Two-Time Defending WNBA Champion Aces Chasing History
WNBA Season Preview: Las Vegas, New York Still Teams to Beat
Another WNBA season is just around the corner, with the regular seasons slated to tip off Tuesday with a tripleheader.
As popularity around women’s basketball continues to boom thanks to rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, we break down the teams with the best championship odds in our WNBA season preview.
THE FAVORITE
Las Vegas Aces: +100
Last season, the Las Vegas Aces became the first team to win back-to-back WNBA titles since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02. Can they take things a step further?
Nobody has three-peated since the Houston Comets won four championships in a row from 1997-00. The Comets were the league’s first dynasty and are tied with the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm for most titles all-time. Although the franchise later folded, disbanding following the 2008 season amidst a change in ownership, they remain the gold standard.
Las Vegas can add to its lore with another championship. They start this season with the same core, including two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Candace Parker retired, but Becky Hammon also retained key depth pieces such as Kiah Stokes.
The Aces are prohibitive favorites from the jump in our WNBA season preview, carrying +100 odds to win another title. They are also projected for a league-high 32.5 wins. Both seem attainable.
TOP CONTENDER
New York Liberty: +250
The Liberty did practically everything but win a championship last season. On the heels of a blockbuster offseason that saw them land Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot and Jonquel Jones, the Liberty went 32-8 before falling in four games to Las Vegas in the WNBA Finals.
Stewart won her second MVP in the closest voting race ever, outlasting Wilson and Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas. Fortunately, Stewart returns, as does every other key contributor including Sabrina Ionescu.
Projected for 30.5 wins, the Liberty are primed to contend again. But Las Vegas still stands in the way of their first title.
NEXT IN LINE
Connecticut Sun: +1000
Thomas made a run at MVP last season, recording a single-season record 316 assists along with 28 double-doubles and six triple-doubles. Nicknamed the “The Engine,” Thomas was the heartbeat for a team that won 27 games and reached the WNBA semifinals.
The Sun should get a big lift from Brionna Jones, who is set to return after missing most of last season with an Achilles tear. Jones, a two-time All-Star and 2022 Sixth Player of the Year, will step in alongside DeWanna Bonner and Thomas to form a formidable frontcourt.
Seattle Storm: +1400
Seattle restocked its roster this offseason, signing marquee free agents Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith to pair with reigning 2023 scoring champion Jewell Loyd (24.7 PPG). They may need time to gel, but the Storm have the talent to contend near the top of the league if everything falls according to plan on the WNBA schedule.
Indiana Fever: +2500
Never has there been this much interest in a rookie class. But that’s the appeal of Caitlin Clark, the former University of Iowa star and No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. Clark is coming off an historic season at Iowa that saw her average 31.6 points to set the NCAA’s all-time scoring record.
The sharpshooting guard will immediately become one of the faces of the league, as she teams up with reigning Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston to rejuvenate the Indiana Fever. Clark looked the part in Friday’s preseason opener against the Dallas Wings, debuting with 21 points on the strength of five 3-pointers. But she did commit a game-high five turnovers, reminding everyone there will some growing pains.
Nevertheless, expectations are immense for Clark. Projections have her averaging 21.9 points per game, and she is an overwhelming favorite to win Rookie of the Year at -700. Cameron Brink, drafted second overall by Los Angeles out of Stanford, is a distant second at +1200.
The Fever haven’t made the playoffs since 2016, but times are changing.
Dallas Wings: +2500
The Wings took a big step forward last season, winning their first playoff series since the franchise relocated from Tulsa in 2016. They finished 22-18, losing in the semifinals to Las Vegas.
There’s a lot to like about their roster, but they may face some adversity early. Two-time All-Star Satou Sabally underwent offseason shoulder surgery and could be out until after the Summer Olympics.
Sabally’s absence will ratchet up the pressure on Arike Ogunbowale to be the focal point for Dallas in most WNBA games.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Phoenix Mercury: +4000
The Mercury are big in star power, but age could be an issue.
Diana Taurasi is the league’s oldest player at 41. Injuries have limited her to an average of 19.6 games over the last five seasons.
Meanwhile, Brittney Griner is 33, a year older than Natasha Cloud. Griner played well following her highly publicized return from Russia last year, but only so much can be asked of her.
Atlanta Dream: +5000
Atlanta went only 19-21 last season, but it was still enough to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Former No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard had a big hand in that success, averaging 17.5 points and 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
More will be expected of her this season as Atlanta looks to take the next step.
Minnesota Lynx: +6000
The Lynx have undergone quite a bit of change in recent seasons, saying goodbye to franchise icons Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles. They haven’t gone into full teardown mode, instead choosing to carefully build around Napheesa Collier.
Because of that, it’s a bit tough to peg where this team stands. They could surprise, though oddsmakers clearly see them as a longshot in our WNBA season preview.
LONGSHOTS
Chicago Sky: +8000
There’s a lot of hype around rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, though the latter will miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury.
Los Angeles Sparks: +8000
This proud franchise has seen better days. Brink is a good start to their rebuild. They are projected for a league-low 11.5 wins.
Washington Mystics: +10000
It’s hard to believe the Mystics are only a half-decade removed from an WNBA championship. Time flies, even when you’re not having fun.
For WNBA predictions, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
