The WNBA has gotten off to a great start. The New York Liberty is 7-0 in their first games of the season. Similarly, the Minnesota Lynx started the season 8-0. This is not a coincidence, as both teams squared off in the final of the Commissioner’s Cup and the WNBA playoffs. We have also seen the competitive nature of the league, as Angel Reese reacted to a foul from Caitlin Clark. In another instance, Sabrina Ionescu over-celebrated a blowout win versus the Connecticut Sun. However, the one negative thus far in the campaign is the injuries to the star players. The likes of Caitlin Clark, Rickea Jackson, and Paige Bueckers have already picked up different injuries. Let’s dive into some of the unfortunate injuries this season.
Why Injuries Could Ruin The WNBA Season
The Time They Spend Out Could Be Detrimental
The time that a player spends out will determine how well their team does this season. For instance, Clark, getting more injuries, could hinder the Indiana Fever’s chances of success in the playoffs, as they will be more likely to face a top seed in the first round. Further injuries to Clark will also put more pressure on her teammates as they know they will have to perform to an even higher level than they did with her. This could make or break some players, as if they don’t make the step up when there are injuries, they won’t be a crucial part of the starting five when everyone is healthy.
Some Teams Can’t Afford Injuries As They Don’t Have The Depth
Paige Bueckers has been put in concussion protocols after suffering a head injury against the Chicago Sky last week. This is not ideal for a team that has started the regular season 1-7. They need their generational No. 1 pick more than ever as they need to win more games, and she can win games on her own. Getting the number one pick in the draft gave them hope they could fight for a playoff position to begin with. This is because, unlike the likes of the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, the Dallas Wings don’t have the depth to cope with injuries. They don’t have someone who can replace her in the point guard position. In fact, before the start of the season, nobody would have tipped the Dallas Wings to win the WNBA championship. These injuries hurt teams, and seeing fans sidelined is disappointing for fans.
There Aren’t Much Roster Spots In The WNBA
There are limited roster spots in the WNBA. Some players, such as Deja Kelly and Celeste Taylor, were waived before the start of the season. Limited roster spots are detrimental, as if a team picks up several injuries, their squad could be extremely thin. This could be devastating for a team like the Minnesota Lynx or New York Liberty, which have championship aspirations. It could also make a franchise like the Connecticut Sun or Golden State Valkyries go into tank mode for a higher draft pick.
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