WNBA midseason grades: Why Liberty, Lynx, Solar get excessive marks

The WNBA group within the Massive Apple is on the high of the category. The 2-time defending champion is above common. And a playoff group from final season wants research corridor.

With the league’s 12 groups at or close to the midway level of the 40-game schedule, it is time for the WNBA midseason report card.

Grades are at all times considerably subjective, however the high three — the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Solar — had been clear. The Liberty have a slight grading edge with three extra wins than the Lynx, though New York additionally has performed yet one more sport.

The 17-3 Liberty’s excessive grade is not sudden; they returned all the important thing gamers from the 2023 group that misplaced to the Las Vegas Aces within the WNBA Finals. However New York’s depth and cohesion had been on show when it performed an eight-game stretch with out level guard Courtney Vandersloot, who was away due to her mom’s dying.

Final yr’s expertise with a new-look group — the Liberty introduced in forwards Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones along with Vandersloot — helped put together New York for what it hopes is the franchise’s long-awaited championship run.

Minnesota (14-5) gained the in-season Commissioner’s Cup title and hopes to get again to the WNBA Finals for the primary time because the Lynx gained their fourth championship in 2017. The 15-4 Solar, just like the Liberty, are nonetheless in search of the franchise’s first WNBA championship, however as soon as once more they’re within the combine.

The back-to-back champion Aces are 11-6 and never within the “A” grades now. However after hitting what for them appeared like all-time low with a .500 file on June 15, issues have gotten significantly higher, as they match the Liberty’s present five-game successful streak. The Aces’ grade has improved loads prior to now two weeks.

Rookies Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever would each get As for the way rapidly they’ve adjusted to professional ball. Their groups do not grade that top, however the Sky and Fever ought to be ok with being within the playoff dialogue.

The groups on the backside of the report card aren’t out of playoff rivalry but. However issues should change loads for them to climb into the highest eight.

The Liberty have not been good, however they have been fairly darn good. They made the Commissioner’s Cup ultimate, dropping to Minnesota, they usually even have gone 1-1 vs. the Lynx within the common season. New York is 9-1 in its previous 10 video games (not counting the Cup ultimate) and ranks second within the league in scoring (87.2) and first in rebounding (36.3) and 3-pointers per sport (10.5).
Further credit score: Mascot Ellie the Elephant is killing it.

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Liberty surge into lead with late 15-0 run

The Liberty take the lead for good with a 15-0 run within the fourth quarter vs. the Lynx.

Any exterior doubts in regards to the Lynx had been gone nearly as quickly because the season began; it was clear how properly they performed collectively. Napheesa Collier, the Commissioner’s Cup ultimate MVP, has elevated to “face of the franchise” significance. Alanna Smith has proven that final yr’s enchancment in her sport was sustainable. Kayla McBride, who turned 32 the day the Lynx gained the Cup, is capturing a career-high 43.3% from 3-point vary.
Further credit score: The Lynx are the WNBA’s “Group World,” with gamers from six international locations apart from the US on their roster.

Coach Stephanie White stored saying even in the course of the Solar’s 13-1 begin that she may see areas wherein the Solar weren’t enjoying properly. They’ve gone 2-3 since however are nonetheless close to the highest of the standings and among the many groups with real looking hopes to succeed in the WNBA Finals. 5 gamers are averaging in double-figures scoring, led by DeWanna Bonner’s 16.2 factors per sport.
Further credit score: Guards DiJonai Carrington and Tyasha Harris may compete for Most Improved Participant; each are full-time starters for the primary time and having profession years.

The Storm knew 2023 can be tough; they went 11-29. Guard Jewell Loyd, who led the WNBA in scoring final season, has extra assist this yr with ahead Nneka Ogwumike and guard Skylar Diggins-Smith signing with Seattle. These three plus ahead/middle Ezi Magbegor — who was robbed of a deserved All-Star spot — have turn out to be the massive 4 for Seattle (13-6).
Further credit score: The Storm are the one group within the high 5 of the present standings that did not make the playoffs final yr.

Quick model: The Aces missed Chelsea Grey. The Level Gawd missed Las Vegas’ first 12 video games as she rehabbed from a foot damage suffered in final yr’s WNBA Finals. The Aces had been 6-6 earlier than she returned June 19. Since then, they’re 5-0. Grey takes stress off everybody else and helps them give attention to what they do finest. Ahead A’ja Wilson, although, is doing every part the most effective and is the MVP front-runner.
Further credit score: Kate Martin appears charmingly baffled as to why she’s so widespread, however the 18th total decide final April has been the proper rookie addition for Las Vegas.

