It's been a highly competitive start to the 30th WNBA campaign.
Eight of the league's 15 teams are .500 or better, while only three games separate the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx from the final playoff spot.
Here are seven takeaways at this season's quarter mark.
Reeve making early COY case
It was hard to envision the Lynx improving on or even approaching last season's 34-10 record. The team lost starters Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton as well as key reserves Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and DiJonai Carrington during the offseason. Two-time MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier remains out indefinitely following offseason surgery on both ankles. Minnesota has overcome all of those obstacles and looks poised for another title push once Collier returns.
Rookie guard Olivia Miles has done a sensational job of creating her own offense and getting her teammates involved. With Miles running the point, Courtney Williams shifted back to her natural position at shooting guard and is averaging a career-high 17.1 points on 48.5% shooting. Veteran center Natasha Howard is experiencing a renaissance playing alongside Miles in the pick-and-roll, while fellow free-agent addition Nia Coffey has been a valuable floor-spacer. Cheryl Reeve is already making a strong case for a record-extending fifth Coach of the Year award.
Fever's uneven start
Indiana began the year with championship aspirations following last season's run to the semifinals. Caitlin Clark's return alongside Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston has solidified the Fever's high-octane offense: They rank fifth in points scored (88.2 per game) and fourth in assists (21.1). But Indiana is hovering around .500, largely because of its interior defensive struggles.
Stephanie White's squad is tied for 12th in points in the paint allowed (41.3). The Fever head coach revealed last week that the she's been relying on one defensive scheme to help simplify things for all the newcomers. Opponents have taken advantage of Indiana's switch-heavy approach by creating one-on-one mismatches. Clark and Mitchell have often been targeted in isolation, leading to an abundance of points in the paint.
Outside of Boston, the Fever lack a true rim-protecting presence to deter driving attempts. They've missed Howard's high IQ, her ability to switch onto guards, and her physicality against opposing bigs. If Indiana plans to take the next step this season, it'll have to begin with an improved defensive effort.
Tempo, Fire exceeding expectations
The Golden State Valkyries redefined success for a WNBA expansion team when they became the first franchise to secure a playoff berth in its inaugural season. A year later, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are both looking to accomplish the same feat.
Toronto's lethal attack is fueling its solid start. Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey - the league's first million-dollar backcourt - have been worth the investment as both players rank in the league's top 15 in scoring. The guards hail from New Jersey and worked out together growing up. Mabrey says that bond has helped bring out their best.
"When she's down on her game, I'm trying to get her involved. When I'm down on the game, she's trying to get me involved," Mabrey told theScore. "We know we need each other. I think having that trust with your teammates and coaches goes a long way for your mental and physical performance."
Kiki Rice, the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft, was also playing a significant role prior to being sidelined with a Grade 2 ankle sprain. The 5-foot-11 floor general was driving aggressively, crashing the glass, applying full-court pressure, and creating turnovers to spark the Tempo's transition attack.
"This is what we envisioned. ... When Julie (Allemand) got injured, it allowed (Rice) to have a bigger role, and she never took a backward step," Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters, including theScore, following the team's May 30 win over the Seattle Storm. "So, it says a lot about her commitment to excellence and willingness to be a focal point of this team and how we want to play at both ends of the floor."
Portland's play has been equally surprising. The Fire already have a pair of victories over the New York Liberty and a dominant 16-point win against the Fever. They're scoring the third-most points off turnovers (16.5 per game) and are eighth in steals (7.1).
First-year head coach Alex Sarama is getting the most out of his roster. Carla Leite is establishing herself amongst the WNBA's top facilitators, Bridget Carleton ranks in the top 10 league-wide in 3-point field goals (26), and Emily Engstler has emerged as a bona fide rim-protector. Sarah Ashlee Barker and Megan Gustafson's strong play earned them starting roles after they spearheaded Portland's potent second unit.
Mercury hangover
Phoenix is a far cry from the team that reached the WNBA Finals a year ago. It's been mostly downhill for the Mercury since a 33-point rout of the Las Vegas Aces in their season opener. Their six-game skid earlier this season was the team's longest losing streak since 2023. That stretch included an embarrassing 34-point defeat to the Lynx, which was the second-largest home loss in franchise history.
The Mercury's front office deserves some of the blame: Leading scorer Satou Sabally signed with the Liberty in free agency, and the team didn't replace her production. Outside of undrafted rookie Jovana Nogic, Phoenix's second unit has lacked offensive punch, sitting 13th in bench scoring (16.7). Phoenix also regressed to 10th in defensive efficiency (106.8) and is allowing a league-worst 10.2 threes per contest. The Mercury have already let their opponents clear the 95-point mark as many times as they did all of last season.
Dream missing Jones' presence
Karl Smesko's 3-point-heavy approach transformed the Dream into one of the WNBA's highest-scoring offenses. While they're off to a solid start in his second season, they have yet to hit their stride offensively. Atlanta is sixth in 3-point field-goal percentage (33.7%) and ninth in overall field-goal percentage (43.3%).
Brionna Jones' absence is a factor in the club's subpar clip from downtown. The four-time All-Star does most of her damage in the post - she finished third in the WNBA last season in both field goals made and attempted in the restricted area. However, her presence commanded double-teams and generated uncontested looks from deep. There's still no timetable for Jones' return from offseason knee surgery, but simply having the option of feeding her down low will give Atlanta higher-quality opportunities for triples.
Wings taking flight
It's been a promising start to the Jose Fernandez era. The Wings are already closing in on their win total from all of last season thanks to a bolstered attack that's No. 1 in offensive efficiency (112.7). Paige Bueckers remains the focal point with her elite mid-range game, playmaking, and improved stroke from beyond the arc. But the reigning Rookie of the Year is surrounded by a lot more weapons than she was a year ago.
Rookie guard Azzi Fudd is settling in as a starter after initially coming off the bench. The No. 1 overall pick gives Dallas some much-needed floor-spacing and a disruptive defensive presence on the perimeter. Meanwhile, Jessica Shepard is an early front-runner for Most Improved Player. The 6-foot-4 forward takes pressure off Bueckers with her ability to initiate the offense and act as a safety valve when the Wings star is blitzed. Dallas even got some efficient 3-point shooting and rim-protection from 6-foot-6 reserve Awak Kuier before she was sidelined with a wrist injury.
The Wings have even more room for improvement if Arike Ogunbowale and Alanna Smith can both get back on track.
Valkyries letting it fly from deep
The Valkyries are leaning into the 3-point-heavy identity they established during their debut campaign. Natalie Nakase's roster leads the WNBA in threes made (12.3), threes attempted (32.2), and 3-point percentage (38.1%). They're converting nearly three more triples per contest this season and have boosted their efficiency from deep by 5.6 percentage points. Golden State is on pace to shatter the single-season WNBA record of 444 treys set by the Liberty in 2023.
Free-agent signee Gabby Williams has been a major factor in the team's improved outside shooting, knocking down a career-high 38.3% of her attempts from beyond the arc. Williams' presence has also helped provide cleaner looks for the Valkyries' array of sharpshooters. Six different Golden State players are draining at least one triple per game. Second-year forward Janelle Salaun leads the barrage with 30 treys, which is tied for third in the WNBA. The Valkyries' efficiency from downtown combined with their elite defense could make them a tough out in the playoffs.
