For the second time this season, Caitlin Clark has missed a number of video games as a result of damage.
That is by no means a superb factor for the WNBA. Nonetheless, it was an thrilling week as groups like Atlanta and Phoenix notched defining wins.
Las Vegas additionally reminded folks of its playoff potential, and Golden State simply retains profitable.
Here is a glance again on the previous week within the WNBA with some key takeaways.
WNBA wants Caitlin Clark to get wholesome
Clark suffered a groin damage in a win over Seattle final Tuesday, however then missed video games on Thursday and Friday, which was notably painful for the league since she missed the primary head-to-head matchup with Paige Bueckers.
The Fever went 2-1 final week. They’re 8-8 general and tied for the final playoff spot, 0.5 video games forward of the Washington Mystics. So, Indiana wants Clark again, however she additionally wants time to get proper as a result of earlier than the damage, she was within the midst of the worst shooting slump of her career.
With the Commissioner’s Cup Last set for Tuesday between the Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, that includes MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier, it could be an enormous bummer if Clark cannot play.
Not solely will that be the famous person’s first likelihood at a staff trophy within the W, but it surely also needs to be a showcase of the league’s greatest gamers, who had been every chosen as staff captains for the WNBA All-Star Sport.
Just like the WNBA and the Fever, all we will do is wait and hope, however just like the PGA Tour again within the day when Tiger Woods was taking part in, it is simply completely different when Clark is taking part in.
Valkyries maintain stunning
No person might have predicted that Golden State would make the WNBA playoffs earlier than the season, but at 9-7, the Valkyries are sixth within the general league standings after notching a second win over Seattle on Sunday, a staff with 10 wins.
Golden State has additionally defeated Indiana, Las Vegas and Washington, all groups with eight wins. Greater than half of its wins have come towards playoff contenders. The Valkyries are additionally one in every of seven groups to have a constructive level differential, so this is not smoke and mirrors.
How have they carried out it?
For starters, they lead the league in two-point protection. Groups are taking pictures simply 43.8 %. In addition they have a defensive score of 98.7, which is second-best in the WNBA.
That is how they’ve carried out it. Kalya Thornton, having a profession season, additionally hasn’t damage. Her profession excessive for scoring common earlier than this season was 10.4. In 2025, she’s averaging 15 factors per sport, together with profession highs in rebounds (6.9) and steals (1.6).
Veronica Burton can be thriving in her first actual likelihood to start out, averaging 10.5 factors, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals per sport. Tiffany Hayes has been stellar, too, together with rookie Janelle Salaun, who’s averaging 11.8 factors and taking pictures 40 % from three-point vary.
This staff is harmful, particularly at house, the place it’s 7-3 up to now this season.
A hierarchy is established
Phoenix beat the New York Liberty for the second time this season final week. Atlanta additionally knocked off New York, which has dropped 4 of its previous 5 video games.
The defending champs look weak, for now. Minnesota appears to be like like the category of the league; after that, it is huge open. The Las Vegas Aces beat the Mercury on Sunday, due to A’ja Wilson’s epic efficiency.
Groups two via 9 are separated by simply 4 video games. With groups six via 9, the distinction is 1.5, so prepare for an thrilling playoff chase.
