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Building on the bubble that changed the WNBA for good &#8211; and for the better &#8211; in 2020, the league’s 25th season is about to tip off with unprecedented levels of exposure and support.
What’s new in 2021? Jerseys, talent, partnerships and even more team chemistry.
What’s the same as it&#8217;s been for the last quarter of a century for a league that’s been defined by the history it creates every year that it exists and thrives? The hope that hard work and commitment will lead to a championship.
Here are the storylines that are poised to dominate the 2021 season.
Leaving Los Angeles
Two of the L.A. Sparks’ biggest stars found new homes this offseason, with no move bigger than Candace Parker’s decision to return home to Chicago to play for James Wade and Sky. Parker adds experience, rebounding and versatility to a team that already includes one of the league’s most productive backcourts with Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley, and one of its most exciting young stars in Diamond DeShields.
Chronologically, Parker might be on the back end of her career, but she had a stellar 2020 season and she is going to be hungry to bring a first-ever WNBA title to Chicago. Meanwhile, point guard Chelsea Gray decided to take her dynamic game to Las Vegas to play for the Aces and Bill Laimbeer. Gray doesn’t need to carry a huge load, not on a roster with A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage. And then there&#8217;s the team they both left behind, the Los Angeles Sparks, who enter a new era dominated by the Ogwumike sisters &#8211; Nneka and Chiney &#8211; and a crew of exciting guards including Britney Sykes, Erica Wheeler, Te’a Cooper and new addition Gabby Williams.
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Aces or Storm? Storm or Aces? 
Who will set the pace? The <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2021-wnba-com-gm-survey-season-predictions/">Aces look like the preseason title favorite</a>, even as they prepare to start the season without Angel McCoughtry who sustained a season-ending knee injury just a few days ago. But with MVP Wilson and Cambage back together in the post and Chelsea Gray joining Kelsey Plum &#8211; also back from last year’s Achilles injury &#8211; as well as Jackie Young, and Riquna Williams in the backcourt, Las Vegas looks deep and poised to take another shot at its first title.
Defending champion Seattle, meanwhile, has its core group of Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd and Jordin Canada back and coach Dan Hughes on the sidelines again, but there have also been big changes. Defensive stalwarts Natasha Howard and Alysha Clark have moved on. Free-agent signing Candice Dupree brings experience and support inside and Katie Lou Samuelson, acquired in an offseason trade, will add perimeter offense, but how much time will it take to develop chemistry and rediscover the championship groove they displayed all of last season to become the first team since Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002 to win back-to-back titles?
Comeback Stories
Tina Charles will put on a Washington Mystics jersey and play in her first WNBA game since 2019 for the team that she signed with a year ago before missing the season in the bubble with a medical exemption. The Mystics will need everything that Charles can provide inside as they overcome some early-season adversity, including an injury to new acquisition Alysha Clark and the missing presence of Emma Meesseman, and questions about how quickly Elena Delle Donne, who also missed the 2020 season, will be recovered from her offseason back surgery and ready to play like the perennial MVP candidate she is.
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Jonquel Jones also missed the 2020 season for the Connecticut Sun, and while the Sun still put together a run to the WNBA semifinals, they also need their All-Star back on the floor to make up for the loss of Alyssa Thomas, who is out for the season. Jones can be one of the most dominant posts in the WNBA and paired with DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut should be a playoff team.
Making A Move
All four of the teams that failed to make the playoffs last season have improved in 2021. Dallas added two more promising young stars in No. 1 pick Charli Collier and No. 2 pick Awak Kuier to a roster that already includes Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally and a healthy Moriah Jefferson.
Atlanta added No. 3 draft pick Aari McDonald to a backcourt that already included Chennedy Carter and veteran Courtney Williams and now moves forward with a guard-dominated lineup following the abrupt departure of head coach Nikki Collen in the middle of training camp.
Indiana’s rebuild continues with the addition of surprise No. 4 draft pick Kysre Gondrezick to a roster that is hoping that the maturing games of Teaira McCowan, Lauren Cox and Kelsey Mitchell will start to pay off in consistent wins.
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty, who won just two games a season ago, are thrilled to finally get Sabrina Ionescu back on the court after last year’s injury derailed her rookie season. Are these teams ready to elevate themselves into the playoffs?
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The Darkhorses
Minnesota and Phoenix. The Lynx, who reached the semifinals last season, loaded up with the additions of Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa and Aerial Powers to play alongside Napheesa Collier, 2020 Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield and Sylvia Fowles. Cheryl Reeve has been assembling the team she wants for two years now and there’s no reason to think that Minnesota won’t be in the mix at the top of the league standings.
Phoenix has a core group of All-Star level talent in Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Bria Hartley, but also a bad habit of underachieving until the stretch run of the season. A strong start could set up Phoenix for title contention and the plotline of watching the GOAT (yes, we are talking about Taurasi) go for her fourth WNBA Championship.

