While the top WNBA title contenders defended their position in the season’s opener, a team hit the rankings with an impressive first pair.
Defending champion New York Liberty beat Las Vegas 92-78. Minnesota Lynx Paige Bueckers debut. Indiana Fever shows off their new lineup with a 93-58 visit to Chicago Sky demolished. In a refreshing fever statistic, they are currently leading the league with a defensive rating (67.4). In the standard statistics, Caitlin Clark.
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Just as the controversial level has been discussed, on the first weekend, the lowest level is shaking. This is a group that competes for best draft odds in the WNBA lottery, competing for position and a pack in another strong class at UCLA Center Lauren Betts: Olivia Miles of TCU, Azzi Fudd of UConn, Ta'niya Latson of South Carolina and Lsu'jaue Johnson. (WNBA Draft Lottery is based on the results of the past two seasons, so the tanks are not that clear.)
In an assessment of experience in the playoff field, Washington could slide into a place. The Mystic’s start is the most impressive given the expectations surrounding the season. The lowest-experienced team in the league is 2-0, scoring at least 90 points per game, and 50% higher than the 50% shooting percentage in the win against the Dream and Suns. The front desk is committed to rebuilding through draft and development. So far, this has been all good.
Experienced defender Brittany Sykes often noticed her firm defense, who entered the leading offensive role with 49 points and 12 assists in two games. She was aggressive at the rim, scoring 20 out of 20 of 25 goals. Her previous high attempts were nine in 58 games against Washington (four in 2023).
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Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron's performance outside of their rookie descriptions started and played a lot of time in both games. Iriafen became the tenth rookie in WNBA history, scoring at least 30 points with 18 rebounds in her first two games. Citron won the last minute beater of his dreams, a growing defensive threat that lifts to the Rookie of the Year watch list.
Shakira Austin, surrounded by injuries over the past two seasons, made her debut on the Suns - despite being ousted for drawing two techniques, including one bench. Her healthy return could lift the ceiling in Washington like Aaliyah Edwards.
It is too early to overreact and realize its potential, but the mystics are already taking care of the necessary business. Every game is important in just a short season and it is crucial to win the game with a team that is expected to end in your level one. These records can break the tie and also mean the difference between playoff spots and Longshot lottery.
If young mystics continue to move upward, they don’t need these options.
Collier averaged 28.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game to help Lynx get the season 2-0. She made at least 55% of her shot-scoring attempts in each game, including two-thirds of 3-3 and is perfect for nine shots.
Indiana Fever, New York, on CBS on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET: This is the first premiere game of fever this season, too. The game is also
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* Current record and last week's brackets
1. New York Liberty (1-0; No. 1)
2. MinnesotaLynx (2-0; No. 2)
3. Indiana Hot (1-0; No. 4)
4. Phoenix Mercury (1-0; No. 5)
5. Las Vegas ace (0-1; No. 3)
6. Los Angeles Sparks (1-1; No. 7)
7. Seattle Storm (1-1; No. 6)
8. DallasWings (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 Suns (0-1; No. 12)
13. Jinzhou Martial God (0-1; No. 11)
*List in brackets last week
1. MinnesotaLynx (2)
2. New York Freedom (1)
3. Indiana Hot (4)
4. Phoenix Mercury 6)
5. Las Vegas Ace (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 Suns (12)
13. Golden State Valkyrie (13)