5 Stories To Watch Heading Into The WNBA Season

The 2025 WNBA season is right around the corner, with preseason tipping off on Friday, May 2, and the regular season starting May 16. With fresh talent joining the league and top teams ready to compete, this year promises to be full of action and excitement. Here are five key stories to watch:

1. Chicago Sky, Hailey Van Lith Joins Angel Reese – Hailey Van Lith enters her rookie season with the Chicago Sky ready to prove herself as both a playmaker and leader.
2. Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Teams Up With Arike Ogunbowale – The arrival of Paige Bueckers brings balance and playmaking to the Wings, pairing with Arike Ogunbowale’s scoring to create a dynamic backcourt ready to take on the league.
3. LA Sparks Rebuild With Kelsey Plum – With Kelsey Plum leading the way, bringing a competitive edge and championship experience to a roster full of potential.
4. Indiana Fever – Revamped roster, including DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham. Caitlin Clark and the Fever aim for a deep playoff run.
5. New York Liberty – Natasha Cloud strengthens the Liberty’s defense, adding to a dominant roster led by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, making New York the team to beat.

WNBA: Chicago Sky, Hailey Van Lith Joins Angel Reese

Known for her shot-making prowess and ability to play both point and shooting guard positions, Van Lith has expressed a desire to showcase her playmaking abilities and leadership on the court at Chicago.

Reuniting with former LSU teammate Angel Reese, Van Lith benefits from an established rapport that can translate into on-court synergy. Reese’s guidance, emphasizing composure and poise, supports Van Lith’s transition into the professional league. Their complementary styles—Reese’s dominance in the paint and Van Lith’s perimeter skills—offer the Sky a multifaceted offensive approach.

During a recent interview with WGN News, Van Lith opened up about her reunion with Reese and highlighted a side of her teammate that often gets overlooked.
“Me and Angel picked up right where we left off,” Van Lith said. “We had, like, a team dinner last night and we were cracking jokes all dinner. She’s great energy. I think one thing about Angel that a lot of people don’t give her credit for is… she does have, like, a selfless leader mindset. Like, she has went out of her way to make sure that my mindset is right, that my energy is right. That I’m feeling comfortable.”

That support matters—especially as Van Lith enters a league known for its speed, physicality, and steep learning curve. “So yeah, it was great to get out there with Angel again,” she added. “All the vets have been, like, super encouraging to me.”

Van Lith with an invaluable opportunity to learn from a seasoned veteran, Ariel Atkins. Atkins, a WNBA Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time All-Star, is renowned for her defensive tenacity, having been named to the All-Defensive Team in each of her first five seasons—a league record. Her experience and leadership can serve as a model for Van Lith, particularly in developing defensive skills and understanding the nuances of professional play.

With the Sky’s strategic acquisitions, including Atkins and other key players, the team is poised for a competitive season. Van Lith’s integration into this veteran-laden roster, alongside her chemistry with Reese, positions her to make significant contributions. Observing how Van Lith adapts to the WNBA’s demands and leverages mentorship from players like Reese and Atkins will be crucial in assessing her impact on the team’s success.

WNBA: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Teams Up With Arike Ogunbowale

Bueckers is exactly what Dallas needs right now: a steady, high-IQ playmaker who can control the tempo, elevate those around her, and take pressure off Arike Ogunbowale—especially in tight, late-game situations. For too long, Ogunbowale has shouldered the scoring load and often been forced into tough, high-volume shots when the offense stalled. With Bueckers on the floor, that changes.

Her court vision, timing, and ability to make quick decisions bring a much-needed sense of order to the Wings’ offense. Bueckers thrives in reading defenses, creating space, and making the extra pass—something that allows Ogunbowale to play freer, spot up more, and attack without always initiating.

Their contrasting styles could be the perfect blend: Bueckers brings balance and poise, while Arike brings flair and fearlessness. Together, they give Dallas a versatile backcourt capable of adapting to any matchup—slowing things down when needed or turning up the heat in transition.

And while Bueckers is often praised for her offense, her defense is quietly solid. She plays with anticipation, communicates well, and is willing to battle—traits that will only improve as she adjusts to the physicality of the league. Add in her leadership, composure, and winning mentality, and you have a rookie who’s ready to contribute immediately.

