2025 WNBA Regular Season

[azfan]

On the topic of good-natured reflection, after a couple of days of back and forth on Arike I was thinking of both her and Chennedy Carter in the context of athletics and culture.

Both of these athletes are truly gifted at an elite level. They also engage in the sport with a fierce passion.

Neither has experienced ultimate success in the professional game and there's a certain...... stigma that follows them both. There's been a phrase developed over the years that indicates an athlete is uncoachable. I've been thinking that maybe some athletes are resistant to a culture that emphasizes team over self.

When it comes to team sports a key attribute is the ability to integrate with your teammates. To differing degrees and in different dimensions AO and Kennedy appear to lack the desire or the ability to do that.

I wonder if their past LED them to individual rather than team sport if perhaps their level of success at the pro level might be different.

I fantasize that they were both professional pickleball players and while they might end up being ejected from their matches there would be no question about the consequences of their responsibility or lack thereof.

 

[GamecockFam]

Small sample size, but Aliyah Boston is playing like one of the top two or three centers in the league. For as good as she’s been her first two seasons, I’ve felt like there was still a leap to be made. Her and Clark could go down as the best PG/C duo of all time if they stick together beyond their rookie contracts.

Count in Mitchell and I think we have the next generation's great trio in the league (once Gray/Young/Wilson split ways).

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Serious question. Who is the PG on the Dallas Wings? Paige or Arike?

 

[Blue Huskie]

Let's see. There were 3 games tonight. That's six teams of players involved. Of all the activity tonight only ONE player jacked up 20 shots. Of course you know who that was. Until that dynamic changes in Dallas that team will go nowhere. It sure as hell won't change with a first year no experience head coach.

 

[bballnut90]

Serious question. Who is the PG on the Dallas Wings? Paige or Arike?

Paige. She normally brings the ball up though Arike is capable too

 

[bballnut90]

On the topic of good-natured reflection, after a couple of days of back and forth on Arike I was thinking of both her and Chennedy Carter in the context of athletics and culture.

Both of these athletes are truly gifted at an elite level. They also engage in the sport with a fierce passion.

Neither has experienced ultimate success in the professional game and there's a certain...... stigma that follows them both. There's been a phrase developed over the years that indicates an athlete is uncoachable. I've been thinking that maybe some athletes are resistant to a culture that emphasizes team over self.

When it comes to team sports a key attribute is the ability to integrate with your teammates. To differing degrees and in different dimensions AO and Kennedy appear to lack the desire or the ability to do that.

I wonder if their past LED them to individual rather than team sport if perhaps their level of success at the pro level might be different.

I fantasize that they were both professional pickleball players and while they might end up being ejected from their matches there would be no question about the consequences of their responsibility or lack thereof.

Comparing Arike to Carter is really off base and unfair. Chennedy has clouds of drama everywhere she goes and is out of the league due to her attitude.

Arike by and large seems to be liked fine by teammates and there’s never been notable rumors of her causing issues or being a poor teammate.

 

[cancontent]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!! This is a heck of a big deal considering how this team was viewed in 2019 when it was sold. A great way to fund the new practice facility too.

FYI - This is a free article but you'll need to have an account with NYT or use your Google account.

 

[Dillon77]

Paige. She normally brings the ball up though Arike is capable too

Agree. Paige is also averaging 6.7 assists per game at this point.
Arike has 3. 0 assists per game.

The other ball handler is Ty Harris, when she comes off the bench. She's notching 2.7 apg thus far.

Interestingly, the second leading assist generator for the Wings three games in is Myisha Hines-Allen, with 3.7 assists per game, to go along with 7.3 rpg (most on the team) and 8.7 ppg. Hines-Allen has always looked to facilitate out of the quasi-elbow positioning she frequently starts half-court sets at.

 

[WBBTakeover]

The Valkyries won their first ever WNBA game last night! It only took them two tries (probably could've defeated the Sparks with proper adjustments). Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton looked great, and they were able to get support from Salaün and Leite. Hope that Tip Hayes is okay moving forward. Not surprised that they were able to win with JV largely playing a role as a bench ornament (hope that continues). Not sure what to make of Kate Martin's role, but there are still a lot of games left to be played.

The Mystics did not look good in this one. There was too much "hero ball" with the "I gotta get mine" mindset. I don't think that having Brittney Sykes leading the way with high volume shooting nights will be sustainable given her injury history, so the young players will have to develop quickly to lighten her load. Kiki did have a double-double, so that's something positive.

