The Las Vegas Aces began the 2023 season No. 1 in ESPN’s WNBA Power Rankings after which received their second consecutive championship. But the Aces weren’t No. 1 in our ultimate regular-season rankings final 12 months; the New York Liberty had been.
So it wasn’t full wire-to-wire domination for the Aces in 2023, even when the top outcome made it really feel that method. Las Vegas break up its 4 regular-season video games towards New York and misplaced the Commissioner’s Cup ultimate to the Liberty.
Yet when it got here to the playoffs, the Aces took it to the subsequent stage when the stakes had been the very best for the second season in a row. And as we head into 2024, the Aces are back on high of ESPN’s preseason Power Rankings.
The league enters 2024 attempting to construct on the momentum of each the faculty sport the previous two seasons and final 12 months’s powerhouse WNBA Finals between the Aces and Liberty.
There has by no means been extra curiosity in a rookie class, and the 2024 WNBA draft drew its highest-ever viewers. No. 1 decide Caitlin Clark had a robust preseason debut Friday within the Indiana Fever’s loss to the Dallas Wings. And when first-round picks Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese made their debut and the Minnesota Lynx-Chicago Sky sport wasn’t broadcast, a fan took the initiative to stream the sport on social media, garnering greater than 400,000 views.
On Saturday, the WNBA returned to Canada for the second 12 months in a row, and the sport helped showcase two of the most important names in new locations this season as Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith made their first appearances with the Seattle Storm.
As we launch the 2024 WNBA Power Rankings, we attempt to steadiness anticipating how some franchises have improved, whereas additionally relying on these which were constantly good previously few years and deserve the advantage of the doubt (if there’s any). In the case of the Aces, there is no such thing as a doubt. They are the workforce to beat once more.
2023 document and outcome: 34-6 (first place); WNBA champion
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 2
Season opener: vs. PHO (May 14, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Last 12 months, The Aces had been the primary WNBA workforce because the 2001-02 Sparks to win consecutive titles, and so they begin 2024 with the identical core. Two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young look to run it back once more. Candace Parker, who missed the second half of final season and the playoffs, retired earlier this month. But different key gamers resembling Alysha Clark and Kiah Stokes additionally return.
The Aces proved by successful Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at New York with out the injured Gray and Stokes that they’ve grit, not only a ton of expertise. That’s why they are going to be visiting the White House on Thursday: Even when confronted with adversity and little time to regulate to it, the Aces dug deep for his or her second title. They will probably be simply as hungry to get No. 3.
2023 document and outcome: 32-8 (second); misplaced to Las Vegas in WNBA Finals
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 1
Season opener: @WAS (May 14, 7 p.m. ET)
Adding big names resembling Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot introduced championship fever to Brooklyn final 12 months, and the Liberty had a terrific season regardless of the loss within the Finals. New York received the Commissioner’s Cup, giving the franchise some wanted {hardware}. But two issues stood out within the Finals: The Liberty had hassle containing the Aces’ guards, and Stewart, after successful a intently contested MVP race, wasn’t fairly the identical participant offensively as she had been through the common season.
The Liberty appeared to the draft for assist strengthening their perimeter protection, taking 6-foot Ole Miss guard Marquesha Davis within the first spherical. And Stewart, who turns 30 in August, is raring to have one other shot on the WNBA title, which she received twice whereas in Seattle.
2023 document and outcome: 27-13 (third); misplaced to New York in semifinals
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 3
Season opener: vs. IND (May 14, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
The Sun return DeWanna Bonner, back for her fifteenth WNBA season, and Alyssa Thomas, who was a part of the three-way race for MVP final season together with Wilson and Stewart. They additionally get back Brionna Jones, who was sidelined final June by an Achilles tendon damage. Those three — together with Sixth Player of the Year runner-up DiJonai Carrington — are sufficient to maintain the Sun in the identical spot the place they completed final season.
Connecticut has added gamers resembling Tiffany Mitchell and Moriah Jefferson, together with fellow guard Rachel Banham, who began her WNBA profession with the Sun. Connecticut would like to see a step ahead from middle Olivia Nelson-Ododa. The Sun have reached the WNBA Finals 4 instances, most just lately in 2022, however are nonetheless looking for their first title.
2023 document and outcome: 11-29 (eleventh); missed playoffs
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 11
Season opener: vs. MIN (10 p.m. ET)
Guard Jewell Loyd led the WNBA in scoring final season (24.7 PPG) as she carried the Storm following Sue Bird’s retirement and Stewart’s free agent departure to the Liberty. Seattle signed Loyd to a contract extension close to the top of the season, with the hope of including extra expertise. Then they introduced in free brokers Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Both gamers flip 34 this summer season however nonetheless seem like at an elite stage and are keen to indicate their abilities for his or her new franchise.
