2025 WNBA Thread

[JWags85]

Bueckers is the front runner for ROY, make it back to back #1 picks to win it.  She's so much fun to watch.  But it's also interesting how different of a player she is to Clark.  Clark gets a lot of Curry comps, but other than the excessive foul baiting, Bueckers reminds me a lot of Jalen Brunson's game with her turn arounds, short angled jumpers, and propensity to get to her spots on the floor to score it.

[MU82]

Two outstanding players, for very different reasons.

To me, Clark's best skill is her passing. She is gifted - sees plays develop better than any other player in the league.

Bueckers is just solid at everything. A willing defender, too.

[Billy Hoyle]

injured on a non-contact play? Blame the refs:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/caitlin-clarks-brother-blames-refs-latest-injury-fever-star

[JWags85]

injured on a non-contact play? Blame the refs:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/caitlin-clarks-brother-blames-refs-latest-injury-fever-star

To be fair, it was her brother in a silly heat of the moment tweet upset about his sister, that he then deleted.

And while its silly on the face, its probably not totally without merit.  If you think the refs have allowed opposing teams to overly physical and rough with Clark, which is debatable but not unreasonable depending on perspective, it can add up to a bunch of wear and tear and little injuries that can all of a sudden manifest into a bigger injury, even in a non-contact scenario.

[MU82]

I watch lots of WNBA games. Point guards in general are roughed up - lots of crowding, hand-checking, etc. And if the PG takes it to the hoop often, she is routinely crushed.

Clark is mauled on several plays every game. She also complains a lot, so that also might influence the refs. I see similar with Seattle PG Skylar Diggins - she takes a lot of hits, and feels she has to constantly let the refs know it. (In general, WNBA officiating is quite poor - but that's a whole nother issue, as it's not just poor for Clark.)

Now, whether such physical play has anything to do with Clark's non-contact injuries, who knows? Wags' theory is as good as any.

[JWags85]

(In general, WNBA officiating is quite poor - but that's a whole nother issue, as it's not just poor for Clark.)

This is a good point.  I'm also not totally in favor of the kiddie gloves that some NBA stars get with officiating, but the WNBA is completely the other way in that they do NOTHING to protect their stars.  If you're an opposing coach and your strategy to limit the other team's star is to beat the hell out of them, the refs will usually let you.  I saw someone from the Wings try to take off Aja Wilson's head last night and I'm pretty sure they delayed even calling a common foul, much less a flagrant.

[MU82]

I'm not a doctor, and don't even play one on TV, but ...

Clark played a TON of basketball in 2024. She went right from a long and grueling college season that went all the way to the final game, to a full WNBA season in which she played in every game.

Then, her off-season was filled with travel, endorsements, photo shoots, etc.

Then she starts the 2025 season and is defended HARD on just about every possession.

Could a wear-and-tear factor have had anything to do with these injuries?