2025 WNBA Regular Season

[WBBTakeover]

I'm happy for King but I kinda don't getting cutting Jones to sign King. Haley Jones did have a really good outing. King is a bit better of a rebound but Haley is a more versatile player. And I know they didn't cut Haley per se but y not resign her

I didn't get that, either.

As someone who's watched both for multiple years, Jones > King.

 

[WBBTakeover]

They've seemed to have turned a corner over these past two games. I think a big part of it has to do with Aari McDonald bringing her aggressive defense and another part is just the team starting to find an identity without Clark on the court.

I LOVE what I've seen from Indiana the past two games! They've played like DAWGS, and it's been great to see. AB is creeping back into the MVP conversation. Stephanie White is showing a passion that I haven't seen from her since AT's 2023 MVP-esque season. KM is FINALLY getting her due as an All-Star player (and she's the better Kelsey by a mile now).

And now for the elephant in the room !!!! How much does Caitlin's impending return affect this level of aggressive defensive play? It's no secret that this is how Stephanie White prefers to play, and everyone available to her the past two games is capable of playing this way. Caitlin is the only legit weak defender on the team now and she's coming off an injury, so it's going to be interesting to see what changes they'll need to make to accommodate her the rest of the way.

 

[sivad40]

Gotta say, I LOVE seeing Vegas continually get their butts kicked. Chicago and Vegas are 2 teams who can't lose enough for my taste. Just one fan's opinion. I know some folks on here root for them...

Side note, Hammon needs to take it down a notch and look in the mirror. She basically has the same team of starters swapping out Loyd for Plum. It's pretty clear Plum is light years better while Loyd is fading, but come on Becky. Take some ownership. This is the 2nd or 3rd time she's thrown her team under the bus. It is shocking any of the players still want to play for her, and if I were one if them, I'd be close to a big "F-You" to Becky.

I get that she lost 2 assistants to Golden State and Chicago - so are we saying they basically ran the team while Hammon was busy doing other things - is that why her team sucks this season? Oh and while you are at it, blame the refs and the other team for playing a "rugby match". Good grief. Get her some cheese for that whine.

"That's a complete lack of professionalism to come here with that effort," Hammon said of the Aces, who at 8-9 are fifth in the Western Conference. "They played better yesterday in practice by a lot. I don't know how you step onto the floor with 20,000 people in the stands and perform like that. It is the worst offensive night I've ever seen [since] I've been here in the last four years."

"They were in the paint [getting] downhill layups all night," Hammon said. "I don't really have any answers for you. The effort and the focus just were not there. I thought they were grabbing and holding us, so it's a rugby match. My team doesn't want to play rugby, so we get our ass kicked. There has to be some fight back if they're going to allow that kind of physicality. My team has to step up and match that physicality, period."

"One team is fickle, and one team is not. One team is three steps behind, one team is not. They got all the 50/50 balls. They busted our ass in every kind of way. There's just no bones about it. It's one of the worst games I've ever seen."

If Plum is light years (I assume your using hyperbole) ahead of Loyd, then how is the LA Sparks one of the worst teams in the league with Plum as the number one option?

 

[EricSD]

If Plum is light years (I assume your using hyperbole) ahead of Loyd, then how is the LA Sparks one of the worst teams in the league with Plum as the number one option?

Because Plum is surrounded by lesser players while Loyd is surrounded by Olympians.

 

[GamecockFam]

I LOVE what I've seen from Indiana the past two games! They've played like DAWGS, and it's been great to see. AB is creeping back into the MVP conversation. Stephanie White is showing a passion that I haven't seen from her since AT's 2023 MVP-esque season. KM is FINALLY getting her due as an All-Star player (and she's the better Kelsey by a mile now).

And now for the elephant in the room !!!! How much does Caitlin's impending return affect this level of aggressive defensive play? It's no secret that this is how Stephanie White prefers to play, and everyone available to her the past two games is capable of playing this way. Caitlin is the only legit weak defender on the team now and she's coming off an injury, so it's going to be interesting to see what changes they'll need to make to accommodate her the rest of the way.

The Caitlin question has been rumbling around my brain ever since this last win. I'm scared her return is going to mess up their defensive rhythm. I kind of expect them to have two identities when Caitlin is on and off the floor. They'll be an offensive minded team with her playing and a defensive minded team when she isn't playing.

 

[WBBTakeover]

If Plum is light years (I assume your using hyperbole) ahead of Loyd, then how is the LA Sparks one of the worst teams in the league with Plum as the number one option?

She's not. She's better, but she's not that much better.

