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How much have we learned through the first 10 days of the 2022 WNBA season? It&#8217;s a tricky question to answer as so many teams are still in a state of flux and not at full strength. Whether it&#8217;s wrapping up overseas commitments, health and safety protocols, suspension, or injury, most teams have opened the season without fully complementing players.
However, the games keep coming – and so do the power rankings. With a condensed 36-game schedule, every win and every loss is significant, so the teams that can best navigate this time of roster instability will be in a strong position moving forward.
(Power Rankings are based on each team&#8217;s play through 5/16.)
1. Washington Mystics (3-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 2</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (1-1) W vs. LVA 89-76; L vs. DAL 94-86</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday at DAL; Sunday vs. CHI</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 106.0 (2); DefRtg: 96.2 (6); NetRtg: 9.7 (4); eFG%: 51.8 (4); Pace/40: 79.50 (9)</li>
</ul>
Washington improved to 3-0 to open the season with an 89-76 win over Las Vegas on Tuesday as Elena Delle Donne led five Mystics in double figures with 19 points. The Mystics are one of the teams dealing with an incomplete roster – Natasha Cloud has missed the last two games in health and safety protocols, Alysha Clark just returned in Washington&#8217;s loss to Dallas on Friday, and Elizabeth Williams has yet to play this season. Those absences not only make this 3-1 start impressive but point toward the Mystics being even better when fully healthy.
2. Las Vegas Aces (3-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 1</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (1-1) L at WAS 89-76; W at ATL 96-73</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday vs. PHX; Thursday vs. MIN; Saturday vs. PHX</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 108.0 (1); DefRtg: 97.0 (7); NetRtg: 11.0 (2); eFG%: 55.4 (1); Pace/40: 83.75 (1)</li>
</ul>
Remember how the Las Vegas Aces never shot 3-pointers over the past five seasons? Those days are long gone as the Aces are launching – and splashing – 3-pointers on a nightly basis through their first four games of the season. On Friday, the Aces made a franchise-record 16 3-pointers in a road win over the Dream; it was just the <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://go.nba.com/wwfcz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14th time in WNBA history</a> that a team has made at least 16 3s in a game. Considering the Aces are shooting a league-best 44% from beyond the arc so far this season, they should keep letting them fly.
3. Chicago Sky (2-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 5</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (2-0) W vs. NYL 83-50; W at MIN 82-78</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Wednesday at SEA; Sunday at WAS</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 105.3 (3); DefRtg: 93.8 (4); NetRtg: 11.6 (1); eFG%: 51.9 (3); Pace/40: 77.44 (11)</li>
</ul>
After an overtime loss to the Sparks on the opening night of the 2022 season, the defending champion Sky bounced back with a pair of wins over New York and Minnesota this week. Chicago should have its entire squad back on the court soon; Allie Quigley made her season debut on Saturday after missing the first two games of the season, finishing with seven points and four assists in 21 minutes. And WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper just wrapped up her overseas season <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueWomen/status/1525095498750824455" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in dominant fashion</a> as she added EuroLeague MVP, Spanish league champion, and Finals MVP honors to her resume.
4. Connecticut Sun (1-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 7</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (1-0) W vs. LAS 77-60</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday at NYL; Friday vs. IND; Sunday at IND</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 102.0 (5); DefRtg: 92.2 (1); NetRtg: 9.8 (3); eFG%: 44.4 (11); Pace/40: 76.50 (12)</li>
</ul>
The Sun have had the lightest schedule of any team through the first 10 days of the season – with only two games played thus far. After falling to the Liberty in their season opener, the Sun looked much more like themselves in a 77-60 win over the Sparks as Alyssa Thomas (23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) and Jonquel Jones (16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals) each recorded double-doubles. With Courtney Williams eligible to play following her two-game suspension to start the season, and DeWanna Bonner returning from overseas play, the Sun will add more playmaking, scoring, defense and swag to their squad as their schedule starts to get busy.
5. Phoenix Mercury (2-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 8</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (2-0) W vs. SEA 97-77; W at SEA 69-64</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday at LVA; Thursday vs. DAL; Saturday at LVA</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 104.5 (4); DefRtg: 100.4 (10); NetRtg: 4.1 (6); eFG%: 53.7 (2); Pace/40: 81.50 (T-5)</li>
</ul>
The Mercury swept a home-and-home set against a depleted Storm team this past week – Breanna Stewart and Epiphanny Prince in health and safety protocols, Mercedes Russell out due to injury – to improve to 2-1 after opening the season with a loss to Las Vegas. Tina Charles led the way in the first win over Seattle with her first 20-10 game with the Mercury – Tina is the <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://go.nba.com/7pwaq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all-time leader with 95 such games</a> in her career. Diana Taurasi took the baton in the second win, scoring 24 points and making six 3-pointers. In their season-opening loss to the Aces, the Mercury were without Brianna Turner and Diamond DeShields (who have both since returned) as well as Kia Nurse (who remains out). The Mercury visit the Aces twice this week to close out their season series just 15 days into the season and will be closer to full strength in the matchup.
6. Atlanta Dream (3-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 9</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (2-1) W vs. LAS 77-75; L vs. LVA 96-73; W at IND 85-79</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday at IND; Friday vs. WAS</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 90.9 (11); DefRtg: 93.6 (3); NetRtg: -2.7 (8); eFG%: 46.1 (7); Pace/40: 82.62 (3)</li>
</ul>
In just her fourth WNBA game, No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard exploded for 33 points in Atlanta&#8217;s win over Indiana on Sunday to help the Dream improve to 3-1 to open the season. She is only the 14th rookie in WNBA history to score at least 33 points in a game. Here&#8217;s the complete list: A&#8217;ja Wilson (3x), Arike Ogunbowale (2x), Candace Parker (2x), Sue Bird, Cappie Pondexter, Angel McCoughtry, Danielle Robinson, Odyssey Sims, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Sykes, Kia Nurse, Sabrina Ionescu, Chennedy Carter, Rhyne Howard. With 32 more games to play, can Howard join Wilson, Ogumbowale, and Parker with multiple 33-point efforts in her rookie season?
7. Dallas Wings (2-1)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 11</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (2-0) W at WAS 94-86; W at NYL 81-71</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday vs. WAS; Thursday at PHX; Saturday vs. MIN</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 97.5 (6); DefRtg: 93.3 (2); NetRtg: 4.2 (5); eFG%: 44.9 (10); Pace/40: 79.83 (8)</li>
</ul>
After scoring just 59 points in their season-opening loss to the Dream, the Wings bounced back in a big way by handing the Mystics their first (and so far only) loss of the season and followed it up with a 10-point win over the Liberty – with both wins coming on the road. After being held to seven points in the season-opener, Arike Ogunbowale scored 27 against the Mystics and 21 against the Liberty to pace the Wings&#8217; offense. The Wings should also get Satou Sabally back soon as she just wrapped up her play in the Turkish league – <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://twitter.com/DallasWings/status/1525860469692669952" target="_blank" rel="noopener">winning the title and MVP honors</a> – to bolster their roster as well.
8. Los Angeles Sparks (2-2)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 3</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (0-2) L at ATL 77-75; L at CON 77-60</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday vs. MIN; Friday at SEA</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 94.7 (8); DefRtg: 95.5 (5); NetRtg: -0.9 (7); eFG%: 45.2 (9); Pace/40: 81.82 (4)</li>
</ul>
The Sparks opened the season with a four-game road trip and after winning the first two games (including an overtime win over the defending champs on opening night), they suffered a pair of setbacks in Atlanta and Connecticut this week to even their record at 2-2 headed into Tuesday&#8217;s home opener against the Lynx. With so many new players on the roster this season – Liz Cambage, Jordin Canada, Chennedy Carter, Lexie Brown, as well as their rookies – we expected that L.A. would need some time to build chemistry and find its optimal lineups and rotations. One player that is still a ways away from returning is Kristi Toliver, who is an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks and just advanced to the NBA&#8217;s Western Conference Finals, meaning she&#8217;s at least two weeks away (and potentially more if the Mavs advance) from making her season debut.
9. Seattle Storm (1-3)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 4</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (0-2) L at PHX 97-77; L vs. PHX 69-64</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Wednesday vs. CHI; Friday vs. LAS</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 95.4 (7); DefRtg: 100.0 (9); NetRtg: -4.6 (10); eFG%: 46.2 (6); Pace/40: 81.50 (T-5)</li>
</ul>
This Storm team is tough to judge through the season&#8217;s first four games. They had an impressive win on opening night against the Lynx (who are now the only winless team in the league) and fell to the Aces on the road in a competitive and entertaining matchup. They then dropped a pair of games to the Mercury as they were missing two key players (Breanna Stewart and Epiphanny Prince) due to health and safety protocols. This is where we go back to the fact that there are only 36 games in the season, the schedule is compacted to finish ahead of the World Championships, and every game counts regardless of who is and is not available. At full strength, the Storm are not ranked ninth in the league; but a key to this ranking is looking at a team at the moment.
10. Indiana Fever (2-3)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 12</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (2-1) W vs. MIN 82-76; W at NYL 92-86; L vs. ATL 85-79</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday vs. ATL; Friday at CON; Sunday vs. CON</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 93.7 (9); DefRtg: 97.4 (8); NetRtg: -3.8 (9); eFG%: 46.1 (8); Pace/40: 83.51 (2)</li>
</ul>
Last season, the Fever did not pick up their second win of the season until their 18th game. This season, they did it in just four games. After opening the season 0-2, the Fever defeated Minnesota at home, New York on the road, and saw their fourth-quarter rally against Atlanta come up just short on Sunday. The rookie frontline of NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo has been impressive through Indiana&#8217;s first five games. Smith leads all rookies in rebounding (Egbo and another Fever rookie Emily Engstler round out the top three) and ranks third overall at 10 boards per game. Egbo leads all rookies and ranks fourth overall in blocks at 1.4 per game.
11. New York Liberty (1-3)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 6</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (0-3) L at CHI 83-50; L vs. IND 92-86; L vs. DAL 81-71</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday vs. CON</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 89.2 (12); DefRtg: 103.7 (11); NetRtg: -14.6 (12); eFG%: 46.5 (5); Pace/40: 78.30 (10)</li>
</ul>
The high of New York&#8217;s season-opening win over Connecticut came crashing down this week with a trio of losses – a 33-point blowout at the defending champion Sky, an overtime loss to the Fever at home, and a 10-point loss to the Wings at home in a game the Liberty never led after midway through the second quarter. The Liberty allow the second-highest points per game (83.8 ppg) and the most free throw attempts (22.8 per game) of any team through the first two weeks. The Liberty are still awaiting the return of DiDi Richards from injury but did get Betnijah Laney back this week after she missed the season opener.
12. Minnesota Lynx (0-4)
<ul>
<li>Previous Ranking: 10</li>
<li>Last Week&#8217;s Results: (0-2) L at IND 82-76; L vs. CHI 82-78</li>
<li>This Week&#8217;s Schedule: Tuesday at LAS; Thursday at LVA; Saturday at DAL</li>
<li>Team Stats: OffRtg: 92.5 (10); DefRtg: 105.3 (12); NetRtg: -12.8 (11); eFG%: 44.3 (12); Pace/40: 80.00 (7)</li>
</ul>
When we talk about teams in flux, no team has seen more roster movement than the Minnesota Lynx as head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve has had to remake her roster on the fly while the season is underway. Veterans Angel McCoughtry and Odyssey Sims are out. New guards Moriah Jefferson and rookie Evina Westbrook are in. There have been hardship signings to cover for players out of the lineup – Napheesa Collier (pregnant), Damiras Dantas (foot), Natalie Achonwa (hamstring), and Kayla McBride (overseas). A few signs of hope for the Lynx are that McBride is set to return soon, which is not uncharted territory for Reeve and the Lynx. Minnesota also opened last season 0-4 before bouncing back to finish at 22-10. While there isn&#8217;t time to waste in a 36-game season, the Lynx proved last season that an 0-4 start does not equal doom for the rest of the year.
Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