In her fourth 12 months within the league, middle Ezi Magbegor had her greatest season in 2023, averaging 13.8 factors and eight.1 rebounds whereas making her first All-Star workforce. Center Mercedes Russell, who missed many of the 2022 season and needed to work to regain her type final 12 months, additionally returns. Last season was powerful for Storm followers, but when issues go properly, this workforce will probably be proper back within the playoffs once more.
2023 document and outcome: 22-18 (fourth); misplaced to Las Vegas in semifinals
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 4
Season opener: vs. CHI (May 15, 8 p.m. ET)
The solely factor protecting Dallas out of the highest 4 is a few concern about how the Wings will regulate with out ahead Satou Sabally for the primary half of the season as she rehabs a shoulder damage. Sabally was the league’s Most Improved Player final season and an all-WNBA first-team choice. If the Wings maintain their very own with out her, it’s going to make them notably powerful when she returns (which is anticipated to be after the Olympics; the WNBA schedule resumes Aug. 15).
Guard Arike Ogunbowale continues to be one of the electrical scorers within the league, however she additionally improved as a playmaker final season, averaging a career-high 4.5 assists. Returning put up gamers Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan and Kalani Brown mixed to common greater than 21 rebounds per sport final season. It will probably be fascinating to see how shortly the Wings’ high draft decide, guard Jacy Sheldon, adjusts to the professional sport.
2023 document and outcome: 9-31 (twelfth); missed playoffs
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 12
Season opener: @ LV (May 14, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Center Brittney Griner returned to Phoenix after being detained for 10 months in Russia in 2022, and guard Diana Taurasi turned the primary WNBA participant to achieve 10,000 factors. That about wraps up the positives final season for the Mercury, who fired coach Vanessa Nygaard through the season. Phoenix missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2012 and failed to achieve double-digit wins for simply the third time in franchise historical past.
This season actually seems like a contemporary begin. The workforce has a brand new coach (Nate Tibbetts) and basic supervisor (Nick U’Ren) and two massive additions in guard Natasha Cloud and guard-forward Kahleah Copper, who each have received WNBA titles. Taurasi is back for her twentieth WNBA season, and Griner for her eleventh. The Mercury are somewhat skinny and inexperienced on the energy ahead spot, but when they will develop that and their bench, plus keep wholesome, they will put the frustration of 2023 within the rearview mirror.
2023 document and outcome: 19-21 (tied for fifth); misplaced to Dallas in first spherical
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 8
Season opener: @ LAS (May 15, 1 p.m. ET)
The Dream superior to the playoffs final season for the primary time since 2018, and guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray and ahead Cheyenne Parker-Tyus made All-Star appearances. They return, and Atlanta traded for guard Jordin Canada, who had her greatest season statistically final 12 months for Los Angeles. Canada brings the expertise of getting received two WNBA titles whereas with Seattle.
The Dream additionally signed two gamers looking forward to a brand new house: middle Tina Charles, the 2012 MVP who did not play within the WNBA in 2023, and guard Aerial Powers, a 2019 WNBA champion whereas with Washington whose position diminished in Minnesota final season. Coach Tanisha Wright mentioned she needs Charles and Powers to know she is not involved about final season and is concentrated on them feeling welcome in Atlanta. Both might be massive belongings to the Dream.
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Caitlin Clark says Fever debut was all the things she anticipated
Caitlin Clark displays on her Indiana Fever debut as the autumn to the Dallas Wings 79-76.
2023 document and outcome: 13-27 (tenth); missed playoffs
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 10
Season opener: @ CON (May 14, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Will this be the season the Fever make it back to the playoffs? That’s the first aim for Indiana after including Caitlin Clark to associate with final 12 months’s No. 1 decide, ahead Aliyah Boston, and 2022’s No. 2 choice, ahead NaLyssa Smith. Clark had 21 factors within the Fever’s exhibition opener and appeared comfy in her first professional look. The creating chemistry between her and the younger posts is one thing to look at, and there will probably be a number of pleasure across the Fever normally.
Kelsey Mitchell, who has performed all seven of her WNBA seasons with the Fever, is back, as is veteran guard Erica Wheeler, who began each sport final season together with Mitchell and Boston. Forward Katie Lou Samuelson, who did not play final season after giving delivery to her first youngster, will probably be together with her fifth workforce in her fifth WNBA season and hopes this one actually is the appropriate match.