The Plum defenders look foolish right about now. That girl made the biggest professional gamble in her career and it has not paid off. KP went from being considered the top guard in the WNBA in 2022 (by fans, players, and media) to being the 16th guard per player voting (because she was hardly on any player ballots) just three years later. And this is without her suffering a major injury of any kind during that stretch.

But yeah, let's continue to say that it was A'ja Wilson holding her back instead of it being A'ja Wilson covering up the funk.

 

[WBBTakeover]

The Caitlin question has been rumbling around my brain ever since this last win. I'm scared her return is going to mess up their defensive rhythm. I kind of expect them to have two identities when Caitlin is on and off the floor. They'll be an offensive minded team with her playing and a defensive minded team when she isn't playing.

And that (bolded) is not sustainable long term.

I've noticed that Stephanie White looks happier now than she has at any other point in the season. Sure, she loves being able to coach a generational talent like Caitlin. However, she likes playing a certain way and loves being able to play that way even more.

I'm happy for Steph, but I do not envy her one bit!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Losing Parker,

They barely ever had Parker. She played half a season, and she missed the playoffs. They won the second Championship without her. I look at it as they gave up Hamby for what ended up being only half a season of Parker, definitely not worth it.

 

[sivad40]

Because Plum is surrounded by lesser players while Loyd is surrounded by Olympians.

They lost last season in the playoffs with Plum; they just have gotten even more worse. This isn't 2023 anymore and other teams have made adjustments and improvements to their teams to beat the Aces.

I do agree with you that Plum is better than Loyd. Loyd was slowly declining in her final years in Seattle but she's falling off a cliff in Vegas.

 

[bballnut90]

They barely ever had Parker. She played half a season, and she missed the playoffs. They won the second Championship without her. I look at it as they gave up Hamby for what ended up being only half a season of Parker, definitely not worth it.

I agree with the long term, but man, they were stupid good when Parker was there. I know they won the title even with her injured but when she was healthy they looked like possibly the best WNBA team of all time.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I agree with the long term, but man, they were stupid good when Parker was there. I know they won the title even with her injured but when she was healthy they looked like possibly the best WNBA team of all time.

She got off to a slow start with them, she was just starting to figure out how to fit in with the rest of the team when she got hurt. Yeah, would've been interesting to see what would've happened if she was able to play the full season plus the playoffs.

 

[donalddoowop]

And that (bolded) is not sustainable long term.

I've noticed that Stephanie White looks happier now than she has at any other point in the season. Sure, she loves being able to coach a generational talent like Caitlin. However, she likes playing a certain way and loves being able to play that way even more.

I'm happy for Steph, but I do not envy her one bit!

How can a generational player be weak on defense? I think a true generational player should be good on both ends of the court.

 

[FanInNC]

I mean that’s kinda nitpicking, no?

If someone doesn’t view Clark as a generational talent, I think they aren’t being honest with themselves. She jumps off the TV screen when you watch a game. Anyone can see that. Sure, it’s all on the offensive end of the floor, but it’s safe to say she’s a generational talent even if that exceptionalism is all on one half of the floor.

Is she the best two way or complete player in the league or of a generation? Thats a different discussion.

 

[YKCornelius]

I mean that’s kinda nitpicking, no?

If someone doesn’t view Clark as a generational talent, I think they aren’t being honest with themselves. She jumps off the TV screen when you watch a game. Anyone can see that. Sure, it’s all on the offensive end of the floor, but it’s safe to say she’s a generational talent even if that exceptionalism is all on one half of the floor.

Is she the best two way or complete player in the league or of a generation? Thats a different discussion.

FaninNC, the only aspect that I would say CC exhibits a "generational talent" is the range in which she can shoot the three. Nobody heretofore has been able to showcase that skill in games. Well....maybe Meadowlark Lemon with the Globetrotters....

Caitlin certainly is fun to watch - no doubt. She has expanded the WNBA fan base to new levels - undeniably so.

But to call her a generational talent from an offensive perspective simply because of her 3pt range would be an example of nit-picking on the other side of the coin, wouldn't you say?

What other aspect of her game supports the "generational talent" wreath?

If she can somehow curb her startling turnover numbers (which are also "generational" from a different lens) then she can be in conversations about the all-time great offensive talents of the WNBA. A little bit premature for that discussion right now, I would say.

 

[bbsamjj]

View attachment 110453

The absence of Ogunbowale is contributing to a fine team effort for Dallas.

Coming in late to this, but I think it's far more likely that Dallas (and especially its rookies) are finally settling in after getting a completely new team this year (this is not dissimilar to what happened with the Fever last year).

