WNBA Midseason Analysis: Grades and Standouts
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is approaching, and it’s time to evaluate the teams’ performance in the first half of the season. Below are the mid-season grades.
Minnesota Lynx: A
The WNBA’s leading team has had some recent stumbles, with three losses in July, including the Commissioner’s Cup final at home against Indiana on July 1. However, overall, the Lynx (19-4) have been the most consistent and cohesive team in the league all season. They are the second-highest scoring team, with 84.9 points per game, while limiting their opponents to an average of 75.3 points per game, the lowest in the league. They maintain the same rating they had at the end of the first month.
First Half MVP: Napheesa Collier. She is the favorite to win her first league MVP award after finishing as runner-up last year. Her numbers are impressive: the league’s best scoring average (23.9 points per game) and shared wins (5.3), a free throw percentage of 95.4% and an average of 3.5 assists, the highest of her career.
Phoenix Mercury: A
Phoenix (15-6) has impressed in the first half of the season, placing second in the standings before the matchup against the Lynx. This is despite completely overhauling their roster in the offseason, having to rely on a group of WNBA rookies, and dealing with a series of injuries. The three key figures of the Mercury have had to be absent this season, but the team has not been intimidated. The mid-season addition of DeWanna Bonner has fit in well, and the team could be even more dangerous if they sign Emma Meesseman after the break.
First Half MVP: Alyssa Thomas has been sensational in her first season, leading the league in assists per game (9.6), having one of her best scoring seasons (15.4 points per game, 53.5% field goal percentage) and establishing herself as one of the best defenders in the world. Thomas is firmly in the running for the league MVP.
Golden State Valkyries: A-
The Valkyries (10-11) are firmly in the playoff race. With a top-five defense, Golden State limits its opponents to the second-lowest scoring in the league, with 78.6 points per game. The Valkyries have consistently impressed with their competitiveness in almost every game, even in losses. If Golden State continues to play at this level, they could make history and reach the postseason in the franchise’s inaugural season.
First Half MVP: Kayla Thornton is having the best season of her career, with record averages in points (14.5), rebounds (7.1), and steals (1.4). Thornton also leads Golden State in each category and earned her first All-Star selection.
New York Liberty: B+
The Liberty started the season with a 9-0 record and looked strong like the defending champions. A Jonquel Jones ankle injury has changed the dynamic of New York. The Liberty (14-6) have weathered the injuries quite well. However, they hope that their entire team will be back at some point.
First Half MVP: Breanna Stewart leads the Liberty in scoring (19.5), rebounds (6.7), and blocks (1.3). With Jones out, there’s a lot of pressure on Stewart, but the three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP has always been accustomed to that.
Washington Mystics: B+
When the Mystics fell to 5-8, it seemed they might come back down to earth after an unexpectedly strong start. Instead, Washington (11-11) has rallied to win six of the last nine games. The Mystics have still been outscored on the season, but they must now be taken seriously as playoff contenders in seventh place in the standings.
First-half MVP: Citron has been the most efficient scorer for Washington and a quick study on defense, so she would get the nod over top scorer Brittney Sykes.
Atlanta Dream: B
Since reaching their peak with a 10-4 record, the Dream have lost five of their last seven games. Still, only last year’s two finalists have better point differentials than Atlanta (12-9), who have outscored their opponents by 5.0 points per game despite integrating new coach Karl Smesko and two new starters, as well as dealing with the absence of Jordin Canada at the beginning of the season.
First Half MVP: Allisha Gray is vying for All-WNBA first team honors, averaging career-highs in points (18.6), rebounds (5.5), and assists (3.9) per game, while shooting 3-pointers at 39% efficiency. Gray was rightfully voted to start the All-Star Game for the first time.
Seattle Storm: B-
Perhaps the least consistent team in the WNBA, the Storm have a combined record of 5-2 against the three teams ahead of them in the standings, but only 8-7 against the rest of the league. Depth is a key factor in Seattle (13-9) playing against its competition. Since Erica Wheeler moved to the starting lineup, the Storm’s reserves have averaged a league-low 13.4 points per game.
