WNBA opening weekend overreactions: Sparks will miss the playoffs, the Liberty don't need Sabrina Ionescu

3 min read
WNBA opening weekend overreactions: Sparks will miss the playoffs, the Liberty don't need Sabrina Ionescu

WNBA opening weekend overreactions: Sparks will miss the playoffs, the Liberty don't need Sabrina Ionescu

Plus, a new favorite for Rookie of the Year and a mea culpa on the Valkyries

WNBA opening weekend overreactions: Sparks will miss the playoffs, the Liberty don't need Sabrina Ionescu

Plus, a new favorite for Rookie of the Year and a mea culpa on the Valkyries

The WNBA season has officially tipped off, and if opening weekend is any indication, we're in for a wild ride. All 15 teams have hit the court, and already the hot takes are flying faster than a fast break. The New York Liberty and Golden State Valkyries share the early spotlight at 2-0, while the rebuilding Connecticut Sun find themselves alone in the cellar with two losses. Kelsey Mitchell is lighting up scoreboards, averaging 30 points per game for the Indiana Fever, while big names like Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Brionna Jones are stuck in street clothes with injuries. Sure, a lot will change over the next four months, but why wait? Let's dive into some opening weekend overreactions.

First up, the Los Angeles Sparks. They made their season debut late Sunday, and let's just say the league wasn't saving the best for last. The Sparks were run out of their own gym by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, losing by 27 points in the worst season-opening loss in franchise history. Losing to the champs is one thing, but getting embarrassed after a splashy offseason is another. Los Angeles hasn't sniffed the playoffs since the 2020 bubble season—the longest drought in franchise history and the longest active streak in the league. After that showing, it's hard to see Nneka Ogwumike, Ariel Atkins, and Erica Wheeler turning things around. The Sparks' moves feel shortsighted: they traded away young talent like Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga for veterans, and their lone lottery pick, Cameron Brink, can't crack the starting lineup. In eight scoreless minutes against the Aces, Brink racked up three fouls and three turnovers, prompting coach Lynne Roberts to bluntly say, "We need Cam to produce." Depth is a glaring issue, and it looks like playoff basketball in Los Angeles will have to wait another year.

Meanwhile, the New York Liberty are proving they don't need Sabrina Ionescu to dominate. With their star point guard sidelined by injury, the Liberty have stormed to a 2-0 start behind a balanced attack and stifling defense. It's early, but this team looks deep and resilient enough to weather any absence. Over in Golden State, the Valkyries are turning heads as the new kids on the block. After a strong offseason, they've matched the Liberty's perfect start, and their chemistry is already clicking. As for Rookie of the Year, all eyes are on Azzi Fudd. The No. 1 overall pick isn't starting yet, but her impact off the bench has been undeniable, making her the early favorite for the award. And here's a mea culpa: I doubted the Valkyries, but their opening weekend has me eating my words. This league is unpredictable, and that's exactly why we love it.

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