3 hot takes from the first 3 days of the 2025 WNBA season

The WNBA's 29th season began with a packed slate of games, sparking early discussions about standout rookies, MVP contenders, and team performances. Here are key takeaways from the opening weekend:

Rookie of the Year Race Heats Up: Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 draft pick and NCAA champion, made her debut with the Dallas Wings, scoring 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists against Minnesota. While her shooting efficiency (3-10) was uneven, her potential remains high. However, Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron (No. 3 pick) and Kiki Iriafen (No. 4 pick) emerged as strong competitors. Citron scored 19 points (85.7% FG) against Atlanta and 15 points against Connecticut, while Iriafen posted 17 points and 14 rebounds versus the Sun. Both could challenge Bueckers for ROTY honors.

MVP Contenders Collide: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) showcased MVP-caliber performances. Wilson opened with 31 points and 16 rebounds in a loss to New York, while Collier dominated with 34 points against Dallas and 23 points against Los Angeles. Team success may tip the scales in voting, with Collier’s Lynx starting 2-0 compared to Wilson’s 0-1 Aces.

New York Liberty’s Title Defense: The Liberty impressed in their opener, defeating the Aces 92-78. Newcomer Natasha Cloud shined with 22 points, 9 assists, and relentless energy, while Breanna Stewart (25 points, 8 rebounds) showed no signs of offseason knee issues. Despite Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s injury absence, New York’s roster depth and chemistry position them as strong contenders for back-to-back championships.

Unexpected Surprises: The Washington Mystics, projected as a lottery team, opened 2-0 with wins over Atlanta and Connecticut. Their rookies’ immediate impact and frontcourt adjustments (notably Iriafen’s foul trouble adaptation) suggest potential for exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, the Lynx’s dominant 2-0 start signals a potential "revenge season" under Collier’s leadership.