The WNBA is almost back (May 14), and excitement is high for the league’s 28th season.

In preparation for the upcoming campaign, 2.45 million people tuned in to the Draft on April 15, the most ever viewed in WNBA history.

Training camp started on April 28 and the preseason is kicking off May 3. Rosters will be finalized on May 13. Due to the nature of the business- only 12 roster spots per team- many promising rookies will get cut.

And there are many storylines to watch. Some of the note are as follows: Watch the Throne Part Two with the Las Vegas Aces as they try to win a third consecutive championship. There’s Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston’s dynamic pairing for the Indiana Fever. The New York Liberty are on a quest for redemption after losing in the Finals in five games. And there’s also the Connecticut Sun’s unorthodox star, Alyssa Thomas’ follow-up to a historic season.

Let’s examine the power rankings:

12. Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks are a rebuilding operation looking to fill the void of Nneka Ogwumike, who left for the Seattle Storm in free agency.

The top priority of the season is getting center Cameron Brink, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year, some reps and Curt Miller’s team building good habits.

11. Chicago Sky

Center Kamilla Cardoso and forward Angel Reese, both champions at the NCAA level, are Chicago’s frontcourt duo of the future. The former stands at 6-foot-7, scored 14.4 points per game in her last year at South Carolina, passes well out of double teams, absorbs rebounds and is a productive shot blocker. The latter is a dominant rebounder and scorer at 6-foot-3, plus an instinctual defender.

When asked about the duo at her introductory press conference, Reese said, “If I miss a defensive assignment, [Cardoso] is going to be there. If she misses a defensive assignment, I’m going to be there.”

Over the offseason, Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch were traded to the Phoenix Mercury for Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, a 2024 1st-round pick ( was used on Cardoso), plus extra future draft compensation. And Courtney Williams and Allana Smith signed with the Minnesota Lynx in free agency.

This is the team’s first season under Teresa Weatherspoon.

10. Washington Mystics

Elena Delle Donne, the most efficient scorer on the team, is sitting out the 2024 campaign because of a contract dispute. Guard Brittney Sykes will lead the team in her absence, and this pushes the Mystics toward a rebuilding season.

The development of Aaliyah Edwards, UCONN’s forward taken six overall in the recent Draft, is pivotal for her pairing next to center Shakira Austin. At school and for Team Canada, Edwards was an impactful defender and helper. And with both of their gifts and IQ, there’s potential for Austin and Edwards to turn into a strangling tandem.

9. Indiana Fever

Clark and Boston are destined to make a tremendous half-court pairing. The former is a flashy and effective shot creator. The latter is the most efficient scorer in the league, going into her second year.

Their two-women actions via pick and roll and weaves will open up the perimeter. Individually, Boston will attract extra help near the basket. Clark is so lethal that traps will be sent at her often on the wings.

To boot, the Fever converted 34% of hoisted trays in 2023. Its top snipers Kelsey Mitchell and Kristy Wallace’s lives just got much easier.

8. Dallas Wings

The Wings drafted Jacy Sheldon fifth overall in the latest Draft and are running back last year’s group. The group was last in 3-point percentage (31.7), second in free throw attempts + makes (20.3, 16.4), and first in rebounds and offensive rebounds (38.7, 11.8).

Additionally, according to ESPN, Satou Sabally is expected to return from shoulder surgery in August. She is a two-way force, and her absence is irreplaceable.

Arike Ogunbowale, Natasha Howard and Crystal Dangerfield will have more responsibilities until Sabally is cleared for action.

7. Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury upgraded, signing Natasha Cloud, and bringing in Kahleah Copper and Rebecca Allen via trade. Brittney Griner is still a dominant force in the middle. And Diana Taurasi is a trap killer who can create off the dribble.

They have the potential to double last year’s win total (9).

6. Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier’s work on both sides is the driving force of the team. In 2023, she was the Lynx’s leader in points (21.5), rebounds (8.5), steals (1.6), and blocks (1.2).

The squad will depend on Kayla McBride’s 3-point shooting, Diamond Miller’s shot creation, and Natasha Hiedeman’s electricity off the bench.

5. Atlanta Dream

Former rookie of the year (2022) Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Cheyenne Parker, Tina Charles, Aerial Powers and Jordin Canada are the heavies for the Dream.

Canada should draw extra help from defenders when running pick-and-roll sets with Parker.

A third-year leap for Howard could propel the Dream to further prosperity.

4. Seattle Storm

In 2023, the Storm were last in assists (17.7). That will change with new additions, forward Nneka Ogwumike and point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith. Their involvement will take pressure off the league’s leading scorer, Jewell Loyd, on offense and make them a threat.

