The 2025 WNBA All-Star Recreation is almost right here, which suggests it is time to take inventory of the opening half of the season and provides grades for the second time this summer season.
The 13 groups’ first report card was in mid-June, when the defending champion New York Liberty have been nonetheless undefeated. Their season has taken some twists and turns since. The Minnesota Lynx now have a agency lead over the sphere within the league standings whereas the Indiana Fever received the Commissioner’s Cup title.
Large names resembling New York’s Jonquel Jones, Indiana’s Caitlin Clark and the Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally have been battling accidents. Some personnel strikes have been made. There have been each nice and unsightly surprises in the way in which that groups have carried out.
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Alexa Philippou, Kevin Pelton and Michael Voepel hand out midseason marks for the WNBA earlier than the All-Stars converge on Indianapolis.
Bounce to:
ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GS | IND |
LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHO | SEA | WAS
The WNBA’s first-place staff has hit a few bumps within the street of late, with three losses in July, together with the Commissioner’s Cup closing at dwelling to Indiana on July 1. However total, the Lynx (19-4) have been the league’s most constant and cohesive staff all season. They’re the second-highest scoring staff at 84.9 PPG whereas holding opponents to a league-low 75.3 PPG. They proceed to have the identical grade they’d on the one-month mark.
First-half MVP: Ahead Napheesa Collier. She is the front-runner to win her first league MVP award after being runner-up final 12 months. She has some eye-popping numbers: league-best scoring common (23.9 PPG) and win shares (5.3), a 95.4 free throw share and career-high 3.5 assists common. — Voepel
Phoenix (15-6, three video games behind the Lynx) acquired a robust grade in our first report card, and has solely continued to impress within the first half, sitting at second within the rankings forward of Wednesday’s marquee matchup towards the Lynx. That is all regardless of fully overhauling the roster within the offseason, having to lean on a batch of WNBA rookies and coping with a slew of accidents that would have simply derailed this summer season. Every of the Mercury’s huge three has missed time this season — mainly, Kahleah Copper has been restricted to 6 video games — and but they haven’t been deterred. Thus far, midseason addition DeWanna Bonner has been a robust match, and the staff may very well be even scarier if it lands Emma Meesseman after the break.
First-half MVP: As soon as the so-called Engine in Connecticut, Alyssa Thomas has been sensational in her first season within the Valley, main the league in assists per sport (9.6), having one among her finest scoring seasons (15.4 PPG, 53.5% FG) and persevering with to cement herself as one of many premier defenders on the earth. Not solely is she the MVP of the Mercury to this point, Thomas is firmly within the league’s MVP race, too. — Philippou
The Valkyries (10-11) are firmly within the playoff race. Anchored by its top-5 protection, Golden State is limiting opponents to the second-lowest scoring within the league at 78.6 factors per sport. Solely the Lynx enable fewer factors (75.3). The Valkyries have constantly impressed with how they’ve stayed aggressive in practically each sport — even the losses. Golden State hasn’t dropped a contest by greater than 9 factors since June 5. The Valkyries additionally picked up a 19-point win over the Fever in Caitlin Clark’s first sport again from groin damage. If Golden State retains enjoying at this degree they may make historical past and attain the postseason within the franchise’s inaugural season.
First-half MVP: Kayla Thornton is having one of the best season of her profession, averaging profession highs in factors (14.5), rebounds (7.1) and steals (1.4) — she additionally leads Golden State in each class. In rising because the Valkyries’ go-to possibility, Thornton earned first All-Star choice. — Andrews
The Liberty began the season 9-0 and seemed robust because the defending champions. They’d an A on the primary report card, however have dropped a bit. An ankle damage to WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones that has restricted her to 9 video games modified the dynamics for New York. The 6-foot-6 middle is so key an element each offensively and defensively that it is unimaginable to play the identical with out her. To their credit score, the Liberty (14-6) have weathered accidents and ahead Leonie Fiebich’s time away enjoying at EuroBasket fairly nicely, led by ahead Breanna Stewart and guards Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud. However they need to be trying ahead to their full staff being again sooner or later.
