Every WNBA season has the anticipated performances — like two-time MVPs A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart displaying out 12 months in, 12 months out, and all-WNBA expertise reminiscent of Alyssa Thomas and Napheesa Collier proving among the hardest opponents within the league.
However the enjoyable of the WNBA season actually comes from the surprising: the breakout gamers who possibly switched groups within the offseason and are actually having a profession 12 months; or who took on bigger roles and are serving to their squads attain new heights.
Alongside the way in which, they may earn their first (or one other) All-Star bid or the league’s Most Improved Participant award. They may even obtain newfound MVP consideration.
It is too early to determine on such honors. However we have already seen a number of gamers hit the bottom working by way of the primary week and a half of the 2024 WNBA season. As we head into the second weekend of video games, these are the breakout stars who’ve made sizable jumps from 2023 and are asserting themselves early on.
Some are former All-Stars leveling up; others are assuming beginning spots for the primary time, and displaying they deserve the transfer up.
There’s a whole lot of the season nonetheless left, however we count on these gamers to proceed to make an outsized affect on their groups.
Copper stars as Mercury hand loss to Aces
Kahleah Copper scores 37 factors within the Phoenix Mercury’s 98-88 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
2023 stats: 18.7 PPG, 44.8% FG, 40.4% 3FG at Chicago
2024 stats up to now: 31.3 PPG, 50.6% FG, 46.7% 3FG
It might appear counterintuitive to incorporate a former Finals MVP as a breakout participant, however in her restricted time within the Valley, Copper — whose commerce to Phoenix following a profession season with the Sky was one of the vital surprising strikes of the offseason — has been nothing in need of sensational. Working example: Her (fairly environment friendly) 28.5 factors per sport is the highest scoring common within the league by way of Thursday’s competitors and marks the best PPG mark by way of the primary 4 video games of a season in Mercury historical past.
Copper’s consecutive video games with 38 and 37 factors — the previous a profession excessive, the latter coming in opposition to the defending champion Aces — put the league on discover. Just one different participant, Liz Cambage, had ever recorded back-to-back 35-point video games within the WNBA. And, though Copper’s slashing skill has lengthy been a characteristic of her sport, her scorching taking pictures in a system that prioritizes 3-point appears to be like has additionally been large, particularly with Brittney Griner out indefinitely with a damaged toe. She’s recorded a minimum of three 3-pointers in her first 4 video games to begin the season, tied for the longest streak to start a season in WNBA historical past.
“My offseason was huge. I took pleasure in being a three-level scorer, however I wished to be extra constant,” Copper stated after Phoenix’s win over the Aces Tuesday. “And off the court docket, it is like we have been collectively without end… We’re having enjoyable in these video games collectively and I feel that is the place we’re getting our separation.”
Copper, who began her profession in Washington and Chicago principally as a task participant off the bench, has by no means earned an all-WNBA nod, however that might change this 12 months if she retains up this stage of play.
Dearica Hamby will get the and-1 to fall for the Sparks
Dearica Hamby will get the and-1 to fall after an offensive rebound vs. the Aces.
2023 stats: 8.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.9 SPG
2024 stats up to now: 22.0 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG
Hamby’s comeback final season after giving delivery to her second baby in March 2023 was outstanding: She was the one Sparks participant to seem in all 40 video games. This 12 months, the previous two-time Sixth Participant of the Yr goals to get not solely an All-Star bid, however MVP votes. If she continues to play like she has up to now, each might be doable.
Hamby has recorded double-doubles in two of the Sparks’ first three video games. Within the third, she had a career-high 29 factors in opposition to her former staff, the Aces.
The No. 6 choose in 2015, Hamby’s earlier profession highs had been 13.0 PPG (2020) and seven.6 RPG (2019) with the Aces. She can be presently main the league in rebounding (13.7 RPG) and taking pictures a blistering 59.1% clip from the sphere, which ranks fourth within the WNBA.
Sparks head coach Curt Miller credited her mentality and mindset for her enchancment this season. “She has a whole lot of objectives for herself personally,” Miller stated. “She needs to be counted on because the go-to individual. Her motor has at all times made her particular on this league, however she’s taking part in with a dedication and confidence proper now.”
Alanna Smith fights by way of visitors for and-1
Alanna Smith fights by way of visitors for and-1
2023 stats: 9.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG at Chicago
2024 stats up to now: 16.0 PG, 6.7 RPG, 3.7 BPG
Smith emerged as a candidate for Most Improved Participant following a profession 2023 season in Chicago, her first as a full-time starter. She is now a part of the Lynx’s highly effective frontcourt duo, with Napheesa Collier.