2022-wnba-power-rankings-week-2

2022 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 2

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Maybe it&#8217;s her natural tendencies toward introversion. Maybe it&#8217;s the busted lip that&#8217;s still healing after taking two impacts to her mouth in the last few days. But Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft just a few weeks ago, is letting her game do most of the talking.
On Sunday, she put up 33 points against the Indiana Fever in an 85-74 win, a single-game high for the league in the early days of this WNBA season, in front of a busload of friends, coaches, and former teammates from Kentucky, who made the 185-mile trip from Lexington to root her on. Howard became one of just six players in league history &#8211; including Candace Parker, Yolanda Griffith, Sabrina Ionescu, Danielle Adams, Cappie Pondexter, and Kia Nurse &#8211; who have scored at least 30 points within the first four games of their WNBA careers. And her 17-point first quarter was the most by a rookie in league history.
And now here come the accolades for the 6-foot-2 guard from Cleveland, Tennessee.
On Monday, Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the first rookie to win the award in the first week of their WNBA career since Tamika Catchings did it in 2002. And she is the first Atlanta player to win Player of the Week honors.
&#8220;I&#8217;m just super comfortable and my team has confidence in me,&#8221; Howard said following the Indiana win on Sunday. &#8220;The coaches have told me to go play. They drafted me for a reason and I have to come out, make an impact and help the team win.&#8221;
Howard is averaging 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in her first four games. She has led the team in scoring in their three wins. Atlanta, which won eight games a season ago, is 3-1 to start this year, the franchise&#8217;s best start since 2017.
&#8220;She is coming in and taking advantage of the things she does well,&#8221; said Dream coach Tanisha Wright. &#8220;She&#8217;s not overdoing it; she&#8217;s not underdoing it. She is playing exactly the same way she&#8217;s always played.&#8221;
It&#8217;s a style of play that translates very well to the professional game. Wright has seen a player who is &#8220;never rushed, or hurried,&#8221; and Howard fits nicely into Atlanta&#8217;s offense and thrives in the right moments.
&#8220;The offense we run opens up the floor a bit for her,&#8221; Wright said. Howard is not surprised that she is settling in so nicely. &#8220;There&#8217;s no reason to be surprised,&#8221; she said.
She feels good about the team chemistry. And her teammates are excited to have her there and play the role of go-to scorer.
&#8220;To know that she&#8217;s here, her purpose, and her role on this team and to know that we can rely on her, it&#8217;s a great feeling,&#8221; said Dream veteran Nia Coffey.
Coffey said that Howard&#8217;s 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter against the Sparks earlier last week, a shot caused Coffey to make eye contact with assistant coach Christie Sides and say, &#8220;Wow.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s a blessing to see her and be on her team to see it,&#8221; Coffey said. &#8220;She&#8217;s special and I&#8217;m so glad she feels comfortable stepping into that and she shows that day after day.&#8221;
Wright said she isn&#8217;t looking for Howard to put up big numbers every day. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know she had 33 (on Sunday), but she was just doing what I know she is capable of doing,&#8221; Wright said. &#8220;Tonight it&#8217;s 33, but tomorrow it could be 15, as long as she&#8217;s providing what we need to be successful. Whether that&#8217;s a 30-point game or a 15-point game, we will be happy with that.&#8221;
Howard isn&#8217;t feeling like her team is depending too heavily on her. &#8220;It&#8217;s not just &#8216;Rhyne is going to do this,&#8221; Howard said. &#8220;Even in the little amount of time that we&#8217;ve had together, I&#8217;m super proud of how we&#8217;ve been playing.&#8221;
Howard said her basketball dreams have never included the big scoring days. She said she is simplifying &#8220;finding her shot and knocking it down.&#8221; But considering how few WNBA games she has under her belt, her poise and her ability to adjust and excel so quickly are impressive.
Howard&#8217;s big game Sunday came against an Indiana team that is also full of fellow rookies and high draft picks that she knows well and knows how quickly they&#8217;ve all landed in the deep end of the WNBA pool, playing significant roles for their rebuilding teams.
&#8220;It&#8217;s fun going against NaLyssa (Smith), Destanni (Henderson), and Lexie (Hull), but it&#8217;s just another game,&#8221; Howard said. &#8220;There have been adjustments in playing a different way, but I am working on being adaptable and coachable, and to make a statement on the defensive end.
&#8220;It&#8217;s never about scoring first. I&#8217;ve only dreamt about playing in the WNBA, which has come true,&#8221; Howard said.
Longtime WNBA reporter Michelle Smith writes a 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 with Michelle Smith: A Star is Born - Rhyne Howard