First-half MVP: Breanna Stewart is the Liberty’s chief in scoring (19.5), rebounding (6.7) and blocks (1.3). With Jones out, there may be a variety of stress on Stewart, however the three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP has all the time been used to that. — Voepel
When the Mystics dropped to 5-8, it seemed like they could be coming again to Earth after an sudden robust begin. As an alternative, Washington (11-11) has rallied to win six of the final 9 video games. That streak included a pair of wins over Las Vegas, handing Minnesota one among its three losses and successful at Seattle on Sunday. The Mystics have nonetheless been outscored on the season however now should be taken significantly as playoff contenders at seventh within the standings.
First-half MVP: Given rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are the lone Washington gamers to begin each sport, maybe the reply is first-year head coach Sydney Johnson, who has constructed a top-five protection. Citron has been essentially the most environment friendly of Washington’s double-digit scorers and a fast research on protection, so I might give her the nod over main scorer Brittney Sykes. — Pelton
Since peaking at 10-4, the Dream have misplaced 5 of their final seven video games to slip to fifth within the standings. Nonetheless, solely final 12 months’s two Finalists have higher level differentials than Atlanta (12-9), which has outscored opponents by 5.0 PPG regardless of integrating new coach Karl Smesko and two new starters plus coping with Jordin Canada’s absence to begin the season. Smesko’s offense has introduced out one of the best within the Dream’s holdovers on the perimeter and accommodated a pair of put up scorers in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones.
First-half MVP: Allisha Grey is pushing for All-WNBA first-team honors, having averaged profession highs in factors (18.6), rebounds (5.5) and assists (3.9) per sport whereas making 3s at a 39% clip. Grey was rightfully voted to begin the All-Star Recreation for the primary time. — Pelton
Maybe the WNBA’s least constant staff, the Storm have gone a mixed 5-2 towards the three groups forward of them within the standings however simply 8-7 towards the remainder of the league. Depth is one key think about Seattle (13-9) enjoying to its competitors. Since Erica Wheeler moved into the beginning 5, Storm reserves have averaged a league-low 13.4 PPG, per WNBA Superior Stats.
First-half MVP: Any of the Storm’s three All-Stars could be an affordable alternative. Veterans Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike are the staff’s two main scorers and tops in assists (Diggins) and rebounds (Ogwumike). But I might go along with Gabby Williams, who has been a defensive power (averaging a league-high 2.5 SPG) and an essential offensive connector. — Pelton
The Fever (12-10) have had rather a lot to cope with, which they’ve executed an honest job with. So their grade bumped up from a C-plus. Caitlin Clark’s quad and groin accidents — she was damage once more late in Tuesday’s victory over Connecticut — have value the All-Star starter 9 regular-season video games to this point. DeWanna Bonnner, anticipated to be a key free-agent addition, wasn’t joyful together with her function and was waived. She has signed with Phoenix. Indiana picked up guard Aari McDonald, who has helped. However the Fever are hoping to get Clark absolutely wholesome and enhance defensively to take advantage of this season.
First-half MVP: It is exhausting to not decide All-Star reserve Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s main scorer at 19.3 PPG. She has been so good. However All-Star starter Aliyah Boston (16.0 PPG on 57.7% capturing and team-high 7.8 RPG) will get the nod as she has been the Fever’s most constant inside participant and defensive stalwart. — Voepel
The Sparks (8-14) have been underwhelming by means of the primary half of the season. After ending with the worst file within the league final 12 months, they acquired Kelsey Plum within the hopes that the guard, together with Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby and a wholesome Cameron Brink, might return Los Angeles to playoff competition. Sure, with Tuesday’s win over Washington, the Sparks have already got received as many video games as in all of final season, however they nonetheless have the fourth-worst file within the league. There is no clear reply for when Brink might be again. And whereas Plum averages 20.1 factors per sport, there may be a variety of work but to do.
