Biggest surprises of the 2023 WNBA season so far

The 2023 WNBA season is just starting to take form, however regardless of a small pattern dimension, some groups such because the New York Liberty have already emerged as front-runners, despite the fact that they received simply two video games final season. Not all surprises have been good, nevertheless, as two groups are nonetheless on the lookout for their first victories.

Our panel — ESPN’s Kelly Cohen, Dana Lee, D’Arcy Maine and Kevin Pelton, in addition to The Undefeated’s Sean Hurd — breaks down the younger season thus far, together with which gamers on new groups are making the largest impression and the way abroad commitments, accidents and absences may proceed to impression the WNBA.

What has been the largest shock for you thus far this season?

Kevin Pelton: The Connecticut Solar’s undefeated begin (5-0) earlier than shedding their first recreation Tuesday in time beyond regulation on the Seattle Storm. As a lot as Jonquel Jones’ return figured to assist the Solar, I used to be involved in regards to the group’s depth with injured Alyssa Thomas taking on a roster spot all season, leaving simply 10 lively gamers — a complete that’s all the way down to 9 with Briann January sidelined by an ankle sprain. Certainly, Connecticut is getting a league-low 11.2 PPG from reserves. That hasn’t mattered as a result of the Solar’s lineups with starters on the ground have been dominant. The Solar’s plus-10.2 level differential stays greater than 4 factors per recreation higher than some other WNBA group.

D’Arcy Maine: The Liberty have already received extra video games this season than they did within the entirety of the 2023 marketing campaign, in order that they get the nod. After ending 2-20 final season within the Wubble, they’re now 5-1 and — dare I say? — a reliable playoff contender. It’s the group’s hottest begin since 2007 and has been enjoyable to observe to date.

All of us knew Sabrina Ionescu was a particular expertise and she or he has greater than delivered this season, but it surely’s the play of these round her who’ve actually helped elevate this franchise. Previous to struggling a sprained knee ligament that can sideline her 4 to 6 weeks, Natasha Howard was wanting like a direct menace within the two video games she was in a position to play after wrapping up her abroad commitments. And Betnijah Laney is averaging a team-high 22.7 factors a recreation and capturing a ridiculous 54.3% from the sector and a mind-blowing 52.2% (12 of 23) from past the arc. I knew she was capturing nicely however I did a double-take once I noticed that stat. New York is capturing a league-leading 43.7% from deep.

With this blistering begin from the Liberty (5-1), and with the Nets and the Knicks within the playoffs, it appears like New York is lastly again within the good graces of the basketball gods — and that may be the largest hoops shock of all of them.

Sean Hurd: Regardless of their shedding file, I like what I’ve seen from the Dallas Wings thus far. Their opening evening blowout of the Sparks was spectacular, their time beyond regulation loss to Seattle was one of many prime video games of the early season they usually got here inside two factors of the Liberty with 4 minutes to play of their loss Monday evening. Arike Ogunbowale continues to exhibit that she is without doubt one of the finest shot creators within the league, Marina Mabrey (19.3 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists per recreation) has had a powerful begin and Vickie Johnson — in her first yr because the Wings’ head coach — has this younger group enjoying aggressive basketball in opposition to prime groups, regardless of Dallas lacking a number of the franchise’s prime gamers. Add Allisha Grey, who led the group in scoring in opposition to the Sparks however has missed the final two video games to USA Basketball 3×3 commitments, and Satou Sabally, who has been out attributable to commitments with the German nationwide group, and the Wings may make some noise this season.

Dana Lee: After notching a No. 7 spot in our preseason energy rankings, the Los Angeles Sparks are sliding within the improper path. The numbers had been by no means going to be nice with an 0-2 file, however the Sparks are hitting backside in almost each statistical class — final in factors scored (70), final in discipline aim share (36.2%), final in complete rebounds (53). It was inevitable that this group would want time to regulate with out Candace Parker, Chelsea Grey and Riquna Williams, however … oof.

Which offseason addition has had the largest impression thus far on the season?

Pelton: Betnijah Laney. Up to now, Laney’s enchancment as a shooter final season within the Wubble doesn’t seem like a fluke. Actually, Laney has been even hotter, pulling down 52% of her 3-pointers (she shot 40.5% in 2023) and capturing 55% contained in the arc. Laney’s constant play — she’s the primary participant in Liberty historical past to attain no less than 20 factors in every of the season’s first six video games — is a giant cause New York has began 5-1 regardless of restricted contributions from Howard, the group’s different marquee offseason addition.

Maine: In the event you had requested me this earlier than the season, I most likely would have predicted the addition of free brokers Aerial Powers and Kayla McBride to the Lynx, however, nicely, shrug emoji, they’re 0-3. I’m clearly bullish on the Liberty, however Laney will get my vote, too. She has been extraordinary thus far, has been simply as impactful as Ionescu and is a key issue within the Liberty’s turnaround.