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The following was issued by Turner Sports PR:
WNBA Legends, Coaches, Executives and Current Players Provide an In-Depth Look at the 
25-Year History of the Longest Running Women&#8217;s Professional League in the United States 
NBA TV will premiere its latest documentary – As We Rise: 25 Years of the WNBA presented by Nike – covering the evolution of the league, progress on and off the court, and the top moments which helped shape the WNBA on Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET.
The hour-long special – produced in association with Bleacher Report and HighlightHER – features more than 30 interviews, from pioneers that helped blaze the trail during the early days of professional women&#8217;s basketball, such as Ann Meyers, Carol Blazejowski, Nancy Lieberman and Cheryl Miller, to the WNBA&#8217;s first headliners, including Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes, and modern day stars Candace Parker, A&#8217;Ja Wilson, Sylvia Fowles, Nneka Ogwumike and Breanna Stewart.
The piece opens with a look back at how David Stern, Val Ackerman and Russ Granik, among others, helped build the foundation of the WNBA before capitalizing on the momentum of the 1996 Women&#8217;s National Team to launch the league in June 1997. The story later advances through the years to today&#8217;s game and how Cathy Engelbert and others continue to advance the WNBA and help empower the league and its players to lead the way in social advocacy.
Interview subjects for the documentary include:
<table width="100%">
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<td>Val Ackerman 
Sue Bird 
Carol Blazejowksi 
DeWanna Bonner 
Gary Cavalli 
Van Chancellor 
Tina Charles 
Oscar Dixon 
Cathy Engelbert 
Sylvia Fowles 
Russ Granik 
Yolanda Griffith 
Brittney Griner 
Becky Hammon 
Lisa Leslie 
Nancy Lieberman 
Rebecca Lobo 
Nikki McCray</td>
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<td>Ann Meyers 
Cheryl Miller 
Reggie Miller 
Renee Montgomery 
Arike Ogunbowale 
Nneka Ogwumike 
Candace Parker 
Ticha Penicheiro 
Cappie Pondexter 
LaChina Robinson 
Adam Silver 
Dawn Staley 
Breanna Stewart 
Sheryl Swoopes 
Diana Taurasi 
Tina Thompson 
A’ja Wilson</td>
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&nbsp;
Following Saturday&#8217;s premiere of As We Rise, the Chicago Sky’s Parker and the Minnesota Lynx’s Fowles, a pair of former Kia WNBA MVPs and two-time league champions, will meet on NBA TV at 8 p.m., 14 years after they were the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks, respectively, in the 2008 Draft. An encore presentation of As We Rise will follow the game telecast.
NBA TV is home to more regular season live games than any other network (46 games), including 33 late season game telecasts as teams make a push for the playoffs following the 2022 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game on July 10.
Additionally, WNBA Weekly has returned for its third season on NBA TV. The 30-minute show features host Renee Montgomery and Ari Chambers, along with regular contributions from the network&#8217;s talented roster of hosts, analysts and reporters. The show is available on demand via the NBA app.
About NBA TV 
NBA TV is a part of NBA Digital, the NBA&#8217;s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports including NBA TV, NBA App, <a href="http://NBA.com">http://NBA.com</a>, NBA League Pass and <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/NBAGLEAGUE.com__;!!PMETyfE!IAMslgtvOSopR7OhC8tTOsz-IdpDIojmPVlFZGAJHyNqzTnwLNLxZ6uRE0ySLKlxBWYr9vSaL4e6_I5jfOUiQkM$">NBAGLEAGUE.com</a>.

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NBA TV to Premiere As We Rise: 25 Years of the WNBA Presented by Nike One-Hour Documentary, Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET

Watch the best moments from the W25 ceremony and hear from some of the W25 members on what it means to them to be apart of the W25.

the-w25-recap

The W25 Recap

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				The Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time players present at Game 1 line up during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
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				 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
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				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-3/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808498-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148139" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148139'>
				 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Swin Cash as a Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-11/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808704-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148147" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148147'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-16/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235809197-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148156" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148156'>
				Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm shows off her custom W25 Jacket.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-10/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808441-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148146" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148146'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Becky Hammon as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-32/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808566-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148177" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148177'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Ticha Penicheiro as a Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-12/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808789-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148148" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148148'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Cynthia Cooper as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-7/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808783-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148143" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148143'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Cappie Pondexter as a Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-30/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808842-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148175" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148175'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend and Minnesota Lynx Assistant Coach Katie Smith as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-29/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808551-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148174" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148174'>
				 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend and Minnesota Lynx Assistant Coach Katie Smith as a Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-13/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808570-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148151" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148151'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-28/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808612-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148173" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148173'>
				 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-14/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235809105-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148153" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148153'>
				WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury as one of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time Players during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-27/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235808735-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148172" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148172'>
				The Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time players lined up during the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-18/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235809586-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148159" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148159'>
				Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks and Alumni, Lisa Leslie attend the game between the Chicago Sky and the Phoenix Mercury during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-20/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235809757-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148161" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148161'>
				WNBA Legend Ticha Penicheiro attends the game between the Chicago Sky and the Phoenix Mercury during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-22/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235809608-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148164" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148164'>
				Members of the Top 25 WNBA Greatest of All Time players attend the game between the Chicago Sky and the Phoenix Mercury during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
 
<dl class='gallery-item'>
<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<a href='https://www-qa.nba.com/photo_gallery/w25-ceremony/2021-wnba-finals-chicago-sky-v-phoenix-mercury-31/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/10/GettyImages-1235807253-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="gallery-133-148176" /></a>
			</dt>
<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-133-148176'>
				WNBA Legends Swin Cash, Ticha Penicheiro, Lisa Leslie, and Cynthia Cooper attend the Phoenix Mercury game against the Chicago Sky during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona.
				</dd>
</dl>
			 
		</div>

w25-ceremony

W25 Ceremony

Catch the Top 10 plays of the 2010 WNBA season.