For a Wings team looking to make a playoff run this season, this backcourt might finally be the missing piece.

WNBA: LA Sparks Rebuild With Kelsey Plum

The LA Sparks are turning a corner, and Kelsey Plum might just be the spark they need to lead that charge from the top.

After finishing dead last in the standings last season, going 2–8 down the stretch, the Sparks are in full reset mode—but not without talent. Rickea Jackson brings length, athleticism, and shot creation. Dearica Hamby is a relentless competitor with championship experience. Rae Burrell offers shooting and versatility, and Azurá Stevens will be a major force in the paint. On paper, this team has the raw ingredients. What they’ve been missing is a proven floor leader to tie it all together.

That’s where Plum comes in.

Plum brings championship pedigree, Olympic gold, and one of the most competitive mindsets in the league. She plays with pace and edge, and when she’s locked in, she can score in bunches or get teammates involved without missing a beat. More importantly, she brings urgency—something a young team like LA desperately needs if they want to dig out of the bottom.

With Plum leading the point, this offense finally has structure. Her ability to push tempo, make plays off the bounce, and keep defenses honest from three-point range will open things up for everyone else. While it might take time for this group to find its rhythm, there’s already more cohesion and purpose.

Don’t be surprised if LA shocks a few teams this season. With Plum setting the tone and a young core eager to prove itself, the Sparks may not be at the bottom for long.

WNBA: Indiana Fever, Revamped Roster

Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever aren’t just hoping to improve—they’re aiming for a deep playoff run, and they’re building like a team that means business.

After years of rebuilding, the Fever made one of the biggest offseason statements by hiring 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year Stephanie White. Her arrival signals a serious shift in culture—someone who knows how to win and how to bring the best out of a talented roster. And the Fever didn’t stop there. They added a veteran core with championship experience, grit and power, signing forward Dewanna Bonner, guard Sophie Cunningham, and forward Natasha Howard. That’s leadership, toughness, and versatility across the board.

Bonner, Cunningham, and Howard give Caitlin Clark plenty of options, making her job as a playmaker easier with their scoring and experience. Bonner’s leadership and versatility, Cunningham’s shooting and movement off the ball, and Howard’s inside presence all allow Clark to have more freedom and space to create.

And critically, they kept two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell, one of the most consistent scorers in the league. With Mitchell’s offensive firepower, White’s structure, and a now-veteran Aaliyah Boston anchoring the paint, Indiana looks more complete than ever.

For the first time in years, the Fever have both experience and elite young talent. They’ve got a coach who knows how to win, vets who’ve been to the Finals, and a roster that finally has balance.

This team isn’t rebuilding anymore—they’re ready to contend.

WNBA: New York Liberty, The Team To Beat

The New York Liberty, the reigning WNBA champions, are poised to defend their title in 2025 with the same core group that led them to success in 2024, while adding a key new piece to strengthen their championship bid.

Natasha Cloud, one of the league’s top defenders, joins the Liberty after coming over from the Phoenix Mercury. Known for her defensive tenacity and ability to guard multiple positions, Cloud brings a level of intensity that will complement New York’s already formidable lineup. Her defensive skills, combined with her ability to excel in transition and create opportunities for teammates, will be invaluable for the Liberty as they continue their pursuit of a second consecutive championship. With her leadership and basketball IQ, Cloud adds a strategic dimension that will only enhance New York’s competitiveness.

While the departure of Courtney Vandersloot is a notable change, the Liberty still retain their big three: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. Stewart’s all-around game remains one of the most versatile and impactful in the league, and Ionescu’s scoring and playmaking abilities continue to drive the team’s offense. Jones’ dominant presence in the paint and on the boards ensures that New York maintains a strong inside game, making them a tough matchup for any opponent.

Although the Liberty have made adjustments, their core remains intact, with the addition of Cloud further strengthening their defense and providing the team with an added layer of depth. With an elite roster led by Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones, New York is well-positioned to continue their championship pursuit and remain one of the most formidable teams in the league.

The Liberty’s combination of returning stars and the addition of Natasha Cloud from Phoenix strengthens their standing as the team to beat in the 2025 WNBA season.