What we learned in the first half of the WNBA season

The Minnesota Lynx are a WNBA-best 20-4. | titlPhoto by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images

After a couple of months of WNBA action, a few key takeaways that have become clear. While there is still plenty of time for things to change, these scenarios appear to be trends that won’t alter from here on out, and fans should take notice as we begin the second half of the year.

The Lynx are a cut above the rest

Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images

Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith are the foundation of the Lynx’s league-best defense.

Last year, the Minnesota Lynx lost to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals. This season, they’ve been on a revenge tour and are taking no prisoners. Minnesota is the WNBA's best team at 20-4, with New York being the closest

behind them, still 3.5 games back.

20-4 at the break. the work continues when we get back. pic.twitter.com/o9IzO3RIYU

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 16, 2025

Napheesa Collier has been giving an MVP performance all year long. When you also factor in her teammate Alanna Smith giving a Defensive Player of the Year effort, defeating the Lynx in a playoff series will be a tall order.

So far, they are the team to beat and the new standard for excellence in the league.

The kids will be alright

Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

Sonia Citron defends Paige Bueckers in a showdown between impressive rookies.

With players like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Rickea Jackson, last year’s rookie class was as impressive as they come. The 2025 edition wasn’t as hyped, but they have certainly been just as impactful.

Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have expedited the Washington Mystics’ rebuild and currently have them in a playoff position. With Iriafen averaging 11.9 points and 8.5 rebounds and Citron averaging 14.1 points along with five rebounds, both made the 2025 WNBA All-Star game.

While the Mystics have their dynamic duo, the most impressive rookie has been the phenom Paige Bueckers. For the Dallas Wings, she has been as good as advertised. Bueckers is averaging 18.4 points, and while it hasn’t resulted in many wins for the Wings, with her at the forefront, they have their star of the future.

GO AHEAD ROOK

Paige Bueckers is the only rookie of the 2025 class to be named a WNBA All-Star starter pic.twitter.com/5qeDMsGqfj

— espnW (@espnW) June 30, 2025

As this season continues, watching how these rookies do the rest of the way will be entertaining and intriguing. Will Bueckers run away with the Rookie of the Year Award? Can the Mystics, led by two rookies, make the playoffs?

We’ll find out the answers to these questions in the fall.

The Valkyries have set the standard for expansion

Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images

The expansion Valkyries continue to exceed expectations.

The Mystics have been a pleasant surprise, but the Golden State Valkyries are a shock. As an expansion team entering a very competitive WNBA, no one expected them to be as good as they’ve been.

The credit goes to everyone in the Golden State franchise for all the work they’ve done to make the Valkyries a formidable team. After doing well in the expansion draft, they didn’t go big-name hunting in free agency, instead finding players that fit their system, and head coach Natalie Nakase now has them playing with a clear vision and identity.

Proud is an understatement @KBT_5Blessed signs off from Indy. pic.twitter.com/tdvMHXZpYs

— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 20, 2025

Perhaps the upcoming expansion teams in Portland and Toronto will be equally as good as Golden State, or the Valkyries will be viewed as the exception to the rule. Regardless, the Valkyries are now the benchmark by which all other WNBA expansion teams will be compared. Let’s see if they can continue this momentum in the second half of the season and earn a playoff berth in their first year of existence.

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