We’re a month into the WNBA season, that means it is time for some evaluations.
Loads of basketball stays, with ample time for developments — good and unhealthy — to reverse course. However we now have sufficient information by way of 4 weeks to evaluate which groups are passing with flying colours, have overachieved, have underachieved and are downright floundering.
With All-Star voting beginning, Commissioner’s Cup play nicely underway and almost a fourth of the season within the books, ESPN grades all 13 groups and tackles among the largest questions going through the league.
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ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GS | IND |
LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHO | SEA | WAS | Questions
It is powerful to take problem with the Liberty. Past their unblemished report, they’ve merely dominated, outscoring opponents by 171 factors, essentially the most by any staff by way of 9 video games in WNBA historical past. They’re tops in offensive and defensive rankings and sport a 23.4 web ranking — sizably higher than the second-best staff (Minnesota, 10.9). Any considerations over how they’d substitute Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Kayla Thornton have largely been assuaged: Natasha Cloud has been some of the impactful free company additions, Kennedy Burke has taken a step ahead, and the Liberty’s stars stay stellar. New York is not even at full energy — Nyara Sabally has been restricted, Jonquel Jones has missed time due to an harm, and Leonie Fiebich shall be gone for EuroBasket — which might give this squad much more alternatives to develop its depth. — Alexa Philippou
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The Lynx misplaced their first recreation of the season Wednesday, 94-84 at Seattle. Coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned it was a wanted lesson concerning the problem of profitable on the street towards a staff pretty much as good as Seattle: “You have to play a hell of so much higher.” All informed, although, it has been a robust begin for Minnesota, which got here so near profitable the league championship final 12 months however fell to New York. Expectations remained excessive within the run-up to this season, with all of the starters returning, and the Lynx are exhibiting they’ll make a title run once more. Ahead Napheesa Collier was ESPN’s unanimous choice because the early favourite for MVP, averaging 25.4 factors, 8.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a couple of.0 steals. Having ahead Jessica Shepard (7.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG) again after she missed the 2024 season due to the WNBA’s prioritization guidelines has strengthened the bench. — Michael Voepel
Many have been not sure about Phoenix heading into the season, with such a top-heavy roster and so many WNBA newcomers. Then the Mercury introduced opening weekend that Kahleah Copper (knee) could be out 4 to 6 weeks. Regardless of this, the Mercury sit fourth within the league standings — much more spectacular contemplating they have been additionally with out Alyssa Thomas (calf) for 5 video games. Rookies Lexi Held, Monique Akoa Makani, Kitija Laksa and Kathryn Westbeld have been incredible position gamers surrounding Thomas and Satou Sabally, often stepping as much as assist Phoenix towards its greatest 11-game begin since 2018. Their roster overhaul has offered the Mercury extra of a gritty, defensive identification than lately, and so they boast the fourth-best defensive ranking within the league. All of this bodes nicely for the Valley because it seems to be to include Copper again into the fold within the coming weeks. — Philippou
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Lexi Held will get the bucket proper earlier than halftime
Lexi Held will get the bucket proper earlier than halftime
The Dream’s new period, with Karl Smesko on the sidelines and Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones within the frontcourt, received off to a tough begin with a house loss to Washington. Atlanta was additionally on the fallacious finish of one in every of Connecticut’s two wins. Regardless of these losses, the Dream appear like the league’s third-best staff within the early going, placing themselves firmly within the competitors for dwelling court docket benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs. Jap Convention Participant of the Month Allisha Grey (our front-runner for Most Improved Participant) has thrived in Smesko’s system, capturing career-high percentages on 2s (57%) and 3s (42%) and trying a career-high 6.1 free throws per recreation. And whereas Griner and Jones are nonetheless honing their chemistry, Naz Hillmon has confirmed a robust complement for both post-up risk, capturing 40% from past the arc. — Kevin Pelton
