Keypoints Summary

• WNBA season opening weekend 2025 explodes with drama, dominance, and record-breaking plays.
• Caitlin Clark stuns with a triple-double and fiery clash with rival Angel Reese.
• New York Liberty shine after banner ceremony, taking down the Aces.
• Kelsey Plum’s explosive 37-point performance spoils Valkyries’ debut in San Francisco.
• All three marquee franchises – Fever, Liberty, and Sparks – secure opening wins.

The WNBA Blasts Into 2025: Fireworks, Feuds, and Fierce Finishes

The WNBA season opening weekend 2025 was nothing short of cinematic. Big names. Bigger plays. And explosive drama on and off the court. With star-studded rosters, packed arenas, and a national spotlight beaming down, the WNBA proved once again it’s a force to be reckoned with.

Caitlin Clark stole the headlines with a thunderous triple-double performance that sent a message to the league. The Indiana Fever steamrolled the Chicago Sky 93-58 — but the story wasn’t just the score. It was intensity, history, and the fiery reawakening of the Clark-Reese rivalry that turned heads and raised heart rates.

Clark Drops Triple-Double and a Statement

If anyone questioned whether Caitlin Clark would live up to the hype in her sophomore season, they got their answer fast. The Fever star posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists — the third triple-double of her already sensational WNBA career — and even added four blocks for good measure.

Aliyah Boston was equally ferocious with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, while newcomer Natasha Howard chipped in 15 points to help Indiana deliver a brutal 35-point beating, matching the second-largest win in franchise history.

But the real fireworks? Those came mid-game, and not from a three-pointer.

Clark vs. Reese: Rivalry Reignites in Fiery Clash

With just under five minutes left in the third quarter, Chicago’s Angel Reese went up for a rebound — and Clark came down with a hammer. Her swat across Reese’s arm knocked the ball loose and sent Reese tumbling. The Sky forward leapt up and stormed toward Clark, but Aliyah Boston intercepted, pushing the two stars apart before the situation escalated.

Referees upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant 1 and handed technicals to both Reese and Boston. The crowd went wild. Social media exploded. And just like that, the WNBA’s most-watched rivalry added another chapter.

After the scuffle, Clark and the Fever unleashed a 9-0 run to close the third quarter and never looked back.

Clark later addressed the moment: “Let’s not make it something that it’s not. It was just a basketball play,” she said. “I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not who I am.”

But make no mistake — this is personal. It’s history. It’s drama. And it’s box-office gold.

Reese Battles Back, But Sky Crumble

Angel Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds — a strong stat line, but not enough to lift the Sky. Chicago looked flat, overwhelmed, and unable to stop Indiana’s surge, especially after the third-quarter dustup.

The Sky never recovered from the Fever’s run and trailed by double digits the rest of the way. The intensity was there, the passion was there — but the execution was missing.

Chicago’s Ariel Atkins added 11 points in a losing effort.

Liberty Celebrate Championship in Style

Meanwhile, across the country in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty basked in the afterglow of their 2024 WNBA title — and immediately got to work defending it.

In front of 17,344 roaring fans, the Liberty raised their championship banner and received their rings. Then they dismantled the Las Vegas Aces 92-78 behind a pair of power-packed performances from Breanna Stewart (25 points) and offseason addition Natasha Cloud (22 points).

It wasn’t just a celebration — it was a declaration. The Liberty want a repeat.

Stewart, Cloud Lead a Statement Win

Las Vegas made a valiant run in the second half, trimming a 14-point halftime deficit to just two early in the fourth. But Cloud caught fire, rattling off back-to-back three-point plays that reignited the Barclays Center and sparked an 8-0 run.

The Aces never got closer than six points again.

It was a major tone-setter for a team loaded with expectations — and hungry to stay on top. The Liberty’s chemistry, confidence, and closing power are early signs that their 2025 title defense is serious business.

Plum Drops 37 as Sparks Spoil Valkyries’ Debut

Down in Los Angeles, Kelsey Plum wasn’t about to be overshadowed. The Sparks’ superstar dropped a jaw-dropping 37 points, including 26 in the second half, to spoil the much-hyped debut of the Golden State Valkyries.

The 84-67 beatdown silenced a sold-out crowd of over 18,000 in San Francisco’s Chase Center, where Valkyries fans painted the building purple in anticipation of their team’s first-ever game.

Instead, they got a reality check — and a front-row seat to Plum’s explosive scoring arsenal.

Valkyries Debut Derailed, But Hype Remains High

Despite the loss, excitement in the Bay Area was palpable. The crowd brought energy. The merchandise flew off shelves. The court looked electric. But the Valkyries were no match for a Sparks team that’s out to re-establish itself as a title threat.

The Sparks led wire-to-wire, riding Plum’s hot hand and stifling defense to cruise to a dominant win. The Valkyries will have a chance to regroup next week against Washington.

The Rivalries, the Ratings, the Roars

From buzzer to buzzer, the WNBA season opening weekend 2025 delivered everything fans could hope for — and more.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese turned up the heat on a rivalry that now spans college and the pros. The Liberty showed they’re still queens of the court. And Kelsey Plum put on a scoring clinic that left jaws on the hardwood.

Most importantly? The fans showed up. The arenas were packed. Social media trended. And the message was loud and clear: Women’s basketball is booming.

What’s Next in This Electrifying Season?

After a start like this, the bar is sky-high for the weeks to come.

The Fever head back home with momentum, the Liberty continue their title defense, and the Sparks look to keep their flame burning. The Valkyries, Sky, and Aces all have questions to answer and points to prove.

Circle your calendars. Buy your tickets. Because if opening weekend taught us anything, it’s that this season is going to be unforgettable.

This isn’t just basketball. It’s a movement. And the WNBA season opening weekend 2025 just proved it’s not slowing down.

Let the games — and the drama — begin.