Eight video games. Three days. The 2025 WNBA season is off and working. And to this point we have seen the defending champion New York Liberty open sturdy, the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark report a triple-double and the Washington Mystics –perhaps higher than most predicted — begin 2-0.
There’s solely a lot to remove from a small pattern dimension of video games to start the grind of a 44-game common season that ends in September. Nonetheless, first impressions imply one thing — a minimum of till we’ve sufficient outcomes and knowledge to make extra knowledgeable judgments.
Typically sluggish begins can flip round — see the Fever final season making the playoffs after opening 1-8 — whereas different occasions they’re an indicator {that a} crew is in for a protracted season of frustration.
Listed here are ESPN’s early takeaways as we head into the primary full week of the WNBA season.
Indiana might be a greater defensive crew this season
Nobody doubts the Fever could be pretty much as good (or higher) offensively this season as they had been final 12 months, after they ranked first in discipline objective share (45.6) and third in scoring (85.0 PPG) and offensive ranking (106.1) behind then-rookie level guard Clark.
However Indiana’s protection already appeared a lot improved within the Fever’s 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Including gamers comparable to Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner and Sydney Colson — all often called sturdy defenders — ought to enhance the Fever, who had been second-to-last in defensive ranking (109.5) in 2024.
The Fever blocked 10 photographs and held the Sky to 29.1% capturing. Aliyah Boston — who ranked tenth within the league final season at 1.2 blocks per recreation — had 5 blocks Saturday. Clark had a career-high 4 blocks, and Howard had one. The Sky by no means might get a lot going offensively; they scored 17, 15, 13 and 13 factors within the 4 quarters.
“I believed we had been disruptive,” Fever coach Stephanie White stated. “Any time on this league you may maintain a crew to below 20 factors in quarters, that is vital. [Chicago] did not get lots of clear catch-and-looks. We performed by way of our deficiencies, our lapses in protection and mismatches.”
This week’s schedule will shed extra gentle on the Fever’s protection. Indiana faces the Atlanta Dream at house on Tuesday and on the street Thursday, after which New York on Saturday in Indianapolis. The Dream had been the WNBA’s lowest-scoring crew final season, whereas the Liberty had been the second greatest. Atlanta has added gamers comparable to Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, who mixed for 34 factors within the Dream’s season-opening 94-90 loss to Washington on Friday. New York beat the Las Vegas Aces 92-78 of their opener Saturday, regardless of going 4-of-21 from 3-point vary. — Michael Voepel
Totally different supporting solid, identical championship-caliber Liberty
The Liberty comfortably took care of the visiting Aces on Saturday, scoring 56 paint factors and aiding 27 of 35 discipline targets. Breanna Stewart (25 factors, 10-for-14 capturing) did not present any indicators of rust coming off a minor scope on her meniscus.
However maybe the most important takeaway was Natasha Cloud (22 factors, 9 assists, 6 rebounds) demonstrating precisely why the Liberty had been so eager on including her to the combination. Her defensive presence (three steals, two blocks), skill to get into the paint and trademark grit are proving early to be an enormous boon for New York because it seems to be to repeat with a barely completely different supporting solid.
It wasn’t a completely flawless efficiency for New York, however between the championship festivities pregame and the convincing begin to the season on courtroom, the vibes had been excessive in Brooklyn on Saturday. — Alexa Philippou
How Minnesota may be even higher this season
The Minnesota Lynx practically gained the WNBA title final season even with out lots of depth within the publish behind Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. However the return of 6-foot-4 ahead Jessica Shepard needs to be a giant enhance.
An early second-round decide (No. 16) out of Notre Dame within the deep draft of 2019, Shepard suffered an ACL damage in June of her rookie season, which additionally saved her out for the entire 2020 season. She returned for 22 video games in 2021. She was at her greatest in 2022, when she performed 36 video games and averaged 8.1 factors and seven.4 rebounds. She performed 21 video games in 2023, with comparable averages (8.1 PPG and seven.1 RPG).
