For the second time this season, Caitlin Clark has missed a number of video games because of harm.
That is by no means an excellent 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 harm 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 total 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 harm, she was within the midst of the worst shooting slump of her career.
With the Commissioner’s Cup Ultimate set for Tuesday between the Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, that includes MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier, it will be an enormous bummer if Clark cannot play.
Not solely will that be the famous person’s first probability at a group trophy within the W, nevertheless it also needs to be a showcase of the league’s finest gamers, who have been every chosen as group captains for the WNBA All-Star Sport.
Just like the WNBA and the Fever, all we are able to 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 totally different when Clark is taking part in.
Valkyries maintain shocking
No one may have predicted that Golden State would make the WNBA playoffs earlier than the season, but at 9-7, the Valkyries are sixth within the total league standings after notching a second win over Seattle on Sunday, a group 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 in opposition to playoff contenders. The Valkyries are additionally considered one of seven groups to have a constructive level differential, so this is not smoke and mirrors.
How have they completed it?
For starters, they lead the league in two-point protection. Groups are taking pictures simply 43.8 %. Additionally they have a defensive ranking of 98.7, which is second-best in the WNBA.
That is how they’ve completed 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 recreation, together with profession highs in rebounds (6.9) and steals (1.6).
Veronica Burton can be thriving in her first actual probability to begin, averaging 10.5 factors, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals per recreation. 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 group is harmful, particularly at residence, 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 like the category of the league; after that, it is broad open. The Las Vegas Aces beat the Mercury on Sunday, due to A’ja Wilson’s epic efficiency.
Groups two by way of 9 are separated by simply 4 video games. With groups six by way of 9, the distinction is 1.5, so prepare for an thrilling playoff chase.