Hurd: I agree with the reward for Laney, who has been spectacular, however I’m additionally excited to see extra of Candace Parker with the Chicago Sky. Parker has missed the final three video games with an ankle harm, however within the one recreation she performed for Chicago, the season opener in opposition to the Washington Mystics on Might 15, Parker put up 16 factors, eight rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks. We noticed a glimpse of the impression that Parker’s presence can have on the group via each her on-court play and veteran management. If our small pattern dimension is any indication, Parker’s season-long impression can be large for Chicago.

Nonetheless, this reply would really feel incomplete with out highlighting the unimaginable play of the Washington Mystics’ Tina Charles, who’s main the league in scoring at 26.2 factors per recreation (to go together with 8.4 RPG). Has any single participant meant extra to her group this early season than Charles? The Mystics heart, who’s a former MVP and seven-time All Star, has by no means had greater than two 30-point video games in a season in her profession. By simply 5 video games in 2023, Charles has recorded three 30-point video games, one thing just one different participant (Maya Moore, 2014) has finished in WNBA historical past.

Lee: I agree with Sean on Charles. The 11-year veteran opted out of the 2023 season attributable to medical causes, and we hadn’t seen her play within the WNBA since 2019. But it surely has been nicely definitely worth the wait to see Charles in a Mystics jersey. With Elena Delle Donne nonetheless recovering from again surgical procedure, the Mystics are leaning on Charles — whose utilization share is the very best within the league. Don’t let the Mystics’ 2-3 file detract from what Charles has completed early.

Kelly Cohen: I’m additionally going with a participant who sat out 2023: Liz Cambage. Any time you’re away out of your group for that lengthy, it may be onerous to get again into sync together with your teammates. However Cambage picked up proper the place she left off in 2019 and ranks within the prime of the WNBA in a handful of classes, together with blocks per recreation (2.5) and discipline aim share (66.7%).

Which group stands to learn essentially the most when all of the abroad gamers are lastly in a position to be a part of their groups?

Hurd: I feel we may make an argument for it being the Minnesota Lynx and the addition of Napheesa Collier, given she nonetheless has but to truly play a recreation for the Lynx. Pelton had Collier as his preseason decide for MVP. I had Collier as my preseason decide for defensive participant of the yr. The plain level being that the Lynx have navigated this early season and not using a pivotal roster piece (Collier averaged 16.1 factors, 9.0 rebounds and three.3 assists and 1.8 steals per recreation in 2023). With Collier again within the rotation, we are able to count on the Lynx to reverse the present trajectory of their season.

Lee: In settlement right here: Collier will present much-needed aid for the Lynx, who’re 0-3 for the primary time since 2007. As a bonus, Minnesota is in the midst of a week-long break earlier than enjoying the Storm on Friday, giving coach Cheryl Reeve extra observe time with a now-complete roster. This contains Kayla McBride, who has performed in all three video games however joined the Lynx simply days earlier than the season began after successful a championship in Turkey. McBride signed with Minnesota in free company after spending the earlier three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces.

Pelton: At this level, I feel the Dallas Wings have essentially the most to realize when Grey and Sabally return from their nationwide group commitments. Sabally hasn’t performed in any respect whereas Grey has missed the final two video games after a dominant efficiency (23 factors, 9 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals) within the Wings’ opening blowout of the Sparks. Dallas may emerge as a playoff contender with them again within the lineup.

What’s the largest X issue when Chicago and Phoenix meet Tuesday?

Pelton: Sadly, it appears like well being might be the largest issue on this recreation (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET). We haven’t seen Candace Parker since her spectacular debut in a Sky uniform (16 factors, eight rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks in 25 minutes of a cushty win Might 15 over the Washington Mystics) attributable to an ankle sprain, whereas Allie Quigley has additionally missed these video games with a hamstring harm. In the meantime, the Phoenix Mercury are coping with Tuesday’s information that Diana Taurasi will miss no less than 4 weeks with a chest harm. Chicago appears higher positioned to deal with these absences.

Maine: The Mercury had been nowhere close to their finest earlier than the Taurasi information and now can have the unenviable job of changing her 15.8 factors and three.8 assists per recreation. If Parker and Quigley are each again within the lineup, the Sky ought to have the sting.

Hurd: There’s a must-see level guard battle between Phoenix’s Skylar Diggins-Smith and Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot. We noticed how Diggins-Smith stepped up when accidents and exits hit the Mercury roster final season, and I’d count on to see the identical leveled-up efficiency from the veteran level guard that we noticed within the bubble. Vandersloot has additionally needed to step up within the absence of Quigley and Parker. She at present leads the league in assists per recreation, punctuated by a ridiculous 16-assist double-double in opposition to New York.

Lee: Diggins-Smith’s capability to step up can be an element in opposition to Chicago, as will Brittney Griner’s efficiency, the opposite third of the Mercury’s Huge Three. Within the Mercury’s first two video games, Taursi, Diggins-Smith and Griner mixed for 102 factors. Everybody else? Fifty-three. Griner’s utilization share is all the way down to 22 p.c, in comparison with 26 p.c through the 12 video games she performed in 2023, however count on that to bump up throughout Taurasi’s absence. Getting Griner going once more can be key to successful on June 1 and past.