WNBA Week 1 Thrills

by Sharon Mullen, Chief Staff Writer

The most anticipated WNBA season in recent memory started out with a bang, delivering exciting moments and stellar play even from the rookies. Four teams have already sold out their season tickets and of course there were several sold out games this week. From tip off, players have picked up right where they left off and fans are here for it!

Week 1 was highlighted by the opening game between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever. Airing on ESPN2, it has been reported that viewership for this game peaked at 2.3 million views, the most in 23 years. Sparked by the excitement around rookie Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA regular season game and the return of Brionna Jones from last season’s Achilles injury, the sold out contest did not disappoint with the Sun coming out on top 92-71. Clark ended up with 20 points, however, her 10 turnovers left her disappointed. “Obviously too many turnovers — that’s not going to get the job done,” she said. “There’s a lot of things to learn from.” – (NBC News). The 2023 first pick in the WNBA draft Aliyah Boston seemed to use this contest as her warmup game, putting up 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 29 minutes, shooting 33% from the floor and taking no 3-point shots. 

While the Aces appear to be the favorite to return to the Finals, there are several teams who may stand in the way of this happening. Looking at the games this week, of course last season’s second place finisher the New York Liberty has come out to a 3-0 start, with Breanna Stewart playing like the MVP she is, averaging 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks averaging 30 minutes per game of play across the first 3 games. The Liberty has returned much of the same team. The triple threat of Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones has let it be known that they are determined to get back to the Finals and win it all this season. 

Although the six teams that finished in the bottom last season -- including the Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Chicago Sky, and Los Angeles Sparks, who all missed the postseason in 2023 -- dropped their initial contests, with the level of talent they have including some well selected rookies, they may sneak in there and start winning so be sure not to sleep on them. The Chicago Sky with new head coach WNBA legend Theresa Weatherspoon and featuring veteran Diamond Deshields and rookies Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso is quickly becoming a defensive force, now posting up as 3rd in blocks per game, and 4th in steals per game, playing great team ball being 7th in assists, and topping it off being 4th in rebounds in the league after Week 1. The Storm led by Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, and Skylar Diggins-Smith has the team 1st in rebounds per game with 42.7 and 2nd in steals per game with 13.3. This is a team with 2 new superstars in Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith, and with the short preseason period, more time may be needed for them to gel. But when they do, watch out. And opponents would be good to pay attention to the progression of the Dallas Wings, also quickly flexing their defensive talents, currently sitting at 1st in blocks per game, but also showing they can make key shots when it counts being 2nd in free throw percentage, 1st in 2nd chance points, and 4th in 3-point percentage. These teams may have gotten off to a slower start, but their opponents must remember it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. 

MVP of the Week

Each week, All Things WNBA will select an MVP of the Week. This selection will be made based upon overall performance, key plays affecting the outcome of games, level of improvement over prior games, and some intangibles like leadership and stepping up in moments of adversity.

And now, for our Week 1 MVP of the week, All Things WNBA select…

A’ja Wilson of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces!

26 PPG  12 RPG  3 APG 45% FG% 25% FG3%  87% FT% 33  PER (Player Efficiency Rating – League average is 15)

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year who finished 3rd in MVP first place votes last season and 1st Team All-WNBA  and All- Defensive 1st Team, walked out on the courts and showed everyone how she earned her Nike shoe deal and nothing was simply given to her. 

Who will win it this week? Head over to our Facebook page and post your predictions. 

Sharon Mullen is a freelance writer, influencer, and podcaster, focusing

on sports, lifestyle, and relationships. She is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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