While the top-tier WNBA title contenders defended their positions in the season openers, one team shot up the rankings with an impressive first pair of games.
The reigning champion New York Liberty off with a 92-78 win over Las Vegas. The Minnesota Lynx Paige Bueckers’ debut. And the Indiana Fever showcased their new roster in a dismantling of the visiting Chicago Sky, 93-58. In a refreshing stat for Fever faithful that likely won’t last, they currently lead the league in defensive rating (67.4). In a standard stat, Caitlin Clark .
Advertisement
For as much as the contending tier has been discussed, the bottom tier is shaking out to be just as interesting through the first weekend. It’s the group battling in the WNBA lottery ranks for the best draft odds, jockeying for position amid another strong class headlined by UCLA center Lauren Betts and a pack of guards: TCU’s Olivia Miles, UConn’s Azzi Fudd, South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson and LSU’s Fla’jaue Johnson. (The WNBA draft lottery is based on the results from the past two seasons, so tanking isn’t as clear-cut.)
In a way-too-early assessment of the playoff field, Washington could slide into a spot. Considering the lack of expectations surrounding their season, the Mystics’ start is the most impressive. The least experienced team in the league is 2-0 and scored at least 90 points in each contest, shooting better than 50% in wins over the Dream and Sun. The front office is committed to rebuilding through the draft and development; so far, that’s well on its way.
Brittany Sykes, a veteran guard often noticed more for her staunch defense, stepped into the lead offense role with 49 points and 12 assists over two games. She was aggressive to the basket to score 20 of those points at the line (20-of-25). In 58 games with Washington, her previous high in attempts was nine (four times in 2023).
Advertisement
Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are playing beyond their rookie descriptor, starting and playing hefty minutes in both games. Iriafen became the 10th rookie in WNBA history to score at least 30 points with 18 rebounds in her first two games. Citron, who clinched the last-minute win over the Dream, is an evolving defensive menace moving up the Rookie of the Year watch list.
And Shakira Austin, besieged by injuries the past two seasons, made her debut against the Sun — though she was ejected for drawing two technicals, including one from the bench. Her healthy return can lift Washington’s ceiling, as could that of Aaliyah Edwards.
It’s far too early to overreact and lift their potential, but the Mystics are already taking care of necessary business. Every game matters in a short season, and winning the matchups with teams projected to finish in your tier is crucial. Those records can break ties, or mean the difference between a playoff berth and longshot lottery odds.
If the young Mystics continue to develop upward, they don’t need those picks anyway.
Player of the Week: Napheesa Collier
Collier averaged 28.5 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists to help the Lynx go 2-0 to open the season. She made at least 55% of her field goal attempts in each game, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, and is perfect on nine field goals.
Game to watch
New York Liberty at Indiana Fever, Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS: It’s the first premier competition of the season for the Fever, and a . The game is also a
Advertisement
Yahoo Sports’ WNBA Power Poll
*Current record and previous week’s ranking in parentheses
1. New York Liberty (1-0; No. 1)
2. Minnesota Lynx (2-0; No. 2)
3. Indiana Fever (1-0; No. 4)
4. Phoenix Mercury (1-0; No. 5)
5. Las Vegas Aces (0-1; No. 3)
6. Los Angeles Sparks (1-1; No. 7)
7. Seattle Storm (1-1; No. 6)
8. Dallas Wings (0-2; No. 10)
9. Chicago Sky (0-1; No. 8)
10. Washington Mystics (2-0; No. 13)
11. Atlanta Dream (0-1; No. 9)
12. Connecticut Sun (0-1; No. 12)
13. Golden State Valkyries (0-1; No. 11)
AP WNBA Power Poll
*Previous week’s ranking in parentheses
1. Minnesota Lynx (2)
2. New York Liberty (1)
3. Indiana Fever (4)
4. Phoenix Mercury 6)
5. Las Vegas Aces (3)
6. Washington Mystics (11)
7. Los Angeles Sparks (8)
8. Seattle Storm (5)
9. Atlanta Dream (7)
10. Dallas Wings (10)
11. Chicago Sky (9)
12. Connecticut Sun (12)
13. Golden State Valkyries (13)
