2025 WNBA Regular Season

[cancontent]

I disagree--last year's roster had so much fluff/filler that didn't work. KLS, Wallace, Saxson, and Berger brought next to nothing and none are on rosters this year (aside from KLS who isn't playing). Wheeler was also a really bad fit and just didn't play well a season ago, she's made a huge turnaround this season in Seattle. Nalyssa Smith was a terrible fit with last year's roster and is addition by subtraction. Fagbenle is a notable loss and someone who I thought would be cored over Dantas.

In regards to this year's roster:
-Cunningham isn't playing great but I'm optimistic for her improvement. She's a high energy 2 way player.
-McDonald should be an upgrade over Colson as the backup off the bench for Clark/Mitchell and is another very high energy player
-Dantas is a capable backup
-Howard is still finding her fit but she's been good for the most part

Timpson/Turner are end of benchers.

In general though, Indiana doesn't appear to be the easiest team to play for. They have all eyes on them, a huge fan base that's hungry to win and a system that is different from most others in the league. Playing style wise, they have an established core trio of Clark/Boston/Mitchell, so new players coming in have to carve out their own role to complement the stars and that isn't easy if you're a higher usage player like Bonner/Howard. The offense is played at a frenetic pace with a lot of transition basketball. Passes could be coming your way at any time so that's a lot to adjust to. Especially for Bonner whose offense largely thrived on receiving handoffs/screens from Alyssa Thomas in a slower more methodical offense. I still think they're a potential title contender, especially after last night when Clark had an awful game and they still easily beat a solid Seattle team.

She's been key in some of their wins while Clark was out. I agree that she's been good for the most part.

 

[Dillon77]

I've watched a lot of teams and games thus far and have enjoyed watching the Washington Mystics, a nascent team with many younger players coalescing on a game-by-game basis. It hasn't been a linear progression, with injuries here or there, but they play hard and, by and large, pretty smart.

To give credit, some of this was due to the culture the Thibaults had....the developmental focus was solid and players like Emily Engstler and Jade Milbourne were shown patience and training. I'll be interested to see how Sidney Johnson and the rest of the old Chicago Sky coaching staff continues this development with players like Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards.

But they hit jackpot with Kiki Iriafen and Sonia (Soni) Citron, who were inserted into the starting lineup and have stayed there. Citron makes any team she plays on more cohesive...it's what she does. And Iriafen, along with Austin and Edwards, is one hell of a trifecta at forward.

It will be really interesting to see if Georgia Amoore will come back to team up with her fellow Aussie, Jade Melbourne, manning the point guard slot.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Atlanta looked flat for the entire game. I guess some credit goes to Dallas but I think every single player on the Dream was having an off night. It was just one of those games where even the easy shots aren't falling.

Boston has her first 30+ point game of her career and Cardoso had a 27 point game as well -- right before she heads to Brazil for the Americup. WTG Gamecocks!

Atlanta shot like absolute crap. Was the Dallas defense a factor? That would be a surprise, but is possible.

 

[Basingstoke]

It's unknowable to what extent the Wings' defense made a difference in the Dream's rough shooting night (also, not a good shooting night for tge Wings), but from a Wings perspective, Dallas made some strides forward in their defense, rebounding, and general level of aggressiveness. They shared the ball better on offense (although it still seems as though Paige rarely touches the ball again once she has passed it), and it really seems as if Li has made an immediate difference and still has the ability to measurably improve in the future.

 

[cancontent]

Atlanta shot like absolute crap. Was the Dallas defense a factor? That would be a surprise, but is possible.

I watched the game and Dallas' defence did have some impact in this game. The guards did a great job in frustrating Gray during the game. Heck, James had some great one-on-one defence and steals against her. The bigs struggled with Yueru and the Atlanta commentators pointed it out throughout the game.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'm curious, what teams is everyone here rooting for, and what is your reason, if any?

I don't really have any loyalties to a specific team. I tend to follow my Gamecocks and root for those teams. Since there are a lot of Gamecocks in the league now, it's impossible to follow each team with a Gamecock on the roster, but I find myself drawn to watching Indiana (Boston) and Atlanta (Paopao/Gray) the most this season.

I think pretty much everybody knows I'm a big fan of Plum. I enjoyed following the Aces while she was with them, but my interest in LV has waned now. I've barely been able to watch LA play this year...and then they're pretty much unwatchable, so that's tough. I knew it would be a totally different scenario for her this year, but I really thought LA would be better than this. I have a bad feeling they were actually better last year than this year (so far anyway).

I've followed the Storm off and on to varying degrees over the years, being my local team. Indiana is fun to watch, but also somewhat disappointing thus far. Otherwise I'll watch some random games here and there. I wouldn't say I'm a big Liberty fan but they have a lot of star power and can be entertaining to watch.