The Storm showcased their potential Wednesday, ending Minnesota’s undefeated begin in a 94-84 win. Veteran guard Erica Wheeler, who was signed to a coaching camp contract as a free agent, has confirmed a godsend, supplying obligatory 3-point capturing (46%) and playmaking to enhance holdover stars Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike. The Storm have additionally gotten a robust marketing campaign from Gabby Williams, who’s averaging a career-high 14.9 factors. Seattle might nonetheless see Ezi Magbegor bounce again from a gradual begin, and it has restricted depth with three gamers sidelined by season-ending ACL tears. However the Storm are within the combine for a top-four seed. Trying forward, they need to be excited concerning the improvement of No. 2 decide Dominique Malonga, who’s incomes extra constant day without work the bench at age 19 and averaging 20 factors per 40 minutes. — Pelton
Expectations have been low for Golden State in its inaugural season — and with good motive. Traditionally, enlargement groups battle of their debut campaigns. And with a roster constructed round worldwide and veteran position gamers, however no star energy, it was tough to foretell how the Valkyries would fare. As an alternative, they’ve wildly exceeded expectations. Their largest assertion was their 27-point win over Las Vegas, which noticed them shut down A’ja Wilson and put collectively their most full offensive efficiency to date. Of their subsequent recreation, they beat Los Angeles in additional time. Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton have emerged because the staff’s greatest gamers, whereas undrafted rookie Janelle Salaun’s manufacturing has been a welcome shock. Golden State has proven battle in most of its video games though it has struggled to keep it up within the second half or shut out in shut conditions. However their wins towards the Aces and Sparks show they’ve what it takes. — Kendra Andrews
With two rookies beginning and a 3rd (Georgia Amoore) who might need began earlier than a season-ending ACL harm, we anticipated the Mystics to be within the battle for the WNBA’s worst report. As an alternative, Washington has been feisty, outscoring opponents with first-round picks Kiki Iriafen (our early decide for Rookie of the Yr) and Sonia Citron averaging a mixed 28 factors. Iriafen is a nightly double-double risk, and Citron has been the staff’s most effective scorer. Veteran Brittney Sykes has additionally showcased newfound playmaking for herself and others, blowing away her earlier profession highs with averages of 20.6 factors and 4.7 assists. Mystics coach Sydney Johnson does not have the excessive profile of different WNBA newcomers, however his system is placing gamers in positions to succeed. — Pelton
The Fever have been fourth in our preseason predictions, so the excitement was warranted. However they have not measured as much as these expectations but — for good motive. They have been with out level guard and catalyst Caitlin Clark (quad harm) the previous 5 video games, with guard Sophie Cunningham additionally restricted to simply 4 appearances. The Fever additionally know plenty of development is required to grow to be a contender. Ahead Aliyah Boston and guard Lexie Hull have proven enchancment. Guard Kelsey Mitchell, in her eighth season, stays a pillar. Stephanie White — again for her second stint as Indiana’s coach — needs her group to play higher towards bodily opponents and discover its rhythm on offense. Clark’s return will assist the staff reap the benefits of transition alternatives. And when the Fever are taking part in at a quick tempo offensively, it helps their protection. — Voepel
The beginning of the Kelsey Plum period in Los Angeles appeared promising, the tone set with a profession night time within the season opener. Nevertheless, Plum and the Sparks have since been mediocre, at greatest. They managed to choose up an enormous win over the Aces however general have not taken as many steps ahead as they’d hoped, following a traditionally unhealthy 2024 marketing campaign. Plum continues to be producing 21 factors per night time and sophomore Rickea Jackson had 30 towards Las Vegas, however the staff we projected to be on the bubble of the playoffs has dropped all however two video games towards opponents with profitable data. — Andrews
What on this planet is going on in Las Vegas? The Aces have been third in our preseason predictions however have stumbled and look out of types. For the primary time beneath coach Becky Hammon, they’ve misplaced two video games by not less than 20 factors, towards the Storm and Valkyries. A’ja Wilson — who left Wednesday night time’s loss to the Sparks due to a head harm — is averaging 20.9 factors and Chelsea Grey is including 14.8, however Vegas is struggling to get good manufacturing from greater than two gamers on any given night time. Jewell Loyd, who changed Kelsey Plum, has been a nonfactor, averaging simply 9 factors in 28 minutes — almost eight factors fewer than her profession common. Hammon did not mince phrases after the Golden State loss when she mentioned different groups are “punking” the Aces, and that they’re “smooth mentally.” She known as out the Aces’ effort on each ends of the ground, after which did so once more after the loss to Los Angeles. Grey mentioned her staff is in “unchartered territory,” and based mostly on how far the Aces are from their preseason expectations, she is 100% appropriate. — Andrews
