The Next Level Podcast

As the 2024 WNBA draft class continues to impact this season, we're tracking the performances from top rookies every game day. 

Players will be added or subtracted based on performance and injury. 

Some rookies, such as Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, have started every game for their teams.

One lottery pick, Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in mid-June.

Last updated: June 28

Last time out: Jackson had her ninth double-digit scoring game of the season with 14 points on 6 of 10 shooting Friday. She added 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in the Sparks' 92-78 loss at Phoenix. The Sparks led 45-44 at halftime, but couldn't keep up with the Mercury in the second half.

It was Jackson's 10th game this season in which she has shot 50% or better from the field; she has shot 47.2% overall in her 18 games this season. She was the Sparks' second-leading scorer behind Dearica Hamby, who had a career-high 29 points.

What we learned: On June 7-9, the Sparks got victories over Dallas and two-time defending champion Las Vegas in Los Angeles. And that was the last time things really went well for the Sparks.

They have played seven road games since, losing all of them. They also lost No. 2 draft pick Cameron Brink for the season to a knee injury. Guard Lexie Brown (Crohn's disease) is now out at least until after the Olympic break. Guard Layshia Clarendon also missed Friday's game with illness.

Los Angeles plays its first home game in three weeks on Tuesday. Compared to their last game in Los Angeles, the Sparks realistically now have a much less optimistic outlook for their playoff chances. -- Voepel

Up next: vs. Washington Mystics on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Last time out: With her ninth consecutive double-double, Reese tied retired star Candace Parker (2015 with Los Angeles Sparks) for the longest single-season streak in WNBA history. Reese had 18 points on 7 of 16 shooting and 11 rebounds as the Sky lost 95-83 to the Las Vegas Aces.

Reese also set the WNBA single-season record for most consecutive games with double figures rebounding, getting her 10th in a row. She was previously tied with Tina Charles, who had nine in a row in 2013.

What we learned: Reese was good, but she was going against the top player in the WNBA: the Aces' A'ja Wilson, who had 31 points and 6 rebounds. Wilson has scored at least 20 points in a WNBA-record 20 consecutive games. Still, Wilson -- a two-time MVP who was Rookie of the Year in 2018 -- had praise for Reese.

"The biggest thing I see from Angel is just her speed and the 'want' to get the basketball," Wilson said. "I feel like you don't see that from a lot of players all the time, that second and third effort. She has that in her." -- Michael Voepel

Up next: vs. Minnesota Lynx on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Last time out: Cardoso was 2 of 6 from the field and 1 of 2 from the line for 5 points in the Sky's loss to the Aces. She didn't get as many shots as the Sky would like, especially when she played 30 minutes. But considering she was going against top post defenders like Wilson and Kiah Stokes, it's understandable. Cardoso did get 8 rebounds and combined with Reese to help the Sky out-rebound Las Vegas 38-35.

What we learned: Aces coach Becky Hammon went against longtime friend and former WNBA teammate Teresa Weatherspoon, in her first season coaching the Sky. Hammon said, "Her team is competitive, they play hard, and they never give up. Which is very much how she is."

As for how the Aces guarded Cardoso and Reese, Hammon said, "I thought our posts did a really good job playing defense overall. Kamilla wasn't a huge factor; Angel got away from us a little bit. I thought overall a really good performance considering how [the Sky] attack the paint. You are just on your toes the whole time." -- Voepel

Up next: vs. Minnesota Lynx on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Guard | 5-foot-10 | Game log | Stats

Last time out: For the first time in month, it was a happy gameday for the Wings, who beat Minnesota 94-88 to end Dallas' 11-game losing streak. The Wings had last won on May 26. At that point, Sheldon was playing in just her fifth WNBA game. A lot has happened since, as injuries pushed the rookie into the Wings' starting lineup. In her fourth game as a starter Thursday, Sheldon was 3 of 3 from the field, with two 3-pointers, and finished with 8 points. She also had 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

What we learned: The Wings brought in veteran guard Odyssey Sims on a hardship contract this week, and she had 18 points and 4 assists Thursday. Sims had just two practices under her belt and came off the bench. Sims also was a reserve last season when she joined the Wings in June. We'll see if she stays there while Sheldon continues to start. - Voepel

Up next: vs. Seattle Storm on Saturday (9 p.m. ET, NBA TV)

Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats

Last time out: Clark led the Fever with 15 points on 4 of 9 shooting, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in Indiana's 89-77 loss at Seattle. Turnovers were an issue for the Fever; they had 20 giveaways to 21 assists, not a winning formula. Clark had 6 turnovers.

"We played out of a lot of ball screens tonight," Clark said. "So when you're getting doubled on a ball screen, you're always going to give it up. It should create an advantage for us 4-on-3 attacking the basket. But I didn't think we played too well out of our ball screens."

Coach Christie Sides was asked if she wants Clark to shoot more.

"Caitlin Clark needs to shoot a minimum of 15 shots a game for us," Sides said of Clark, who is currently averaging 12.2 shot attempts per game. "She's got to get shots, and we've got to do a better job of setting her up. Setting some really good screens for her to get her open."

What we learned: Seattle guard Jewell Loyd had 34 points and was hard for the Fever to guard. The Storm have defeated the Fever in all three meetings this season, and the teams face off one more time: Aug. 18 in Indianapolis. A positive for the Fever: the return of center Temi Fagbenle, who suffered a foot injury in May and had missed the last 10 games. She had 8 points and 7 rebounds Thursday in 19 minutes off the bench. -- Voepel

Up next: at Phoenix Mercury on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN)