Layup Lines: Lynx look to pull ahead

Happy Saturday and welcome back to Layup Lines, your quick recap of what’s going on in the WNBA.

• Yesterday was the last day without a W game until the All-Star break begins July 17, so there’s no more pretending like you enjoy the hot dog eating contest just to watch some live action. Count your blessings.

This 431 word newsletter should take less than 2 minutes to read.

Today’s games

• We’re 46-43 this season and have $987 of our initial $1,000 remaining to wager.

• There are two games today — Los Angeles @ Indiana (7pm, NBA TV) and Golden State @ Minnesota (8pm, League Pass).

  • This matchup looked great on paper a few months ago, but Caitlin Clark is going to miss her 5th straight game with a left groin injury and Cameron Brink is still rehabbing the ACL and meniscus tears that have sidelined her for more than a year. Still, the Fever have been fantastic this week and will either win by clamping down the Sparks or lose it by not being able to score.

    • Bet: L.A. / Indiana under 162.5 total points scored, $50 to win $44.

  • I do not enjoy betting against the Lynx, but the books are still not giving Golden State enough credit and the Valks should be able to keep this close.

    • Bet: Golden State +9.5, $50 to win $45.

Good reads from around the league

• The WNBA timeline is never just a moment (The IX)

• Aari McDonald is the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup’s biggest winner (Winsidr)

• All-Star 2025 reserves predictions (ESPN)

Standings peek

• It’s way too early to be doing this, but Minnesota already has a three-game lead in the standings over the rest of the league. If the Lynx win tonight, the gap between them and the second place Liberty will be almost the same as New York to 8th place, or the last team to make the WNBA playoffs.

• A lot will happen between now and the start of the playoffs in September, but Minnesota could wrap up home court advantage early — and if that happens, Napheesa Collier is easily winning her first MVP award.

Photo to go

• Indianapolis (and its airport) remain undefeated when it comes to hosting huge sporting events.

Thanks for reading Layup Lines. You don’t need to bet for odds to be interesting, but if you do, please do so responsibly. We’ll see you back here tomorrow.

— Everett Cook, Founder & Editor