The WNBA regular season just concluded this past Thursday. It made history in more ways than one; viewership on ESPN increased 6% from last year, games regularly had 10,000+ fans, and the newest addition, the Golden State Valkyries, surpassed the expectations of everyone. While there is so much that went on this season, I’ll discuss some key players, top teams, and playoff projections as the postseason roars on.
Key Players:
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx): Runner-up in the MVP voting last season, Collier came into this season with a newfound energy. With her 22.9 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, she led the way for the Minnesota Lynx to stay firmly in first place. She became the 2nd player in WNBA history to have a 50-40-90 regular season, meaning she made 50% of her field goals, 40% of her 3-point shots, and 90% of her free throws! That’s an impressive feat if you ask me. Her calm demeanor and ability to impact the game on both sides of the floor brought Minnesota to new heights. While she did have to miss 8 games with an ankle injury, her name is still amongst the favorites in the MVP race.
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces): 3-time MVP and now 3-time DPOY, Wilson singlehandedly changed the trajectory of the Las Vegas Aces’ season. She led the league in points, rebounds, and blocks per game and was truly the backbone of the Aces’ post-all-star game success. When Wilson gets going, she is nearly impossible to stop. Her leadership on and off the court has drastically improved the quality of play by her teammates. The Aces have won 19 out of their last 20 games, and a big part of that is the production they’ve been getting from Wilson. She re-inserted her name into the MVP race and has a great chance of winning her 4th one!
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings): Fresh off a National Championship, Paige Bueckers had high expectations coming into her inaugural season. Not only did she meet those bars, she exceeded them. Bueckers was 5th in scoring and 2nd in steals among the ENTIRE WNBA. While her individual success didn’t translate into many wins for the injury-riddled Dallas Wings, she set many season and WNBA records. She set a new rookie scoring record after recording 44 points on 80% field goal percentage against the LA Sparks. She had 30 consecutive double-digit point outings and multiple 10-assist games. Winning ROTY, Bueckers will be a force to be reckoned with in her WNBA career.
Allisha Gray: She flew under the radar of many last season, yet Gray had a career-best season this year. Averaging a career-best in points (18.4), rebounds (5.3), and assists (3.5), Gray propelled the Atlanta Dream to secure the 3rd seed in the WNBA playoffs. She surpassed 3,000 career points and cemented herself in All-WNBA conversations. An aggressive shot-taker (and maker), Gray looked sharper, efficient, and thorough in her play. She was a major contributor to Atlanta’s regular-season success and seems to have unlocked a new level in her game!
Notable Teams (Good and Bad)
Golden State Valkyries: In its inaugural season, Golden State found success in more ways than one. Having to choose players from the expansion draft, the odds of making the playoffs seemed unlikely. Behind the electric, sold-out games at the Chase Center, players from several nations, with their no-quit mentality, managed to secure the 8th seed in the WNBA playoffs. Anchored by All-Star Kayla Thorton, they kept all competitors on their toes. After Thorton went down with a torn ACL, alongside a multitude of injuries, the Valkyries’ chances of reaching the postseason seemed slim. Together, they powered through the 2nd half of the season behind Most Improved Player Veronica Burton and rookie Janele Salaun, and became the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Las Vegas Aces: Before the All-Star break, the Las Vegas Aces seemed bleak. They were missing intensity and connectivity, resulting in their 8th-place standings. After losing to the Minnesota Lynx by 53 points, A’ja Wilson knew they had to turn it around. She had a conversation with her teammates that would change the trajectory of their season. They ended the regular season on a 17-game winning streak, the longest in WNBA history. They found their spark by having Jewel Loyd come off the bench and the improved play of Chelsea Gray, Nalyssa Smith, and Kierstan Bell. They are now moving onto the WNBA semi-finals and have moved up 6 SPOTS while on their scorching hot streak.
Chicago Sky: Many fans, including I, thought that the Chicago Sky would make the playoffs this year. They had the second year of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso and acquired Ariel Atkins from a trade with the Mystics. They probably wouldn’t be the best team, but no one was prepared for how poorly they would perform. It started with who they last drafted that made the roster– Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld. While they aren’t bad players, they didn’t bring much value to the team. The Sky had no true point guard after 36-year-old Courtney Vanderlsoot went down with a torn ACL, and no one who impacted the game as much as Reese and Cardoso. To say it was bad is an understatement, and the recent controversy with Reese and the Sky front office leaves many Sky fans worrying about the trajectory of their team.
Playoff Predictions
I think it’s difficult to decide who is going to win the championship this season with so many good teams that have made it to this point. I don’t have a clear winner yet, but I do think the championship will be played between the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces– they are the top 2 teams and have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. I give a slight edge to the Lynx because their depth will help them in the long run, but the Aces look like a brand new team! I’ll be happy with any winner, as the success of the WNBA is amazing to watch!
In a world full of crazy things, the WNBA continues to be my entertainment for each day! Who do you think will win the WNBA Championship?