 

[TheFarmFan]

I'm curious, what teams is everyone here rooting for, and what is your reason, if any?

I don't really have any loyalties to a specific team. I tend to follow my Gamecocks and root for those teams. Since there are a lot of Gamecocks in the league now, it's impossible to follow each team with a Gamecock on the roster, but I find myself drawn to watching Indiana (Boston) and Atlanta (Paopao/Gray) the most this season.

If anyone is still uncertain where my loyalties lie, well...

 

[nwhoopfan]

Clark is in a shooting slump. Plum is in a shooting slump. Ionescu is in a shooting slump. Is there something contagious going around? Probably throw Cloud in there too.

Whatever it is, Kennedy Burke doesn't have it. She's been making the most of her time lately w/ the Lib.

NY squeaks by the Valks. Aces clobber the Sun. Connecticut is hands down the worst team in the league I'd say, even though they aren't that far behind a few other teams in the W-L column.

 

[Stagnant]

Sabrina is really streaky sometimes huh? It is impressive they can win when she plays like that. Marine is a good option off the bench. Really important in that third quarter.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Sabrina is really streaky sometimes huh? It is impressive they can win when she plays like that. Marine is a good option off the bench. Really important in that third quarter.

Yeah she had back to back 34 point games before this recent cold streak.

Johannes started the season cold but has had several good games recently. She and Burke combined for 31 off the bench tonight.

 

[cancontent]

I'm curious, what teams is everyone here rooting for, and what is your reason, if any?

I don't really have any loyalties to a specific team. I tend to follow my Gamecocks and root for those teams. Since there are a lot of Gamecocks in the league now, it's impossible to follow each team with a Gamecock on the roster, but I find myself drawn to watching Indiana (Boston) and Atlanta (Paopao/Gray) the most this season.

Most know, I have Canadian player bias and root for Edwards, Carleton, Amihere and Nurse on their respective teams. I do like Vegas because of Wilson and Gray. Also have a soft spot for Atlanta because I became of fan of Hillmon while she was at Michigan.

However, I will watch as many games that I can of all the teams. Especially to see how these recent draftees are doing. It gives me something else to watch than my Toronto Blue Jays during the summer.

 

[azfan]

It's unknowable to what extent the Wings' defense made a difference in the Dream's rough shooting night (also, not a good shooting night for tge Wings), but from a Wings perspective, Dallas made some strides forward in their defense, rebounding, and general level of aggressiveness. They shared the ball better on offense (although it still seems as though Paige rarely touches the ball again once she has passed it), and it really seems as if Li has made an immediate difference and still has the ability to measurably improve in the future.

Agreed

What is knowable is it's very hard to win on the road in the w

 

[azfan]

Aces have the second of a back-to-back at home against the Mystics.

Becky was able to manage minutes last night against a Connecticut Sun team that is vying with Chicago as the biggest embarrassment in the w.

That said with Slim back this could be an interesting game. I'm trying to talk my wife into driving over to Vegas if we can get tickets.

 

[Dillon77]

According to Ben Pickman of The Athletic, Caitlin Clark is out tonight vs LA Sparks with a groin injury. This will mark her sixth absence of the season. Looks like the Aari McDonald (re)signing was timely.

In addition, Damaris Dantas is out tonight while doing time for the Brazilian National Team, so one or both of the T&T tandem (Bri Turner and Makayla Timpson) could venture onto the court (during a game).

 

[GamecockFam]

According to Ben Pickman of The Athletic, Caitlin Clark is out tonight vs LA Sparks with a groin injury. This will mark her sixth absence of the season. Looks like the Aari McDonald (re)signing was timely.

In addition, Damaris Dantas is out tonight while doing time for the Brazilian National Team, so one or both of the T&T tandem (Bri Turner and Makayla Timpson) could venture onto the court (during a game).

Geeze, when it rains, it pours...

Without Clark and Dantas, that brings their roster size down to 9. They could potentially sign someone to a hardship contract, right, if Clark's injury lingers?

I was just thinking about their cap space and wondering if they could also sign a 12th player (in addition to Aari McDonald) with the loss of Bonner. Then I started daydreaming about the Fever picking up Amihere as the 12th player when she is let go from the Valkyrie because of everyone returning from EuroBasket. One can dream, right? There is zero depth in the front court. I expect a lot of four guard lineups with Cunningham at the 4. Boston and Howard are going to have to perform and stay out of foul trouble until Dantas returns.

 

[azfan]

In addition, Damaris Dantas is out tonight while doing time for the Brazilian National Team, so one or both of the T&T tandem (Bri Turner and Makayla Timpson) could venture onto the court (during a game).

She made a brief appearance in their previous game. Very tough to have her on the floor for any length of time due to her Kiah Stokes offense.