Ogwumike is also an excellent rebounder who will limit opponents’ possessions and make a top four group in this category stronger.

3. Connecticut Sun

The trade the Sun made, sending Rebecca Allen to the Phoenix Mercury for Moriah Jefferson, is an intriguing swap of defense for offense. It will be tough to lose the former’s perimeter protections, but the club’s best scorer, DeWanna Bonner, is about to be age 37. She and playmaking big Alyssa Thomas need another bucket-getter.

Although Jefferson was DPOY at UCONN, she can play D, but her effectiveness as a player eight inches shorter than Allen and a nine-inch shorter reach won’t have as much impact.

Additionally, Thomas does almost everything for the group. Last year, she put up 15.5 points nightly and was first in rebounding (9.9), second in assists (7.9) + minutes (36.2) and third in steals (1.8).

The return of Brionna Jones gives the Sun a stronger front line.

2. New York Liberty

Jonquel Jones, a top-three center who causes overreactions galore, re-signed with the Liberty on a two year deal.

The Liberty have the personnel to play and be just as good as they were in the last campaign. The reigning MVP Breanna Stewart is at the peak of his abilities, impacting the game as a high-level scorer, rebounder and passer.

Sabrina Ionescu is a dangerous sniper and sets up her teammates well.

Courtney Vandersloot is veteran playmaker who was the league leader in assists in 2023.

And Betnijah Laney is one of the fiercest 3-and-D players in the game. Her ability to pick up ball handlers in full-court press is a huge asset, too.

But being as good as last year would be a disappointment, in spite of the crew winning 32 of 40 games.

This season, the team shouldn’t wait so long to make Jones a focal point of the offense. She may have spent a chunk of 2023 working herself into game shape, but she was fourth in scoring average for the Liberty, which is unacceptable. Jones can get 16 points and 10 rebounds nightly at 50% of her power.

To get to another level, the Liberty must run more two-women actions for Jones and Stewart so the squad can generate more free throw attempts and put the opponent in foul trouble. The Liberty were 10th of 12 teams in free throw attempts (16.7) in 2023.

1. Las Vegas Aces

The defending champions are a bit weaker following the retirement of legendary forward/center Candace Parker. Her replacement at power forward is Kiah Stokes, who filled in as a starter after Parker fractured her foot and didn’t play past July 7.

On top of that, winning two rings in a row is a mentally taxing experience and has made the unit a larger target than before.

Regardless, the Aces are at the top of the WNBA’s arms race.

Nobody puts more pressure on a defense when attacking the paint than A’ja Wilson, the 6-foot-4 center and reigning Finals MVP. And on defense, she is the league’s top lane protector.

Chelsea Gray, the league’s top playmaker, can make any pass in transition plus the half court and creates separation going left or right. Gray can stop on a dime from long-range for a jumper, too.

Jackie Young is an elusive three-level gunslinger. She was the team’s top 3-point shooter in 2023 (44.9%).

And Kelsey Plum is a combo guard who can take over. Last season, Plum was second on the Aces in scoring (18.7 points) and second in assists (4.5).

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Important dates for the WNBA this season:

The Commissioner’s Cup Tournament runs from June 1-13.

The Commissioner’s Cup Championship is on June 25.

The All-Star break stretches from July 18-21.

The Olympic break lasts from July 21- Aug. 14.

The trade deadline is on Aug. 20.

The Playoffs start on Sept. 22.

Culture is defined as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.

The outgunned Heat copped one of its finest wins in franchise history, splashing 13 first-half triples to stay within striking distance at halftime, and then the Celtics emerged from the break with even more suspect, three-point protection to close the game. Bam Adebayo outplayed Kristaps Porziņģis. And Tyler Herro had the top showing of his career.

The Heat was absent Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck).

Early, the visitors upped the pace, unsettling the hosts. Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro each downed two trays against late closeouts.

On defense, the crew couldn’t stop Jayston Tatum in man-to-man coverage. He broke into the lane, making a layup, finished a lob on the break and hit three outside jumpers, totaling 14 of the Celtics’ 27 first-quarter points.

Through 12 minutes, the Heat led 28-27.

Afterward, Herro, Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith registered five 3-pointers in the second frame. Jović set up two teammates and drove left past Jaylen Brown from the top to the cup for a left-handed scoop. And Adebayo canned a fadeaway over Porziņģis in the paint and Euro-stepped into a layup on the break.

But Brown countered with the Celtics’ last 11 points to end the interval, making three 3-pointers and a layup on the break after stripping Jović in the post.

At halftime, the Heat was behind 58-61 and down on the glass by three. Additionally, the team had 10 paint points, five on the break, none via second chances, nine after turnovers and eight from the bench.