top-10-plays-of-the-2010-wnba-season

Top 10 Plays of the 2010 WNBA Season

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					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2019/12/2012_1440.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
League Champion: <a href="https://www.wnba.com/video/into-the-action-2012-wnba-finals-game-4/">Indiana Fever (First title in franchise history)</a>
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/draft2012/">Top Draft Pick</a>: <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/ogwumike-stricklen-peters-top-three-picks-2012-wnba-draft/">Nneka Ogwumike (LAS, Stanford University)</a>
&nbsp;
Awards
<ul>
<li>Most Valuable Player: <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/tina-charles-named-2012-wnba-most-valuable-player-of-the-year-presented-by-boost-mobile/">Tina Charles (CON)</a></li>
<li>Rookie of the Year: Nneka Ogwumike (LAS)</li>
<li>Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings (IND) 5th DPOY</li>
<li>Sixth Woman of the Year: Renee Montgomery (CON)</li>
<li>Most Improved Player: Kristi Toliver (LAS)</li>
<li>Coach of the Year: Carol Ross (LAS)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Top Players
<ul>
<li>All-WNBA First Team: Seimone Augustus (MIN), Tamika Catchings (IND), Tina Charles (CON), Candace Parker (LAS), Cappie Pondexter (NYL)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All-WNBA Second Team: Sylvia Fowles (CHI), Maya Moore (MIN), Kristi Toliver (LAS), Lindsay Whalen (MIN), Sophia Young-Malcolm (SAS)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All-Rookie Team: Tiffany Hayes (ATL), Glory Johnson (TUL), Nneka Ogwumike (LAS), Samantha Prahalis (PHX), Riquna Williams (TUL)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All-Defense First Team: Alana Beard (LAS), Tamika Catchings (IND), Sylvia Fowles (CHI), Briann January (IND), Sancho Lyttle (ATL)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All-Defense Second Team: Tina Charles (CON), Armintie Price Herrington (ATL), Candace Parker (LAS), Danielle Robinson (SAS), Sophia Young-Malcolm (SAS)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Stats Leaders
<ul>
<li>Points Per Game: Angel McCoughtry (ATL): 21.4</li>
<li>Rebounds Per Game: Tina Charles (CON): 10.5</li>
<li>Assists Per Game: Lindsay Whalen (MIN): 5.4</li>
<li>Steals Per Game: Angel McCoughtry (ATL): 2.5</li>
<li>Blocks Per Game: Candace Parker (LAS): 2.3</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Regular Season
Before the end of 2011, the Draft Lottery was held to determine which team would receive the top pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. Despite having the lowest odds (104 chances of 1000), the Los Angeles Sparks won the lottery and the first overall selection.
On April 16, 2012, the Sparks used that pick to select forward Nneka Ogwumike from Stanford to pair with 2008 No. 1 pick Candace Parker on the L.A. frontline. The remaining top five picks were: Tennessee’s Shekinna Stricklen (Storm), Notre Dame’s Devereaux Peters (Lynx), Tennessee’s Glory Johnson (Shock), and Miami’s Shenise Johnson (Silver Stars).
After winning their final six playoff games to earn the 2011 WNBA title, the Minnesota Lynx picked up where they left off when the 2012 season tipped off. The Lynx set a WNBA record for the best start to a season by winning their first 10 games before taking their first loss of the season to Seattle.
The Lynx once again finished at the top of the standings as they matched their 2011 record at 27-7. They were one of five teams to finish with at least 21 wins, something that’s only happened one other time in league history (2006).
The Connecticut Sun finished atop the Eastern Conference at 25-9 thanks in large part to the play of Tina Charles, who would win MVP honors after winning her third straight rebounding title (10.5 per game), finishing fifth in scoring (18.0 per game) and second in blocks (1.4 per game). Charles also became the first player in WNBA history to log three 20-20 games in a career after finishing with 23 points and 22 boards in a win over Atlanta on June 17.
Atlanta’s Angel McCoughty won her first scoring title after coming up just short in 2011. In the tightest scoring race in league history, Taurasi edged Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry by less than one-tenth of a point &#8212; 21.63 compared to 21.56 points per game. In 2012, McCoughtry averaged 21.4 points per game to lead the Dream back to the postseason.
Tina Thompson – the first pick in the inaugural WNBA Draft in 1997 – hit two major milestones in 2012. Already the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, she became the first player to surpass 7,000 career points. She also became the first player in league history to log 15,000 career minutes (a mark only two other players have hit in 2019 – Sue Bird and Katie Smith).
Tulsa’s Temeka Johnson finished the regular season with the league’s top single-season mark in history for 3-point shooting percentage. Her 53.1% (34-64) record still stands at the end of the decade. On the same day, Chicago’s Ticha Penicheiro played in her final WNBA games as she added two assists to extend her WNBA record to 2,599 (a mark that would eventually be topped by Bird).
&nbsp;
All-Star
There was no All-Star Game due to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The WNBA took a one-month hiatus from July 14 to Aug. 16 so players could compete for their respective countries in the Olympics.
The U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team – comprised of 12 WNBA players – defeated France in the gold medal game. The win gave the United States women their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal and, dating back to the bronze medal game in 1992, stretched the team’s winning streak to 41 games.
&nbsp;
Playoffs
<ul>
<li>West Semifinals: Los Angeles Sparks def. San Antonio Silver Stars, 2-0</li>
<li>West Semifinals: Minnesota Lynx def. Seattle Storm, 2-0</li>
<li>East Semifinals: Connecticut Sun def. New York Liberty, 2-0</li>
<li>East Semifinals: Indiana Fever def. Atlanta Dream, 2-1</li>
<li>West Finals: Minnesota Lynx def. Los Angeles Sparks, 2-0</li>
<li>East Finals: Indiana Fever def. Connecticut Sun, 2-1</li>
<li>Finals: Indiana Fever def. Minnesota Lynx, 3-1</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
In her 12th WNBA season, there was not much that Tamika Catchings had failed to accomplish on a basketball court. She won a title in college, she had three Olympic gold medals, she won league MVP and set the record with five Defensive Player of the Year honors. The only hole in her incredible resume was the WNBA championship. She had her first shot in 2009 when her Indiana Fever lost in five games to the Phoenix Mercury. In 2012, she got her next shot, but would have to dethrone the mighty Minnesota Lynx as they looked to defend their 2011 title.
It wasn’t an easy road to the Finals for Indiana as they were pushed to winner-take-all Game 3 in both the East Semis and East Finals. Their season was on the line in Game 2 of the East Finals against Connecticut.
With the game tied with 12 seconds to play, Connecticut’s Allison Hightower missed a free throw that could have given the Sun the lead. Tamika Catchings corralled the rebound and found a streaking Briann January for what appeared to be an easy transition layup to give the Fever the lead. January missed the layup, but made a great hustle play to save the rebound from going out of bounds and got it to Shavonte Zellous, who drilled a game-winning buzzer-beater to tie the series. The Fever would win Game 3 decisively to advance to the Finals.
In the Finals, the Fever won Game 1 in Minnesota to steal home-court advantage away from the Lynx. Minnesota responded to win Game 2 behind a 27-point night from Seimone Augustus to tie the series as it shifted to Indiana for the next two games. Determined not to go back to Minnesota for a winner-take-all Game 5, the Fever protected their home court with a 76-59 win in Game 3 behind 30 points from Shavonte Zellous.
With a shot to win the title at home in Game 4, it was Catchings who delivered with a game-high 25 points to go with eight assists, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in the Fever’s 87-78 win to capture that elusive WNBA title. Catchings added WNBA champion and Finals MVP to her incredible resume.