 

[cancontent]

Whoa. Was not aware of this injury to Held.

 

[GamecockFam]

Geeze, when it rains, it pours...

Without Clark and Dantas, that brings their roster size down to 9. They could potentially sign someone to a hardship contract, right, if Clark's injury lingers?

I was just thinking about their cap space and wondering if they could also sign a 12th player (in addition to Aari McDonald) with the loss of Bonner. Then I started daydreaming about the Fever picking up Amihere as the 12th player when she is let go from the Valkyrie because of everyone returning from EuroBasket. One can dream, right? There is zero depth in the front court. I expect a lot of four guard lineups with Cunningham at the 4. Boston and Howard are going to have to perform and stay out of foul trouble until Dantas returns.

I just watched Steph White's interview. They're open to a 12th player. She said that they will only accept someone who'll fit into their culture and their style of play yet bring something a little different to the table.

I'm all-in for Amihere to backup Howard. I'd love to see Boston and Amihere back together. Who would be the best frontcourt player on the market after everyone comes back from EuroBasket? I'll keep dreaming...

 

[azfan]

Looking forward to tip in 30 minutes ... wondering how the Fever react to the lineup changes.

Inserted McDonald into several of my fantasy teams in place of the injured Clark we'll see how that works out. Not even sure she'll play much but if she does I'm looking forward to performance against the Sparks guards

 

[EricLA]

Just goes to show how competitive the league is this season. NYL is down Jonquel Jones for a month or so, and it will be interesting to see how far they drop.

Meanwhile, no Clark, and against a pretty bad LA team, the Fever go down. Nice game for Azure - 23 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal.

 

[nwhoopfan]

LA flipped the script by outscoring their opponent 35-17 in Q4. It's been the exact opposite in several recent games. I think this is the first game they've won since Jackson returned to the lineup?

 

[nwhoopfan]

So I'm thinking the Aces' championship window has slammed shut. It was a nice 2 year run. Clearly they were at least a step below the Liberty and Lynx last year, and this year is proving that was no fluke.

 

[cancontent]

Wasn't able to catch the Mystics-Acea game last night. Box score has me going wow. Definitely making some time to watch on League Pass today! Two big wins this week for the team.

What Coach Johnson has done is impressive. Could it be as impressive as Coach Nakase? They both are doing great jobs with young teams.

 

[Dillon77]

Wasn't able to catch the Mystics-Acea game last night. Box score has me going wow. Definitely making some time to watch on League Pass today! Two big wins this week for the team.

What Coach Johnson has done is impressive. Could it be as impressive as Coach Nakase? They both are doing great jobs with young teams.

The way the Mystics are playing -- and the way they're doing it -- is one reason I posted above that they're the team I've enjoyed following a lot this year (not to mention, they also feature a certain fellow ND alum )

I only watched bits and pieces of the 2nd quarter yesterday, but noted Lucy Olsen was playing a lot and Sutton didn't come out of the game. Melbourne started, played one minute+ change, then never returned. Was she hurt? If so, Mystics would be down Jade and Brittany Sykes.

Edit: Will answer my own question. Apparently Melbourne was trying to over a screen covering Chelsea Gray and ran into a Gray elbow, which hit Melbourne in the mouth and chipped a tooth. Here's a link to the post-aftermath photo. She came back to the bench, face swollen and chipped tooth. Knock on wood, this can be addressed to the betterment of her dental structure.

Short-handed Mystics beat the Aces 94-83 for third straight win - WTOP News

Rookie Sonia Citron scored 21 points, Sug Sutton added 17 and the short-handed Washington Mystics beat the Las Vegas Aces 94-83 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

wtop.com

 

[cancontent]

The way the Mystics are playing -- and the way they're doing it -- is one reason I posted above that they're the team I've enjoyed following a lot this year (not to mention, they also feature a certain fellow ND alum )

I only watched bits and pieces of the 2nd quarter yesterday, but noted Lucy Olsen was playing a lot and Sutton didn't come out of the game. Melbourne started, played one minute+ change, then never returned. Was she hurt? If so, Mystics would be down Jade and Brittany Sykes.

Edit: Will answer my own question. Apparently Melbourne was trying to over a screen covering Chelsea Gray and ran into a Gray elbow, which hit Melbourne in the mouth and chipped a tooth. Here's a link to the post-aftermath photo. She came back to the bench, face swollen and chipped tooth. Knock on wood, this can be addressed to the betterment of her dental structure.

Short-handed Mystics beat the Aces 94-83 for third straight win - WTOP News

Rookie Sonia Citron scored 21 points, Sug Sutton added 17 and the short-handed Washington Mystics beat the Las Vegas Aces 94-83 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

wtop.com

Ow. As someone who has chipped a tooth, but while horseback riding, I can empathize. Hopefully recovery will be quick.