The new WNBA season is a little over a week old and already we have a number of exciting developments among the 12 teams.
The new-look squads with retooled rosters have reshaped the power dynamics ever so slightly. There is a caveat, however, as in any WNBA season, there are still many players overseas who are making their way back. Not to mention, there are still COVID-19 protocols to consider as well.
This season, the league will also highlight Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner who has been wrongfully detained in Russia since February. Every team in the WNBA will have floor decals bearing “BG42” - a nod to the center’s initials and jersey number.
Last year’s Finals MVP Kahleah Copper is set to rejoin the defending champions Chicago Sky, and so are Minnesota Lynx’s Kayla McBride and Dallas Wings’ Satou Sabally after their commitments abroad. Former WNBA MVP and two-time champion Breanna Stewart has missed the last two games because of protocols but it’s only a matter of time till she’s back on the court.
Here are a few players to watch as the 2022 WNBA season goes in full swing:
Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics
EDD is finally back. The two-time MVP has dealt with back problems and COVID-19 concerns for the past two years. She made a brief appearance last season, but it was clear she wasn’t ready to return to the court full time. This year, even though she’s still not yet 100 percent, she seems more comfortable and ready to have an impact on her team.
Donne has played in three of the first four games for the Mystics, who lead the standings with a 3-1 record. She’s averaging 30.3 minutes which is truly a positive sign and has put up at least 19 points in all of her outings. If she can keep up her scoring average and the Mystics continue to win, they’ll surely make waves in the regular season.
More than anything, it’s great to see one of the game’s greats back. We’ve missed her the past two years and the W isn’t complete without her.
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
It’s hard to judge the Sun right now with only two games played so far. Plus, guard Courtney Williams has yet to make her mark this year after serving her two-game suspension while DeWanna Bonner is still traveling back from overseas.
Nonetheless, it’s not difficult to see that Alyssa Thomas is set to have a big year. She’s currently at the top of the scoring leaderboard with 24.0 per game. Granted that there’s only a small sample size, it’s still evident how much she’s back to her usual self after missing most of the 2021 season dealing with an Achilles tear. She was a factor during last year’s playoffs but the team was adjusting to her return on the fly while dealing with the Sky.
After a fully healthy offseason, Thomas has put on two huge games so far. She had 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals in the season opener against the New York Liberty and then had 23 points, 11 boards, five dimes, plus a steal against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream have definitely found a star in Rhyne Howard. The 2022 No.1 overall pick has lived up to the hype this early in the season.
Howard has scored in double-digits in all her games so far, including a 33-point explosion against the Indiana Fever. She shot 9-for-18 from the field and drilled three 3-pointers. She also showcased her aggressiveness, going to the line 17 times and making 12 of her foul shots.
The 6-foot-2 guard out of Kentucky has been a revelation for the Atlanta franchise which has undergone a rollercoaster of a 2021 season. The Dream had three head coaches in the past season before the hiring of Tanisha Wright and added a new general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations in Dan Padover late last year. There were also off-court issues involving Chennedy Carter, Courtney Williams, and Crystal Bradford, which led to all three leaving the team.
The Dream finished in 11th place with an 8-24 record last season, missing the playoffs for the third straight time. Now with a prized rookie at the forefront, things are looking up in Atlanta.
Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Sometimes all you need is a coach who will unlock a different aspect of your game. The Las Vegas Aces are under new leadership with Becky Hammon and her influence can already be felt in their 4-1 start. In their recent win over the Dream, the Aces set a franchise record in 3-pointers made (16) and attempts (35).
A’ja Wilson has now more room to operate since the departure of Liz Cambage but it’s also because of Hammon changing Las Vegas’ playing style. The 2020 MVP has had a double-double in three of her first four games. Even though she hasn’t put up an eye-popping scoring game yet, she is second in rebounding (11.0) and first in blocks (3.8). Are we seeing another MVP year from her?
Another player benefitting from the change within the Aces is Kelsey Plum. With the team exhibiting more of a free-flowing attack, predicated by spacing and perimeter shooting, Plum is on pace to have another career year. After winning Sixth Player of the Year in 2021, she’s started all four games so far with averages of 17.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting a scorching 52.0 percent from beyond the arc. Those are all personal bests from the former No. 1 pick.
Jackie Young also deserves a shoutout for putting up a career-high 17.8 points per game so far.
Dana Evans, Chicago Sky
Of course, we have to talk about the defending champions. Dana Evans has emerged as the team’s leading scorer three games into the new season. The 2021 second-round pick is pouring in 14.7 points, making the most out of her jump in playing time (from 8.6 minutes last year to 27.3 minutes). She’s holding the fort with Copper still making her way back from overseas and Allie Quigley fresh from a knee injury.
Evans’ production is a welcome sight for the Sky who are looking to win back-to-back championships. You know what you’ll get from veterans Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Azura Stevens, as well as Copper. It’s the other players who need to make an impact in their title defense. Evans, along with newcomers Emma Meesseman (from Washington) and Rebekah Gardner (rookie) will look to have major roles this season.
Also keep an eye on…
There is certainly no shortage of star power in the W. We haven’t even discussed the likes of the Mystics’ Natasha Cloud and the returning Alysha Clark. Then there’s Tina Charles who is playing with her new team in Connecticut. Same goes for Liz Cambage who is now in Los Angeles.
The Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale, the 2021 All-Star Game MVP and 2020 scoring champion, is a walking bucket. Is she one of the contenders for Most Improved Player by season’s end?
Have you also gotten a chance to see Indiana’s young guns? Destanni Henderson, who led South Carolina to the recent NCAA championship is among the rookies worth keeping tabs on. Over in New York, you also can’t go wrong with Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney.
Plus, you definitely don’t want to miss what most likely is the last season of the great Sue Bird. The four-time champ will go all out in an attempt to add another title to her trophy collection.
