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Caitlin Clark sitting out at the least the subsequent two weeks due to a quad pressure is the kind of dangerous information all WNBA franchises have to be ready to navigate.
With a 12-player restrict and groups usually working with solely 11 on the roster for wage cap causes, the lack of any participant is a priority. Dropping a starter who impacts each a part of your staff the best way Clark does for the Indiana Fever is what retains coaches and normal managers awake at night time. That is why the construction of a roster is essential.
Essentially the most profitable groups determine easy methods to take care of personnel losses. Final season, the Minnesota Lynx went 3-2 with out star ahead Napheesa Collier, who sat out 5 video games in July due to plantar fasciitis earlier than returning to play within the Olympics after which main Minnesota to the WNBA Finals. And this season, the Lynx have remained regular sufficient with out guard Kayla McBride (private causes) to go 4-0 and retain their No. 1 place within the second weekly version of ESPN’s WNBA Energy Rankings.
Some accidents could be performed via whereas others drive groups to regulate and even attempt to study one thing from it. That is what the Fever hope to do with out Clark.
Earlier rating: 1
Subsequent seven days: vs. SEA (Could 27), @ PHO (Could 30), @ GS (June 1)
The Lynx keep on prime regardless of shut wins over the Wings and Solar at residence. Collier has led Minnesota in scoring in all 4 video games, averaging 29.5 factors. Guard Courtney Williams in addition to forwards Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard are additionally scoring in double figures.
Earlier rating: 2
Subsequent seven days: vs. GS (Could 27), vs. GS (Could 29), @ WAS (Could 30), vs. CON (June 1)
New York blew out Chicago 99-74, and had a back-and-forth sport in opposition to Indiana that the Liberty finally gained 90-88 with their execution within the fourth quarter. Level guard Natasha Cloud is excelling offensively and defensively, which is what they wanted after they traded for her in March.
Earlier rating: 8
Subsequent seven days: @ MIN (Could 27), vs. ATL (Could 30), vs. LV (June 1)
After a tough season-opening loss to Phoenix, Seattle has gained three in a row in opposition to Dallas, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Ahead Nneka Ogwumike (20.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG) and level guard Skylar Diggins (19.0 PPG, 8.8 APG) every flip 34 later this season however are enjoying in “ageless” mode to this point.
Earlier rating: 5
Subsequent 7 days: vs. CHI (Could 27), vs. MIN (Could 30), @ LA (June 1)
Phoenix beat Los Angeles and Washington at residence final weekend and fell at Seattle. The Mercury’s greatest uncertainty coming into this season — their persona with so many longtime gamers gone — appears to have an excellent reply. Forwards Satou Sabally (19.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and Alyssa Thomas (16.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG) are establishing themselves as staff leaders, and rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani (10.0 PPG, 2.0 APG) is off to an excellent begin.
Earlier rating: 9
Subsequent 7 days: @ LA (Could 27), @ SEA (Could 30)
Atlanta break up video games in opposition to Indiana and had wins over Dallas and Connecticut final week. The Dream have been offensively balanced with 4 completely different scoring leaders in 5 video games. General, they’ve been a lot better on offense this season than final — their 83.8 PPG ranks fourth within the league in comparison with their last-place 77.0 PPG mark in 2024. Up to now, so good for brand new coach Karl Smesko.
Earlier rating: 3
Subsequent 7 days: @ WAS (Could 28), vs. CON (Could 30)
Indiana break up video games in opposition to Atlanta and misplaced to New York final week. Followers and observers will fear in regards to the influence of Clark’s damage and when she’s going to return, however having veteran guards and wings reminiscent of Kelsey Mitchell, Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham and DeWanna Bonner will assist. Nonetheless, no person can replicate every part Clark does offensively. The Fever should get so much out of their protection whereas she is sidelined.
Earlier rating: 7
Subsequent 7 days: vs. LA (Could 30), @ SEA (June 1)
Las Vegas gained at Connecticut, then rallied to beat Washington at residence because of Jewell Loyd’s 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left. However that momentum did not carry over into Loyd’s return to Seattle, the place she spent the primary 10 seasons of her WNBA profession. The Aces shot 43.9% to the Storm’s 60% and fell 102-82 on Sunday. Loyd is capturing 31.3% for the season.
Earlier rating: 13
Subsequent 7 days: @ NY (Could 27), @ NY (Could 29), vs. MIN (June 1)
Look which staff already has two victories. The enlargement Valkyries gained at residence in opposition to the Mystics and on the highway on the Sparks to leap from the underside of our debut energy rankings to No. 8. Golden State has 5 gamers who’re averaging double-figure scoring, led by rookie ahead Janelle Salaun of France (14.0 PPG). Guard Veronica Burton leads the WNBA in steals per sport at 3.0.
Earlier rating: 6
Subsequent 7 days: vs. ATL (Could 27), @ LV (Could 30), vs. PHO (June 1)
Los Angeles misplaced at Phoenix and at residence to Golden State final week however had no hassle beating Chicago. In her first season with the Sparks, guard Kelsey Plum is second within the league in scoring common (24.8) and first in minutes per sport (37.4). Ahead/heart Azura Stevens is averaging 17.0 factors and 9.2 rebounds, which might each be profession bests if she will maintain these marks.
Earlier rating: 4
Subsequent 7 days: vs. IND (Could 28), vs. NY (Could 30)
Expectations had been low for the Mystics this season, however they weren’t that far-off from a 5-0 begin. Their three losses got here final week on the West Coast, shedding to Golden State, Las Vegas and Phoenix by two, three and 6 factors, respectively. Ahead Kiki Iriafen has 4 double-doubles and fellow rookie Sonia Citron has scored in double figures in every sport to this point.
Earlier rating: 10
Subsequent 7 days: @ CON (Could 27), @ CHI (Could 29), vs. CHI (Could 31)
It has been a tough begin for Dallas, which misplaced at Minnesota and Atlanta final week. One vibrant spot was No. 1 draft decide Paige Bueckers posting a double-double in her homecoming to Minneapolis. Subsequent up, the Wings face two groups that additionally have not gained but this season.
Earlier rating: 11
Subsequent 7 days: vs. DAL (Could 27), @ IND (Could 30), @ NY (June 1)
Two of the Solar’s 4 losses had been by single digits, so there have been positives. However total, Connecticut is struggling to attain; its 68.0-point common is the league’s worst and its 26.3% price from past the arc is second worst.
Earlier rating: 12
Subsequent 7 days: @ PHO (Could 27), vs. DAL (Could 29), @ DAL (Could 31)
Chicago fell to New York and Los Angeles final week. The Sky’s offensive (86.4) and defensive (116.5) scores are the worst within the league, as is their free throw capturing (59.2%). The one staff with a decrease capturing proportion from the sphere is Golden State.
No Sky participant is averaging double figures in scoring. One of many positives, although, is Angel Reese once more leads the league in rebounding common (13.7) as she did final season as a rookie (13.1).
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