The Solar have a case for a worse grade right here: Their -22.6 web ranking is a league-worst and so they’ve been outscored by 157 factors, the worst level differential by way of 9 video games of any season in WNBA historical past. They’ve already suffered 5 20-point losses, their most in a marketing campaign, after having 5 such defeats from 2020 to 2024. But, after an offseason outlined by widespread change, we had Connecticut eleventh in our preseason energy rankings, so possibly they are not too removed from expectations and do not have to hitch Chicago and Dallas under. Issues have not been all doom and gloom in Connecticut, both: The Solar’s wins got here towards the Dream and a Clark-less Fever, two high quality victories. The staff additionally continues to construct round younger stars, akin to Saniya Rivers, and Leila Lacan will hopefully present a spark as soon as she joins the staff from Europe. — Philippou
Below new coach Tyler Marsh, Chicago hasn’t had a lot to be enthusiastic about. It wasn’t projected to be a playoff staff, besides, issues have been bleak. The Sky’s two wins have come towards last-place Dallas. Their two losses to would-be rival Indiana have been by a mixed 62 factors. They’re next-to-last in scoring, offensive ranking, defensive ranking and web ranking. They lead the league in turnovers at 17.8 per recreation. Making issues even worse, veteran level guard Courtney Vandersloot was misplaced for the season to a knee harm suffered June 7. Now, a lot of the on-court management should come from guard Ariel Atkins, in her first season with this group. Chicago will want development shortly from rookie guard Hailey Van Lith. Like final season, ahead Angel Reese (12.1) leads the league in rebounding. However her scoring common (10.1) and subject aim proportion (35.8%) have dropped from her rookie season. — Voepel
The Wings made plenty of offseason strikes: hiring a brand new GM and coach, bringing again simply three gamers from final season’s 9-31 staff, including No. 1 draft decide Paige Bueckers. It hasn’t panned out to date. Dallas, picked eighth in our ESPN preseason rankings, is averaging 81.5 factors however permitting 88.5. Bueckers returned to the lineup with 35 factors Wednesday in a loss to Phoenix after lacking 4 video games in concussion protocol and due to an sickness. Guard Arike Ogunbowale is capturing 33.7% and averaging 15.7 factors, each profession lows. Facilities Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder shall be gone the remainder of June as they play in EuroBasket. Dallas was the league’s worst staff final season and is on the street to repeating that in 2025. However we are going to see whether or not the Wings can discover some life with Bueckers again. — Voepel
Jewell Loyd’s enchancment could possibly be key for a Las Vegas turnaround. Lucas Peltier-Imagn ImagesThe remainder of the league is trying up on the Lynx and Liberty. Which staff has essentially the most potential to stop a Minnesota-New York WNBA Finals rematch?
Pelton: I truly picked the Aces to face the Liberty within the Finals, a choice I instantly regretted. Las Vegas hasn’t bounced again with Jewell Loyd changing Kelsey Plum, and had been outscored with its beginning lineup on the court docket earlier than Wednesday’s loss to Los Angeles. I am now going with the Fever, who have not but performed something near their greatest basketball due to Clark’s harm however confirmed one thing by taking the Liberty to the ultimate shot earlier than she went out.
Andrews: The Mercury at present have the third-best grade, and I do not see a transparent path for them to beat both the Lynx or the Liberty in a collection. Whereas Phoenix has been stunning in its success and cohesion, each New York and Minnesota are well-oiled machines at this level. Their expertise taking part in collectively and within the Finals retains them as clear favorites proper now. As Pelton alluded to, heading into the season, the Aces introduced as high challengers — and likewise carried the expertise of profitable back-to-back titles. However they’re struggling, too, so it is arduous to consider there is a true challenger proper now.
Philippou: I’ve but to see a staff that I feel might beat Minnesota or New York in a five-game semifinal collection. We did not fairly get the 13-0 and 11-0 begins Minnesota and Los Angeles each had in 2016 en path to their eventual conflict within the championship collection, however the first month of the season (the Liberty and Lynx each began 9-0 earlier than Minnesota misplaced for the primary time on Wednesday) is the closest we have needed to that. I am anticipating a 2024 WNBA Finals rematch this October.
Voepel: The reply now’s we’ll get a repeat Finals. However the query is about potential, so let’s be optimistic for just a few different groups. As Pelton mentioned, Indiana’s two-point loss to the Liberty is the closest anybody has come to beating the defending champions. And there have been moments in that recreation when the Fever actually had the Liberty on their heels — till a 4½-minute scoring drought within the fourth quarter. In the meantime, Atlanta has defeated the Fever twice and are available shut a 3rd time. Phoenix hasn’t had Kahleah Copper, its main scorer final season, on the court docket but. Seattle simply beat the Lynx. That is just one recreation, however it’s one thing. And do not toss the Aces on the scrap heap simply but. Their disappointing begin might nonetheless gasoline a comeback.
