Player First Basket Leaders

Top 50 players by first baskets scored

This leaderboard ranks WNBA players by total first baskets scored across all games in the selected season. First basket bets are a popular WNBA prop market where you predict which player will score the game's opening points. Use this data to identify consistent first scorers - players who frequently get early touches and have the green light to shoot. The FB Rate shows what percentage of games a player scores the first basket when in the starting lineup. The How They Scored It column counts each first basket by method: layup, dunk, jumper, floater, hook, three-pointer or free throw.

Player Team First Baskets Games Started FB Rate How They Scored It
Shakira Austin WSH 12 42 12/42 (28.6%)
Layup: 10 Jumper: 1 Free Throw: 1
Cecilia Zandalasini GS 9 33 9/33 (27.3%)
Jumper: 3 Floater: 1 3-Pointer: 4 Free Throw: 1
Dominique Malonga SEA 9 34 9/34 (26.5%)
Layup: 3 Jumper: 3 Hook: 1 3-Pointer: 1 Free Throw: 1
Nneka Ogwumike LA 8 42 8/42 (19.0%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 4 Floater: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Paige Bueckers DAL 8 42 8/42 (19.0%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 3 Floater: 1 3-Pointer: 3
Kamilla Cardoso CHI 8 42 8/42 (19.0%)
Layup: 7 Free Throw: 1
Aliyah Boston IND 7 39 7/39 (17.9%)
Layup: 5 Floater: 1 Hook: 1
A'ja Wilson LV 7 40 7/40 (17.5%)
Jumper: 6 3-Pointer: 1
Kelsey Mitchell IND 6 43 6/43 (14.0%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 1 Free Throw: 1
Marina Mabrey TOR 6 32 6/32 (18.8%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 3 Free Throw: 1
Jonquel Jones NY 6 44 6/44 (13.6%)
Layup: 3 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Rhyne Howard ATL 6 43 6/43 (14.0%)
Layup: 3 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Sabrina Ionescu NY 6 31 6/31 (19.4%)
Layup: 4 3-Pointer: 2
Alyssa Thomas PHX 6 41 6/41 (14.6%)
Layup: 6
Jackie Young LV 6 43 6/43 (14.0%)
Layup: 3 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 1 Free Throw: 1
Natasha Howard MIN 6 43 6/43 (14.0%)
Layup: 3 Hook: 2 Free Throw: 1
Gabby Williams GS 6 38 6/38 (15.8%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 2
Dearica Hamby LA 5 41 5/41 (12.2%)
Layup: 4 Floater: 1
Laura Juskaite TOR 5 35 5/35 (14.3%)
Layup: 4 3-Pointer: 1
Jordin Canada ATL 5 43 5/43 (11.6%)
Layup: 2 Floater: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Emily Engstler POR 5 44 5/44 (11.4%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Chelsea Gray LV 5 43 5/43 (11.6%)
Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 3
Allisha Gray ATL 5 44 5/44 (11.4%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Breanna Stewart NY 4 43 4/43 (9.3%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Maria Conde TOR 4 20 4/20 (20.0%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Flau'jae Johnson SEA 4 42 4/42 (9.5%)
Layup: 1 3-Pointer: 2 Free Throw: 1
Courtney Williams MIN 4 42 4/42 (9.5%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Azura Stevens CHI 4 31 4/31 (12.9%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 1 Free Throw: 1
Rae Burrell LA 4 34 4/34 (11.8%)
Layup: 4
Awak Kuier DAL 4 26 4/26 (15.4%)
Layup: 1 Hook: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Stephanie Talbot LV 4 43 4/43 (9.3%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 1
Pauline Astier NY 4 40 4/40 (10.0%)
Layup: 3 3-Pointer: 1
Leila Lacan CON 4 29 4/29 (13.8%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 1 Floater: 1
Kiki Iriafen WSH 3 40 3/40 (7.5%)
Layup: 2 Free Throw: 1
Alanna Smith DAL 3 18 3/18 (16.7%)
Layup: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Lexie Hull IND 3 40 3/40 (7.5%)
Layup: 2 3-Pointer: 1
Jade Melbourne SEA 3 32 3/32 (9.4%)
3-Pointer: 2 Free Throw: 1
Brittney Griner CON 3 18 3/18 (16.7%)
Layup: 1 Jumper: 2
Olivia Nelson-Ododa CON 3 23 3/23 (13.0%)
Layup: 2 Free Throw: 1
Megan Gustafson POR 3
Layup: 1 3-Pointer: 2
NaLyssa Smith LV 3 39 3/39 (7.7%)
Layup: 2 Jumper: 1
Megan DiLeo POR 3 32 3/32 (9.4%)
3-Pointer: 3
Caitlin Clark IND 3 39 3/39 (7.7%)
3-Pointer: 3
Diamond Miller CON 3 42 3/42 (7.1%)
Jumper: 1 Floater: 1 3-Pointer: 1
Jessica Shepard DAL 3 42 3/42 (7.1%)
Layup: 3
Natisha Hiedeman SEA 3 40 3/40 (7.5%)
3-Pointer: 3
Aneesah Morrow CON 3 10 3/10 (30.0%)
Layup: 3
Azzi Fudd DAL 3 24 3/24 (12.5%)
Jumper: 1 3-Pointer: 2
DeWanna Bonner PHX 3 26 3/26 (11.5%)
Layup: 1 3-Pointer: 2
Kahleah Copper PHX 3 39 3/39 (7.7%)
Layup: 3
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Team First Basket Stats

