Who might bust the Las Vegas Aces? The early levels of this WNBA season have revealed some early contenders.
Current WNBA endeavors recommend that the home at all times wins.
Winners of three of the final 4 WNBA titles, the Las Vegas Aces are inching nearer towards a royal flush on the hardwood: regardless of a shaky begin in a WNBA Finals rematch with the Phoenix Mercury, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces (4-2) have recovered properly sufficient to take up their regular residence within the higher ranges of the leaderboard heading into an anticipated Thursday evening duel with the Dallas Wings (5 p.m. PT, Prime Video).
However even with Las Vegas flexing its early muscle, a number of groups have made their case to bust the Aces because the Affiliation’s thirtieth season reaches its third week landmark.
Golden State Valkyries
There have been few, if any, indicators of a sophomore droop for the Valkyries, who’ve ridden again into Ballhalla on a mission of vengeance.
Already identified for his or her tenacious protection, the Valkyries received even peskier by signing Gabby Williams, who has balanced hounding efforts with a scorching 44.1 p.c success price from three-point vary. Williams provides the Valkyries a capability to win ugly, a vital ingredient in any upset bid.
Golden State (4-2) raised just a few eyebrows when it eschewed an opportunity to welcome Flau’jae Johnson on draft evening, however their religion within the present troop has been well-rewarded within the type of Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaün constructing upon their respective Most Improved Participant and All-Rookie Crew marketing campaign. Familiarity might additionally breed Sin Metropolis contempt: the Valkyries are led by former Becky Hammon disciple Natalie Nakase, and so they’ve carried out recurring postseason battles with seasoned x-factor Kayla Thornton.
Golden State put up a formidable problem to top-ranked Minnesota in its maiden postseason voyage final fall earlier than bowing out. The primary act of the sequel suggests they is perhaps well-armed to cope with new playoff exploits like a Sin Metropolis incursion.
Subsequent Vegas Assembly: Might 31
Veronica Burton tonight 🔥
• 16 factors • 6 assists • 2 steals pic.twitter.com/3XKMLu5FNS
— Ladies’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) Might 9, 2026
Indiana Fever
If these on the helm of the W have been polled on their most desired Finals assembly, there isn’t any doubt {that a} championship get-together between its most adorned (Wilson) and its most talked-about lively athletes (Caitlin Clark) could be at, or a minimum of close to, the highest of the returns.
Indiana’s exhibiting that it is able to forging such a matchup early on: the Fever’s taking pictures has proved contagious, as Kelsey Mitchell in some way continues to take steps ahead on offense, which has additionally loved near-double-doubles from Clark and Aliyah Boston.
The latter, Wilson’s fellow former Gamecock, has made an early Defensive Participant of the Yr case, and that aspect of the ball has additionally been boosted by the arrivals of Monique Billings and Sophie Cunningham from the free company and injured lists, respectively.
Even with a number of headliners lacking, the Fever (4-2) took the eventual champion Aces to the last word brink in final yr’s semifinal set (Las Vegas required extra time to clinch towards the Clark-less membership in a winner-take-all Recreation 5). Indiana’s early outings recommend they’d current a heftier problem in a possible rematch.
KELSEY MITCHELL TODAY 🔥
• 30 POINTS • 4 ASSISTS• 3 REBOUNDS • 11/22 FG pic.twitter.com/buExpgyRWl
— Ladies’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) Might 9, 2026
Subsequent Vegas Assembly: July 5
Minnesota Lynx
Even when the victims have left somewhat one thing to be desired (one win over a 2025 playoff participant to this point), the Lynx are sure so as to add a brand new which means to the „simply wait till Napheesa Collier returns“ trope.
Sitting at a league-best 5-2 getting into Thursday play, Minnesota has the potential to present Las Vegas suits with or with out Collier: a part of that’s due to the efforts of acquainted faces like Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, as their efforts have positioned the membership simply forward of Vegas in success price from the sector.
However the Lynx’s offseason work, seen by some as harmful after Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith departed with out restitution, deserves some credit score as properly. Veteran newcomers Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard have been two-way revelations, whereas little extra must be mentioned about how Olivia Miles has seamlessly dealt with a large early workload as a rookie, granted massive obligations within the thick of a staff’s title window.
Followers have been denied a hardwood conflict of the titans due to Collier’s late medical departure final season. Persistence, nevertheless, is a advantage, and it is one which might be well-rewarded if the Lynx’s early returns sans Collier are any indication.
Natasha Howard tonight 🔥
• 22 factors • 8 rebounds • 5 assists • 2 blocks• 11/16 FG pic.twitter.com/DCbuFtC76W
— Ladies’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) Might 28, 2026
Subsequent Vegas Assembly: June 13
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