Shepard missed the 2024 season as a result of her dedication to her membership crew in Italy violated the WNBA’s prioritization guidelines. Now she’s again and already making an impression. She had 15 factors and eight rebounds within the Lynx’s 99-84 season-opening win over the Dallas Wings on Friday, and 11 and 10 in Saturday’s 89-75 victory at Los Angeles. She was 10-of-13 from the sector within the two video games. — Voepel
Aces should step up round reigning MVP Wilson
Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon informed reporters earlier than Saturday’s recreation at New York that she did not but know the way good her crew could be in 2025 however that she was assured heading into the season.
Saturday’s efficiency, although, proved her group nonetheless has some work to do because the Aces incorporate so many new gamers. She was displeased with the “layup drill” her crew allowed within the paint; it would not assist that Las Vegas’ frontcourt is depleted as a consequence of varied points. Offensively, Hammon thought her crew did not have adequate ball or participant motion. The Aces struggled to get newcomer Jewell Loyd concerned early, after which she struggled to hit photographs afterward, ending 2-for-10 from the sector.
A’ja Wilson continues to place up video game-esque numbers (31 factors, 16 rebounds), however she will not be capable of do it alone if Las Vegas needs to keep away from repeating final 12 months’s disappointing end. — Philippou
Bueckers, Wings will get higher however want time to jell
Paige Bueckers had a stable professional debut with 10 factors, 7 rebounds and a couple of assists within the Wings’ loss to the Lynx on Friday. She discovered extra success along with her shot within the first half (3-for-6 from the sector) versus the second (0-for-4), however the Wings’ offense basically struggled to play cohesively, significantly within the half courtroom.
Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale seem like they’re nonetheless constructing chemistry and synergy, with the pair combining for one help to the opposite (Dallas assisted simply 50% of its photographs). Count on Bueckers to look extra comfy not solely as she will get acclimated to the professional recreation however as she and her teammates get used to one another. In spite of everything, Dallas has simply three returners, and Chris Koclanes is a first-time WNBA head coach. — Philippou
Mercury begin nicely regardless of accidents
Phoenix was the winner of the offseason after including Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, but concern was working excessive after the Mercury introduced Saturday that Kahleah Copper, their third All-Star, will miss 4 to 6 weeks after knee surgical procedure and veteran publish Natasha Mack will miss two to 3 weeks with a decrease again damage.
Their absences, plus a late arrival from rookie guard Kitija Laksa, left Phoenix as a 6.5-point underdog at house towards the Seattle Storm with 9 wholesome gamers. That is all of the Mercury wanted in a 22-point win — bigger than any they’d in all of 2024. Sabally and Thomas mixed for 47 factors of their Phoenix debuts and the Mercury smothered the Storm defensively, holding them to 33% capturing. If Phoenix can keep at .500 or higher earlier than Copper returns, the crew might be well-positioned to make a run at a top-five seed. — Kevin Pelton
Plum seems to be proper at house in Los Angeles
We received a take a look at lots of new faces in new locations over opening weekend. Statistically, none had been as dominant as Kelsey Plum, who completed with 37 factors on 11-of-19 capturing, with six assists and 5 steals. That was essentially the most factors within the season opener by any participant in WNBA historical past.
However how she received the numbers is what made her debut stand out. After spending the offseason specializing in bettering her energy and conditioning, Plum fought her means into any courtroom place she wished Friday. If she did not have an open 3, she accelerated downhill or bullied her means down low by way of contact. She went 11-for-11 from the free throw line but in addition hit 4 4 3-pointers. Plum performed all 40 minutes and did not seem like she ever wanted a break.
Plum got here again all the way down to earth a bit Sunday, capturing 5-for-14 for 18 factors towards the Lynx. However with Plum at her greatest, the Sparks might have an actual alternative to exceed expectations this season. — Kendra Andrews
The Mystics may show critics improper
We projected a next-to-last end for the Mystics, who’ve a brand new coach and GM and are already coping with some key accidents. However Washington appeared able to go this previous weekend, beating Atlanta 94-90 on Friday and the Connecticut Solar 90-85 on Sunday.
Veteran guard Brittney Sykes mixed for 49 factors and 12 assists. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, the Nos. 3 and 4 picks in April’s WNBA draft, are each beginning as rookies. Citron had a mixed 34 factors on 64.7% capturing. Iriafen had a mixed 31 factors and 18 rebounds.
The Mystics are headed on a three-game street journey beginning Wednesday, with dates on the Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas and Phoenix over the following six days. — Voepel
