Janice R. Andrews
The WNBA season is starting to take shape as we enter Week 2. The most powerful club in the league is now the Connecticut Sun, Napheesa Collier appears to be a strong candidate for MVP, and Caitlin Clark is starting to establish herself. Everything you need to know about the most recent WNBA developments is provided here.
Sun Leads the League and Has a Perfect Record
With a perfect 6-0 record, the Connecticut Sun are the only unbeaten club in the league right now. This is their finest start in franchise history. The Sun defeated Phoenix 70-47 on Tuesday, capping a run of three consecutive tight victories over Indiana (88-84 on May 20), Minnesota (83-82 in overtime on May 23), and Chicago (86-82 on Friday).
At the age of 36, DeWanna Bonner is in her 15th season and is not showing any signs of slowing down. With the greatest average of her career—20.6 points per game—she is leading the Sun. In five of Connecticut’s six victories, Bonner has been the team’s best scorer. Alyssa Thomas seized the lead in the other game and kept up her strong all-around play. This season, Thomas has already achieved a triple-double, bringing her career total to 12.
The Sun’s quick ascent has also been aided by Ty Harris and DiJonai Carrington, who are making their first starts of the season. Harris is up from 5.8 points per game to 11.8 this season, and Carrington is up from 8.3 points per game to 15 this season.
The Sun have games remaining against Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington that they can win to maintain their winning record. On June 8, a crucial test against the Liberty is scheduled.
Napheesa Collier: A Potential MVP Early On
This early in the season, Napheesa Collier is putting up a compelling case for MVP. Collier is averaging a career-best 23.8 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in her sixth year of play. She’s also playing excellent defense, with 2 blocks and 3.3 steals per game.
Collier’s squad’s poor performance in the previous season—the Lynx finished 19–21 and missed the playoffs—hindered her chances of winning MVP. But Minnesota is off to a 4-1 start this year. Collier appears to have a good chance of earning MVP if the Lynx can keep up their winning ways. Outstanding efforts from colleagues Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith have backed her up. Smith, who scored 15.8 points per game in 2023 while playing for the Sky, is Minnesota’s second-leading scorer. In a victory over Atlanta on Sunday, McBride, who is averaging three 3-pointers per game, scored a career-high 31 points.
Temi Fagbenle and Caitlin Clark: A Rising Pair
As Caitlin Clark prepares for her debut season in the WNBA after leading college basketball in scoring, all eyes have been on her. But the Indiana Fever have been struggling; they are now 11th in the league with a 1-7 record. The relationship between Clark and Temi Fagbenle has been encouraging despite the difficult beginning.
Clark displayed her playmaking skills in their season-opening victory over the Sparks (79–73), finding Fagbenle on fast breaks and assisting the forward in scoring a career-high 17 points. Fagbenle, whose playing style perfectly matches Clark’s, is a kindred spirit for Clark, who is recognized for her pace and transition game.
These two will be crucial while the Fever continue to develop their relationship. In a tight 88-82 defeat against the Sparks, when Clark scored 30 points and Fagbenle contributed 6 points and 7 rebounds, their connection was once again clear.
Phoenix Mercury: Participants Despite Late Loss
With the departure of Skylar Diggins-Smith and the arrival of new coach Nate Tibbetts along with players Kahleah Copper, Natasha Cloud, and Rebecca Allen, the Phoenix Mercury have had an interesting offseason. These actions have paid off, as the Mercury have the second-highest points per game (88.2) in the league. At 29.2 points per game on average, Copper is off to an outstanding start and has improved significantly from the previous season.
Sophie Cunningham is shooting a career-best 45.4% from beyond the arc despite switching to a bench position. Even though they are waiting on the return of Brittney Griner, who is sidelined due to a fractured toe, the Mercury’s tight unit appears to be a title candidate.
Against Connecticut, Phoenix shot a pitiful 1-of-27 from three-point range on the night. They’ll try to recover against the Liberty on Wednesday, but this bad performance is probably an exception.
Aces Await Reentry of Chelsea Gray
Despite the absence of point guard Chelsea Gray, who is rehabbing from a foot injury she received during the WNBA Finals last year, the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces are handling things well. Jackie Young, who thrived as a point guard while attending Notre Dame College, has assumed the position in the absence of a clear return date.
With 91.3 points per game, the Aces are still the league’s best team. Three players have stepped up: A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum, who average 25.5, 22.5, and 20.8 points per game, respectively.
As the WNBA season nears its conclusion, the Connecticut Sun remain unbeaten, Napheesa Collier appears to be a lock for MVP, and Caitlin Clark is gelling with her teammates. Fans may anticipate more excitement and memorable performances in the upcoming weeks as there are contested games.
