Late-season WNBA storylines: Clark’s struggles, a new MVP threat and the Aces’ revival
The regular WNBA season ends on September 11 after a turbulent summer shaped by injuries, feedback and unexpected contenders. With the playoffs looming, here are the stories that defined the second half of the campaign.
Caitlin Clark injuries reshape the fever
Unfortunately for the fever of Indiana – and their passionate fans – Caitlin Clark spent most of this season in a role that no one expected: as a touch coach. The 23 -year -old was limited by recurring groin injuries during the second half of the campaign.
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She was not the only victim of fever. On August 7, the team lost Aari McDonald, against a broken foot, and Sydney Colson, with a torn LCA. Ten days later, Sophie Cunningham tore her MCL, while the newcomer Chloe Bibby – signed a rest contract on August 1 – injured in the knee on August 22.
The Reverse series forced the club to browse the difficulties of difficulties and to reshape its list all the few games. The fact that the fever remains in the running of the playoffs despite such an upheaval testifies to their coaching and its resilience – but that it will be enough to respect their 2025 ambitions is another question.
Natalie Nakase proves that a recruit coach can win
It is not yet clear if the new WNBA team will reach the playoffs, but the fact that the Golden State Valkyries are even in the running is among the biggest scenarios of the season. The first expansion team of the League since Atlanta in 2008 entered the year with a giant lavender question mark above the head – and has not erased each doubt since.
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In relation: Ride of the Valkyries: How the WNBA finally found a house in the Bay region
The Valkyries are directed by Natalie Nakase, hired far from the AS of Las Vegas after three seasons as an assistant of Becky Hammon. Although Nakase has rejected speeches on individual prices-“Honestly, I’m just Deadass, our goal is to make the playoffs,” she told Clatind Points last week. “It should be training staff of the year.” – The case for her as a trainer of the year is difficult to ignore.
The achievements of the Valkyries in their first campaign will be difficult to match anyone.
The aces are back
We are on the edge of the playoffs and in a way the AS-which had a file of 5-6 in mid-June and Jouisi so badly at the beginning of July that even Becky Hammon questioned their capacities-finished in August classified n ° 2 in the league with a file of 26-14 and is now within the reach of a championship field. And of course, it’s a team that comes out of six consecutive seasons and two titles, but saying that the aces were bad Before the star break, this year is not an understatement.
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At the heart of the team’s rapid ascent is the inevitable A’ja Wilson, which has an average of 23.4 points and 10.1 rebounds this season and has found new more daring ways to transport the team in their lowest moments and inspire them at their peak. Do not be surprised if Las Vegas meets in the final this season.
A new name in the MVP race
For most of the year, the MVP race seemed ready to be summed up at A’ja Wilson defending his crown or Napheesa collar by tearing off. It was the dominant story at the beginning of 2025 – and the two players did a lot to support it.
But the collar’s ankle injury in early August opened the door to another competitor. Alyssa Thomas, one of the most complete athletes in basketball, has seized the moment and shows no signs of slowdown.
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The Phoenix Mercury striker is on average 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 9.2 assists, numbers that are only refacting. Thomas has produced a summit of seven championship triples this season and became the first WNBA player to record at least 10 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a match (his line that night was 13-12-16). It was both general on the ground and stabilization, quietly directing Phoenix from the opening of the tip to the playoffs.
Mercury lost 14 games, but rarely by Thomas fault. Since her return from a calf injury in June, she has been unshakable – and at the moment, she looks like the player most capable of reshaping the MVP conversation.
Liberty injuries complicate a defense of the title
The injuries have reshaped the season, put the touch of some of their largest stars and let the teams rush to adapt.
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No one felt it only freedom. They lost Jonquel Jones because of an ankle injury in June, then Breanna Stewart to a bruise at the end of July. Sabrina Ionescu also spent time with a problem of toe, while Natasha Cloud was sidelined with a broken nose. If the absence of Jones was harmful, Stewart seemed to send New York to a fall. Freedom was 17-6 and second in the league when it fell; Since then, they have slipped to No. 5.
This slide underlines the value of Stewart – and increases the issues in New York’s attempt to repeat as champions. To defend their title, Liberty will almost certainly need a seed of the first four to guarantee the advantage of the field and avoid an early confrontation punishing with the lynx. It is a major challenge, but with their list ultimately in good health, not impossible.