Reminder, Dallas has won 5 of their last 7 games. Of those 5 victories:

1 has come without Arike
1 has come without Paige
3 have come with both Arike and Paige.

So...it seems to me like the Wings (and especially Li Yueru and Aziaha James) are just playing better overall.

 

[Dillon77]

FaninNC, the only aspect that I would say CC exhibits a "generational talent" is the range in which she can shoot the three. Nobody heretofore has been able to showcase that skill in games. Well....maybe Meadowlark Lemon with the Globetrotters....

Caitlin certainly is fun to watch - no doubt. She has expanded the WNBA fan base to new levels - undeniably so.

But to call her a generational talent from an offensive perspective simply because of her 3pt range would be an example of nit-picking on the other side of the coin, wouldn't you say?

What other aspect of her game supports the "generational talent" wreath?

If she can somehow curb her startling turnover numbers (which are also "generational" from a different lens) then she can be in conversations about the all-time great offensive talents of the WNBA. A little bit premature for that discussion right now, I would say.

It's interesting reading your comments. They're generally acknowledging her offensive prowess, while tampering them; perhaps due to the high turnover rate.

I've watched Clark as early as I could get "tape" on her because ND was in the hunt for her services and the Irish had a great chance. Whether she was playing for Dowling Catholic or AAU, she was usually the "decider" in all aspects of the offense, from running breaks to orchestrating the half-court sets to driving and, or course, launching three's. This largely continued at Iowa.

Her passing is still top notch, particularly on the break. She's be a hell of a flag-football QB -- her ability to hit people in the right place in stride is simply great. I'd say that the issue where she/her coaches need to work is the orchestration and passing within half-court sets. Sometimes she holds the ball a bit too long or gets in too deep, resulting in careless or forced passes.

If anything the Fever have shown us during her absence is that other players can orchestrate half-court sets without relying on CC. Boston's work at the high past, McDonald getting the ball where it should be. I'm sure Clark and White have noticed. Clark doesn't have to lead the league in both assists and turnovers at record rate...there are other ways to run sets.

But if you need someone to take over when needed....she's one player I'd give the keys to.

 

[Dillon77]

If Hammon and the Aces keep playing this way and then keep throwing people under the bus, both she and Vargas might end up being in-studio "experts" in a shorter time frame than you might think.

Windows for championship teams don't last that long. At this juncture, it's not important to me whether Plum or Loyd would be helping the Aces more: Plum wanted out and Loyd is clearly on a (steady?) downward plane in terms of consistent play. Gray has been up and down and Young can't be A to A+ when teams realize that don't have to worry about Gray or Loyd like they used to.

I've stated this earlier (in the season) and think that:

• the front office simply isn't up to the task of finding the right kind/mix of players. Aaliyah Nye fell into their laps but out side of that, it's a revolving door of trades/pick-ups, draft choices and situations that don't work.
• Hammon has not shown any capacity to bring along/mesh these talents and keeps relying on the same old/same old. In the past, the gang could make it happen because they were finely honed and the powers that be could count on the start to get it together. Not so anymore.

I'm not optimistic, but let's see how it plays out over the course of the season. If they're stuck in this current rut, ownership should figure out who they want to run the ship in the offseason, going into the new CBA and an expanded league. Wilson, Young and Nye are all keepers. Who do they want to go forward with on both sides of the sidelines?

 

[cancontent]

If Hammon and the Aces keep playing this way and then keep throwing people under the bus, both she and Vargas might end up being in-studio "experts" in a shorter time frame than you might think.

Windows for championship teams don't last that long. At this juncture, it's not important to me whether Plum or Loyd would be helping the Aces more: Plum wanted out and Loyd is clearly on a (steady?) downward plane in terms of consistent play. Gray has been up and down and Young can't be A to A+ when teams realize that don't have to worry about Gray or Loyd like they used to.

I've stated this earlier (in the season) and think that:

• the front office simply isn't up to the task of finding the right kind/mix of players. Aaliyah Nye fell into their laps but out side of that, it's a revolving door of trades/pick-ups, draft choices and situations that don't work.
• Hammon has not shown any capacity to bring along/mesh these talents and keeps relying on the same old/same old. In the past, the gang could make it happen because they were finely honed and the powers that be could count on the start to get it together. Not so anymore.

I'm not optimistic, but let's see how it plays out over the course of the season. If they're stuck in this current rut, ownership should figure out who they want to run the ship in the offseason, going into the new CBA and an expanded league. Wilson, Young and Nye are all keepers. Who do they want to go forward with on both sides of the sidelines?

With Mark Davis now at the helm, this will be something to watch based on his track record with the Raiders. Hopefully, he'll do his diligence and find the right basketball minds to defer these decisions to if he decides to make changes.