Shakira Austin needs to be benched if she can't control her emotions. She's too old to be acting like a toddler. I get that she might want out (and she should--this is a contract year for her and she hasn't shown anything that would warrant a team truly investing in her), but there are more mature ways of making that known.

As for LA/Phoenix, well, the Kelsey Plum Experience was in full display. She giveth and taketh away. I'm sure the Mercury enjoyed those eight turnovers, though--but probably didn't enjoy having to deal with her furious comeback attempt at the end. I'm still not sure why LA traded for her, as she looked like the third-best player on the floor AT BEST, and the third-best player on her own team AT WORST. At some point, I hope that we can abandon the notion that big, bad A'ja is the reason why she's not a bigger star in the WNBA instead of her own genetics (a 6'0 KP would be a much better KP).

 

[ochoopsfan]

Even a Stanford Grad Luvs Phee

 

[CalWBBfan]

The Valkyries won their first ever WNBA game last night! It only took them two tries (probably could've defeated the Sparks with proper adjustments). Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton looked great, and they were able to get support from Salaün and Leite. Hope that Tip Hayes is okay moving forward. Not surprised that they were able to win with JV largely playing a role as a bench ornament (hope that continues). Not sure what to make of Kate Martin's role, but there are still a lot of games left to be played.

The Mystics did not look good in this one. There was too much "hero ball" with the "I gotta get mine" mindset. I don't think that having Brittney Sykes leading the way with high volume shooting nights will be sustainable given her injury history, so the young players will have to develop quickly to lighten her load. Kiki did have a double-double, so that's something positive.

Shakira Austin needs to be benched if she can't control her emotions. She's too old to be acting like a toddler. I get that she might want out (and she should--this is a contract year for her and she hasn't shown anything that would warrant a team truly investing in her), but there are more mature ways of making that known.

As for LA/Phoenix, well, the Kelsey Plum Experience was in full display. She giveth and taketh away. I'm sure the Mercury enjoyed those eight turnovers, though--but probably didn't enjoy having to deal with her furious comeback attempt at the end. I'm still not sure why LA traded for her, as she looked like the third-best player on the floor AT BEST, and the third-best player on her own team AT WORST. At some point, I hope that we can abandon the notion that big, bad A'ja is the reason why she's not a bigger star in the WNBA instead of her own genetics (a 6'0 KP would be a much better KP).

Martin has had an injured hand. I think she’ll contribute. She plays good D too.

 

[azfan]

The Valkyries won their first ever WNBA game last

As for LA/Phoenix, well, the Kelsey Plum Experience was in full display. She giveth and taketh away. I'm sure the Mercury enjoyed those eight turnovers, though--but probably didn't enjoy having to deal with her furious comeback attempt at the end. I'm still not sure why LA traded for her, as she looked like the third-best player on the floor AT BEST, and the third-best player on her own team AT WORST. At some point, I hope that we can abandon the notion that big, bad A'ja is the reason why she's not a bigger star in the WNBA instead of her own genetics (a 6'0 KP would be a much better KP).

Whatever the record is for most minutes played in a season it appears that Kelsey and her coach are determined to break it.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Whatever the record is for most minutes played in a season it appears that Kelsey and her coach are determined to break it.

I hope she's built for it!

It's not all bad in La La Land, though. Roberts looks to be prioritizing Azurá over Dearica, which seems like the right move.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I hope she's built for it!

It's not all bad in La La Land, though. Roberts looks to be prioritizing Azurá over Dearica, which seems like the right move.

L.A. should be adding Brink to the roster soon.

When Plum was injured, she rehabbed and worked out with Susan King Borchardt, who is one of the best. Kelsey has created her Dawg Camp. She's very badass!

 

[UConnTrumbull]

If anyone is looking for tickets to Paige’s game against the Sun on Tuesday let me know. I have four tickets.

 

[JellyBean]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!! This is a heck of a big deal considering how this team was viewed in 2019 when it was sold. A great way to fund the new practice facility too.

FYI - This is a free article but you'll need to have an account with NYT or use your Google account.

Congrats, New York and the WNBA!!

 

[JellyBean]

Even a Stanford Grad Luvs Phee

I am loving the addition of Karlie here in Minnesota.

 

[JellyBean]

Hats off to Golden State on their 1st win of the season and to their fanbase. Another packed house!? Well done.

