WNBA Title Odds
My, how the mighty have fallen. Coming into the WNBA season the Las Vegas Aces were heavy favorites to make their third finals appearance in as many years and were even favorites to get their third title in a row after winning it all in 2022 & 2023. But through thirteen games, and a 7-6 start, the sentiment around the Aces has begun to shift (a little.) The Aces have already lost as many games this year as they did in the entirety of last season. They are still considered the team to beat with their championship odds sitting at +160, but that has moved from +100, and with the upward momentum of the Liberty (+175), the Aces are no longer the consensus favorite.
For a team that is very deep and talented at all levels, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason for the slow start. One major reason might be the fact that they’ve been missing star point guard Chelsea Gray who hasn’t played since injuring herself in last year’s finals. Gray, when healthy, is arguably the best pure point guard in the league. While Jackie Young has played very well in her absence, losing a player of Gray’s caliber would be hard for any team to overcome. Gray did make her debut in last night’s 94-83 win against the Seattle Storm, but she saw limited action and only scored one point so there’s not much you can take away from the game where Gray is concerned. Another major reason for the Aces’ struggles is their defense. Before last night’s win the Aces had a defense rating of 104.2 per 100 possessions which ranks 10th in the 12-team league. This is an aspect that will have to improve if they hope to get back to their title-winning ways.
Still, with over half of the season left to play, there is plenty of time for the Aces to right the ship. A lot of it will hinge on Gray’s health. If she continues to improve and get back to her elite-level ability then the Aces should reap the rewards. But if she struggles or can’t get back to her old self the season could continue to be a bit up and down for the defending champions. The Aces have a lot of talent and a deep roster, not to mention one of the best coaches in the league in Becky Hammon so if any team can turn things around it’s them. Winning three championships back-to-back is not an easy task, though, and they’ll have to be at their best both offensively and defensively to do it. Coming into 2024 the WNBA was considered to be a tale of two leagues. At the top you have the Aces, New York Liberty, and Connecticut Sun, and at the bottom is everyone else. But through the first two months, things have not exactly played out that way. As it stands now, the Suns sit atop the league with a record of 13-1, while the Liberty and Minnesota Lynx each have 12 wins. No other team has more than nine, and half the league has a losing record. But like I said, there is a lot of basketball left to play, and in a 40-game season in a 12-team league, anything can happen.
2024 WNBA Championship Odds
- Las Vegas Aces: +160
- New York Liberty: +175
- Connecticut Sun: +650
- Minnesota Lynx: +750
- Seattle Storm: +1200
- Phoenix Mercury: +2800
- Dallas Wings: +6000
- Indiana Fever: +10000
- Atlanta Dream: +10000
- Chicago Sky: +10000
- Los Angeles Sparks: +15000
- Washington Mystics: +25000
A die hard Bears fan and fantasy sports fantastic, T.J. Besler earned his journalism (and theatre) degree from The University of Iowa. When he isn’t busy writing parodies for his YouTube channel Parodies for Charities he can be found either on stage performing or doing all things fantasy football related. Besler has traveled to nearly all 50 states either for work or leisure, and is grateful to everyone who has helped him along the way, especially his lovely wife Elsa, without whom much of this would not be possible. BEAR DOWN!
