Four preseason games on Sunday. Four days until the regular season. The final round of exhibitions told us something real about each team heading into May 8 — some encouraging, some alarming, and one that confirmed what we already suspected about the defending champions.
Washington 83, Atlanta 72 — The Dream's starters need work
Washington handed Atlanta its second straight preseason loss, beating the Dream 83-72 at Gateway Center behind a balanced Mystics attack that shot 49 percent from the field. Lauren Betts led Washington with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting in 26 minutes. Kiki Iriafen added 11 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. The Mystics shot 36 percent from three on 5-of-14 attempts and converted 18-of-26 from the free-throw line.
Atlanta's starting lineup was a problem. Angel Reese played 11 minutes and finished with 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting — her best line of the preseason — but logged a -9. Rhyne Howard went 0-of-5 for 2 points at -6. Allisha Gray shot 1-of-3 for 3 points at +3. Naz Hillmon played just 10 minutes and went 0-of-1 scoreless at -5. The Dream's starters were outscored and outworked by a Mystics team that finished 14-30 last season.
The bench provided life — Holly Winterburn came off the bench for 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, and Madina Okot posted 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 21 minutes. But Atlanta's starting five going into the regular season has questions it hasn't answered yet. The Dream open May 9 at home against Minnesota. That's a hard first game to be underprepared for.
New York 79, Connecticut 67 — Liberty win without their stars
The defending champions won at Mohegan Sun Arena on national television without Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Satou Sabally, Leonie Fiebich, Ugonne Onyiah, Raquel Carrera, Rebecca Allen, and Marine Fauthoux — all DNPs. They won anyway. That's the Liberty.
Jonquel Jones was the standout with 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting including 3-of-6 from three, adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists at +10 in 21 minutes. Marine Johannes led the team with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting in 29 minutes. Anneli Maley came off the bench for 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting with 6 rebounds and a +9. Pauline Astier added 12 points and 4 assists at +16 in 22 minutes. New York shot 37 percent from the field and 35 percent from three — not efficient — but the depth proved the point.
Connecticut shot 41 percent overall and 29 percent from three. Brittney Griner led the Sun with 16 points on 2-of-2 shooting and 4-of-4 from the line in 21 minutes. Aneesah Morrow added 8 points and 8 rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens — the rookie to watch — played 17 minutes and finished with 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals at -13. The Sun finish the preseason 1-2 and open May 8 at New York on Opening Night.
Dallas 101, Las Vegas 84 — Wings serve notice
The most significant result of the night. Dallas went into Austin and beat the defending WNBA champions 101-84, finishing the preseason 3-0 and sending a clear message four days before the regular season begins. The Wings shot 49 percent from the field, 45 percent from three, and 76 percent from the line. They outrebounded Las Vegas 35-25 and held A'ja Wilson to 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 23 minutes.
Aziaha James was the story again — 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting with 4 rebounds and 2 assists at +15 in 17 minutes. She has been Dallas's most consistent performer across the entire preseason and has made a compelling case to be in the rotation from day one. Azzi Fudd had her best showing yet — 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting including 1-of-5 from three, adding 3 rebounds and a +15 in 21 minutes. Still finding her range but the comfort level is clearly growing. Paige Bueckers played 22 minutes for 11 points, 9 assists, 0 turnovers, and a +15.
Las Vegas struggled across the board. Wilson's 18 points led the team but came on just 5-of-9 shooting. Chelsea Gray added 10 points and 5 assists in 22 minutes. Jackie Young led the bench with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting. The Aces shot 47 percent overall but went just 26 percent from three — 5-of-19 — and turned it over 16 times. Las Vegas opens May 9 at Phoenix in a Finals rematch. A concerning final preseason showing before that one.
Los Angeles 85, Portland 75 — Fire's first game comes with growing pains
Portland played their first preseason game ever Saturday night at Moda Center and lost 85-75 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Fire shot 44 percent from the field and 22 percent from three — 4-of-18 — and gave up 10 offensive rebounds. Several key players were out with injuries including Kamiah Smalls, Emily Engster, Megan Gustafson, Karlie Samuelson, Sug Sutton, and Sarah Ashlee Barker.
Nyadiew Puoch led Portland with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 23 minutes. Carla Leite added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Serah Williams came off the bench for 12 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes — the most complete performance of the night for the Fire. Bridget Carleton, Portland's veteran anchor, managed 9 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 25 minutes.
Los Angeles got contributions across the board. Nneka Ogwumike led with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting at +21. Dearica Hamby added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists at +16. Kelsey Plum posted 13 points and 4 rebounds at +21. Ariel Atkins chipped in 4 points and 3 rebounds at +16. The Sparks shot 41 percent overall and 29 percent from three but controlled the game from the second quarter on.
Portland opens their first ever regular season game May 9 at home against Chicago. The injury list is long and the margin for error is thin — but the Fire showed enough fight in a short-handed loss to suggest they won't be pushovers when healthy.
Four things that carry into May 8
Dallas is the most in-form team in the league. Three-and-zero in the preseason, beating Las Vegas by 17 in the final tune-up. The Wings are playing with confidence and depth that nobody predicted heading into the year.
Atlanta's starting lineup is a concern. The Dream's starters have been outplayed in two straight games. Howard, Hillmon, and Gray all looked off. With Reese still ramping up, Atlanta needs to find its rhythm fast — they open against Minnesota, the best team in the Eastern Conference not named New York.
New York is going to be fine. Eight rotation players didn't dress and they still won. The Liberty are deeper than every other team in the league and it isn't particularly close.
Portland needs its injured players back. Six DNPs in their first ever game is not how you want to start franchise history. The talent is there. The health needs to follow.
That's the preseason. Four days until it counts.