wnba-decade-in-review-2012

WNBA Decade In Review: 2012

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League Champion: Minnesota Lynx (first title in franchise history)
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/draft2011/">Top Draft Pick: Maya Moore (MIN; University of Connecticut)</a>
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/awards2011/">Awards</a>
<ul>
<li>Most Valuable Player: <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/tamika-catchings-named-2011-wnba-most-valuable-player/">Tamika Catchings (IND), 1st MVP</a></li>
<li>Rookie of the Year: Maya Moore (MIN)</li>
<li>Defensive Player of the Year: Sylvia Fowles (CHI), 1st DPOY</li>
<li>Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner (PHX), 3rd Sixth</li>
<li>Most Improved Player: Kia Vaughn (NYL)</li>
<li>Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve (MIN), 1st COY</li>
</ul>
Top Players
<ul>
<li>All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings (IND), Tina Charles (CON), Angel McCoughtry (ATL), Diana Taurasi (PHX), Lindsay Whalen (MIN)</li>
<li>All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus (MIN), Sue Bird (SEA), Sylvia Fowles (CHI), Cappie Pondexter (NYL), Penny Taylor (PHX)</li>
<li>All-Rookie Team: Danielle Adams (SAS), Liz Cambage (TUL), Maya Moore (MIN), Danielle Robinson (SAS), Courtney Vandersloot (CHI)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All-Defense First Team: Rebekkah Brunson (MIN), Tamika Catchings (IND), Sylvia Fowles (CHI), Angel McCoughtry (ATL), Tanisha Wright (SEA)</li>
<li>All-Defense Second Team: Swin Cash (SEA), Tina Charles (CON), Katie Douglas (IND), Armintie Price Herrington (ATL), Sancho Lyttle (ATL)</li>
</ul>
Stats Leaders
<ul>
<li>Points Per Game: Diana Taurasi (PHX): 21.6</li>
<li>Rebounds Per Game: Tina Charles (CON): 11.0</li>
<li>Assists Per Game: Lindsay Whalen (MIN): 5.9</li>
<li>Steals Per Game: Sancho Lyttle (ATL): 2.4</li>
<li>Blocks Per Game: Sylvia Fowles (CHI): 2.0</li>
</ul>
Regular Season
The 2011 season marked the 15th anniversary of the WNBA, and the history of the league was celebrated throughout the season. But in addition to looking back, 2011 also offered a glimpse of the future as it marked the beginning of a new dynasty in the WNBA – the Minnesota Lynx.
Heading into the 2010 season, the Lynx hired Cheryl Reeve as head coach and <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-bring-lindsay-whalen-back-home/">traded for hometown hero Lindsay Whalen</a> as the team’s point guard. However, injuries robbed the Lynx of reaching their potential in 2010 as they finished 13-21 and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
But there was a silver lining – the draft lottery – which the Lynx won to give them the top pick in the 2011 Draft. And sitting atop every draft board was an absolute game-changer in <a href="https://www.wnba.com/draft2011/">Maya Moore from the University of Connecticut</a>.
Adding a player of Moore’s caliber to a team that already had Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson and now a healthy Seimone Augustus was like adding gasoline to a small fire. The Lynx burned the rest of the league down in 2011 as they finished with a franchise-best 27-7 record. It was the first 20-win season in team history and started a streak of seven straight in Minnesota.
Moore would win Rookie of the Year honors, but it was a veteran in the Eastern Conference that took home Most Valuable Player. In her 10th season, Tamika Catchings captured her first MVP after finishing among the top three five times and among the top five in eight different seasons. She was the runner-up in 2003, 2009 and 2010.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Tamika Catchings: 2011 MVP" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bO4xMxsGMso?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Catchings led the Indiana Fever to the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 21-13 record by excelling on both ends of the floor. She already had four Defensive Player of the Year awards to her credit (she would win a fifth in 2012 to extend her own record) and now added the top individual honor the league awards.
The 2011 season also saw the return of three-time MVP and three-time DPOY Sheryl Swoopes. After a two-year absence, Swoopes returned to the league at the age of 40 as a member of the Tulsa Shock. The 2016 Naismith Hall of Famer finished her final WNBA season averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.7 steals in 33 games.
As part of the celebration of the WNBA’s 15th season, on June 21, the Los Angeles Sparks hosted the New York Liberty at Staples Center in the WNBA’s 15th Anniversary Game, played 15 years to the day of the league inaugural matchup between the same two teams in Los Angeles.
This was the first season under new WNBA President Laurel Richie, who joined the league on April 21, 2011 and served as President for four-and-a-half years before departing on Nov. 4, 2015.
All-Star
The San Antonio Silver Stars hosted their first WNBA All-Star Game in 2011. It marked only the second time the contest was played in a Western Conference venue and the first since the 2000 game was held in Phoenix.
In a tightly contested game, that saw 28 ties, 25 lead changes and neither team leading by more than five points, the East All-Stars prevailed 118-113 for their third All-Star win in 10 games. Seattle’s Swin Cash was named All-Star MVP after finishing with game-highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort. Cash became the first player to win All-Star MVP from the losing team and joined Lisa Leslie as the only multi-time winners as Cash also won in 2009.
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During the All-Star Game halftime ceremony, the WNBA unveiled <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-honors-top-15-players-league-history-halftime-ceremony-2011-wnba-star-game-presented-adidas/">the Top 15 Players of All-Time.</a> With consideration given to on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship, and community service, as well as to contributions to team success and women’s basketball, voting was conducted by fans, select national and WNBA-market media, and by current players and coaches.
The players named were: Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Ticha Penicheiro, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson, and Teresa Weatherspoon.
Playoffs
<ul>
<li>West Semifinals: Minnesota Lynx def. San Antonio Silver Stars, 2-1</li>
<li>West Semifinals: Phoenix Mercury def. Seattle Storm, 2-1</li>
<li>East Semifinals: Atlanta Dream def. Connecticut Sun, 2-0</li>
<li>East Semifinals: Indiana Fever def. New York Liberty, 2-1</li>
<li>West Finals: Minnesota Lynx def. Phoenix Mercury, 2-0</li>
<li>East Finals: Atlanta Dream def. Indiana Fever, 2-1</li>
<li>Finals: Minnesota Lynx def. Atlanta Dream, 3-0</li>
</ul>
After finishing with six more wins than any other team during the regular season, the Minnesota Lynx carried their dominance over to the postseason. After dropping Game 2 of their West Semifinal series with San Antonio, the Lynx would not lose again. They won the decisive Gamtichae 3 over the Silver Stars by 18 points, then swept the Phoenix Mercury in the West Finals in two games and swept the Eastern Conference champion Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals to claim their first championship in franchise history.
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A year after her famous playoff duel with Cappie Pondexter, Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry faced off in a Finals scoring duel with Minnesota’s Seimone Augustus in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals. McCoughtry topped her own Finals scoring record (35 points back in 2010) with a 38-point performance, but it came in a losing effort as Augustus scored 36 points to lead the Lynx to a 101-95 win and a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Augustus would win Finals MVP honors after the Lynx completed the sweep on Oct. 7. That same day, the WNBA unveiled the Top 15 Moments in league history as voted by fans. The top moment was Teresa Weatherspoon’s half-court shot at the buzzer to win Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals for the New York Liberty and send that series to a decisive third game. Ranking second was the WNBA’s first-ever game (NY Liberty at LA Sparks, June 21, 1997). Third was Sparks’ center Lisa Leslie throwing down the first dunk in WNBA history in the first half of a game vs. the Miami Sol.