Win rate for scoring first

Team-level statistics showing how often each WNBA team wins the opening tip-off and scores the first point or first field goal. Tip % shows how often a team wins the opening jump ball - a key factor since the team with first possession has the first chance to score. First Point % includes free throws (from technical fouls or flagrants), while First FG % only counts made field goals. Compare tip % and first basket percentages to identify teams that win the tip but fail to convert, or teams that score first despite losing the tip. Teams with dominant centers who consistently win tip-offs have a natural advantage in first basket markets.

Team Games Tip % First Point Wins First Point % First FG Wins First FG %
IND 43 63.4% 25 58.1% 26 60.5%
LV 44 41.9% 25 56.8% 25 56.8%
NY 45 60.5% 25 55.6% 26 57.8%
DAL 44 42.9% 25 56.8% 27 61.4%
SEA 44 47.6% 25 56.8% 22 50.0%
WSH 43 59.5% 23 53.5% 21 48.8%
GS 43 46.5% 23 53.5% 22 51.2%
TOR 43 61.9% 23 53.5% 23 53.5%
CHI 43 60.5% 22 51.2% 22 51.2%
CON 43 71.4% 21 48.8% 20 46.5%
ATL 44 53.7% 20 45.5% 20 45.5%
LA 43 33.3% 19 44.2% 19 44.2%
POR 44 40.5% 18 40.9% 21 47.7%
PHX 43 47.6% 17 39.5% 16 37.2%
MIN 43 17.5% 15 34.9% 16 37.2%
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How First Baskets Are Scored

326 games

Each WNBA game's opening score, split by method. First Point counts free throws. First FG skips them and counts the first made field goal, which is how some sportsbooks settle first basket bets. A layup counts finger rolls, tip-ins and putbacks. A jumper counts pull-ups, fadeaways and step-backs inside the arc.

Method First Point First FG
Layup 43.6% (142)
46.0% (150)
Dunk 0.0% (0)
0.0% (0)
Jumper 17.8% (58)
18.4% (60)
Floater 4.6% (15)
5.2% (17)
Hook 1.5% (5)
1.8% (6)
3-Pointer 27.3% (89)
28.5% (93)
Free Throw 5.2% (17)

Team First Point Method

How each team scores its own first point of the game, as a share of its games. The top method is highlighted.

