Predicting how a team’s actual performance will differ from expectations can be tricky. Over the initial few weeks of the regular season, some squads have really outperformed what many thought they would do, while others… well, they haven’t lived up to the hype.
Here’s a look at two teams that surprised us positively and two that didn’t quite hit the mark during these early WNBA games.
Positive Surprise No. 1: Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are currently holding a 4-2 record, placing them among the top teams in the league. They’ve managed to outscore their opponents by an average of 6.4 points per game, which ranks third in the WNBA. This success is even more impressive considering they lost several key players in the offseason and are still without Nafeesa Collier, who is recovering from ankle surgery.
Natasha Howard has been a standout, particularly on defense, while Olivia Miles seems to be a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. Courtney Williams is putting in solid numbers as well, averaging 15.8 points per game, close to his career best.
Kayla McBride, the third-leading scorer for the team, expressed her admiration for Miles’ impact as a rookie guard.
“She’s just incredibly talented, probably one of the best rookies we’ve seen come in,” McBride mentioned.
Positive Surprise No. 2: Portland Fire
The Fire have recorded their first back-to-back wins this season, bringing their record to 4-3. They’ve achieved this by winning twice against the New York Liberty and getting strong performances from players like Bridget Carleton, Carla Leite, and Sarah Ashley Barker.
As the most recent WNBA expansion team, their early success has been quite notable. They have managed to secure three clutch-time victories, primarily thanks to Leite and Barker’s late-game efforts.
Coach Alex Salama’s unique approach, which skips traditional morning shootarounds, seems to be paying off so far.
Disappointment No. 1: Connecticut Sun
Unfortunately for the Connecticut Sun, this hasn’t been their year. They currently sit at the bottom of the league with a dismal 1-7 record and an average loss margin of 14.7 points, indicating a tough start to the season.
Rashid Mejian, their head coach, has made considerable changes to the starting lineup. They’ve cycled through multiple players at the point guard position, trying out Saniyah Rivers, Haley Van Lith, and now Charliss Ledger-Walker, differing the lineup each game.
“We definitely need more time to get our starting five settled, and we’re hoping for more consistency from our players,” Mejian commented prior to a loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
Aneesa Moreau has been fairly steady among the group, though her playtime has fluctuated. It’s just a bit perplexing, trying to pinpoint what’s not working for the Sun right now.
On a brighter note, Leila Rakan, who made a significant impact last season, is expected to return soon, which could help turn things around.
Disappointment No. 2: Phoenix Mercury
Last season, the Phoenix Mercury made it to the WNBA Finals after overcoming a tough Lynx team. They brought back Alyssa Thomas and Kahlea Copper, along with rookie Jovana Nogic from Serbia, who quickly made a name for himself among the league’s newcomers.
However, the Mercury are struggling this season without key players like Sato Sabally and have only managed to secure two wins against five losses. They are definitely seen as one of the early disappointments this season.
Kahlea Copper has not been performing efficiently, shooting merely 34.4 percent overall and 15.4 percent from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas has been consistent, with a stat line of 18 points, 8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds, but it hasn’t been enough to pull the team out of its slump.