The Celtics racked up 28 interior points, 10 in the open court, six on extra tries, nine after turnovers and nine from the reserves.

Later, the hosts started the third producing on three of 13 attempts. In that span, Tatum was guarded by Adebayo for a bit, and the former didn’t attempt a shot with the latter on him. And Porziņģis kept failing on jumpers he usually makes facing closeouts or smalls on switches.

For the Heat, Herro, Martin, Highsmith and Duncan Robinson supplied six more artillery strikes in the third quarter. Adebayo cut up the baseline, dunking unchallenged, and slammed a left-side lob fed by Herro. And Martin scored an acrobatic layup on the break and zoomed by Brown for a basket through the middle.

The Heat entered the fourth quarter ahead 85-79.

Tatum was contained on two paint entries, and Porziņģis was invisible. Defensively, the Celtics deployed a weak 2-2-1 press.

Adebayo took charge the rest of the way, dribbling by Al Horford twice into the center for fall-away jumpers and making two shots off a pick-and-roll set with Herro. The rest of the Heat contributed five of 16 buckets to close the game, but it was enough.

The Heat won 111-101 and picked up one more rebound than the Celtics. Furthermore, the guests had 26 paint points, seven on the break, zero via second chances, 20 after turnovers and 20 from the bench.

Herro scored 24 points on seven of 13 attempts, with five rebounds, 14 assists, one steal and three turnovers. Adebayo logged 21 on his ledger on 69.2% accuracy, with 10 rebounds and two dimes. And Martin put up 21 points on seven of 12 looks, with two rebounds and a steal. Jović (11) and Jaquez (14) were the other double-digit scorers.

The Celtics had 46 interior points, 15 in the open court, eight on extra tries, nine after turnovers and 12 from the reserves.

Brown had 33 points on 13 of 25 shots and picked up eight rebounds, one assist, a steal, a block and three turnovers. Tatum accumulated 28 points on 50% shooting, with eight boards, three dimes and three turnovers. And Derrick White recorded 13 points on five of seven ventures, with one rebound and four assists.

Herro handled the on-court interview. He said, “We lost [badly] in Game 1, and everyone responded. That’s all you can ask for from a group of guys.”

The Heat made 23 3-pointers, a new franchise best for the Playoffs. The previous high was 20 triples in Game 1 v. the Bucks on May 22, 2021.

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The undermanned crew held off the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament to advance to the first round against the 64-win Celtics. The high Heatles were Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr..

The Heat was absent Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (kneck).

Two nights earlier, the team laid a second-half egg vs. the 76ers that would have made its Playoff road much easier.

But on Friday, the Heat played unlike themselves, racing down the floor and snatching control of the first quarter on a 19-0 run supplied by Herro, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jović, JJJ and Haywood Highsmith.

Defensively, the squad permitted six of 23 baskets in the first frame.

Then DeMar DeRozan scored a dozen points in the second quarter, pivoting past multiple defenders for a layup, dribbling through protections in transition and nailing a tray. He also blocked Herro’s floater from behind when defending a pick-and-roll set.

Coby White scored the two remaining Chicago field goals in the second in six tries. The rest of the visitors were stifled to a fruitless nine ventures.

Naturally, the Heat’s offense sunk in frame two as well, producing 13 points on 25% accuracy.

At halftime, the Heat was ahead, 47-37. The hosts also had 18 paint points, 10 on the break, six via second chances, six after turnovers and 15 from the bench.

The Bulls accumulated 10 interior points, two in the open court, four on extra tries, six after turnovers and four from the reserves.

Next, Herro came out of the break blazing for 12 points, hitting a fadeaway over Alex Caruso on the baseline, attacking the rim on a PnR play with Adebayo, splashing a transition trifecta and downing freebies. On top of that, JJJ cut from the left wing to the paint twice for dunks, and Kevin Love’s activity at close range against mismatches resulted in six filed free throws.

On the other side, Nikola Vucevic countered with a basket in the post and a pair of threes. And Ayo Dosunmu dribbled past Herro from the wing to the cup for a layup and made a corner triple.

Afterward, the Heat entered the fourth quarter up 82-60. The crew shut down Dosunmu by closing out on time to his attempted deep jumpers but allowed the rest of the Bulls 13 of 24 buckets.

Yet it didn’t count for much. The Heat’s advantage bloated to 29 points midway through the period as Love attacked Caruso in the post and swished a corner banger, plus JJJ and Herro feasted from short and long distance.

The Heat won 112-91, ending the Bulls’ season for the second straight year. The squad picked up nine more rebounds and logged 36 paint points, 20 on the break, 14 via second chances, 17 after turnovers and 42 from the bench.

