Posts by Em Adler

Em Adler (she/they) covers the WNBA at large and college basketball for The Next, with a focus on player development and the game behind the game.

Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young shoots a three-pointer over New York Liberty defender Jonquel Jones.

DOUBLED DOWN: Las Vegas Aces comeback secures second straight title behind Wilson, Young

October 18, 2023

Aces become first team in 21 years to repeat as champions

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu clenches her fists, closes her eyes and screams in celebration.

Jonquel Jones leads Liberty to do-or-die Game 3 win; Aces’ Chelsea Gray injured

October 15, 2023

New York beats Las Vegas 87-73 to force a Game 4

Las Vegas Aces players including Jackie Young, A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum walk merrily down the court toward the end of their team's bench. Head coach Becky Hammon stands on the side, gazing toward the middle of the court in mild bewilderment.

How Becky Hammon, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces took over the WNBA

October 15, 2023

The Aces are set to define the next era of the league, on and off the court

Indiana center Aliyah Boston, the unanimous Rookie of the Year, stands on the court in front of two Fever teammates during pregame player introductions while surrounded by smoke.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team

October 1, 2023

A shocking turn of events as Aliyah Boston sweeps the vote

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA MVP vote-getters: on top-left, Breanna Stewart releases a deep jump shot over the outstretched arm of a defender; on the top-right, A'ja Wilson shoots a fadeaway jumper over a defender; on the bottom, Alyssa Thomas.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: MVP

September 25, 2023

Do you think they’ll cut the trophy in half horizontally or vertically?

A screenshot from the video game NBA 2K24 featuring a team selection screen where the chosen teams are the Las Vegas Aces but with A'ja Wilson five times and the Atlanta Dream with Rhyne Howard five times.

Choosing the 2023 WNBA MVP with video games and clones

September 23, 2023

Welcome to the WNBA Clone League, a truly absurd endeavor

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA Most Improved Player vote-getters: on top, Jordin Canada dribbles past a Connecticut Sun defender who has fallen over; on the bottom-left, Satou Sabally drives baseline into the paint; on the bottom-right, Alanna Smith looks surprised.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: Most Improved Player

September 20, 2023

Jordin Canada takes the internal vote from The Next staff

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA Sixth Player of the Year vote-getters: on top, Alysha Clark shoots a 3-pointer; on the bottom-left, Dana Evans fights to keep ahold of the ball as she weaves through traffic; on the bottom-right, DiJonai Carrington makes the "count it" gesture to celebrate an and-1.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: Sixth Player of the Year

September 17, 2023

Former starter Aces combo forward Alysha Clark earns the honor

A three-image collage of the WNBA's leading Coach of the Year candidates on their respective sidelines: Stephanie White, Latricia Trammell and Cheryl Reeve.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA awards: Coach of the Year

September 16, 2023

First-year Sun head coach Stephanie White takes home the hardware

Indiana Fever players huddle in the paint during a game, while Minnesota Lynx players huddle behind them at the free-throw line. A Lynx player is about to take free throws.

Sunday Notes, Week 15: Let’s talk about the future, with Indiana, Phoenix and more!

September 10, 2023

Our weekly look around the WNBA dives into the four teams missing the playoffs and measures how bright their futures are, from Fever to Storm