First-half MVP: Kelsey Plum. She ranks third within the league in scoring and is matching her profession excessive in factors per sport. She has had a number of large scoring outbursts, together with a 37-point sport on opening night time and most not too long ago a 23-point efficiency towards the Solar on July 13. Plum has executed all the pieces the Sparks have been hoping to get from her after they traded for her within the offseason. — Andrews
The Sky (7-14) have a brand new coach, Tyler Marsh, and misplaced their most skilled participant, 15-year veteran level guard Courtney Vandersloot, to a season-ending knee damage on June 7. So there was rather a lot to regulate to in 2025. Chicago had an “F” grade one month into the season with simply two victories, however has gone 5-8 since, together with a win over league-leading Minnesota. Chicago nonetheless leads the league in turnovers at 15.7, however that is down two from the Sky’s common in mid-June. So there was enchancment, which is mirrored in a greater grade.
First-half MVP: Ahead Angel Reese. She leads the Sky in scoring (14.0), rebounding (league-best 12.6) and — consider it or not — assists (3.8). She has had 9 double-doubles in a row. Reese held down the fort whereas fellow second-year put up participant Kamilla Cardoso was away enjoying for Brazil within the AmeriCup match. There was rather a lot on Reese’s shoulders, and she or he has responded. — Voepel
The Wings (6-16) have had some good wins this season over Atlanta and Phoenix. Their three rookie guards — Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly — have introduced hustle and vitality to the staff. The commerce for middle Li Yueru has helped her get the minutes she wants and Dallas get some consistency inside. However the Wings’ veterans are principally injured or not enjoying very nicely, together with guard Arike Ogunbowale. She is averaging 16.0 factors whereas capturing 35% total and 29.5% from 3-point vary, all profession lows.
First-half MVP: All-Star starter Paige Bueckers has helped transfer the Wings up a bit from an F grade final time. She is averaging 18.3 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists and has established herself because the Rookie of the Yr favourite. However this roster must look totally different subsequent 12 months to finest make the most of Bueckers’ expertise. — Voepel
It is exhausting to diagnose what has gone fallacious for the Aces (10-11) as they stumble towards the All-Star break. Their protection has been a battle, going from a top-5 protection in 2024 to a bottom-5. In addition they have the fourth-worst offensive ranking within the league. The Aces squeaked out a much-needed win over the Valkyries over the weekend, however it got here on the heels of blowing a 15-point lead towards the Mystics — Las Vegas’ largest blown lead of the season. At this level, it is regarding that Las Vegas hasn’t been capable of shake off the rocky begin, or determine precisely what’s inflicting the struggles. It will take an unimaginable second half of the season to make the Aces a aggressive postseason staff.
First-half MVP: Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson has been the lone vibrant spot for the Aces’ season — and within the 4 video games she missed her significance was highlighted much more. Wilson ranks second within the league in scoring with 21.5 factors per sport and not too long ago put up 34 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and a couple of blocks to assist the Aces beat the Valkyries 104-102. — Andrews
It isn’t that we have been anticipating a lot from the Solar (3-19) this season. They misplaced their complete beginning 5 from 2024, led by longtime identification of the franchise Alyssa Thomas, plus coach Stephanie White. However it has been maybe even rougher than anticipated. Guard Marina Mabrey was the staff’s main scorer (15.2 PPG) when she went out with a knee damage; she hasn’t performed since June 20. Veteran middle Tina Charles has since turn out to be the Solar’s prime scorer (15.6), however Connecticut is missing in offense. The Solar are averaging 72.7 PPG and permitting 88.0 PPG, each worst within the WNBA.
First-half MVP: Tina Charles, 36, remains to be doing her job on her strategy to the Corridor of Fame. There simply is not sufficient expertise round her to provide her one other shot on the playoffs this 12 months. Hopefully, she has at the very least a couple of years left to get one other likelihood on the postseason. — Voepel