5 groups have profitable data. Is that this an indication of parity within the WNBA or a mirrored image of accidents, new coaches and rebuilds — or one thing else?
Philippou: I do not suppose it is a coincidence the underside six groups within the standings all have first-year WNBA head coaches (the one rookie coach not there may be Atlanta’s Karl Smesko). We would nonetheless be too early within the season to attract any broad-strokes conclusions on these teaching staffs or groups, and a few will possible discover a groove because the season progresses. Then again, groups such because the Aces (4-4) and Fever (4-5) — for various causes — have underperformed. With New York and Minnesota so clearly forward of the remainder of the pack, it does not look like this WNBA season shall be outlined by its parity.
Pelton: A giant issue within the crowded WNBA center tier is that the Liberty and Lynx are hogging so many wins, leaving much less to go round for the remainder of the league.
Who’s essentially the most impactful participant within the league proper now?
Pelton: I might say Jewell Loyd’s efficiency might need essentially the most affect. She’s again to type from the 3-point line, capturing 37%, however hasn’t been in a position to make pictures contained in the arc. Loyd is 7-of-34 (21%) on 2s, that accuracy too poor to probably proceed. After averaging a subject aim per recreation contained in the restricted space across the basket final season, Loyd has simply two whole makes there by way of eight video games in 2025, based on GeniusIQ monitoring. For the Aces to contend, Loyd must be a risk within the paint.
Philippou: Caitlin Clark. Together with her on the ground, the Fever weren’t invincible, however you could possibly see why they have been seen as early championship contenders, particularly after they handed New York its narrowest victory thus far. With out Clark, Indiana is simply 2-3, with Tuesday’s loss in Atlanta marking a setback after two consecutive wins. If Clark returns quickly, stays wholesome and the staff jells, few opponents will wish to see Indiana within the playoffs. We noticed the Fever take off after the Olympic break final season, and I think there shall be an analogous turning level as soon as Clark and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) return.
Voepel: Napheesa Collier is the MVP favourite and the largest think about protecting the Lynx in the identical stratosphere because the Liberty. Minnesota gained the one recreation Collier missed due to harm this 12 months, however that was towards injury-riddled Phoenix. Cheryl Reeve is an skilled coach, and her staff is cohesive sufficient that the Lynx can nonetheless play nicely with out Collier. However she makes the Lynx championship contenders.
What storyline has essentially the most potential to vary between now and the beginning of the playoffs?
Pelton: The commerce deadline has the potential to deliver among the nice early surprises of the season again to earth. A pair of things might compel the Mystics and Valkyries to commerce their veterans, most notably Brittney Sykes and Kayla Thornton, to contenders. First, reaching the playoffs because the No. 7 or 8 seed is a poisoned chalice when a matchup with the loaded Liberty or Lynx awaits. Second, each would profit from being within the lottery. Assuming the 2 incoming enlargement franchises decide after the nonplayoff groups, as Golden State did this 12 months, making the playoffs is the distinction between a assured top-five decide and sliding all the way in which to eighth within the 2026 draft.
Philippou: I am wanting to see how the Rookie of the Yr race unfolds. Will the winner come from Washington’s first-year energy tandem of Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron? Will Paige Bueckers, solely lately returned from a four-game absence (concussion/sickness), construct off Wednesday’s 35-point outburst and grow to be the newest No. 1 decide to earn the crown? Arising with an all-rookie staff shall be a enjoyable train, too, with so many skilled professionals shining of their first WNBA season, akin to Golden State’s Janelle Salaun and Carla Leite, plus the Mercury’s aforementioned lot.
Andrews: Well being will proceed to be an enormous think about dictating groups’ success. Clark’s absence in Indiana, Bueckers’ missed video games in Dallas, Ty Harris’ season-ending surgical procedure for the Wings, Copper in Phoenix. On the flip facet is Cameron Brink’s anticipated return in Los Angeles. I am curious to see how losses and returns affect the remainder of the common season. Groups want a little bit of luck and well being to make a deep run, and that can separate groups in the midst of the pack.
Voepel: The Fever’s offense can go from zero to 100 mph quicker than any staff when Clark is operating in transition. She’s simply that masterful at pushing the tempo, both by scoring herself or discovering an open teammate. When she returns, the Fever can regain momentum they’ve misplaced together with her out. Admittedly, they have been 2-2 together with her, however we noticed glimpses of a dynamic offense and higher protection than final season. So, whereas the Fever have a shedding report proper now, they could possibly be the staff they’d hoped to be by September.