 

[FanInNC]

FaninNC, the only aspect that I would say CC exhibits a "generational talent" is the range in which she can shoot the three. Nobody heretofore has been able to showcase that skill in games. Well....maybe Meadowlark Lemon with the Globetrotters....

Caitlin certainly is fun to watch - no doubt. She has expanded the WNBA fan base to new levels - undeniably so.

But to call her a generational talent from an offensive perspective simply because of her 3pt range would be an example of nit-picking on the other side of the coin, wouldn't you say?

What other aspect of her game supports the "generational talent" wreath?

If she can somehow curb her startling turnover numbers (which are also "generational" from a different lens) then she can be in conversations about the all-time great offensive talents of the WNBA. A little bit premature for that discussion right now, I would say.

I agree that her range is her super power and the thing that sets her apart from others. That is what makes her “generational”. However she’s more than someone who can just fire it from deep. She sees the court well and handles the ball well. She’s an elite bus driver for an offense. She’s also in year 2 of her career, so while her turnover numbers are sky high - it stands to reason she will improve and be able to sharpen the skills she already possesses and flashes.

Idk maybe we are just getting too in the weeds about what the term “generational talent” means. To me she has a super power that others don’t have and she’s good at other aspects of offense. She’s not Kyle Korver who can shoot the eyes out but you better not put the ball in his hands and ask him to do anything. She’s much more like Steph Curry than JJ Reddick. To me those players don’t grow on trees, she’s one of a kind in that regard which I guess I consider to be a generational talent.

I’ll be honest - I don’t even really root for Clark, so it’s awkward that I’m defending her talents lol.

Now statistically this year she has not been the same player she was last year. Her eFG% is down and her advanced stats are down. I guess I’m of the belief that those numbers will rebound and be more like what she’s been her whole career.

I doubt she’ll ever be a plus defender. She’ll probably always turn the ball over more than people will want, but that’s sort of the thing you deal with to get the greatness that also happens because of her ambitious ideas.

I think it’s a very fair debate to have if you are debating is she the ideal player to be your centerpiece and build around. The defense is a weakness and she plays a ball dominant brand that doesn’t fit for everyone. But I do think she possesses a talent that can be described as generational.

 

[Geew1992]

I agree that her range is her super power and the thing that sets her apart from others. That is what makes her “generational”. However she’s more than someone who can just fire it from deep. She sees the court well and handles the ball well. She’s an elite bus driver for an offense. She’s also in year 2 of her career, so while her turnover numbers are sky high - it stands to reason she will improve and be able to sharpen the skills she already possesses and flashes.

Idk maybe we are just getting too in the weeds about what the term “generational talent” means. To me she has a super power that others don’t have and she’s good at other aspects of offense. She’s not Kyle Korver who can shoot the eyes out but you better not put the ball in his hands and ask him to do anything. She’s much more like Steph Curry than JJ Reddick. To me those players don’t grow on trees, she’s one of a kind in that regard which I guess I consider to be a generational talent.

I’ll be honest - I don’t even really root for Clark, so it’s awkward that I’m defending her talents lol.

Now statistically this year she has not been the same player she was last year. Her eFG% is down and her advanced stats are down. I guess I’m of the belief that those numbers will rebound and be more like what she’s been her whole career.

I doubt she’ll ever be a plus defender. She’ll probably always turn the ball over more than people will want, but that’s sort of the thing you deal with to get the greatness that also happens because of her ambitious ideas.

I think it’s a very fair debate to have if you are debating is she the ideal player to be your centerpiece and build around. The defense is a weakness and she plays a ball dominant brand that doesn’t fit for everyone. But I do think she possesses a talent that can be described as generational.

She does NOT handle the ball well, which is why the players pick her up 94 feet. Here’s a tweet from Kelsey bone….

 

[TheFarmFan]

She does NOT handle the ball well, which is why the players pick her up 94 feet. Here’s a tweet from Kelsey bone….

Yeeeeeeah, the all time leading scorer and third all time in assists in women's college basketball is "slow and/or can't dribble." That explains why she takes logo threes - she otherwise can't score or pass!

Is CC the best under pressure? No. But most 6ish-foot ball handlers have a bit of a harder time holding onto the ball against fast, shorter guards.

If I have any complaint about CC, it's that she inspires stupidity both for and against.

 

[TheFarmFan]

If Hammon and the Aces keep playing this way and then keep throwing people under the bus, both she and Vargas might end up being in-studio "experts" in a shorter time frame than you might think.

