WNBA Notebook: Aces off to wild start, don't sleep on the Sky, Sparks are flying

The WNBA season is well on its way, enough for the frontrunners to show off their skills while the underdogs show glimpses of what still makes them contenders.

From the Las Vegas Aces looking like they could go 36-0 to championship teams that had down years back on the rise, here is what is going on in the WNBA.

Las Vegas undefeated no more

Although the idea of an undefeated season in a league with close to 40 games is a wild one, if anyone could have done it, it's the defending-champion Aces. They started off the season 7-0 and looked as strong as ever, with the addition of Candace Parker to their already championship-caliber roster.

They had even defeated the Connecticut Sun, the first-place team in the Eastern Conference, 90-84, in their first meeting of the season despite a fourth-quarter dominant performance from the Sun, as A’ja Wilson went off for 23 points and 10 rebounds.

But their second meeting was the DeWanna Bonner show instead, as the 35-year-old had a career-high 41 points – a franchise record – and shot 70 per cent as the Sun dominated the Aces, Bonner making up for having just five points against the Aces in their previous meeting.

The Sun have always been playoff contenders but have fallen short of their goals of winning a title, but the post-Curt Miller era is looking strong as they sit at 7-2 as Brionna Jones, Tiffany Hayes and Alyssa Thomas are just a small percentage of a talented roster.

Keep your eyes on Chi-Kah-go

The Eastern Conference won’t be easy this season, with the Sun and the New York Liberty in the early going looking like the conference favourites.

Kahleah Copper knew she would be leading this Chicago team after the departure of many players who were part of the 2021 championship roster, and the Sky guard is averaging 17.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game playing 31 minutes a night.

She had a dominant 24 points in the Sky's win over the Indiana Fever, her third 20-plus point performance in a row, though new addition Marina Mabrey went off for 28 herself.

The Sky may be 5-4 but have a slew of talent, including Alanna Smith, Dana Evans and Elizabeth Williams who will look to keep the Sky in a playoff clinching spot throughout the season.

Sparks back in the groove

In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Sparks have had a pleasant start, sitting at 4-3, good for third in the conference.

Taking down the Mercury, Sky and at least one game from the Storm while losing twice to the dominant Aces, Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 20.3 points per game and a double-double in her last four games.

Lexie Brown has blossomed in Los Angeles, averaging 13.4 points per game, including a lights-out game of 26 points against Phoenix as well as facilitating on the playmaking side.

Even Jasmine Thomas had an impact in her first game for the Sparks after coming off an ACL injury, contributing five points and a rebound in 11 minutes. Chiney Ogwumike and Jordin Canada have also been sharpshooters for the Sparks, who beat the Sky by 15 in their last match.

Shakira Austin continues her tear

Also 4-3 in the Western Conference, the Mystics have wins over the Sky, Wings, Storm and Liberty on their resume this season as they look to a new era under Eric Thibault.

Sophomore Shakira Austin, who had a stellar rookie season, has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in five of her last six games and scored 12 points or more in that same window.

Austin has had only one game shooting less than 50 per cent and, on top of that, has been a defensive presence, grabbing steals and blocks pressuring whatever player she's guarding, averaging 1.1 steals and one block per game.

Trailing only Elena Delle Donne in the team's scoring, Austin is averaging 13.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season and has quickly become one of the Mystics' most reliable talents.