Jay Wood

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Game 1 delivered a duel for the ages &#8212; 10 lead changes and 19 ties &#8212; and ended with the <a href="http://wnba.com/video/wnba-finals-game-winning-shots/">third buzzer-beater in WNBA Finals history</a>.
What could Game 2 possibly have in store as an encore?
On the morning of Game 2 back at the Target Center (8 PM ET, ESPN 2), the Lynx and Sparks returned to the Target Center for shootaround.
MORE: Beard Enjoys Her Moment | Lynx Hit &#8220;Refresh Button&#8221;
Some sights and sounds:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLbbIPzDXbJ/?taken-by=wnba
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Listen to <a href="https://twitter.com/cgray209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cgray209</a> breakdown the play that opened up <a href="https://twitter.com/Alanabeard20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alanabeard20</a> for The Shot. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAFinals</a> continue tonight at 8/et on ESPN2. <a href="https://t.co/Hz1tnD31t5">pic.twitter.com/Hz1tnD31t5</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785864370052014080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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So.. in practice today.. <a href="https://twitter.com/jelenadub11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jelenadub11</a> decided to reenact <a href="https://twitter.com/Alanabeard20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alanabeard20</a>&#39;s Game-winner. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Loose?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Loose</a> Game2 8et tonight ESPN2 <a href="https://t.co/dKjbxHxKMu">pic.twitter.com/dKjbxHxKMu</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785892415353688064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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We&#39;re live at practice with the defending champion <a href="https://twitter.com/minnesotalynx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@minnesotalynx</a>! <a href="https://t.co/ainGJ7l9ZL">pic.twitter.com/ainGJ7l9ZL</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785869515221446656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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WHAY WHAAAYY Out there! ? <a href="https://twitter.com/Lindsay_13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lindsay_13</a>. Now. Don&#39;t be shocked if you see 1 of these in Game 2. ESPN2 8/E&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/62v5v1xGel">https://t.co/62v5v1xGel</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785872633086763008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Seimone Augustus breaking down the game plan with the legendary <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsiren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportsiren</a> <a href="https://t.co/XBdi24ObOZ">pic.twitter.com/XBdi24ObOZ</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785876660763566080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Gets real cold in here when it&#39;s not PACKED with the best fans in the world!&quot; 
Don&#39;t worry.. they&#39;ll be here. 8/et (ESPN2) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAFinals</a> <a href="https://t.co/KvYVD1Ucrl">pic.twitter.com/KvYVD1Ucrl</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/785882204886839296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The stage is set for a thrilling finish to the 2025 regular season with playoff spots and positioning on the line in just about every single game over the final two-plus weeks.
For this week’s rankings, we’re breaking down the field into four groups – each one representing a different race for the teams included. 
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Group 1: Race to clinch No. 1 overall seed
The smallest of these groups belongs solely to the Lynx, who have a magic number of two (Lynx wins or Dream losses) to clinch the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. How important is home-court? The Lynx are 18-1 at Target Center this season.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202340" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-73.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" />
1. Minnesota Lynx (30-7)
Last Week: 1 ↔️
This Week: Thur. vs. SEA, Sat. at CON
The Lynx opened the week with their first consecutive losses of the season – falling at New York and Atlanta – before bouncing back by sweeping a home-and-home with Indiana. Sunday’s game marked the return of Napheesa Collier, who dropped 32 points in her first game after missing three weeks with an ankle injury. Minnesota went 5-2 without the league’s leading scorer and MVP candidate.
