As this historic WNBA season winds down, with less than 10 games remaining for each team, only three playoff spots remain up for grabs. Five teams have already secured their place, led by the New York Liberty (27-6). From the moment Caitlin Clark was selected as the number one pick by the Indiana Fever (17-16) in the most-watched Draft in history, we knew this season had the potential to be special.
However, it has surpassed all expectations set by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and fans alike. Records have been shattered in TV ratings, merchandise sales, social media interactions, and even in sold-out arenas, with some teams moving to larger venues to accommodate the rapidly growing fanbase.
Rookie of the Year Race: Clark vs. Reese
While Caitlin Clark leads nearly every rookie statistical category this season and is a key reason for the league’s current success,Angel Reese has also made her mark. As a rookie, Reese set a record for the most rebounds in a single season with eight games still left to play for the Chicago Sky (11-21).
They have undoubtedly raised the level of the league and garnered significant attention. Both players have set a high bar for future generations, challenging veteran players and sending a clear message that these rookies are the real deal. The Rookie of the Year award will be intriguing to watch, but if you ask me, Clark is the clear frontrunner.
However, some believe the award should go to Reese or even be shared between the two. Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, a 2x WNBA champion and 3x MVP, expressed on X, formerly Twitter, that “both rookies rose to the top and exceeded all our expectations! Take a bow, ladies.
“ While it’s true they’ve exceeded all expectations, it doesn’t mean a decision can’t be made. In any other year, Reese might have won the award, but she’s up against the toughest competitor imaginable, and that rivalry will likely define her career.
Leslie’s tweet received many comments in favour of Clark over Reese, many shared that both have done a good job but on the court the differences are clear.
Individually, Reese is already the single-season rebound leader with 418 and is on pace to become the first to reach 500. Her average of 13.1 rebounds per game would also be the highest in history. On the other hand, Clark holds the record for most assists in a single game (19) and leads the league in total assists (276) and assists per game (8.4).
She also has the rookie record for most three-pointers and is the first rookie to record a triple-double in WNBA history, among many other accolades. I recently wrote a note about the records both players have achieved in their short WNBA careers, both as rookies and historically-check it out, and you’ll see they’re the real deal and true game-changers for the WNBA.
Final Stretch of the Season
The Indiana Fever has capitalized on the one-month Olympic break, going 6-1 since then, which has propelled them to sixth place, with a record above .500 and a strong chance of making the playoffs-achievements they haven’t seen since 2016. Clark’s on-court and morale-boosting contributions to her teammates have been remarkable.
In contrast, Reese and the Sky have had a much different story, winning just one of their last eight games and only two of their last ten.
They currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot but are tied with the Atlanta Dream (11-21), a team they’ll face in a couple of weeks in what is sure to have significant playoff implications.
Close behind both teams are the Washington Mystics (9-23). The final stretch of this season will be fascinating, as we see how the standings shake out and who claims that last playoff spot, though whoever gets it will likely face a daunting challenge against the Liberty in the playoffs.