wnba-decade-in-review-2011

WNBA Decade In Review: 2011

Candice Dupree and Cappie Pondexter each score 22 points while Kelsey Mitchell and Tiffany Mitchell each score 14 points as the Fever defeat the Sky.

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GAME RECAP: Fever 97, Sky 92

Diana Taurasi leads the way for Phoenix with 14 points as the Mercury get the win over the Fever, 94-74.

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GAME RECAP: Mercury 94, Fever 74

Latest

Cappie Pondexter

Position: Guard 
Height/Weight: 5-9 
Birth Date: 01-07-1983 
College: Rutgers 
Hometown: Chicago, IL 
WNBA Experience: 11
Highlights
<ul>
<li>Named one of the Top-15 Players in WNBA History 
• Two-time WNBA Champion (2007, 2009) with the Phoenix Mercury 
• WNBA Finals MVP (2007) 
• Seven-time WNBA All-Star (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015) 
• Three-time All-WNBA First Team (2009, 2010, 2012) selection 
• Became 12th player in WNBA history with 5,000 career points (second fastest ever to reach the mark) 
• Ranks fourth in WNBA history for scoring average (19.2) and most 30-point games (20) 
• First in Liberty franchise history with 19.2 scoring average and second in total scoring with 2,522 points 
• Made six career playoff appearances 
• Named to WNBA All-Rookie team (2006) 
• Selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2006 WNBA Draft</li>
</ul>
WNBA
2016
Cappie started in 29 out of 33 games played…She played a season high of 38 minutes (2 times)…She scored a season high of 24 points (2 times)…Cappie snatched up a season high of 6 rebounds (3 times)…She had a season high of 6 assists vs. Indiana Fever…Cappie made a season high of 11 field goals vs. Minnesota Lynx…
2015
Traded to the Sky on 2/16… Started all 29 Sky games in which she played…Second on the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game…. Became one of only 10 players to be named an all-star seven or more times with her selection in July…Tied career low in turnovers per game (1.4)…Season high 29 points in 7/12 win over Connecticut…Reached double digit scoring in 24 of 29 games…Seven 20+ point games
2014
Started all 34 games for the Liberty…Second on the team in scoring with 13.2 PPG, a career low…Led the team with 3.9 assists per game…Season high 29 points in 6/18 overtime loss at Chicago…Named to her second consecutive all-star team
2013 
Started all 30 games she appeared in…missed the final three regular season games due to injury…Was the team’s leading scorer with 16.9 points per game…Scored in double figures in 25 games, including 12 contests with 20 points or more…Had two games with 30-plus points…Scored season high 34 points at Los Angeles  on 7/4…Poured in 33 points in road victory at Atlanta on 8/11…Led the Liberty in assists with 4.0 per game…Posted six or more assists in nine games, including a season-high nine assists in win over Washington on 7/31…Named a starter to the 2013 East All-Star roster.
2012
Started in all 34 games…Averaged a team-best 20.4 points and 4.3 assists per game…Was third on the squad with 4.5 rebounds per contest…Scored in double figures in 33 of 34 games…Posted 20 or more points in 18 games and had four 30-point games, including a season high 33 points at Indiana on 7/10…Recorded three double-doubles for the season…Had 14 points and 13 assists at Atlanta on 6/19…Tied Teresa Weatherspoon for Liberty record for most assists in a single game (13)…Scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds vs. Los Angeles on 9/9 and posted 30 points and 11 rebounds at Washington on 9/16…Led team in total rebounds (154)…Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week in the 2012 WNBA season, 13th time in career…Made a fifth career postseason appearance.
2011 
Led the Liberty in points with 17.4 PPG…Pondexter tied the third most assists in a single game (11) in Liberty franchise history, joining Teresa Weatherspoon (@ATL, 6/5)…Scored 20 or more points in 11 games…Selected to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game…Named Player of the Week twice during the 2011 WNBA season.
2010
Traded to the Liberty on 3/30 from Phoenix…Started in all 34 games…Led WNBA in Points (729), Field Goals Made (254) and Minutes Played (1167)…Finished second in points per game (21.4)… Posted four 30-point games and registered 20-plus points 20 times…Scored a career high of 40 points and 14 field goals on 7/18 against Indiana
2009 
Started in all 34 games she appeared in…Led the team in scoring 13 times…Posted 20-plus points 18 times and 20-plus points with five-plus rebounds and five-plus assists five times…Finished third in WNBA in assists per game (5.0) and fourth in points per game (19.1)…Named a WNBA All-Star for the third time in her young career…Registered her 2,000th career point to become the third Mercury player in club history to accomplish the feat…Became first player in league history to win the Player Of The Week honor for three consecutive weeks (July 5-18).
2008: 
Started in the 32 games she appeared in…Finished second in the WNBA in scoring with 21.2 points per game and eighth in assists with 4.2 per game…Posted four 30-point games, scored 20-plus points 20 times and dished out five-plus assists 15 times…Led team in scoring 12 times, assists 14 times and rebounds three times…Named Western Conference Player of the Week for week ending July 20, 2008…Along with Diana Taurasi, broke record (previously set in 2006) as the highest-scoring teammates in league history (45.3 PPG).
2007
Started in the 31 games she appeared in, missing three games due to injury (strained left groin)…Earned first WNBA All-Star appearance…Finished eighth in the WNBA in scoring (17.2) and 10th in assists per game (4.0)…Led the team in scoring six times, rebounds once and assists 10 times…Scored 20-plus points 11 times…Became the ninth player in league history to record 500 or more points in each of her first two seasons…Named 2007 WNBA Finals MVP while leading Phoenix to its first WNBA Championship.