2023 document and outcome: 19-21 (tied for fifth); misplaced to Connecticut in first spherical
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 5
Season opener: @ SEA (May 14, 10 p.m. ET)
After lacking the postseason in 2022, the Lynx made it back final 12 months regardless of being ninth within the WNBA in scoring common and subsequent to final in factors allowed. They hope to enhance on each in 2024. Minnesota returns its high three scorers: ahead Napheesa Collier and guards Kayla McBride and Diamond Miller, who was on the all-rookie workforce together with ahead Dorka Juhász. But solely six gamers total who had been with Minnesota final season are at present on the roster because the franchise continues its evolution after middle Sylvia Fowles’ 2022 retirement.
The Lynx introduced in three gamers who had been with the Sky final season: guard Courtney Williams and forwards Alanna Smith and Ruthy Hebard. They additionally traded for guard Natisha Hiedeman. She was initially drafted by Minnesota however traded on draft day in 2019, spending her first 5 seasons in Connecticut. If all the things comes collectively, the Lynx may make the playoffs once more.
2023 document and outcome: 17-23 (ninth); missed playoffs
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 6
Season opener: vs. ATL (May 15, 10 p.m. ET)
With Ogwumike going to Seattle, the final hyperlink to the Sparks’ 2016 championship workforce is gone. They are in a rebuilding period below coach Curt Miller, who’s in his second season in Los Angeles. Ogwumike and Canada (now in Atlanta) had been the Sparks’ high two scorers final season. Forward Dearica Hamby, the one participant who performed all 40 video games in 2023 for the Sparks, returns together with three different gamers — guards Layshia Clarendon and Lexie Brown and middle Azurá Stevens — who every began at the least 10 video games final season. Stevens is at present sidelined by an arm damage however is anticipated back in June.
Forwards Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are lottery picks who might be massive contributors as rookies. And gamers resembling guards Aari McDonald and Kia Nurse and ahead Monique Billings are new to the Sparks this season. It seems like Los Angeles continues to be a puzzle coming collectively, and it may imply a fourth consecutive 12 months out of the playoffs.
2023 document and outcome: 19-21 (tied for fifth); misplaced to New York in first spherical
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 7
Season opener: vs. NYL (May 14, 7 p.m. ET)
Injuries pummeled the Mystics final season, and two of their three main scorers from 2023 aren’t back: Forward/guard Elena Delle Donne is sitting out this season and Natasha Cloud left for Phoenix in free company. But guard Brittney Sykes returns after her greatest season when she was on the WNBA’s all-defensive first workforce. Center/ahead Shakira Austin and guard Ariel Atkins had been each restricted by damage final season, however are additionally among the many gamers returning. Center Stefanie Dolson, who performed her first three seasons with the Mystics, has come back to Washington after stops in Chicago and New York.
Dolson might help mentor one other UConn grad, rookie ahead Aaliyah Edwards, who was the Mystics’ high draft decide. Five years have handed since Washington’s 2019 championship season. There are nonetheless present hyperlinks to that workforce — Atkins, Myisha Hines-Allen and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough — however Delle Donne won’t play for the Mystics once more, and so they’re in a brand new period.
2023 document and outcome: 18-22 (eighth); misplaced to Las Vegas in first spherical
Final 2023 regular-season rating: 9
Season opener: @ DAL (May 15, 8 p.m. ET)
New coach Teresa Weatherspoon has a number of enthusiasm, no matter dire predictions for Chicago. Coach James Wade left the Sky after 16 video games final season, then below interim coach Emre Vatansever, Chicago nonetheless made the playoffs. That is not anticipated this 12 months. One factor is for positive: Chicago will probably be loads totally different from final season. Only three who performed for the 2023 Sky are back: guards Marina Mabrey and Dana Evans and middle/ahead Elizabeth Williams. Forward Isabelle Harrison, who signed with Chicago final 12 months however missed the season with damage, has returned, too. And guard Diamond DeShields, who was a part of the Sky’s 2021 WNBA championship workforce, is in Chicago once more after spending 2022 in Phoenix and sitting out final season with damage after being traded to Dallas.
We’ll watch how younger stars Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese develop, and likewise how guard Chennedy Carter — who beforehand performed in Atlanta and Los Angeles — responds to a different likelihood after not taking part in within the WNBA final season. Also, ahead Brianna Turner, who performed the previous 5 seasons in Phoenix, will get a contemporary begin in Chicago.