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The good, bad, and questionable teams so far in the 2023 WNBA season

- by Todd Roman

The 2023 WNBA is three weeks old already. Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of where everyone stands.

Most teams have gone through some type of rebuild this off-season. The New York Liberty has built a “superteam,” while others have surprised everyone early on. Who are the early favorites to win the WNBA title? Who has disappointed the most? Which team has been the biggest surprise?

Early favorites

Las Vegas Aces (6-0)

The 2022 WNBA champions remain the early favorites for the 2023 title. A close win against the Indiana Fever on Sunday saw them tested. However, the dominance of the Aces has been proven in all of their six wins. The Aces have been dealt a fairly easy start to the season but will see a back-to-back in Connecticut this week. Jackie Young is atop the early MVP list this season with 21.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, and 2 steals per game. Becky Hammon continues to use a short bench that may harm them in a 40-game season.

Title contenders

Connecticut Sun (6-1)

The Sun has proven to be the best defensive team in the league. Their only loss has come against the Liberty in a tight 81-65 defeat. Connecticut has already defeated the Mystics and Fever twice, while Alyssa Thomas is a top candidate for MVP already. Tiffany Hayes has already shown to be a valuable pickup this off-season. Their reconstructed bench with Rebecca Allen, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Tyasha Harris has been key in every win this season.

New York Liberty (4-2)

The Liberty have yet to look like the “superteam” they’ve been tagged as. Jonquel Jones remains on a minutes restriction due to a foot injury she suffered overseas. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu has been dealing with a hamstring issue since the beginning of the season. However, there’s been flashes of how good this team can be. Breanna Stewart broke the Liberty’s franchise record for points in a game in the home opener on May 21. The return of Marine Johannès and the additions of Courtney Vandersloot and Kayla Thornton have given the Liberty much-needed depth. Chemistry could be the lone issue here for New York. In a 40-game season, the Liberty could mount a trip back to the finals for the first time since 2002.

Chicago Sky (4-3)

The Sky are probably the most surprising team this early on in the season. Chicago’s three losses this season have been, on average, by seven points. A key win against the Liberty on Sunday has shown their toughness and strong defensive presence. Additionally, the Sky have been dealt their share of injuries. Free agent signee Isabelle Harrison has had to have surgery on a torn left meniscus and is out indefinitely. Ruthy Hebard remains out on maternity leave and Morgan Bertsch has suffered an ankle sprain that is sidelining her 2-3 weeks. The potential for this Sky team at full strength could cause an upset or two come the playoffs.

Questionables

Washington Mystics (3-3)

The Mystics have yet to look dominant in any of the games this season. Back-to-back losses against Connecticut and a recent loss to Minnesota have shown their weaknesses. Their three wins this season were tight games that saw them win by only 6.3 ppg. Furthermore, despite seeing the majority of their 2022 team return, there’s something lacking in the Mystics’ offense this year. Washington is averaging only 76.5 ppg while allowing 75.8 ppg. Their field goal shooting is only 39.3% as a team while being out-rebounded 38.7 to 34.5 per game. The Elena Delle Donne-led Mystics have the potential to be a top-four team in the league but we’ve yet to see any type of dominance from them.

Los Angeles Sparks (3-2)

The Sparks have dealt with their share of injuries and illnesses early on this season. Azurá Stevens has been out with a back injury since the season started. Jasmine Thomas remains out due to recovering from her ACL injury last season. For their May 27 game against the Aces, the Sparks had only 8 available players after Rae Burrell was called in on a hardship exemption. However, their two losses this year have come against the Las Vegas Aces only. Despite being shorthanded, the Sparks have put up 90+ points in their three wins this season. Lexie Brown is making an early case for Most Improved Player by averaging 14.4 ppg on 50.9% shooting.

Dallas Wings (3-3)

The Wings started off the season looking very good. However, after their first two wins, Dallas has lost three of their last four games. Satou Sabally and Arike Ogunbowale are leading this team, but there needs to be more production from their bench to secure more wins. Their third overall draft pick, Maddy Siegrist, has seen limited minutes early on this season. The Wings recently brought back center Kalani Brown on a rest-of-season hardship contract. Long-term injuries to Diamond DeShields and Lou Lopez Sénéchal, plus having Teaira McCowan head off for Eurobasket, could derail the team from having a record above .500.

Surprises

Indiana Fever (1-4)

Don’t let the Fever’s 1-4 record fool you. The Fever had lost, on average, by a margin of just 8.25 ppg. The top overall draft pick, Aliyah Boston, has been fairly solid for Indiana and is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Kelsey Mitchell continues to be the leader of this team bringing in 17.2 ppg, while NaLyssa Smith is averaging a double-double. The Fever has had narrow losses to the Aces, Sun, and Dream early on this season. A potential playoff return would see them back in the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Phoenix Mercury (1-3)

The Mercury’s start to the 2023 season hasn’t gotten off to a good start. Two losses to the Sparks and a loss against the Sky has seen them mount just a single win early on. The return of Brittney Griner has been the lone bright side for Phoenix. Griner is on the early shortlist for MVP with averages of 22 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 3.3 blocks per game (league leader). Phoenix needs to look to get more from their bench and get Brianna Turner back to her 2022 form.

Atlanta Dream (2-3)

The Dream have been dealt injuries to their two point guards, Aari McDonald (concussion) and Danielle Robinson (knee). However, the Dream’s three losses have been by an average of only 5 points. Cheyenne Parker (17.2 ppg), Rhyne Howard (17.2 ppg), and Allisha Gray (16.8 ppg) are leading this team. Additionally, the dropoff after those three players is worrisome and Atlanta needs some help off of their bench. The Dream recently added the 13th overall draft pick, Taylor Mikesell, to their roster.

Lottery teams

Seattle Storm (0-4)

The Storm are in a complete rebuild this season and it shows. Their four losses have been by an average of 12 points per game. Their returning All-star, Jewell Loyd, is putting up MVP-type numbers. Several new additions have had their bright spots as well, with Jade Melbourne, Arella Guirantes, Kia Nurse, and ninth-overall draft pick Jordan Horston. The Storm are putting up just 79.5 ppg while allowing opponents to score 94.5 ppg.

Minnesota Lynx (1-6)

With a weak post rotation and, essentially, no point guard, the Lynx have found just one win this season so far. Napheesa Collier has emerged as the leader of this team early on. Second-overall draft pick, Diamond Miller, is now sidelined indefinitely with a right ankle sprain. Cheryl Reeve and this mixed bag of a roster still have much to figure out this season.

Check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more women’s sports coverage. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.

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