There are the utterly predictable groups on the high of ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings, and likewise one squad just about nobody was anticipating. Final season’s WNBA Finals groups, the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, obtained out of the gate properly, as did the Indiana Fever, a crew most league followers suppose shall be probably the most thrilling to observe in 2025.
However the Washington Mystics, close to the underside in most preseason projections with a brand new coach and beginning two rookies, shook up opening weekend with two victories to get everybody’s consideration.
It has been a tough begin, nevertheless, for high draft decide Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. Bueckers is experiencing what a variety of No. 1 alternatives undergo, as a result of they’re usually becoming a member of groups that struggled the prior season. Dallas was 9-31 in 2024, forward of solely the Los Angeles Sparks within the closing standings. And thru Monday, the Wings are sitting on the backside at 0-2.
Bueckers will get a homecoming to Minnesota this week, though nobody is wanting ahead to enjoying the Lynx. They appear deeper than they did final season and take excessive spot in Week 1.
Preseason rating: 2
Subsequent seven days: vs. DAL (Wednesday), vs. CON (Friday)
In victories at Dallas and Washington, Napheesa Collier led the way in which in scoring with a mixed 57 factors, Jessica Shepard led in rebounds (18) and Courtney Williams in assists (19). It will likely be no shock to see that trio main these classes rather a lot this season. Shepard’s return after lacking final season as a result of prioritization guidelines provides to the Lynx’s depth. Minnesota shot 50.4% over the 2 video games and had 27 assists in every.
Preseason rating: 1
Subsequent seven days: @ CHI (Thursday), @ IND (Saturday)
The Liberty collected their jewellery from the 2024 championship after which continued their mastery of the previous year-plus towards Las Vegas, profitable the opener 92-78 Saturday in Brooklyn. Regardless of going 4-of-21 from 3-point vary, New York dominated behind 25 factors from Breanna Stewart, 22 from Natasha Cloud in her Liberty debut and 17 from Jonquel Jones.
Preseason rating: 4
Subsequent seven days: vs. ATL (Tuesday), @ ATL (Thursday), vs. NY (Saturday)
The Fever managed their 93-58 victory Saturday over Chicago just about from the beginning and regarded equally good offensively and defensively, with Caitlin Clark getting a triple-double. They face Atlanta twice this week after defeating the Dream by 5 within the preseason Could 10, however Dream heart Brittney Griner had only a two-minute cameo in that recreation. It will likely be a extra attention-grabbing matchup together with her enjoying.
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Chiney Ogwumike: Caitlin Clark, Fever ‘actually impressed’ me in opening win
Chiney Ogwumike breaks down what stood out to her from the Fever’s season-opening win over Angel Reese and the Sky.
Preseason rating: 12
Subsequent seven days: @ GS (Wednesday), @ LV (Friday), @ PHO (Sunday)
The early weeks of the season can lead to some groups beginning out excessive within the Energy Rankings … that aren’t essentially going to remain there. Nevertheless it may be the case that the Mystics intend to shock most WNBA observers and keep within the high half of the league. The Mystics opened with victories towards Atlanta and Connecticut behind Brittney Sykes’ mixed 49 factors and 12 assists.
Preseason rating: 7
Subsequent seven days: vs. LA (Wednesday), @ SEA (Friday), vs. WAS (Sunday)
Information that Kahleah Copper, final season’s high scorer for Phoenix, shall be out 4 to 6 weeks after knee arthroscopy and that Natasha Mack will miss two to a few weeks with a again damage did not appear to dampen the Mercury’s spirits. They received their opener 81-59 towards Seattle. Satou Sabally (27 factors) and Alyssa Thomas (20) had massive video games to start out their time with the Mercury.
Preseason rating: 10
Subsequent seven days: @ PHO (Wednesday), vs. GS (Friday), vs. CHI (Sunday)
The Sparks took management in Golden State’s franchise opener with an 84-67 win Friday behind Kelsey Plum’s 37 factors in her Los Angeles debut. Then the previous Las Vegas star had 18 factors Sunday when the Sparks fell of their residence opener to Minnesota. Plum additionally has been the Sparks’ high distributor, with a mixed 11 assists.
Preseason rating: 3
Subsequent seven days: @ CON (Tuesday), vs. WAS (Friday), @ SEA (Sunday)
The Aces beat the Liberty within the 2023 WNBA Finals. Since then, they’ve misplaced seven of their previous eight video games towards New York, together with the groups’ season opener Saturday. Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson picked up the place she left off in 2024, with 31 factors and 16 rebounds. However Jewell Loyd had a tough Aces debut, taking pictures 2-of-10 from the sector for 5 factors.
Preseason rating: 6
Subsequent seven days: vs. PHO (Friday), vs. LV (Sunday)
It wasn’t a enjoyable opener for the Storm, who scored the second-fewest factors of any crew through the season’s first weekend of their 81-59 loss at Phoenix on Saturday. However they bounced again with a 79-71 win at Dallas on Monday. Nneka Ogwumike led the way in which with 23 factors and 18 rebounds, whereas Skylar Diggins had 21 factors and 9 assists.
Preseason rating: 5
Subsequent seven days: @ IND (Tuesday), vs. IND (Thursday), vs. DAL (Saturday), vs. CON (Sunday)
The Dream scored 90 factors of their opener Friday, a complete they reached simply 3 times final season because the WNBA’s lowest-scoring crew. Nonetheless, they gave up 94 within the loss to Washington. Atlanta now has back-to-back video games towards Indiana, a tough offense to maintain up with.
Preseason rating: 8
Subsequent seven days: @ MIN (Wednesday), @ ATL (Saturday)
The Wings are off to a tough begin, though admittedly their losses have been to Minnesota and Seattle, two groups within the high six of the preseason rankings. No. 1 draft decide Paige Bueckers had 10 factors and 7 rebounds within the Wings’ opener and 19 factors and eight assists in her second professional recreation. Fellow guard Arike Ogunbowale is struggling from the sector: 6-of-26 (23.1%).
Preseason rating: 11
Subsequent seven days: vs. LV (Tuesday), @ MIN (Friday), @ ATL (Sunday)
With so many faces that outlined the franchise now gone, the new-look Solar misplaced their opener 90-85 to Washington on Sunday. This regardless of having 5 gamers rating in double figures, led by Tina Charles’ 23 factors. However the Solar’s protection allowed Washington to shoot 51.6%, which is a priority.
Preseason rating: 9
Subsequent seven days: vs. NY (Thursday), @ LA (Sunday)
The Sky did not look good offensively at any level of their 93-58 loss at Indiana on Saturday, taking pictures 29.1%. However there’s a new coach in Tyler Marsh and a brand new backcourt in Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse and Ariel Atkins. Plus, the Fever performed properly. We’ll see how Chicago responds to such a dispiriting opener.
Preseason rating: 13
Subsequent seven days: vs. WAS (Wednesday), @ LA (Friday)
The Valkyries had a ton of fan enthusiasm for his or her inaugural recreation Friday. However they ran out of fuel with a seven-point fourth quarter in an 84-67 loss to Los Angeles. There have been shiny spots, together with veteran Tiffany Hayes’ 19 factors and 9 rebounds. Plus, they’re simply getting off the beginning line.