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Kelsey Plum scores season-high 34 in win over Fever

Kelsey Plum shines with 34 factors to guide the Aces over the Fever at house.

The Sky got here near being within the “B” grades regardless of their 7-11 file. That is as a result of many assumed it was a rebuilding yr in Chicago and the Sky can be in final place. However they don’t seem to be. New coach Teresa Weatherspoon has gotten the most effective thus removed from ahead Angel Reese, the WNBA’s main rebounder and a robust Rookie of the Yr candidate. Guards Chennedy Carter and Marina Mabrey are having their finest all-around seasons.
Further credit score: The Sky have gained the identical variety of video games at house and on the highway (4 every). Dallas is the one different group to try this, with two every.

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Angel Reese’s double-double streak hits 11 in win over Dream

Angel Reese racks up 12 factors and 19 rebounds to increase her WNBA single-season file to 11 consecutive double-doubles.

The Dream are the place many projected them to be: across the center of the pack and in playoff place. Guard Rhyne Howard, who hasn’t performed since injuring her ankle June 19, is Atlanta’s greatest concern proper now. Guard Allisha Grey and middle Tina Charles, in her first season with the Dream, are main the best way for the Dream, who additionally acquired guard Jordin Canada again from damage June 23.
Further credit score: Charles has performed for six of the present 12 franchises and averaged practically a double-double in her 14 seasons.

No group, participant or coach has been beneath extra scrutiny than the Fever, Caitlin Clark and coach Christie Sides. However after a 1-8 begin throughout a difficult schedule, Indiana is 8-13 and has three gamers going to the All-Star Sport: Clark, fellow guard Kelsey Mitchell and ahead Aliyah Boston. The Fever’s purpose: ending the franchise’s seven-season playoff drought. Alongside the best way, they’re racking up large attendance numbers.
Further credit score: Not everybody agrees, however the Fever’s colourful new home-court design seems nice on TV.

The Mercury had been headed to a “D” grade had they misplaced at Dallas on Wednesday, however they gained 104-96. They’ve been the league’s greatest enigma in 2024: beating 4 of the highest 5 groups within the standings but in addition dropping to 2 of the underside 4. Middle Brittney Griner, who missed the primary 10 video games with a toe damage, is considered one of three U.S. Olympians on the Mercury, with Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi. With new coach Nate Tibbetts and new faces together with Copper and Natasha Cloud, the Mercury are nonetheless determining how one can play collectively.
Further credit score: The Mercury are 10-10, the seventh time this season they’ve had a .500 file.

Natasha Cloud left in free company, and Elena Delle Donne is not enjoying within the WNBA this season, her future unsure. The Mystics are getting into a brand new period wherein No. 6 draft decide Aaliyah Edwards may play an enormous position. However with guard Brittney Sykes and middle Shakira Austin restricted to 9 video games mixed due to accidents, it isn’t stunning the Mystics went 0-12 to start out the season. Nonetheless, they’ve gained 5 video games and are usually not in final place, each positives.
Further credit score: Middle Stefanie Dolson’s WNBA profession began in Washington in 2014 and she or he’s now again there 10 years later.

Of the Sparks’ two 2024 lottery alternatives, No. 2 decide Cameron Brink is out for the remainder of the season due to a knee damage and No. 4 decide Rickea Jackson (10.2 PPG) is the one Sparks participant moreover Dearica Hamby (18.3 PPG) who’s averaging in double-figures scoring. Hamby (10.3 RPG) is the one robust rebounder with Brink out; the following finest is middle Li Yueru’s 3.6 RPG. Guard Lexie Brown is out indefinitely with Crohn’s illness. The Sparks (4-15) have the WNBA’s longest present dropping streak at eight in a row and are prone to miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive yr.
Further credit score: The Sparks had been spared the bottom grade due to Dallas’ struggles.

The Wings wished to select up the place they left off final season with the momentum of constructing the semifinals. The other has occurred. Ahead Satou Sabally (shoulder) is out till after she performs for Germany within the Olympics. Natasha Howard (damaged foot) missed eight video games. She is again, however fellow ahead Maddy Siegrist now’s out with a damaged finger.
Further credit score: Guard Arike Ogunbowale is second within the league in scoring (23.8 PPG) and an All-Star, so it isn’t utterly bleak for Dallas (4-16).