4 Big Things to Watch in the WNBA This Season

The girls of summer are here, and they are back with more of what made the WNBA amazing last season.

More deep threes, more dimes and handles, and more swagger. In 2024, the W made significant increases in attendance, viewership, and attention. Regular-season attendance was up 48% in comparison to the season before. Teams combined for 154 sellouts, and over 2.3 million fans attended games. The league also set a viewership record of 22 regular-season broadcasts averaging at least 1 million viewers.

Advertisement

If last season was about the growth of the game and breakthroughs, this season will be about the game’s accession. It’s about building on the gains from last year, capitalizing on their wave of momentum, and shaping the league into the force it can be.

Here are a few (of many) storylines to look for in 2025.

Can The Liberty Repeat?

Brooklyn, you did it! You finally did it. After five seasons of coming heartbreakingly short, the New York Liberty won their first WNBA championship in franchise history last season.

While the Aces’ quest for a three-peat and the impact and popularity of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese dominated the headlines, New York quietly inserted itself into contention. The Liberty were one of the WNBA’s most consistent squads. They tied a franchise record with 32 wins and lost just eight games. The Liberty’s consistency and grit led them past Las Vegas in the semis and Minnesota in the Finals.

Advertisement

With the Liberty, I’m interested in how the addition of guard Natasha Cloud will mesh with the nucleus of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. While Cloud was signed to be the third guard in the rotation, I’m curious to see what splitting time with Ionescu at the point will look like. New York’s guard depth is an incredible luxury to have, and it will be fun and interesting to see how the Libs can mesh and thrive.

Aces Wild

Winning a title is hard. It takes discipline, focus, sacrifice and a hint of luck. Replicating that same formula two more times for a three-peat seems impossible regardless of sport. The Las Vegas Aces learned just how hard accomplishing this feat really is as they flamed out in the WNBA semifinals to the eventual-champion Liberty.

Advertisement

In the offseason, the Aces could not reach a contract extension with Kelsey Plum, and they traded the three-time all star in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm. The Aces gained six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd in the deal.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Loyd will mesh with Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. When I look at these players, I see a trio that will fit seamlessly because they played on Team USA with reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson. I see a dynamic group that has the right balance of scoring and defense. I’m interested in seeing how Loyd will space the floor. She made 115 threes two seasons ago for Seattle, and I expect her to score in that kind of volume to give Vegas much needed auxiliary scoring.

The Aces may have had a down year last season, but as long as Wilson continues to dominate and put up numbers, this team is always in the mix. The addition of Loyd makes this team, in my opinion, one of the most dangerous in the league.

MVPhee?

The Minnesota Lynx had nothing to hang their heads about in 2024. They played a hell of a series against the Liberty — falling in overtime in the decisive fifth game. Napheesa Collier was a big part of the Lynx resurgence, averaging 20.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. In addition to Collier’s offensive output, her 91.1 defensive rating earned her Defensive Player of The Year.

Advertisement

‘Phee also dominated in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league that she founded with Stewart. She won the league’s MVP and 1-on-1 tourney, and she averaged 25.7 points per game while shooting 61% from the floor with the Lunar Owls.

If Collier can ride that momentum, I don’t see where she wouldn’t be a frontrunner for league MVP in 2025.

After coming up short in the WNBA Finals and Unrivaled finals, I expect Collier to use both losses as fuel for the season, and as she powers the Lynx to contention, she should firmly be in MVP talks.

Lock In #ValkNation

Now this storyline is really close to my heart. Some friends and I on social media spearheaded a movement suggesting that the WNBA’s 13th franchise should be named the Golden State Valkyries, and they listened.

Advertisement

Not much is expected from expansion teams in terms of wins and losses in the first year. To me, the Valkyries’ inaugural season is about establishing a solid foundation and culture. Judging from the moves they’ve made in the expansion draft and their hiring of Natalie Nakase from the Aces as their head coach, they are off to a strong start.

As far as the roster is concerned, I’m intrigued by Golden State’s frontcourt. Kayla Thornton brings a ton of experience and versatility to this young roster. In her past two seasons with New York, Thornton started games in place of Courtney Vandersloot, and she played small forward in a three-big lineup. Temi Fagbenle was underutilized in Minnesota and Indiana, and it will be interesting to see if she can emerge and grow with this new team. With Monique Billings rounding out this unit, don’t be surprised to see three-big lineups for the ‘Valks.

Again, what I expect from the Valkyries this season is effort and progression. Instant contention is not feasible, but building a solid foundation is.

Related: Athlon Sports 2025 WNBA Preview Magazine Available Now

Related: Golden State Valkyries Tip Off WNBA’s Expansion Era

Related: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Usher in WNBA’s Golden Era