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Group 2: Race for home-court advantage in First Round
Next up, we have four teams – the Aces, Dream, Mercury and Liberty – separated by just two games and all seeking a top-four finish in order to secure home-court in the opening round of the playoffs.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202341" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-74.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-74.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-74-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
2. Las Vegas Aces (24-14)
Last Week: 3 ⬆️
This Week: Mon. at CHI, Wed. at ATL
No team in the league is hotter than the Aces, who won their 10th straight game on Saturday – marking the longest win streak of the Vegas era and the second longest in franchise history (12 by the 2012 Silver Stars). The eighth win of this streak came against the Dream as the Aces rallied back from 10 down in the fourth quarter to clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker (lead season series 2-0 with one game to play). Vegas also holds the tiebreaker over Phoenix, but not New York.
3. Atlanta Dream (24-13)
Last Week: 2 ⬇️
This Week: Wed. vs. LVA, Fri. vs. DAL
With only 13 losses on the season – second only to Minnesota – the Dream control their own destiny down the stretch. If they win out, they’ll be the No. 2 seed (assuming Minnesota doesn’t collapse). Atlanta has won nine of its last 11 games with its only loss this week coming at the hands of red-hot Las Vegas. The Dream will look to avenge that loss on Wednesday when they host the Aces in their final meeting of the regular season. While Atlanta does not have the tiebreaker with Vegas, they do hold it over Phoenix and split its season series with New York.
4. Phoenix Mercury (22-14)
Last Week: 5 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. at LAS, Thur. vs. CHI, Sat. vs. NYL
This month, Phoenix has gone 0-4 against Las Vegas and Atlanta, but 6-0 against all other teams. However, dropping two games apiece to the Aces and Dream means that the Mercury lost the head-to-head tiebreakers with both teams, which could hurt them if the race remains this tight down the stretch. Phoenix leads its season series with New York (2-1) and can clinch that tiebreaker in their final meeting on Saturday.
5. New York Liberty (22-15)
Last Week: 4 ⬇️
This Week: Mon. vs. CON, Thur. vs. WAS, Sat. at PHX
The Liberty are 2-5 in their last seven games and 5-9 since losing Breanna Stewart to a bone bruise in her knee on July 26 (I’m including that game in the record since Stewart only played three minutes). Stewart isn&#8217;t the only player the Liberty are missing. Nyara Sabally (knee) remains out for likely another week, while Sabrina Ionescu (foot), Natasha Cloud (nose) and Isabelle Harrison (concussion) are all listed as questionable for Monday&#8217;s game against the suddenly-scorching Sun. Saturday’s game at Phoenix is one to watch as NY can clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win, giving the Liberty two tiebreakers (also over Vegas) in this group.
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Group 3: Race for final three playoff spots
Next up, we have five teams still in the mix for the final three playoff berths, including four teams – the Storm, Valkyries, Fever and Sparks – all with exactly 18 losses entering this week. The Mystics are still alive, but sit four losses behind this group’s lead pack.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202342" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-75.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-75.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-75-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-75-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
6. Seattle Storm (20-18)
Last Week: 9 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. at IND, Thur. at MIN, Sat. vs. CHI
Nneka Ogwumike came through in the clutch on Sunday, knocking down a15-foot fadeaway at the buzzer to seal Seattle’s third straight win and fourth in the last five games as the Storm have bounced back from a six-game losing streak to open August. Can the Storm keep rolling with three teams right on their heels? They’ll have to since Seattle will not hold any head-to-head tiebreakers over this field – Seattle lost its season series with Indiana and must beat Golden State and L.A. in order to even those two series.
7. Golden State Valkyries (19-18)
Last Week: 6 ⬇️
This Week: Sat. vs. WAS, Sun vs. IND
There have only been eight games in WNBA history with a player racking up 24+ points and 13+ assists – Veronica Burton has two of those games in Golden State’s last three outings. Sunday’s win at Dallas snapped a three-game slide for the Valkyries, who remain in the hunt to become the first WNBA expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season. Golden State has tiebreakers on its side, locking up the head-to-head edge over Indiana and Los Angeles and leading Seattle (2-1) with one game to play.
8. Indiana Fever (19-18)
Last Week: 7 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. vs. SEA, Fri. at LAS, Sun. at GSV
This is an important week for the Fever as they face each of the other three teams that open the season’s penultimate week with 18 losses – hosting Seattle on Tuesday before a California road trip to face the Sparks on Friday and Valkyries on Sunday. The Fever enter this crucial point of the schedule having gone just 2-6 in their last eight games following a season-best five-game win streak. As injuries continue to ravage the team – Sophie Cunningham is the latest to be lost for the season – can the Fever fight their way to a top-eight finish? When it comes to tiebreakers, Indy holds it over Seattle, but lost its season series to both L.A. and Golden State.
9. Los Angeles Sparks (17-18)
Last Week: 8 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. vs. PHX, Fri. vs. IND, Sun. vs. WAS
From July 13-Aug. 7, the Sparks went on a run of eight wins over a nine-game span, with win streaks of five and three games. Since then, they have not been able to string together back-to-back wins as they have alternated wins and losses over each of their past six games. In such a tight playoff race, a timely win streak can make all the difference. Coming off a Kelsey Plum game-winner in their only game last week, can the Sparks make it two straight when they host the Mercury on Tuesday? In terms of tiebreakers, the Sparks hold it over the Fever and lead the Storm (2-1 with one game to play), but lost to the Valkyries.
10. Washington Mystics (16-22)
Last Week: 10 ↔️
This Week: Thur. at NYL, Sat. at GSV, Sun. at LAS
Results: L vs. CON 80-69, L at CON 67-56, L vs. LVA 91-81, L vs. SEA 84-82
Notes: lost 4 straight, in danger of playoff elimination
Just like a timely win streak can boost a team during a tight playoff race, an untimely losing streak can be a damaging blow to a team’s playoff hopes. Case in point – the Mystics – who have dropped four straight games to fall four losses behind the pack in the race for the final three playoff spots. Washington has no margin for error down the stretch, including a pair of must-win road games this week at Golden State and Los Angeles.
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Group 4: Officially out of playoff contention
Three teams – the Sun, Sky and Wings – have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with two weeks to play. With each roster featuring young talent, these final games can be useful tools for player development that can carry over to next season.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-202343" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-76.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" />
11. Connecticut Sun (9-27)
Last Week: 13 ⬆️
This Week: Mon. at NYL, Wed. at DAL, Sat. vs. MIN
Results: W at WAS 80-69, W vs. WAS 67-56, W at CHI 94-84
Notes: won 3 straight, 1st win streak of season, 6-8 since ASG
The Sun enter this week riding their first win streak of the season – having strung together three straight victories over the Mystics (twice) and Sky. Leading the way during the streak has been Tina Charles (19.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Saniya Rivers (12.3 ppg, 1.7 spg) and Marina Mabrey (12.0 ppg, 5.0 apg). Overall, the Sun are 6-8 since All-Star compared to 3-19 prior to the break.
12. Chicago Sky (9-27)
Last Week: 12 ↔️
This Week: Mon vs. LVA, Thur. at PHX, Sat. at SEA
A pair of 20/10 games from Kamila Cardoso (22 pts, career-high 16 reb) and Angel Reese (21 pts, 10 reb) helped the Sky top the Liberty in Brooklyn to snap a five-game losing streak. The Sky open the week hosting the red-hot Aces in the first of three matchups over a 15-day span.
13. Dallas Wings (9-29)
Last Week: 11 ⬇️
This Week: Wed. vs. CON, Fri. at ATL
The Wings have dropped five straight and 10 of their last 11 games to fall to the bottom of the standings this week. Wednesday&#8217;s loss to the Sparks saw Kelsey Plum hit a game-winner to spoil Paige Bueckers’ brilliant 44-point effort – the most points scored in any WNBA game this season and the most ever scored by a rookie in league history. Things don’t get any easier as Dallas faces one of the most difficult remaining schedules, with five of their final six games coming against teams in the playoff hunt. The other? Wednesday against the suddenly-hot Connecticut Sun.

2025-wnba-power-rankings-week-12

2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 12

The 2025 WNBA regular season is entering its final stretch, with a weekend slate full of matchups that could reshape the playoff race. The Liberty and Dream clash Saturday in a pivotal fight for the potential No. 2 seed behind the already-clinched Lynx, while rookie Paige Bueckers just turned heads with a stunning 44-point outburst. With WNBA Finals odds shifting, this weekend offers not only high-stakes action on the court but also some of the best bets of the season for fans and bettors.
Let’s take a look at the latest <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA odds</a> for the WNBA Finals, give a weekend preview, and I’ll share my best bets for Friday and Saturday&#8217;s games on DraftKings Sportsbook You can also find more WNBA previews, picks, and daily content on <a href="https://dknetwork.com/?source=WNBAArticlebyMeghan">DraftKings Network.</a>
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<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=team-futures&amp;subcategory=champion">2025 WNBA Finals Odds</a>
The Favorite: MIN Lynx (+145)
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For the first time in three weeks, the favorite to win the WNBA Finals remains on top, and it’s Minnesota (+145) holding the crown. The Lynx have not only separated from the pack but dominated it, sitting first in the league at 26-7 and 5.5 games clear of their closest challenger, Atlanta. They’ve beaten the defending champion New York Liberty three times this season, continue to own the best offense and defense in the league, and have done it all without MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier. 
With a playoff berth already secured, Minnesota continues to prove they’re the most formidable opponent in the postseason. A balanced roster built on elite scoring, suffocating defense, and veteran leadership has carried them this far, and Collier’s return will only make them more dangerous.
WNBA Best Bets and Weekend Preview
Seattle Storm at Dallas Wings — Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM ET
Dallas knew what it was getting when it drafted Paige “Ms. Buckets” Bueckers No. 1 overall, and she delivered in a big way with 44 points against the Sparks, tying Cynthia Cooper’s 28-year-old rookie scoring record. Still, the 9-27 Wings couldn’t close, losing 81-80 and have officially been bounced from playoff contention. 
They now face a Seattle team that’s stumbled of late, dropping seven of its last ten to fall back to .500, though veterans Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike helped notch a crucial win over Chicago earlier this week. Offensively, both teams rank near the bottom (Dallas 9th, Seattle 8th in offensive rating), but the Storm hold the edge defensively. With Ezi Magbegor holding down the paint (2.1 BPG), Gabby Williams locking down the perimeter (2.4 SPG), and the team holding opponents to 80.1 points per game (5th), Seattle has the talent to rewrite the ship 
With their playoff lives on the line, the Storm are the safer lean tonight. That said, Bueckers proving she’s a bucket every night? I’m backing that, too. 
Lean: Storm ML
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=player-points&amp;subcategory=points-o%2Fu">PICK: Paige Bueckers Over 19.5 Points (+100)</a>
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Minnesota Lynx at Indiana Fever — Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM ET
Even without MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier, the Lynx have looked like a well-oiled machine, leaning on their depth and a next-player-up mentality to go 4-2 in her absence. After being taken down Thursday by a surging Atlanta Dream, Minnesota now faces an Indiana Fever team that has been hit hard by injuries. Sophie Cunningham is out for the season with a torn MCL — the third Fever guard lost in just two weeks — while Caitlin Clark remains sidelined with a bone bruise suffered on August 7.
Still, the Fever have managed to win six of their last 10 and currently sit sixth in the league standings, with Golden State and Seattle close behind. The challenge Friday is steep: the Lynx remain the championship favorite, boasting both the league’s best defense (96.7 rating) and best offense (109.7 rating) even without Collier on the floor. With their depth, consistency, and proven ability to handle adversity, Minnesota has the edge to overpower an injury-riddled Fever squad tonight.
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/event/min-lynx-%40-ind-fever/32680530">PICK: MIN Lynx -6 (-110)</a>
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New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream — Saturday, August 23, 2:00 PM ET
Talk about a matchup. The Dream have surged into second place behind Minnesota, winning eight of their last 10 and edging out the Finals-favorite Lynx 75-73 on Thursday. The Liberty, meanwhile, continue to stumble without Breanna Stewart — just 5-5 over their last 10 — showing lapses in fundamentals. While they’re only allowing 81.7 points per game, New York leads the league in opponent rebounds (36.4), saw their defensive rating balloon to 110.9 at a point in August, and remains plagued by turnovers. 
Allisha Gray has been on fire, averaging 18 points per game over her last 10 and dropping 27 against the league’s top defense in her last outing. With New York’s defense slipping, Gray looks primed for another big performance. I’m backing her to light it up again Saturday afternoon.
Lean: ATL ML
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All season long, I’ll be tracking the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA Odds</a> for MVP, Finals Winner and more right here!
All odds and lines provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
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weekend-preview-and-wnba-champion-odds

WNBA Best Bets for August 22: Weekend Preview and WNBA Champion Odds

The WNBA MVP race could be heating back up during the final weeks of the 2025 regular season.
Since late May, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has been the betting favorite to win MVP at the BetMGM <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports">online sportsbook</a>. She remains a -325 favorite, giving her an implied probability of 76.47%, despite being out for more than two weeks with an ankle injury.
While Collier has missed the past five games for Minnesota, a pair of contenders have started to apply pressure on her in this race. 
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson is second in the latest <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/wnba/wnba-mvp-odds-prediction-bm23/">WNBA MVP odds</a> with a price tag of +450, giving her an implied probability of 18.18%. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas is +600, which suggests an implied probability of 14.29%.
No other player is listed better than 150/1 to win the award at BetMGM. Only six options are remaining in this market.
Collier’s case could be the easiest, assuming she’s able to return to action soon. She’s the best player on the best team in the league. Minnesota is 6.5 games clear of anyone else with a 28-6 overall record.
After finishing as a runner-up in last year’s MVP race, Collier leads the league with an average of 23.5 points per game while shooting 53.7% from the floor. She’s played 26 contests this year, averaging 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Wilson has recently emerged as Collier’s primary challenger after scoring 30-plus points in three consecutive games. She’s led the Aces (22-14) to eight wins in a row, as they have surged to fifth in the WNBA standings.
Wilson, who won last year’s award over Collier, is trying to become the first player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards, averaging 22.9 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 32 games.
Thomas has remained in the mix throughout her first season with the Mercury, who sit fourth in the updated WNBA playoff picture at 21-13. She’s pacing the league with a career-best nine assists per game in this system, while averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 29 contests.
Thomas, who finished runner-up in the 2023 MVP race, has recorded five triple-doubles this year. No other WNBA player has more than four in their entire career.
With the way these three stars are playing this year, the WNBA MVP race could become a compelling conversation down the stretch.
WNBA MVP Odds 2025
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Napheesa Collier -325</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A’ja Wilson +450</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Alyssa Thomas +600</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sabrina Ionescu +15000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Allisha Gray +30000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Caitlin Clark +50000</li>
</ul>
Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated WNBA futures, including <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports/basketball-7/betting/usa-9/wnba-402">WNBA Finals odds</a>. You can also view updated <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/latest-sports-betting-promotions-offers-betmgm-2/">sportsbook promos</a>, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.

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Napheesa Collier Remains WNBA MVP Favorite, but Race is Heating Up

With just over three weeks remaining in the regular season, we take a look at one key player (sometimes two) from each team – some All-Stars and some X-factors – to keep an eye on as the stretch run heats up.
Teams are listed in order of standings as of Aug. 18, 2025.
1. Minnesota: Kayla McBride &amp; Courtney Williams
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201857" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-49.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" />
Despite losing the league’s top scorer and leading MVP candidate, Napheesa Collier, for the past two weeks (and no definitive timetable for a return), the Lynx have not missed a stride – winning all four games that Collier has missed. The key is Minnesota’s depth, led by its two other 2025  All-Stars. Williams has picked up her scoring (averaging a team-high 18.5 since Collier has been out), while McBride is shooting 46.9% from 3 in the month of August.
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2. Atlanta: Naz Hillmon
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201858" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-50.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" />
On a team with three All-Stars &#8212; Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones &#8212; it&#8217;s a player that just entered the starting lineup in August that leads the team in point differential (+6.4). In fact, the Dream are 12.3 points per 100 possessions better when Hillmon is on court (+12.9 net rating) compared to when she&#8217;s off (+0.6 net rating). Gray is second on that list with a 6.5 pts per 100 poss differential.
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3. New York: Emma Meeseman
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Signed on Aug. 1 to help fill the void left by Breanna Stewart – who last played on July 26 and is projected to return near the end of August – the Liberty swapped in one former Finals MVP (Meesseman in 2019) for another (Stewart in 2018 and 2020). In her first seven games in New York, the Belgian center is averaging 15.3 points per game on 51.9% FG, 60% 3P and 90.5% FT shooting splits, along with 5.7 boards, 3.7 assists, a steal and a block in her first WNBA action since 2022 with Chicago.
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4. Phoenix: Alyssa Thomas
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201860" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-52.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-52.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-52-1024x576.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Alyssa Thomas did not record a single triple-double in her first eight WNBA seasons combined. Her first came on July 22, 2022 and she’s added 19 more since – including five so far in her first season in Phoenix. Thomas has more triple-doubles in her first 28 games with the Mercury than any other player in WNBA history has for their entire career. Thomas’ ability to impact all facets of the game has lifted Phoenix to its first 20+ win season since 2018 and has the Mercury in the race for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201849" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/unnamed.png" alt="" width="512" height="341" />
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5. Las Vegas: Jewell Loyd
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As part of a three-team deal in February, the Aces acquired Jewell Loyd from Seattle, while sending Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles. After playing her first decade with the Storm, Loyd got off to a slow start in her first season in Las Vegas. However, she is currently playing her best ball of the season – coinciding with the Aces’ season-high seven-game win streak. Over eight games in August, Loyd is averaging 14.8 ppg on 45.9% shooting overall and 45.6% from 3-point range – providing a consistent perimeter scoring threat to complement A’ja Wilson’s work in the frontcourt.
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6. Indiana: Kelsey Mitchell
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With Caitlin Clark limited to just 13 of Indiana’s 35 games due to three separate injuries, fellow guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald out for the season, and Sophie Cunningham leaving Sunday’s game with a knee injury, the Fever have shown their resilience to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt. A key reason is the play of Kelsey Mitchell, who erupted for a career-high-tying 38 points (34 coming in the 2nd half and OT) to lead the Fever to a franchise-record 21-point comeback on Sunday. Ironically, Mitchell’s two 38-point games have both come against Connecticut – six years apart.
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7. Golden State: Veronica Burton
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Burton arrived in the Bay with career averages of 5.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds over her first three seasons in Dallas and Connecticut. In her first season with the Valkyries, Burton has thrived – averaging career-bests of 11.3 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 38.2% shooting from beyond the arc. And she’s peaking at the right time. Burton has increased both her scoring and shooting percentage month over month all season, currently at 13.5 points on 48.6% shooting from deep over eight games in August, helping the Valkyries set the record for most wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season.
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8. Seattle: Brittney Sykes
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Acquired on Aug. 5 from Washington, Sykes is averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in her first five games with the Storm. As Seattle pushes for a playoff berth, Sykes’ ability to impact the game on both ends of the court will be key to complement fellow All-Stars Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams. The Storm enter this week clinging to the eighth and final playoff berth, leading the No. 9 Sparks and No,. 10 Mystics by just a half-game each.
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9. Los Angeles: Kelsey Plum
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Only one player in WNBA history has averaged at least 20 points and six assists over the course of a full season – Diana Taurasi during the 2013 season. Twelve years later, Plum is on pace to join Taurasi as she’s averaging 21.0 points and 6.6 assists – ranking third in the league in both categories – in her first season in Los Angeles. How important has Plum’s scoring been for the Sparks this season? L.A. is 12-9 when she scores 20+ points and 4-8 when she’s held below 20 points.
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10. Washington: Sonia Citron &amp; Kiki Iriafen
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Following the Sykes trade, the burden of keeping the Mystics in playoff contention fell even more on Washington’s pair of All-Star rookies. Citron leads the Mystics in scoring (15.2 ppg, 17th in WNBA), while Iriafen leads the team in rebounding (8.5 rpg, 4th in WNBA). With five rookies on the roster and only two players – Alysha Clark (via the Sykes trade) and Stephanie Dolson – on the squad, the Mystics are building for the future. Getting Citron and Iriafen more experience this season will be key.
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11. Dallas: Paige Bueckers
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A leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft is putting herself in historic company with her on-court play. Bueckers is one of only 15 rookies in WNBA history to average at least 18 points per game (she’s currently ninth at 19.8 ppg exactly. And she’s one of only two rookies – along with last year’s Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark – to average at least 15 points and five assists in their debut season.
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12. Chicago: Ariel Atkins &amp; Angel Reese
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201870" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-61.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-61.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-61-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-61-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
How important has Atkins been for Chicago? How about the fact that all eight of Chicago’s wins have come with Atkins on the court. The team is 0-7 in the games she’s missed in her first season in Chi-town after spending the first seven seasons – including the 2019 title run – in Washington. Meanwhile, Reese has appeared in only two of Chicago&#8217;s last dozen games due to a back injury, but is ramping up for a return. Despite appearing in only 23 games, Reese leads the W in double-doubles (17, tied with Thomas) and rebounds (12.6 rpg), while increasing her scoring, shooting, assists, steals and blocks over her rookie year.
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13. Connecticut: Aneesah Morrow &amp; Saniya Rivers
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With the Sun eliminated from playoff contention, Connecticut has 11 remaining games to continue to develop its young talent with an eye toward next year. In April, Connecticut chose Morrow (7th) and Rivers (8th) with first round picks as the team began a new chapter in 2025. Morrow ranks 2nd among rookies and 18th in the WNBA with 6.2 rebounds per game (along with 7.4 ppg), while Rivers ranks 2nd among rookies and tied for 6th in the WNBA with 1.6 steals per game (along with 8.1 ppg).

players-to-watch-during-the-2025-stretch-run

Players To Watch During the 2025 Stretch Run

2025-power-rankings-week-11

2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 11

The WNBA playoff race is heating up, and this weekend’s slate is loaded with betting value on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Minnesota Lynx are fighting to hold the top spot, the red-hot Las Vegas Aces are pushing to extend their late-season surge, and the New York Liberty are desperate to break out of a slump. Plus, the WNBA Champion odds at DraftKings Sportsbook have seen some notable movement.
Let’s take a look at the latest <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA odds</a> for WNBA Champion, give a weekend preview, and I’ll share my WNBA best bets for Friday and Saturday’s games on DraftKings Sportsbook. You can also find more WNBA previews, picks, and daily content on <a href="https://dknetwork.com/?source=WNBAArticlebyMeghan">DraftKings Network.</a>
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<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=team-futures&amp;subcategory=champion">2025 WNBA Champion Odds</a>
The Favorite: MIN Lynx (+155)
It’s been a back-and-forth battle between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty in the WNBA futures market. Earlier this month, Minnesota (+180) opened August as the Finals favorite, only for New York (+170) to take over on August 8. Now, a week later, the odds have swung again — Minnesota sits atop the board at +155 to win it all on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The defending champs have hit a wall, losing six of their last 10 and sliding from the No. 2 seed after spending most of the season there. Injuries, most notably to Breanna Stewart, have played a role, but inconsistency and sloppy execution have been just as costly, dropping New York behind Atlanta in the standings.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has been rolling, winning nine of their last 10 despite being without MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier. Their surge comes from a disciplined defense, balanced scoring, and a next-player-up mentality, with Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams delivering night after night. At this pace, the Lynx locking up the No. 1 seed feels inevitable.
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WNBA Best Bets and Weekend Preview
Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream — Friday, August 15, 10:00 PM ET
If there’s a team peaking at the right time, it’s the Atlanta Dream. Winners of eight of their last 10 and riding a six-game streak, Atlanta has jumped the defending champs for the No. 2 seed. Allisha Gray is playing at an MVP level, posting career highs of 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. She set the tone in the first of back-to-back matchups with Seattle, dropping 21 points and 11 boards in an 85-75 win that handed the Storm their sixth straight loss. Rhyne Howard also lit it up with 25 points, giving Atlanta serious momentum for Friday’s rematch.
Seattle, meanwhile, has spiraled since trading for Brittney Sykes at the deadline, losing eight of their last 10 and clinging to the final playoff spot. Nneka Ogwumike remains a bright spot, averaging 19 points and 7.4 rebounds over her last five, including a 29-point performance last game. But Skylar Diggins has cooled off, leaving the Storm without their second scoring punch. With the Dream rolling and Seattle reeling, I’m backing Atlanta to extend their win streak to seven and keep their grip on that No. 2 seed.
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/event/sea-storm-%40-atl-dream/32641579">PICK: ATL Dream -2.5 (-112)</a>
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New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx — Saturday, August 16, 2:00 PM ET
Nothing beats a Finals rematch — unless you’re New York this season. The Liberty have dropped both meetings with Minnesota, losing by a combined 19 points. While both teams are still missing their stars, the Finals favorite Lynx have shown they can thrive without MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier. Tight rotations, timely turnovers, and efficient role-player production have let them dictate pace and finish strong against elite opponents.
For the defending champs, Breanna Stewart’s absence has created a glaring two-way gap. Rebounding issues and an uptick in turnovers have stalled the offense, making it tough to keep pace.
Kayla McBride has stepped up big in Collier’s absence, averaging 18.2 points over her last five, including eight threes in Minnesota’s record-setting 53-point road win over the Aces. Pair her consistency with Alanna Smith’s rim protection and Courtney Williams’ playmaking, and it’s tough to bet against the Lynx continuing their dominance in this matchup.
Strong Lean: MIN ML
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=player-points&amp;subcategory=points-o%2Fu">PICK: Kayla McBride Over 15.5 Points (-105)</a>
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All season long, I’ll be tracking the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA Odds</a> for MVP, Finals Winner and more right here!
All odds and lines provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
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