2006
Named to WNBA All-Rookie team…Finished fourth in scoring (19.5 PPG ), and fifth in minutes played (33.4 MPG)…Scored 624 total points, the second-most prolific scoring rookie in league history behind Seimone Augustus…Third rookie in WNBA history to break the 600-point mark (Cynthia Cooper, Augustus)…Posted back-to-back 30-point games on 6/2 and 6/6 joining Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes as the only players in league history to accomplish such a feat (later joined by Taurasi)…Along with Taurasi, became the first teammates in league history to score 30 or more in the same game…Scored 20-plus points 18 times, including six straight…Scored 226 points in first 10 career games, the most in league history…Led the team in scoring 10 times, assists eight times and steals a team-high eight times.
Playoffs 
2016
Cappie had a playoff season high of playing 35 minutes vs. Atlanta Dream…She scored a playoff season high of 19 points vs. Los Angeles Sparks…
2015
Appeared in all three Sky playoff games…Averaged 6.0 points per game in 10 minutes per game…Had 10 points in Game 2 loss to Indiana.
2012
Appeared in both Liberty playoff games…Led the team with 17.0 points per game and 5.0 assists per game…Third on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game.
2011
Appeared in all three Liberty playoff games…Second on the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game…Third on the team in rebounding with 5.0 rebounds per game…Led the team with 5.3 assists per game.
2010
Appeared in all five Liberty playoff games…Led the team with 28.4 points per game…Scored at least 24 points in all five games with two 30-plus point performances as well…Also led the team in assists with 4.6 per game…Third on the team in rebounding with 4.2 per game.
2009
Appeared in all 11 Mercury playoff games en route to WNBA Title…Second on the team with 18.2 points per game and 3.5 assists per game…Championship was Phoenix’s second in three seasons.
2007
Appeared in all nine Mercury playoff games en route to WNBA Title…Led the team in scoring with 23.9 points per game and 5.8 assists per game.
International
2015-16
Played for Turkey’s Beskitas…Team finished ninth in BKBL…Led team with 20.1 PPG.
2014-15
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team finished fourth in Euroleague and won Turkish Cup.
2013-14
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team finished second in Euroleague and second in Turkish Cup.
2012-13
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team finished second in Euroleague and Turkish Cup and won Turkish Basketball League.
2011-12
Played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg…Team won the Russian League and Russian Cup.
2010-11
Played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg…Team won the Russian League and Russian Cup.
2009-10
Played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg…Team won the Russian League and Russian Cup.
2008-09
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team won Turkish League and Turkish Cup and finished fifth in Euroleague…Also won gold for the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
2007-08
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team won Turkish League and Turkish Cup and finished fifth in Euroleague
2006-07
Played for Turkey’s Fenerbahce SK…Team won Turkish League and Turkish Cup and finished fifth in Euroleague
College
Finished career at Rutgers averaging 18.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.9 APG and 1.8 SPG in 121 games (103 starts)…Finalist for the State Farm Wade Trophy, the Naismith Award, the Women’s Wooden Award, the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award, the Honda Sports Award for Basketball and the Nancy Lieberman Award (nation’s top point guard) during her senior season…2006 Women’s Basketball News Service National Player of the Year, unanimous selection as the 2006 BIG EAST Player of the Year and the only player in league history to be named to the All-BIG EAST First Team four times during her career…In 2006, selected to the Kodak/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America First Team, the Associated Press All-America First Team, the ESPN.com All-America First Team, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America Team, the WBNS All-America First Team, the Women’s Wooden Award All-America Team, the Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team, the Full Court Press All-America First Team and the Gballmag.com All-America First Team…Recorded 106 double-digit scoring games (57 20+ points, five 30+ points, one 40+ points), and three double-digit rebounding games, one double-digit assist game and three double-doubles … Holds the following all-time ranks at Rutgers: No. 1 in three-point field-goal percentage (164-385, .426), No. 2 in scoring (2,211), free throws made (427), field goals made (810) and field goals attempted (1,768), No. 3 in scoring average (18.3 ppg), three-point field goals made (164) and free throws attempted (539), No. 4 in three-point field goals attempted (385), No. 6 in assists (470), tied No. 6 in free-throw percentage (427-539, .792), tied No. 9 in steals (213).
Personal
 Born on January 7, 1983 in Oceanside, CA to Vanessa and Leo Pondexter…Sister to Ronald Brown and Latoya Pondexter…Raised in Chicago, IL…Named after her aunt…African Studies major at Rutgers…Wants to teach preschool when her playing career is over because she loves the enthusiasm of kids…Wears jersey No. 23 out respect for the games of NBA greats Michael Jordan and LeBron James…In high school, got a tattoo on her left bicep of the WNBA logo and the words “The Future” written above it…Attended John Marshall High School (Ill.) where she was named the 2001 Illinois Player of the Year by Gatorade and USA Today and became the first player state history to be twice named Illinois Miss Basketball (2000, 2001).