The WNBA break is ending. Here are the big stories coming out of it.
The U.S. women’s basketball team celebrated its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal Sunday in Paris, so that means the final stretch of the WNBA season is near. After a monthlong break, teams have a 14-to-16-game sprint to close the season before the playoffs begin Sept. 22.
A’ja Wilson, the Olympic tournament MVP for the United States, highlighted just how little of a break she received over the past month.
“Woohooo let all star/Olympic break begin,” Wilson posted on social media Monday with a smiling emoji crying a single tear.
There will be little rest for the weary stars who went from the regular season to All-Star Weekend to Paris. The season resumes Thursday with all 12 players from Team USA featured on the top six teams in the standings, which all have realistic championship aspirations.
Here are five things to watch as play resumes:
— — -
Race for No. 1
The New York Liberty (21-4) went into the break atop the standings, but there’s no time to coast with the Connecticut Sun (18-6), Minnesota Lynx (17-8 and the Commissioner’s Cup champion), Seattle Storm (17-8) and two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces (16-8) on their heels. All of those teams are within 4½ games of the Liberty, and each has at least four games against those within that group. That doesn’t include the Phoenix Mercury (13-12) with Olympic gold medalists Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper. The Mercury plays each of those top five teams at least once.
Those six are the only teams in the league with a record above .500, and there will be opportunities for all to move up the standings.
“It’s going to be a fascinating playoffs,” Ion analyst Meghan McKeown said.
— — -
MVP watch
Wilson is in the midst of a career year and seems to be the clear favorite to win her third MVP award. She leads the league in points (27.2 per game), rebounds (12.0) and blocks (2.9) — all career highs to go with her 1.9 steals and 39.5% shooting from three-point range. Only reigning MVP Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier also rank in the top 10 in points, rebounds and blocks, and neither is No. 2 in any of those categories.
Is the MVP award Wilson’s to lose?
“I definitely think so,” analyst Debbie Antonelli said. “But I would keep Stewie in the conversation based on her performance of the Olympics, and they are in first place. And I would keep Napheesa’s name in the conversation.”
McKeown said of Wilson, “It’s her against herself right now.”
Simply looking at MVP honors might be thinking too small. Wilson could be en route to a third consecutive defensive player of the year award, and University of South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley believes her former star should be in the running for another piece of hardware: most improved player.
— — -
Clark and the rookies
After a grueling start to the season, Caitlin Clark has flourished and has the Indiana Fever (11-15) in the No. 7 playoff slot. The Fever, which has won eight of its past 13, is three victories from its most since 2016 — in large part because of the No. 1 pick, who is leading the league in assists (8.2).
Clark is the front-runner to win rookie of the year honors, but Angel Reese remains in the conversation after posting a WNBA-record 15 consecutive double-doubles.
“I have personally removed Caitlin from conversation on the rookie of the year,” Antonelli said. “I’m putting her name in the conversation [for MVP]. If they make it to the playoffs, I think she should at least be in the conversation. I don’t think she’s going to win it, but I think she’s one of the better players.”
With Reese and No. 3 pick Kamilla Cardoso, the Chicago Sky (10-14) is right behind the Fever and holds the final playoff spot. Reese ranks second in the league in rebounds per game (11.9) and is one of four players averaging a double-double.
The other top picks in the 2024 draft (outside of Cameron Brink, who tore an ACL) have outside chances of helping their teams reach the postseason. The Los Angeles Sparks (No. 4 Rickea Jackson), Dallas Wings (No. 5 Jacy Sheldon) and Washington Mystics (No. 6 Aaliyah Edwards) are six-win teams at the bottom of the standings, but they are still in the hunt as their rookies play significant roles.
— — -
The Mabrey factor
The Sun traded for sharpshooter Marina Mabrey right before the break in an attempt to bolster a roster ranking No. 10 in three-point shooting (31.4%). Scoring, particularly from the outside, has been an issue for a team that started 9-0 but averages the third-fewest three-point attempts. Enter Mabrey, whose 6.4 three-point attempts per game for Chicago rank seventh in the league. She finished in the top eight in three-point makes in 2021 and 2023.
Can Mabrey provide the lift needed to get the Sun to the Finals for the third time in six seasons? Meanwhile, Chicago received Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, the Sun’s 2025 first-round pick and the right to a 2026 first-round swap; how are the Sky’s playoff chances affected?
— — -
Can the Mystics get healthy?
The Mystics began the season with 12 straight losses for the worst start in franchise history but have gone 6-7 since. Starters Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes and Karlie Samuelson have missed a combined 49 games because of injuries.
Washington is 4½ games behind Chicago for the final playoff slot. Samuelson is full go to return, and Austin and Sykes have been practicing regularly. The roster would get a huge bump if those three get back to producing as they have in the past.
“Washington’s a dark horse,” McKeown said.