The WNBA is finally back on our screens. We were treated to some excellent matchups between potential contenders, rookies, and potential frontrunners for the Most Valuable Player award, separating themselves from the pack.  

Let’s dive into the five takeaways from the eight games that kicked off the league’s 29th season.

1. Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, and Caitlin Clark kick off MVP campaigns 

Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson unanimously won her third MVP in 2024 after an unbelievable season, averaging 26.9 points per game with 2.6 blocks, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 11.9 rebounds on over 50 percent shooting from the field. This was done with just a hair over one three-pointer per game taken by Wilson.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier finished second in voting in 2024, and she seems motivated to begin 2025 with a vengeance and with the goal of winning that award in mind. She wrapped up opening weekend, averaging 28.3 points, five rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 56 percent shooting from the field and a 67 percent shooting from three.

Wilson had 31 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two steals, a block, and shot 50 percent from the field in the Aces’ opening against the New York Liberty this past weekend. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark picked up a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) to help lead the Fever to a win in their season opener. Despite her excellence this past weekend, Collier is still in a heated race for the MVP trophy. 

2. The Washington Mystics rookies show they’re WNBA-ready. 

After injuries to rookie guard Georgia Amoore and second-year forward Aaliyah Edwards, rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen stepped up in a big way for Washington. The duo shined for the Mystics in their respective debuts, helping lead the team to a 2-0 record after the opening weekend.

Citron wrapped up the weekend averaging 17 points and 2.5 assists on solid 65 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. Iriafen, a key post player for Washington with Edwards out, averaged 15.5 points and nine rebounds for Washington on over 50 percent shooting from the field. They’ve both completely flipped the Rookie of the Year race on its head in just two games, and it’s fun to see Citron and Iriafen take full advantage of the opportunities due to these unfortunate injuries. 

3. The new-look Phoenix Mercury embrace their new engine. 

The Engine, also known as Alyssa Thomas, has brought her winning ways to Phoenix. Once she opened the Mercury’s game against the Storm with a spin move to the basket for an easy bucket, you knew she was about to have a big performance. Thomas’ efficient 20 points on 8-13 shooting, six assists, two steals, and seven rebounds that led to a win over the Storm should excite Phoenix fans about this team’s ceiling. 

Thomas is the catalyst for any offense she’s running. Her selflessness as a passer and efficiency as a scorer make her the perfect point-forward for Phoenix, who are looking to lean into positionless basketball this year. Whip passes to Satou Sabally and strength to battle in the post are what’ll make this Mercury offense hum. And, while it’s a small sample size, the proof is in the on-off numbers for Thomas. When on the court, Phoenix had an offensive rating of 110.2. Off the court, that rating sank to just 88.9. 

4. Natasha Cloud finds perfect fit with the New York Liberty

When the New York Liberty traded for Natasha Cloud from the Connecticut Sun, it seemed like a match made in heaven. The team would get the opportunity to see how much better their offense could be when removing the ball from Sabrina Ionescu’s hands and bringing in a new playmaker in Cloud.

During the Liberty’s season opener against the Las Vegas Aces, Cloud endeared herself to the New York crowd with a 22-point, nine-assist, three-steal, and two-block performance. She willed the Liberty through a tough stretch in the 3rd quarter where they couldn’t dream of stopping Wilson or Jackie Young on offense, piecing together back-to-back and-1 scoring opportunities early in the 4th quarter that helped to separate New York from Las Vegas. Ring night remained unspoiled thanks to Cloud’s efforts. 

5. The Kelsey Plum experience arrives in Los Angeles

In her first game, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum made a huge splash to open the Sparks’ regular season. Against the inaugural Golden State Valkyries squad, she had 37 points, six assists, five steals, and two boards on 67 percent shooting from three-point range and 58 percent shooting from the field overall. 

Plum struggled in her second game with the Sparks, being held to 18 points on 33 percent shooting from deep and 36 percent shooting overall by the incomparable defense of Lynx guard Courtney Williams. But, she was the clear leader on the floor in both games, constantly feeding Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens, and rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker. 

Once the chemistry is formed between Plum and the Sparks’ elite post scorers in Hamby, Stevens, and Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles’ offense will be in a great spot with her at the head of the snake. 

WNBA reporter Candace Pedraza writes columns on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.