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Inside The W with Michelle Smith: 2021 Season Storylines

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The New York Liberty were the big winners of the WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm for the second consecutive year. The franchise drafted Sabrina Ionescu out of Oregon No. 1 overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft and will look to add another foundational piece with the top pick this upcoming April.
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Congratulations to the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyliberty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYLiberty</a> on securing the No. 1 pick in the 2021 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBADraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBADraft</a>! <a href="https://t.co/r4vY4ogqzv">pic.twitter.com/r4vY4ogqzv</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1335022953050886151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;We draft for fit when it comes to character. We&#8217;re looking for like-minded individuals that are going to come in and have that insatiable taste for winning,&#8221; Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb said when asked about who the franchise is looking to draft as the next top pick. &#8220;When you bring the basketball talent into it, I think probably geared more towards the post.&#8221;
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“The fans that have been ride or die with this team since 97’ deserve this.” -Liberty GM, Jonathan Kolb
For more info on tonight’s draft lottery or 2021 season tickets, visit <a href="https://t.co/0wk4D1OluJ">https://t.co/0wk4D1OluJ</a>. <a href="https://t.co/EfwWv742W4">pic.twitter.com/EfwWv742W4</a>
&mdash; New York Liberty (@nyliberty) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyliberty/status/1335059548122587137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Dallas Wings received the No. 2 pick, followed by the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever securing No. 3 and 4, respectively. The four franchises were all in the lottery in 2020 as well. Last year, the Wings took Satou Sabally at No. 2, while the Fever took Lauren Cox third overall and the Dream chose Chennedy Carter at No. 4.
The last team to have back-to-back No. 1 picks was the Las Vegas Aces/San Antonio Stars when they actually had three in a row with in 2017 (Kelsey Plum), in 2018 (A&#8217;ja Wilson) and 2019 (Jackie Young). The Aces, Lynx, Mercury and Storm all have three total No. 1 picks in the Draft Lottery&#8217;s 20-year history; the Liberty join the Sparks as the only franchises to own two.
New York had the highest possibility for a No. 1 pick in the 2021 Draft Lottery with 44.2% (12-44 record over the past two seasons).
Ionescu, who was injured in just her third game with New York this past summer, underwent successful ankle surgery in early November.
The WNBA will have its 25th season in 2021.

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2021 WNBA Draft Lottery Recap: Liberty Win Again

Breanna Stewart put 27 points and 9 rebounds as Seattle beats Indiana 87-74. Kennedy Burke scored 17 points for the Fever in the loss.

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GAME RECAP: Storm 87, Fever 74

DeWanna Bonner led the way with 28 points as the Sun defeated the Fever 84-62. Kelsey Mitchell finished with 15 points for the Fever in the loss.

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GAME RECAP: Sun 84, Fever 62

Angel McCoughtry led the way for the Aces with 20 points as they defeated the Fever 98-79. Candice Dupree had 20 points for the Fever in the loss.

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GAME RECAP: Aces 98, Fever 79

