The WNBA is coming off perhaps its most buzz-worthy season. On Sunday, the second season begins, with the opening round of the 2024 postseason.
Here are four storylines to watch:
Aces prepare to defend title
The defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces failed to capture the top seed in the postseason, finishing 27-13, earning the No. 4. That means a tougher-than-expected first-round opponent in No. 5 Seattle Storm (25-15).
However, the high-powered Aces boast the league’s highest-scoring offense (86.4 PPG) and the sixth-best defense (80.9). Having the MVP favorite A’Ja Wilson, who finished as the WNBA’s top scorer (26.9), leading the way doesn’t hurt either.
Can Breanna Stewart get Liberty over the championship hump?
Stewart earned her second MVP award in her first season with the Liberty but failed to bring a title to New York in 2023. The two-time WNBA champion was less-than-elite in the playoffs, too, posting her second-worst field goal percentage (.358) and worst points per game (18.4) average over six postseason appearances.
The 30-year-old posted 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 2024 and will have a good chance at starting this run off hot. In the three-game opening round, the No. 1-seeded Liberty (32-8) will take on No. 8 Atlanta Dream (15-25), who don’t pose much of a threat, averaging only 77.0 points per game, the worst in the WNBA.
ROTY favorite Caitlin Clark will face stiff opening-round test
Clark is coming off arguably the best rookie season in WNBA history and has quickly emerged as one of the league’s elite players, regardless of tenure. Now, the favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors will embark on her first playoff series, with No. 6 Indiana Fever (20-20) taking on a talented No. 3 Connecticut Sun (28-12) team suited to stop her.
The Sun allowed only 73.6 points per game in 2024, the lowest in the WNBA. Clark also shot only .392 percent (four games) against Connecticut — only the Minnesota Lynx (.375), Liberty (.365) and defending champion Las Vegas Aces (.317) held the first-year All-Star to a lower shooting percentage (.392).
The last dance for Diana Taurasi?
Taurasi, an 11-time All-Star, three-time WNBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, may be calling it quits sooner rather than later. Following the Phoenix Mercury’s home finale, she hinted at retirement, telling the crowd, “If this is the last time, it felt like the first time.“
The Mercury drew the No. 7 seed in the playoffs, setting up a tough first-round matchup against the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx (30-10). If these are the final games for the Hall of Famer, it’s been one heck of a ride.
