WNBA Preview: Las Vegas and New York Heavy Title Favorites
Aces (+115) and Liberty (+140) Own Best Finals Odds
The road to the 2023 WNBA Finals is shaping up to be a two-team race between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, with a few others looking to crash the party. Both have been popularly labeled “superteams,” setting the stage for championship-or-bust expectations.
The league’s 27th season is scheduled to tip off May 19 and conclude Sept. 10, followed by the playoffs. For the first time, all 12 teams will play a record 40 games apiece.
In our WNBA preview, we break down all the potential contenders.
THE FAVORITES
Las Vegas Aces (+115)
The defending WNBA champions might be even stronger than last season with the addition of seven-time All-Star Candace Parker. They also signed Alysha Clark, fortifying a roster that already included reigning Most Valuable Player A’Ja Wilson, Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.
No team has won back-to-back titles since Los Angeles in 2001-02, but if all breaks right, Las Vegas could change that. It’s no wonder the Aces are the odds-on favorite in our WNBA preview.
New York Liberty (+140)
The Liberty won the offseason, adding a wealth of talent around 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu. New York’s free agency haul included four-time All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, while it also traded for Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP.
One of the WNBA’s original franchises, New York hasn’t been to the Finals since 2002. However, anything short of that this year will be a massive disappointment.
THE LONGSHOTS
Washington Mystics (+1300)
Washington’s fate, much like the last few seasons, will largely hinge on the health of superstar Elena Delle Donne. If the back issues that have plagued her aren’t a serious concern, the Mystics may be formidable enough to challenge both Las Vegas and New York. However, if the same issues crop up and force Delle Donne to miss more time, the Mystics could struggle to contend. In that sense, Washington is a real boom-or-bust candidate in our WNBA preview.
Four starters return in all, including three — Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins — from Washington’s 2019 WNBA title team. Notably, the Mystics were strong against the WNBA spread last year, going 22-15-1.
Phoenix Mercury (+1800)
Brittney Griner is back after missing all of last season while imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. The seven-time All-Star has fully participated throughout preseason training camp, but will her return be seamless after so much time away?
Also returning is Diana Taurasi, who will turn 41 in June. The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, Taurasi signed a two-year extension in the offseason. Taurasi averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season, proving she’s still a difference-maker even at the twilight stage of her Hall of Fame career.
With Skylar Diggins-Smith out on maternity leave, former first-round pick Moriah Jefferson could be in line for an increased role in the backcourt.
Connecticut Sun (+2600)
The 2022 WNBA runner-up underwent significant change in the offseason. Jones was traded to New York, and veteran point guard Jasmine Thomas followed head coach Curt Miller to Los Angeles. Taking over for Miller is Stephanie White, who guided Indiana to the WNBA Finals in 2015.
Connecticut’s championship window may have closed — the Sun has been a finalist four times since 2004 — but there’s still a solid veteran core in place with DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones. The Sun also traded for guard Tiffany Hayes, who should be a fan favorite given her UConn roots.
THE BEST OF THE REST
Dallas Wings (+3000)
Dallas has a bona fide No. 1 scorer in Arike Ogunbowale. That much is certain. The former Notre Dame standout averaged 19.7 points last season, matching Diggins-Smith for third-most in the WNBA behind Stewart (21.8) and Plum (20.2). If former first-round pick Satou Sabally can stay healthy and take the next step, the Wings could return to the playoffs.
Los Angeles Sparks (+3100)
Miller, the two-time WNBA Coach of the Year, should provide much-needed stability. Seven-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike is back, but her supporting cast is very much in flux after back-to-back years without a postseason appearance.
Minnesota Lynx (+3800)
Forward Napheesa Collier is poised to take over as the face of the franchise following the retirement of legendary center Sylvia Fowles. The roster is lacking in many areas, but No. 2 draft pick Diamond Miller could step in and become a Rookie of the Year contender from Day One.
The remaining teams: Chicago Sky (+3100), Atlanta Dream (+4000), Seattle Storm (+4000), Indiana Fever (+6500).
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