Los Angeles Sparks vs Dallas Wings Picks and Prediction for Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Los Angeles Sparks visit the Dallas Wings on Thursday at College Park Center in Arlington, with the start of the game scheduled for 8:00 PM ET and televised on USA Network. This is the first game back for both teams following the Women’s FIBA World Cup, won by the United States, and each team has four regular-season games remaining. All eight postseason teams have been determined, leaving final seeding as the focus for Dallas. The Wings are 24-16 and eighth overall, tied with Washington and New York, while Los Angeles is 15-25 and 11th overall after being eliminated from postseason contention. The Sparks beat Seattle 90-74 before the break, while Dallas defeated Connecticut 97-71 for its fourth straight win. Check out our free WNBA picks.

Los Angeles Sparks Returning on a Two-Game Winning Streak

Los Angeles won three of its final four games before the break, including consecutive victories over Washington and Seattle. The Sparks average 87.4 points per game while allowing 91.8, with the defense ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring allowed. Los Angeles shoots 46.4%t from the field and averages 21.9 assists. The Sparks have struggled on the glass, averaging 31.2 rebounds compared with 35.7 for their opponents.

Nneka Ogwumike leads Los Angeles with 17.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 51.4% from the field and 39.4% from three. Rae Burrell adds 14.6 points, while Dearica Hamby averages 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Erica Wheeler directs the offense with 5.2 assists per game. Los Angeles has already lost twice to Dallas this season, falling 104-96 at home and 90-82 at College Park Center.

Injuries: Aaliyah Nye (out).

Dallas Wings Returning With Four Straight Wins

Dallas was one of the league's hottest teams immediately before the World Cup break, winning four straight after a 78-70 road loss to Golden State. The Wings scored at least 91 points in each victory, including a 97-71 win over Connecticut in their most recent game. Dallas averages 89.0 points and allows 85.4, producing a positive scoring differential of 3.7 points. The Wings shoot 46.7% from the field and average 34.3 rebounds and 21.8 assists.

Paige Bueckers leads Dallas with 20.5 points and 5.9 assists while shooting 50.6% from the field and 39.7% from three. Jessica Shepard has been a major presence inside with 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting 58.7%. Arike Ogunbowale adds 15.2 points and 3.2 assists. Dallas commits only 11.0 turnovers per game, while Los Angeles averages 14.5, creating another important difference between the teams.

Injuries: Alanna Smith (out), Azzi Fudd (out), Costanza Verona (out).

Los Angeles Sparks vs Dallas Wings Key Player Matchup

Nneka Ogwumike and Paige Bueckers are central to their teams' scoring plans. Ogwumike averages 17.2 points and 8.9 rebounds while converting 51.4% of her field-goal attempts. Bueckers averages 20.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 50.6% overall. Los Angeles needs Ogwumike's interior scoring and rebounding against a Dallas team that averages 34.3 rebounds. Bueckers can pressure the Sparks with her scoring and passing against a defense allowing 91.8 points per game.

Los Angeles Sparks vs Dallas Wings Game Pick

• Dallas Wings -7.5 (-110)

Dallas -7.5 is the pick after the Wings closed August with four consecutive wins and at least 91 points in each victory. Dallas has also defeated Los Angeles twice this season, winning those meetings by eight points apiece. Bueckers, Ogunbowale and Shepard form a strong scoring trio, while the Wings have a clear rebounding advantage and commit 3.5 fewer turnovers per game. Los Angeles has won two straight, but its defense allows 91.8 points per game. Dallas has enough offensive balance to cover at home.

Los Angeles Sparks vs Dallas Wings Over/Under Pick

• Over 175.5 (-112)

Over 175.5 is the pick in a matchup featuring two offenses averaging more than 87 points per game. Dallas scored 91, 92, 96, and 97 during its four-game winning streak, while Los Angeles scored 88 and 90 in its final two games before the break. The Sparks allow 91.8 points per game and opponents shoot 47.3% against them. The first two meetings finished with 200 and 172 combined points. With Dallas scoring well before the pause and Los Angeles vulnerable defensively, Over is the play.