Herro tallied 24 points on eight of 17 attempts, with 10 rebounds, nine assists and five turnovers. Jaquez had 21 on his scoring ledger on 50% accuracy, with five rebounds and six dimes. Kevin Love put up 16 points on two of six looks and picked up seven rebounds. And Adebayo had 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Bulls had 36 interior points, seven in the open court, 11 on extra tries, 11 after turnovers and 24 from the reserves.

DeRozan notched 22 points on eight of 16 tries, with three rebounds, four assists, one steal and a block. Vucevic scored 16 points on 41.2% shooting, with 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. And White had 13 points on 31.6% accuracy and recovered two rebounds and four assists.

Herro handled the on-court interview. He said, “I tried to be as much as I could of Jimmy [Butler] tonight, just trying to make the right play, get my guys shots and not force anything.”

Regarding the Celtics matchup in round one, Adebayo said, “It’s gonna be in the mud; it’s not gonna be pretty basketball.”

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The Heat’s quest to upstage the hosting 76ers in the Play-In Tournament was another late failed effort after taking control of the first half.

Terry Rozier (neck) was unavailable for the Heat. The 76ers were absent De’Anthony Melton (back).

Joel Embiid attacked Bam Adebayo early, forcing two early fouls in the post and on a drive. Next, Kevin Love subbed in for him as the Heat was down six points.

Butler guarded Tyrese Maxey and dunked twice on the break after steals plus downed two freebies within the first eight minutes.

Tyler Herro matched up with former Heatle Kyle Lowry and got loose for a pair of floaters- one dribbling into the paint against Embiid and another in transition.

Yet, the host causing the most damage was Maxey. He rattled in a tray and finished twice in the paint.

Eventually, the Heat deployed its 2-3 zone, then had its 2-2-1 press, taking time off the clock, leading into the scheme. And the guests took their first lead of the night with 28 seconds left in the frame after going behind by eight points.

But in the closing moments of the first, Butler went down after being fouled by Kelly Oubre and held his right knee on the ground. Pat Riley and Alonzo Mourning uncomfortably watched from their seats, and coach Erik Spoelstra looked like he’d seen a ghost.

Butler made one of two and limped to the bench.

But he stayed on the floor to start the second quarter and the Heat was still in zone defense.

Embiid and Maxey combined for one of seven baskets and Paul Reed was the lone 76er to make multiple in the second quarter.

Butler and Herro were no better on offense, but Adebayo bailed them out, catching a lob and hitting a jumper over Embiid. Subsequently, Caleb Martin, Love and Herro each hit a triple at the end of half, closing it on a 9-2 run.

The 76ers fans booed their team as it retreated to the locker room, and the Heat led 51-39 at halftime but was down on the glass by five. The squad also had 24 paint points, 11 on the break, eight via second chances, 17 after turnovers and 21 from the bench.

The 76ers had 18 interior points, six on the break, five on extra tries, two after turnovers, and seven from the reserves.

Then the Heat had another turd quarter experience. The group converted eight of 22 baskets against man coverage and the zone and its defense was solved.

On the other side, Nicolas Batum supplied three trifectas off Philly’s bench, and Buddy Hield added seven points.

The fourth began with the Heat above 74-69, but the hosts tied it up quickly and briefly seized the lead two minutes later.

Jaime Jaquez’s dunk through the middle and Haywood Highsmith’s floater on the left were two significant late baskets.

With Butler playing as a decoy, Herro was the only dependable on-ball scoring option. The latter put up 16 points, but when the team was down three with 28 seconds left, he had his triple blocked by Batum on the right side.

Highsmith instantly fouled Maxey and the free throw formality ensued.

Embiid, Batum and Oubre united for six of 13 baskets to close the game.

The Heat lost 104-105, gave up two extra rebounds, and committed two fewer turnovers. On top of that, the crew had 46 paint points, 13 on the break, 20 via second chances, 22 after turnovers and 40 from the bench.

Herro logged 25 points on nine of 27 tries, with two rebounds, nine assists and five turnovers. Butler had 19 points on 27.8% accuracy, with four rebounds, five assists and five steals. And Jaquez tallied 15 on his scoring ledger and picked up five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The 76ers had 42 interior points, 11 in the open court, 15 on extra tries, 16 after turnovers and 36 from the reserves.

Embiid notched 23 points on six of 17 attempts, with 15 rebounds, five assists and three turnovers. Batum had 20 points, making 58.3% of his looks, with five rebounds and a block. And Maxey scored 19 on 16 attempts, with three rebounds, six assists and three turnovers.

At the postgame presser, Spoelstra said, “When you have a double-digit lead and a three-point lead going down the stretch, we just have to figure out a way to finish those games off.”

Spoelstra said Butler’s injury would be further checked out in Miami. 

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