Top 10 Plays of the WNBA Season So Far

It’s been over a month since WNBA action has started. We’ve gotten a good look at the rookies, the vets, and how this season’s teams are coming together. More than 50% of active players are with new teams this season, per Sportico. 

It doesn’t appear that players have had much trouble adjusting to their new teammates, though—the play on the court is looking stronger, smarter, faster, and more athletic than ever. And just as competitive. ESPN announced the Atlanta Dream at the top of their power ranking, but here at Pop Base we still think it’s anyone’s season. 

We’ve had a blast watching the games, so we’re running down our favorite plays of the season so far. Crafty, shifty, or straight-up dominant. Here they are: 

1. Marine Johannes all the way from France 

I mean, enough said.

On a team full of superstars, Johannes has been a super-superstar. She’s been having an incredible season with the Liberty, averaging over 11 points and almost 5 assists per game. But the statline isn’t the whole story—Johannes is just fun to watch. She puts up buckets from long and throws insane passes. Here’s one, a no-look over-the-head assist to Jonquel Jones: 

2. Gabby Williams scoop

Gabby Williams scored 15 points in just 18 minutes the other night to put a dominant win against the Sun in the books for the Valkyries. She showed out with amazing drives and smart, well-timed layups like this one: 

3. New kid on the block Portland beats Liberty at the buzzer

Tied up with 5 seconds to go, Bridget Carleton tries for the 3 and misses, but Sarah Ashlee Barker gets the board. The Portland Fire fell the 2024 champions in the last second. 

4. Sarah Ashlee Barker grabs it from BG

Speaking of Sarah Ashlee Barker, she has been electric this season for the Fire. Watch her make the steal off of WNBA legend Brittney Griner and sink the layup. 

She’s a walking highlight reel these past few weeks: check out this sideways stepback middy over Myisha Hines-Allen. 

5. A moment for the #1 draft pick

After a shaky start—only scoring 3 points in her WNBA regular season debut—Azzi Fudd has found her rhythm. Check this out: she pulls up from 3 with a wide open lane but stays deep and drains a 3. 

She achieved a career high of 24 points against the Liberty in this game. She tied the 2nd most points by a rookie in a quarter and broke the record for most threes made by a rookie in a single quarter. 

Hats off, Azzi. But shooting’s not all she can do: here’s a clean grab from Pauline Astier, and here’s a block on Stewie in the same game. Gotta feel good to get a hand up against the player you named your dog after… we would think. 

6. Awa Fam’s first bucket in the W

Awa Fam debuted a few nights ago, after missing the opening few weeks of the season to compete in the Spanish League championship (which she won, of course). 

Her first bucket was a pretty one, with fellow Storm rookie Flau’jae Johnson making a near-invisible bounce pass for the assist. 

7. Flau’jae spinning out

Speaking of Flau’jae, she makes our list by showing off her ball-handling skills before making an over-the-shoulder spinning layup over Shakira Austin. Just look at that. 

8. Olivia Miles assists in enemy territory

While we’re talking rookies, we’d be remiss not to mention Olivia Miles. She was drafted second overall, landing with the Minnesota Lynx, who’ve been sorely in need of a true point guard. And point guard she is. She’s just the 3rd player in WNBA history to average over 10 points and 5 assists per game in her first three games, joining Candice Parker and Sue Bird. That’s good company. She can shoot from anywhere, and she can pass. And pass. And pass: here’s our favorite, right between two Chicago defenders, to Kayla McBride for the layup. 

9. Paige is pump-faking and ankle-breaking

Paige Bueckers has been having another great season. She’s pictured here breaking ankles. This time, Jordin Canada’s. Next time it could be you, if you’re not careful. 

She can drive to the paint, too: here she is avoiding a double team twice in one play. 

10. Kelsey plum lays it up against a triple team

KP’s looks sharp on the court—putting up 27 points per game this season so far. Yeesh. Other teams know it, because they are defending her hard. Watch her lay it up against an Aces triple-team. 

She put up 38 points in that game—her most with the Sparks—and 9 assists to lead LA to a win over the reigning champion Aces. Here she is draining a stepback three in the same game. 

The start of this season has proven that fans are tuned in to the W. Are you watching? We are. 

— Jules Yaeger

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