First Half MVP: Any of the Storm’s three All-Stars would be a reasonable choice. However, I’d go with Gabby Williams, who has been a defensive force (averaging 2.5 steals per game, the highest in the league) and an important offensive connector.
Indiana Fever: B-
The Fever (12-10) have had a lot to deal with, and they’ve done quite well. Caitlin Clark’s injuries have cost the All-Star starter nine regular season games so far. Indiana hopes Clark is fully healthy and improves defensively to make the most of this season.
First Half MVP: Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s leading scorer with 19.3 points per game. But Aliyah Boston (16.0 points per game on 57.7% shooting and 7.8 rebounds per game, the team’s highest) gets the nod, as she has been the most consistent interior player and the defensive mainstay for the Fever.
Los Angeles Sparks: C-
The Sparks (8-14) have been disappointing in the first half of the season. Despite Tuesday’s win over Washington, the Sparks have already won as many games as they did all last season, but still have the fourth-worst record in the league. There is no clear answer as to when Brink will return. And although Plum is averaging 20.1 points per game, there is still much work to be done.
First Half MVP: Kelsey Plum. She ranks third in the league in scoring and is matching her career-high in points per game. She’s had several massive scoring explosions.
Chicago Sky: C-
The Sky (7-14) have a new coach, Tyler Marsh, and lost their most experienced player, veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, to a season-ending knee injury on June 7. Chicago still leads the league in turnovers with 15.7, but that’s two fewer than the Sky’s average in mid-June. Therefore, there have been improvements, which is reflected in a better rating.
First-Half MVP: Angel Reese. She leads the Sky in scoring (14.0), rebounds (12.6, best in the league), and assists (3.8). She has had nine straight double-doubles. Reese held strong while second-year teammate Kamilla Cardoso was away playing for Brazil in the AmeriCup tournament. There has been a lot on Reese’s shoulders, and she has responded.
Dallas Wings: D+
The Wings (6-16) have had some good wins this season over Atlanta and Phoenix. Their three rookie guards have brought energy to the team. But the Wings’ veterans are mostly injured or not playing very well. Arike Ogunbowale averages 16.0 points, while shooting 35% overall and 29.5% from the 3-point line, all career lows.
First-half MVP: Paige Bueckers has helped improve the Wings a bit since last time’s F grade. She averages 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists and has established herself as the favorite for Rookie of the Year. But this roster needs to look different next year to make the most of Bueckers’ talent.
Las Vegas Aces: D
It’s difficult to diagnose what has gone wrong for the Aces (10-11) as they approach the All-Star break. Their defense has been a problem. At this point, it’s worrying that Las Vegas hasn’t been able to shake off the bad start, nor figure out exactly what is causing the problems. An incredible second half of the season will be needed to turn the Aces into a competitive postseason team.
First Half MVP: A’ja Wilson has been the only bright spot for the Aces’ season, and in the four games she missed, her importance was highlighted even more. Wilson ranks second in the league in scoring with 21.5 points per game and recently scored 34 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks to help the Aces beat the Valkyries 104-102.
Connecticut Sun: F
We didn’t expect much from the Sun (3-19) this season. They lost their entire starting five from 2024, led by the franchise’s long-standing identity, Alyssa Thomas, plus coach Stephanie White. Guard Marina Mabrey was the team’s top scorer (15.2 points per game) when she went out with a knee injury; she hasn’t played since June 20. Veteran center Tina Charles has become the Sun’s top scorer (15.6), but Connecticut lacks offense.
First Half MVP: 36-year-old Tina Charles is still getting the job done on her way to the Hall of Fame. There simply isn’t enough talent around her to give her another shot at the playoffs this year. Hopefully, she has at least a few years left to get another shot at the postseason.