While in attendance at the Target Center yesterday, several things caught my attention, but I will focus on a few. 1). Azzi Fudd is so amazing. She literally had a line about a mile long of folks getting pictures with her or signing autographs for folks and her smile never left her face. She understands the moment, same as a lot of the WNBA players and college players. Way to go, Azzi!! 2). Dallas played better. The ball didn't stick as much as previous games. They are getting better with moving the ball around more. Just a matter of time before they get things figured out. As long as they are getting each game, that is the key. 3). Minnesota found a way to hold on but did look pretty good out there. They just can't lose focus like they did in that 4th quarter. 4). I am loving the addition of Karlie to the Lynx roster. She doesn't force anything. She just lets the game come to her. Decent rebounding, pesky defense, and big shots when we needed them. 5). Paige is going to be fine. I was glad that fans showed up to show her some support as well as the Lynx.

 

[azfan]

. Dallas played better. The ball didn't stick as much as previous games. They are getting better with moving the ball around more. Just a matter of time before they get things figured out. As long as they are getting each game, that is the key. 3). Minnesota found a way to hold on but did look pretty good out there. They just can't lose focus like they did in that 4th quarter. 4). I am loving the addition of Karlie to the Lynx roster. She doesn't force anything. She just lets the game come to her. Decent rebounding, pesky defense, and big shots when we needed them. 5). Paige is going to be fine. I was glad that fans showed up to show her some support as well as the Lynx.

As will the rest of the league with the exception of Chicago.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Hats off to Golden State on their 1st win of the season and to their fanbase. Another packed house!? Well done.

While in attendance at the Target Center yesterday, several things caught my attention, but I will focus on a few. 1). Azzi Fudd is so amazing. She literally had a line about a mile long of folks getting pictures with her or signing autographs for folks and her smile never left her face. She understands the moment, same as a lot of the WNBA players and college players. Way to go, Azzi!! 2). Dallas played better. The ball didn't stick as much as previous games. They are getting better with moving the ball around more. Just a matter of time before they get things figured out. As long as they are getting each game, that is the key. 3). Minnesota found a way to hold on but did look pretty good out there. They just can't lose focus like they did in that 4th quarter. 4). I am loving the addition of Karlie to the Lynx roster. She doesn't force anything. She just lets the game come to her. Decent rebounding, pesky defense, and big shots when we needed them. 5). Paige is going to be fine. I was glad that fans showed up to show her some support as well as the Lynx.

Karlie is the best FT shooter in the WNBA, 92.4% for a career.

 

[WBBTakeover]

L.A. should be adding Brink to the roster soon.

Young, inexperienced player (who has a lot of warts in her game despite showing some promise as a defender) coming off a major year-long injury/recovery. I'm not expecting much, especially right away. The current staff didn't draft her, so we'll see how patient they are with her as she works her way back to being a rotation player. With Hamby and Stevens, I would be surprised if Brink starts this year unless there's a trade (and that's possible).

L.A. should be adding Brink to the roster soon.

When Plum was injured, she rehabbed and worked out with Susan King Borchardt, who is one of the best. Kelsey has created her Dawg Camp. She's very badass!

That's all well and good, but it doesn't translate across a 44-game season (the most regular season games in WNBA history). The WNBA is a physical league. She will not last at this rate as a small, ball-dominant guard. Caitlin Clark is a bigger guard (by about four inches and 15 pounds), and I don't even think she could survive that heavy of a minutes load. The coaching staff (looking at you, Lynne Roberts) will have to sit her down and adjust the plan (i.e. tell Kelsey that she'll need to rest). Odyssey Sims and Julie Allemand are capable of covering 4-5 minutes while Plum is out. It's not like this is remotely close to being a contending team, so why risk the wear down?

 

[WBBTakeover]

I feel bad for Tyler [Marsh] and would recommend that he stay off social media and out of that boot-shaped state.

 

[nwhoopfan]

L.A. should be adding Brink to the roster soon.

When Plum was injured, she rehabbed and worked out with Susan King Borchardt, who is one of the best. Kelsey has created her Dawg Camp. She's very badass!

She was an iron woman from the beginning. Never missed a game at UW, even with a knee injury late in her soph year. Played big minutes throughout her career.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Okay...is it too soon to declare Bonner the biggest free agent bust? Bench her and play Hull and Cunningham.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Indiana and Atlanta had another close one. Some odd stats: Bonner 1 point; Boston 4 points; Clark 11/4/6 (no treys); Griner 5 points.

Meanwhile, NY set a record with 19 treys, as they had balanced scoring and won big. Cloud had another good game, with 18/4/8, and Burke had 17. Banham had 5 treys off the bench, but Reese shot 0-8 and 2-6 on FTs.