt depth. However, asking New York to cover a double-digit number while missing multiple perimeter contributors creates significant risk.
The line movement also reflects growing support for Connecticut after the spread opened much higher earlier in the week. That adjustment suggests bettors recognize the impact of New York’s injury list and expect a more competitive game than the original number indicated.
Connecticut may not have enough offense to pull off the upset, but the Sun still have a realistic path to remaining within the number if they control tempo and avoid extended scoring droughts.
Betting Trends - CONN and NY
- New York finished last season 27-17.
- Connecticut finished last season 11-33.
- The Liberty averaged 84.4 points per game last season.
- The Sun averaged 75.8 points per game last season.
- The spread has dropped significantly from the opening number.
- The total has also trended downward throughout the week.
Key Injuries and Notes - CONN and NY
- Connecticut is without Nell Angloma, Leila Lacan, Shey Peddy and Aaliyah Edwards.
- Leila Lacan averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals last season.
- New York is without Satou Sabally, Raquel Carrera, Leonie Fiebich, Rebecca Allen and Sabrina Ionescu.
- Ionescu averaged 18.2 points and 5.7 assists last season.
- Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones remain available for the Liberty.
Sun vs Liberty ATS and Total Picks
- Spread: Connecticut +10.5
- Total: Under 160.5
Final Score Prediction
Liberty 80, Sun 72
How to Bet
The best value in this matchup comes from taking the points with Connecticut because New York’s injury situation limits the Liberty’s offensive explosiveness. While the Liberty still possess the better overall roster, laying double digits becomes difficult without Sabrina Ionescu available to create offense consistently.
The under also remains attractive because both teams are missing key offensive contributors, and Connecticut’s preferred path to staying competitive likely involves slowing the pace and limiting transition opportunities. Bettors looking for additional basketball wagering opportunities can also explore various social sportsbooks. Additional promotions and betting bonuses can also be reviewed through the latest fliff promo code offers before placing wagers on Thursday night WNBA action.
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