Smith’s effectivity from the sphere total in addition to the 3-point arc are notable (56.3% from the sphere and 62.5% on 3-pointers), however she’s making her presence felt in different methods, particularly on the defensive finish. In Minnesota’s second sport in opposition to Seattle, a double-overtime victory, the Australian Olympian had 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 blocks and a pair of assists.
“She simply competes so exhausting,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve stated after the competition. “She was huge.” And he or she is a essential cause the Lynx have established themselves as a prime staff within the league early this season.
Collier spoke earlier this week about how she wished Smith as a teammate due to how powerful she was to play in opposition to in previous years — a lot in order that she went to dinner with Smith for 3 hours after they had been taking part in abroad in Turkey to recruit her.
“She’s actually sturdy, she by no means quits, she’s aggressive, she makes actually sensible strikes and that is precisely what she’s doing with us,” Collier stated. “She’s doing so effectively and I am glad that we obtained her.”
DiJonai Carrington finishes by way of contact
DiJonai Carrington finishes by way of contact, 05/17/2024
2023 stats: 8.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 17.2 MPG
2024 stats up to now: 14.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 31.8 MPG
Carrington made headlines on opening night time for her protection on Caitlin Clark, however she has assumed a big function in Connecticut’s offense this season after touchdown a full-time beginning function: She’s averaging the second-most photographs on the staff up to now (13.8 makes an attempt per sport), scoring whereas her 21 factors in opposition to Washington final week marked her second profession 20-point outing.
Final 12 months she confirmed she might be a activate the bench along with her defensive vitality and skill to get downhill, however her consistency and self-discipline this 12 months, Solar coach Stephanie White has stated, might be key for a staff whose guard play has lengthy been the X think about its championship hopes.
“That is what we count on from her. The expansion from her, to have the ability to come into the beginning lineup, to have the ability to perceive that expectation and be capable of do it constantly is the problem, and she or he did that,” White stated after the Solar’s season-opening win. “This was Step 1 for her, and she or he’s going to have that problem each night time. Some gamers simply watch for the chance, after which they suppose it will be theirs they usually do not simply take it. She’s taken it and she or he’s taken possession of it.”
Kia Nurse drills the trey
Kia Nurse drills the trey, 05/21/2024
Kia Nurse, G, Los Angeles Sparks
2023 stats: 5.9 PPG, 35.0% 3FG, 19.7 MPG at Seattle
2024 stats up to now: 16.3 PPG, 45.0% 3FG, 31.9 MPG
Nurse has flourished up to now in Los Angeles, presently second within the staff in scoring behind Hamby and sporting an environment friendly 54.5% clip, together with 45% from 3 on 6.7 makes an attempt per sport. Evaluate this to her earlier profession highs: 13.7 PPG (2019), 40% FG (2018), 35.3% 3FG (2019, 2021). The Canadian Olympian returned from her fall 2021 ACL harm with the Storm final season, the place she began half their video games, however has stated she did not really feel like herself mentally.
Now with extra confidence below her belt and a bigger function in Los Angeles, she “appears to be like like a totally totally different participant” than final 12 months, Miller stated, and will assist the Sparks make some noise this summer season. Miller has additionally complimented Nurse’s management and voice, key for this younger staff.
Video games to look at this weekend
Indiana Fever (0-5) at Los Angeles Sparks (1-2)
Friday, 10 p.m. ET (ION)
The 2024 Nos. 1, 2 and 4 picks take the ground on this one, with Caitlin Clark dealing with off in opposition to Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in Los Angeles. This can be the Fever’s finest shot at getting their first win after beginning 0-5. The Sparks in the meantime are coming off their first win of the season on Tuesday and internet hosting their first residence sport of the season at Crypto.com Area. They’re going to be seeking to present they are a powerful out after almost knocking off the defending champion Aces.
New York Liberty (4-0) at Minnesota Lynx (2-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
New York and Minnesota are coming off crushing losses on Thursday night time, the Liberty at residence to the Sky and the Lynx in time beyond regulation on the street on the Solar. And neither will wish to drop two contests in a row. Each groups had been two of the league’s three last undefeated squads heading into Thursday, so this matchup figures to be one of the vital compelling of the younger season, particularly with the Lynx surpassing so many early expectations.
Connecticut Solar (3-0) at Chicago Sky (1-1)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (CBS Sports activities Community)
The Sky, led by first-year coach Teresa Weatherspoon, confirmed they’re for actual by knocking off the then-undefeated Liberty in Brooklyn on Thursday. They’d actually flip some heads if they can comply with that by beating the Solar, the only real undefeated staff remaining within the league and a perennial WNBA title contender. And Chicago will doubtless have loads of juice for this contest given it’s going to be the Sky’s residence opener almost two weeks because the season tipped.