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The story of the 2020 WNBA season will be written in the “bubble” or &#8220;wubble&#8221; in Bradenton, Florida. Its chapters will be crafted in a gym without fans and without some of the league’s biggest stars. The ending will be settled after a sprint of a schedule that will reward depth, stamina, chemistry and consistency. And the tale of 2020 will surely be one that&#8217;s told for years and years to come.
A season like no other in the history of the league begins Saturday and Sunday with a back-to-back national TV triple-header of intriguing matchups. With that alone, it is guaranteed to be memorable. But like every other season, there are storylines and themes, predictions and previews of what is to come.
This is what you should be looking for.
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BRADENTON &#8211; JULY 15: Jordin Canada #21 and Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm poses for a portrait during Media Day on July 15, 2020 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
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Storming the Bubble. The Seattle Storm start this season as the favorite to win the title thanks to the return of 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart, point guard legend Sue Bird and the fact that most of the roster returns intact. The Storm should be deep where other teams aren’t. They should be cohesive where other teams aren’t. They will be balanced where other teams aren’t. In a short season, a quick start can decide so much. The Storm are in a strong position to start strong out of the gate.
Doing without. Three of the four teams that appeared in last year’s WNBA semifinals are without some of their key talent in 2020. The defending champion Mystics will be playing without Tina Charles (<a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/news/charles-medically-excused-for-2020-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">medically excused</a>) and likely Elena Delle Donne, not to mention starters Natasha Cloud (<a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/news/cloud-sanders-to-opt-out-of-2020-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">opted out, social justice reform</a>) and LaToya Sanders (<a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/news/cloud-sanders-to-opt-out-of-2020-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">opted out, health precaution</a>). The Connecticut Sun, who faced the Mystics in last year’s WNBA Finals, will play this season without All-Star post Jonquel Jones (<a href="https://sun.wnba.com/news/jones-opts-out-for-2020-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">opted out, health precaution</a>). And the Las Vegas Aces will play this season without star center Liz Cambage (<a href="https://aces.wnba.com/news/aces-center-liz-cambage-expected-to-miss-2020-wnba-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">opted out, health precaution</a>) and guard Kelsey Plum, who <a href="https://aces.wnba.com/news/kelsey-plum-undergoes-successful-surgery-on-left-achilles-tendon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tore her Achilles tendon</a> in June and will miss the season. In addition, the Los Angeles Sparks will move forward without <a href="https://sparks.wnba.com/news/kristi-toliver-to-opt-out-of-2020-wnba-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">guard Kristi Toliver</a> and <a href="https://sparks.wnba.com/news/chiney-ogwumike-to-opt-out-of-2020-wnba-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">forward Chiney Ogwumike</a>, who both opted out due to health precautions.
Hot Mercury? The Phoenix Mercury got the player they wanted in the offseason in Skylar Diggins-Smith. They got an All-Star caliber player who has been a reliable scorer and play-maker during her six seasons in the league. They got a complement to Diana Taurasi, who says she is feeling as good as she has in a long while after missing most of the 2019 season with hamstring and back injuries. With this, they got yet another guard (including another new addition in Bria Hartley) who can effectively take the heat off of Brittney Griner in the paint, and someone who can feed her the ball. They got what they hope is the final piece of a championship puzzle. Phoenix will have valuable backcourt depth, experience inside and they will look to challenge Seattle come fall.
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BRADENTON &#8211; JULY 14: Brittney Griner #42 and Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a portrait during Media Day on July 14, 2020 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
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The Rook look. The number of impact players in this 2020 Draft class has the potential to be quite long. It starts of course with No. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu, the New York Liberty’s new centerpiece, who will suit up in her first pro season on a team with six other rookies under new head coach Walt Hopkins. Ionescu’s college teammate Satou Sabally landed in Dallas, where she also finds herself on a young team in which seven players are in either their first or second seasons in the league. Sabally is joined by rookie teammate Bella Alarie, the former Princeton star full of upside. Indiana will add former Baylor star Lauren Cox to the frontcourt alongside Teaira McCowan to make up one of the league’s most up-and-coming post tandems. And Atlanta will be leaning heavily on guard Chennedy Carter, a player who will provide them a lot of offensive punch. And don’t sleep on Ruthy Hebard at Chicago, the pick-and-roll master who will be getting hand-deliveries from Courtney Vandersloot.
Change of scenery. There is probably no bigger change of scenery than being in Florida, but a few of the league’s most stalwart players find themselves in new uniforms this season. Angel McCoughtry spent a decade in Atlanta as that franchise’s defining player. After sitting out the 2019 season with injury, she will suit up this season with the Las Vegas Aces. DeWanna Bonner moves from the Mercury to the Sun, bringing her athleticism and versatility to Connecticut after 10 years in Phoenix. And Seimone Augustus, drafted in 2006 by Minnesota, is a member of the Los Angeles Sparks after 14 years and four WNBA titles with the Lynx.
Break(out) time.
Diamond DeShields, Chicago. Dynamic and explosive, DeShields’ time has come for a Chicago team that looks to keep pace with the league’s front-runners.
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas. Having already established herself as one of the WNBA’s most exciting offensive players, it’s time to lead a young team to a playoff spot.
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BRADENTON &#8211; JULY 16: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Dallas Wings poses for a portrait during Media Day on July 16, 2020 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
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Kia Nurse, New York. On a young team, Nurse, in her third WNBA season has a chance to establish herself as veteran presence and a true WNBA star.
Victoria Vivians, Indiana. Having missed the 2019 season with a knee injury sustained overseas, Vivians is back to bring a 3-point shooting threat to the Fever’s offensive gameplan. She made 65 threes in 2018.
Health check. The biggest unknown as this season begins is how teams will be able to hold their rosters together through both injury and any potential health issues. Teams like Seattle and Chicago, who have depth and a core group returning, will be better positioned to weather roster upheaval.
MVPre(view). 
Breanna Stewart, Seattle. Back and ready to pick up where she left off. 
Brittney Griner, Phoenix. Lots of guards to help her score big inside. 
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas. Picking up the slack in Cambage’s absence. 
Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles. The “Prez” is still one of the most active, athletic players in the league. 
Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago. More than an assist queen, Vandersloot is the engine for a Sky team that’s ready to make a long postseason run.
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Longtime WNBA reporter Michelle Smith writes a weekly column on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

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Inside the W: Top 2020 WNBA Storylines To Get Ready For

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Lauren Cox

<div class="ewa-rteLine">• No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft (Indiana)</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">• Cox made her WNBA debut against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 5 and played in the next 13 games. Due to a left knee injury, Cox missed the last four games of the regular season.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">• Appeared in 26 games between the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks during the 2021 season.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">• Signed a training camp contract with the Connecticut Sun prior to the 2023 season as a free agent.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">• College Highlights with Baylor: Three-time All-American, two-time Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year, 2020 Big 12 Player of the Year and Naismith National Player of the Year finalist.</div>