WNBA Teams Surprising This Season
It’s not exactly surprising that last year’s finalists, the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, are once again performing well. With a record of 12-1, the Lynx lead the league, closely followed by the Liberty at 10-3. The Phoenix Mercury, sitting at 11-4, has added talent like Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, which, given their skills, hardly comes as a shock.
Here are three teams in the WNBA that are exceeding expectations this season.
Alisha Gray and the Atlanta Dream
Last season, the Atlanta Dream struggled with a 15-25 record and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. However, they made significant changes in the offseason by hiring Carl Smesco, known for his three-point focus at Florida Gulf Coast. They also signed notable figures like Britney Griner and Bryona Jones. So far, this strategy seems to be paying off. The Dream currently has a 10-4 record, ranking them fourth in the league, with Alisha Gray having a standout season, averaging 20.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Her shooting percentage? An impressive 49.2% overall and 45.1% from beyond the arc.
When asked about her scoring boost recently, Gray pointed to her coach. “I think it’s a new system. There are a lot of open shots in this setup,” she explained.
Natalie Nakaze and the Golden State Valkyries
Who would have thought the Golden State Valkyries would emerge as one of the top six teams in late June? Under Natalie Nakaze’s guidance, they have found a way to keep winning, no matter who’s on the roster. Currently, the Valkyries hold a 7-6 record, including a strong 5-2 at home. In a surprising twist, seven players are averaging double digits in points.
Leading the charge is Kayla Thornton, averaging 15.2 points per game, nearly ten more than what she averaged last season with the Liberty. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Janelle Salaun is putting up 11.8 points. Veronica Burton, who was previously with the Dallas Wings before joining the Connecticut Sun, leads the team with 4.9 assists along with contributing 11.1 points.
Taemi Fagunle noted, “We’re the sixth female team. We come from different backgrounds in the league and understand what it takes to be good teammates. We’re prepared to step up when needed.”
Britney Sykes and the Washington Mystics
While the Washington Mystics have a record just under .500 at 6-8, they are still performing better than many expected after trading key player Ariel Atkins and losing sixth overall draft pick Georgia Amoor to an ACL injury. Yet, despite these setbacks, the rookie picks have played a significant role in their performance. Sonia Citron averages 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, showcasing solid defensive skills. Kiki Iliafen adds 13.4 points and 5.7 rebounds to the mix. Citron’s game-winning shot in overtime against the Dallas Wings highlights the value of trading Atkins. Additionally, Britney Sykes might just be on her way to her first All-Star appearance at 31.