Team Games LayupJumperFloaterHook3-PointerFree Throw
ATL 44 50.0% 11.4% 9.1% 0.0% 18.2% 11.4%
CHI 43 51.2% 16.3% 4.7% 0.0% 11.6% 16.3%
CON 43 51.2% 34.9% 4.7% 0.0% 2.3% 7.0%
DAL 44 36.4% 20.5% 2.3% 2.3% 36.4% 2.3%
GS 43 16.3% 18.6% 9.3% 0.0% 39.5% 16.3%
IND 43 44.2% 11.6% 7.0% 7.0% 27.9% 2.3%
LA 43 44.2% 18.6% 11.6% 2.3% 20.9% 2.3%
LV 44 25.0% 40.9% 0.0% 0.0% 27.3% 6.8%
MIN 43 41.9% 14.0% 7.0% 4.7% 23.3% 9.3%
NY 45 37.8% 15.6% 4.4% 0.0% 35.6% 6.7%
PHX 43 51.2% 16.3% 4.7% 2.3% 14.0% 11.6%
POR 44 40.9% 11.4% 2.3% 0.0% 38.6% 6.8%
SEA 44 25.0% 22.7% 4.5% 2.3% 34.1% 11.4%
TOR 43 30.2% 20.9% 2.3% 0.0% 37.2% 9.3%
WSH 43 65.1% 7.0% 0.0% 0.0% 18.6% 9.3%
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Recent Form (Last 10 Games)

First basket performance in recent games

Track each team's recent first basket performance over their last 10 games. Recent form often matters more than season-long averages - teams on hot streaks with confident opening plays tend to continue scoring first. Teams labeled HOT (60%+ first point rate) are worth considering, while COLD teams (30% or below) may be worth fading. The top scorers shown for each team indicate which players have been getting the first bucket recently, helping you identify the best first basket prop targets for upcoming games.

IND HOT
Games
10
1st Point
70.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Caitlin Clark (3) Makayla Timpson (3) Kelsey Mitchell (2)
MIN HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Natasha Howard (3) Courtney Williams (3) Kayla McBride (1)
NY HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Jonquel Jones (4) Pauline Astier (3) Breanna Stewart (2)
ATL HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Angel Reese (4) Allisha Gray (3) Jordin Canada (2)
GS HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Veronica Burton (4) Kayla Thornton (2) Tiffany Hayes (2)
TOR HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
60.0%
Top Scorers: Laura Juskaite (3) Isabelle Harrison (2) Temi Fagbenle (2)
DAL HOT
Games
10
1st Point
60.0%
1st FG
80.0%
Top Scorers: Paige Bueckers (4) Alanna Smith (3) Awak Kuier (3)
LV AVG
Games
10
1st Point
50.0%
1st FG
50.0%
Top Scorers: Jackie Young (3) Chelsea Gray (3) A'ja Wilson (2)
CHI AVG
Games
10
1st Point
50.0%
1st FG
50.0%
Top Scorers: Natasha Cloud (4) Sydney Taylor (3) Kamilla Cardoso (1)
CON AVG
Games
10
1st Point
50.0%
1st FG
50.0%
Top Scorers: Diamond Miller (4) Kennedy Burke (2) Saniya Rivers (1)
POR AVG
Games
10
1st Point
50.0%
1st FG
50.0%
Top Scorers: Emily Engstler (4) Megan DiLeo (2) Bridget Carleton (2)
SEA AVG
Games
10
1st Point
40.0%
1st FG
30.0%
Top Scorers: Dominique Malonga (4) Flau'jae Johnson (2) Jade Melbourne (2)
LA AVG
Games
10
1st Point
40.0%
1st FG
40.0%
Top Scorers: Dearica Hamby (4) Erica Wheeler (2) Rae Burrell (2)
PHX AVG
Games
10
1st Point
40.0%
1st FG
40.0%
Top Scorers: Alyssa Thomas (6) Noemie Brochant (2) Kahleah Copper (1)
WSH COLD
Games
10
1st Point
30.0%
1st FG
30.0%
Top Scorers: Shakira Austin (4) Sonia Citron (2) Georgia Amoore (2)

Sportsbook First Basket Rules

Different sportsbooks have different rules for what counts as the "first basket." Some books count free throws, while others only count field goals. This affects your betting strategy - if you're betting on a player who often scores first via free throws, make sure your book counts them! See which sportsbooks count free throws as first basket below.

Free Throws COUNT as First Basket

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Only Field Goals Count (No Free Throws)

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