Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark wipes her face after taking a shot and being fouled by the Atlanta Dream throughout a WNBA preseason recreation in Indianapolis on Thursday. (AP picture)
Whereas conversations in regards to the progress of the WNBA could begin with Caitlin Clark, any discuss of the 2024 championship begins with the star-studded Las Vegas Aces led by A'ja Wilson and their quest for the three-peat.
The Aces have dominated the courtroom the previous two seasons, changing into the primary crew to repeat as champions for the reason that Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02. They’re plus-100 favorites to win once more when the league wraps up its 28th season on Tuesday, in accordance with BetMGM. New York at plus-230 is the one crew near the champions.
“We went into the matches and we’ve got a goal on our again. We perceive that,” Ace guard Chelsea Grey stated. “However I feel we perceive that what he did final yr he's not going to do that yr. No yr has been the identical in profitable a championship.”
Wilson, final season's WNBA Finals MVP, and the Aces are in search of a 3rd straight WNBA title – a feat achieved solely by the Houston Comets, who’ve gained the league's first 4 championships.
However the buzz across the league has centered on Clark, together with Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and the remainder of probably the most talked-about rookie lessons of the previous decade.
Manufacturers constructed by gamers in faculty led to sold-out jerseys and arenas. Groups have moved video games to bigger venues to accommodate the demand for extra tickets. It additionally helped the league lastly have constitution flights for highway video games.
For all of the hype surrounding the rookies, how they carry out on the sphere can be key to sustaining the early focus they've generated across the league.
Las Vegas is the stable favourite to win all of it once more, though Liberty is anticipated to have one thing to say about that. New York returns all 5 starters from final season's crew that misplaced to the Aces within the WNBA Finals.
New York's roster was constructed final season by way of free company and trades, however now Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu hope to steer the franchise to its first title.
“We all know what occurred final yr and the truth that we didn't attain our aim will inspire us, however it's not what we take into consideration the entire season.” Stewart stated. “I'm actually excited to get issues going with a brand new and outdated group and construct chemistry. Now most of us have a yr below our belts, what are we going to do extra on and off the sphere?”
Whereas Las Vegas and New York have had no strikes this offseason, Seattle and Phoenix have each made some waves with strikes they hope will make them title contenders.
The Storm, who constructed a $60 million observe facility, added Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Mercury signed Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper so as to add Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
Different tales to comply with this season:
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New coaches
Chicago and Phoenix each have new coaches this season. The Sky can be led by Corridor of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon. Longtime NBA assistant Nate Tibbetts will information the Mercury.
Weatherspoon returns to the WNBA after working with the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans since 2019. She was first a participant growth coach after which an assistant starting in 2020. The crew launched her in June.
Tibbetts involves the league after practically twenty years of expertise as an NBA assistant coach and within the NBA G League, the place he served as each a head and assistant coach. He was most lately an assistant with the Orlando Magic.
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Olympic break
The league will take an almost month-long break for the Paris Video games from July 18 to August. 14. Dozens of present and former WNBA gamers will compete within the Olympics.
The WNBA could have the All-Star recreation in Phoenix proper earlier than the Olympics start. The midseason showcase will almost definitely pit the US nationwide crew in opposition to a bunch of All-Stars. The All-Stars gained the competition in 2021 – the final time the format was applied.
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Constitution flights
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert introduced Thursday that the league plans to fund constitution flights at a price of about $50 million over the subsequent two years, a transfer that addresses years of participant security issues. Journey has been an enormous subject of debate for years.
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The tip of an period
Candace Parker retired simply earlier than the season began and Taurasi is getting into her 20th yr within the WNBA. Whereas Taurasi hasn't formally stated it will likely be her final season, it wouldn't be a shock if that is her final season. She simply needs to remain wholesome, enjoying in additional than 26 video games simply as soon as previously 5 seasons.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball