WNBA Highlights from Last Week
Last week, the WNBA showcased pivotal matchups that could influence the final standings in the Commissioner’s Cup race. Among the surprises was Atlanta’s inability to secure a finals berth after relinquishing a 17-point lead to New York. Conversely, Indiana’s commanding victory over Connecticut guaranteed their place in the championship, marking their inaugural final appearance in the tournament’s five-year history. Despite dropping two straight games since their qualification, the Fever still have three matches this week to regain momentum before facing Minnesota on July 1.
Commissioner’s Cup Final Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx have clinched their spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final for the second consecutive year, propelled by a strong second-half performance against a Las Vegas Aces team that was missing star player A’ja Wilson. The Lynx triumphed in last year’s final against the Liberty, which served as a precursor to the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Finals. With an impressive start this season, they have a solid chance of claiming back-to-back titles, especially if key player Napheesa Collier is fit for the championship game. The clash between the Fever and the Lynx is highly anticipated given Minnesota’s dominance and Indiana’s capability to perform under pressure this season.
Standout Rookie Performances
In addition to the Commissioner’s Cup narrative, this week’s focus also highlights the impressive cohort of WNBA rookies from 2025, both drafted and undrafted, who have made noteworthy impacts over the past week. High draft picks are fulfilling their potential, with Paige Bueckers playing a pivotal role in the Dallas Wings’ positive run, contributing to their 2-1 record. Bueckers has averaged 20 points per game since returning from injury, nearly achieving a triple-double in a close loss to the Mystics. Meanwhile, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron from the Washington Mystics are establishing themselves as reliable starters, with Citron reaching a career-best 27 points in a recent matchup.
The non-lottery selections are also making waves. Connecticut’s Aneesah Morrow, who has been promoted to the starting lineup, averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. Aziaha James, selected as the last pick in the first round, stepped into the starting role for the Wings and achieved a new career-high of 17 points in her second start. Similarly, Aaliyah Nye, the 13th overall pick for the Aces, has emerged as a key player off the bench, showcasing her shooting skills and earning a significant amount of playing time as the month progresses.
Te-Hina Paopao of the Dream is also turning heads, demonstrating valuable scoring ability that has kept her team competitive despite not being a starter anymore. She has led her team in scoring in several games recently, including hitting multiple three-pointers against the Sky. Not to be overlooked, the undrafted rookies such as Monique Akoa Makani and Lynx’s key players continue to contribute meaningfully to their teams, underscoring the depth and talent present in the current rookie class.
Looking Ahead
As we turn the page to the upcoming week, fans can look forward to notable matchups. The Minnesota Lynx will clash with the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, June 24, at 8 p.m. ET, although star player Collier’s health may affect the game’s stakes. As for the showdown between the Lynx and the Atlanta Dream on Friday, June 27, fans should watch the teams’ three-point shooting strategies, as both squads depend on their perimeter game. Later that day, the Fever will take on the Wings in an exciting first confrontation between Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers as professional players, following their rivalry in college basketball.
The week culminates in a matchup between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, delayed by Jonquel Jones’ ankle injury that will keep her out several weeks. Finally, the Seattle Storm‘s upcoming game against the Golden State Valkyries will showcase the talents of seasoned players like Nneka Ogwumike, as the latter team has unexpectedly performed well this season and looks to challenge established contenders.