Windows for championship teams don't last that long. At this juncture, it's not important to me whether Plum or Loyd would be helping the Aces more: Plum wanted out and Loyd is clearly on a (steady?) downward plane in terms of consistent play. Gray has been up and down and Young can't be A to A+ when teams realize that don't have to worry about Gray or Loyd like they used to.

I've stated this earlier (in the season) and think that:

• the front office simply isn't up to the task of finding the right kind/mix of players. Aaliyah Nye fell into their laps but out side of that, it's a revolving door of trades/pick-ups, draft choices and situations that don't work.
• Hammon has not shown any capacity to bring along/mesh these talents and keeps relying on the same old/same old. In the past, the gang could make it happen because they were finely honed and the powers that be could count on the start to get it together. Not so anymore.

I'm not optimistic, but let's see how it plays out over the course of the season. If they're stuck in this current rut, ownership should figure out who they want to run the ship in the offseason, going into the new CBA and an expanded league. Wilson, Young and Nye are all keepers. Who do they want to go forward with on both sides of the sidelines?

Chelsea Gray post meniscus tear is not the same player, I'm sad to say. I have the same condition and I can recognize to a tee when she's favoring her knee when pushing off or cutting. When the Aces came to Ballhalla, I noticed that Gray twice got steals in the half court that she couldn't capitalize on because she's clearly a step slower now. It's unfortunate for the Aces because she's still their best defender for sticking like glue to the opposing PG, but those little differences add up over time and I'm guessing on average they lose 6-8 points a game that pre-injury Gray would have contributed. As you and others have said, Young is a Swiss army knife but there's only one of her.

 

[willtalk]

The Aces started their downward spiral at the beginning of last season. When Chelsea was out for most of the first half of the season their offensive stucture went to hell. Wilson, Young and Plumb started to play with less ball movement and that carried over even when Gray returned well into this season. They are toast because its not coming back. It did not help when the took Loyd instead of the young post from France who could have supplied what the team really needs right now. Loyd not only has lost her ability to score but she makes bad basketball decisions. Young is also not a true point guard. Now they have to play Gray as a power forward so she does not have the opportunity to establish herself at the point which is what the team has lacked.

They screwed their future when they did not keep LA first round pick and did so again when they traided their next first for Nassy Smith. Their record is so bad they might end up with a lottery pick and she is not worth it. They seem to have no clue as to what is wrong or what they actually need to correct things. There is no way they were going to salvage this season even if Plumb had stayed. The chemistry they had was ruined last season and they really needed to start from scratch. Some people might think I am crazy but I think Wilson is the main locker room problem. She is a great player---But!

 

[FanInNC]

She does NOT handle the ball well, which is why the players pick her up 94 feet. Here’s a tweet from Kelsey bone….

There are a multitude of reasons teams would elect to play full court defense. It isn't necessarily because someone can't dribble. I'm not in the pre game meetings or huddles during time outs, I don't know what the staff is trying to accomplish with certainty by picking up full court.

However, I'm going to guess it has more to do with forcing pace, trying to force bad decisions, not letting someone get comfortable and making them work the full length of the court as opposed to being able to walk into a half court set without an ounce of effort. Perhaps trying to force the ball out of Clark's hands and to another player early and then trying to deny. I wouldn't make the leap of saying because she's guarded full court, she can't handle the ball. Often times teams applying pressure want the ball out of the primary guards hands and force someone else to initiate the offense, or at least eat into the shot clock and get a team out of rhythm.

It feels like a good portion of CC's turnovers are on passes, not dribbling. Either her being too ambitious or taking risks that most don't take. But I don't have data to back that up, just what my eyes tell me. I could be wrong. It's wild how polarizing some players can be.

 

[cancontent]

I wonder if this is a sign that Gustafson will be playing soon?

 

[Basingstoke]

I've never been a big Debbie Antonelli fan, but, in announcing the Fever-Sparks game tonight, she made the case for "freedom of movement" outside of the paint and screens as something that players and fans alike want.

 

[cancontent]

I've never been a big Debbie Antonelli fan, but, in announcing the Fever-Sparks game tonight, she made the case for "freedom of movement" outside of the paint and screens as something that players and fans alike want.

She brings it up consistently when I've heard her announcing games this season.

 

[cancontent]

I feel this to my core

 

[EricSD]

With time winding down, Indiana down 1, and Aari McDonald takes a 3-point shot? Is that really the "best" shot at that moment? Good grief. Great win for LA, bad loss for Indy, and a nice game from Stevens - 21 points, 12 boards, 2 assists...

 

[nwhoopfan]

LA can't beat anyone other than Indiana apparently, who has started playing better lately...except when they play LA.