Dan Falkenheim
@thefalkon.bsky.social
Fact Checker and super googler at Sports Illustrated | WNBA, NFL mainly | Currently working on MS in Analytics @ Georgia Tech | Most of the time thinking about LOTR, sci-fi and film
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Dan Falkenheim
@thefalkon.bsky.social
· Feb 2
It's been a VERY busy WNBA offseason.
These are the players (mostly) who have swapped teams in the last week. Got it all? Neither do I 😂
(s/o to @acrossthetimeline.com's transactions tracker!)
These are the players (mostly) who have swapped teams in the last week. Got it all? Neither do I 😂
(s/o to @acrossthetimeline.com's transactions tracker!)
Week 2 of college women's hoops action starts with an incredible UCLA vs. Oklahoma matchup. It's one of the games I'm most looking forward to watching this week:
www.si.com/college-bask...
www.si.com/college-bask...
Best Games to Watch in Week 2 of the Women’s College Basketball Season
A big-on-big showdown with Oklahoma and UCLA, a March Madness rematch and several other ranked matchups await in the second week of the season.
www.si.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Week 2 of college women's hoops action starts with an incredible UCLA vs. Oklahoma matchup. It's one of the games I'm most looking forward to watching this week:
www.si.com/college-bask...
www.si.com/college-bask...
Women's college hoops is back 🥳
I previewed some of the best games to watch for the first week of action for @sportsillustrated.bsky.social.
Looking forward to Creighton vs. South Dakota State tonight and Texas vs. Richmond this week!
www.si.com/college-bask...
I previewed some of the best games to watch for the first week of action for @sportsillustrated.bsky.social.
Looking forward to Creighton vs. South Dakota State tonight and Texas vs. Richmond this week!
www.si.com/college-bask...
Best Games to Watch in Week 1 of the Women’s College Basketball Season
March-worthy matchups in November? From mid-major statement games to Top 25 showdowns, the opening week of women’s hoops shouldn’t disappoint.
www.si.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Women's college hoops is back 🥳
I previewed some of the best games to watch for the first week of action for @sportsillustrated.bsky.social.
Looking forward to Creighton vs. South Dakota State tonight and Texas vs. Richmond this week!
www.si.com/college-bask...
I previewed some of the best games to watch for the first week of action for @sportsillustrated.bsky.social.
Looking forward to Creighton vs. South Dakota State tonight and Texas vs. Richmond this week!
www.si.com/college-bask...
A’ja Wilson is who she thinks she is.
October 9, 2025 at 2:30 AM
A’ja Wilson is who she thinks she is.
everyone touches the ball on this! (phoenix’s inverted P&R has been hard to guard as is.) good ball movement to start.
Mercury go with inverted P&R for Alyssa Thomas.
-Akoa Makani sets a step-up but notice how Wilson is not giving a gap and able to keep the ball in front.
-Aces switching off ball but Bell chases, Wilson out.
-Smith helps on roll and Mack cuts.
-Akoa Makani sets a step-up but notice how Wilson is not giving a gap and able to keep the ball in front.
-Aces switching off ball but Bell chases, Wilson out.
-Smith helps on roll and Mack cuts.
October 4, 2025 at 12:20 AM
everyone touches the ball on this! (phoenix’s inverted P&R has been hard to guard as is.) good ball movement to start.
Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike nailing what the players are fighting for (to be paid what they deserve!) and critiquing Cathy — all before the WNBA finals tip off — is exemplary work.
October 3, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike nailing what the players are fighting for (to be paid what they deserve!) and critiquing Cathy — all before the WNBA finals tip off — is exemplary work.
As good as Alyssa Thomas is, she isn’t always discussed to the same degree as the WNBA's other generational superstars, like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart
She should be. For SI, I broke down the numbers behind why AT is the WNBA's best-kept secret:
www.si.com/wnba/alyssa-...
She should be. For SI, I broke down the numbers behind why AT is the WNBA's best-kept secret:
www.si.com/wnba/alyssa-...
By the Numbers: Alyssa Thomas Is the WNBA’s Best-Kept Secret
As the Mercury prepare for their WNBA Finals series against the Aces, let’s break down the career of Phoenix’s triple-double threat.
www.si.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
As good as Alyssa Thomas is, she isn’t always discussed to the same degree as the WNBA's other generational superstars, like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart
She should be. For SI, I broke down the numbers behind why AT is the WNBA's best-kept secret:
www.si.com/wnba/alyssa-...
She should be. For SI, I broke down the numbers behind why AT is the WNBA's best-kept secret:
www.si.com/wnba/alyssa-...
I wonder if people outside of Seattle realize just how good Gabby Williams has been.
She's one of four players averaging at least 10 points and 3 steals + blocks per game. The others are A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. (Data: @acrossthetimeline.com)
Should be an All Star!
She's one of four players averaging at least 10 points and 3 steals + blocks per game. The others are A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. (Data: @acrossthetimeline.com)
Should be an All Star!
June 27, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I wonder if people outside of Seattle realize just how good Gabby Williams has been.
She's one of four players averaging at least 10 points and 3 steals + blocks per game. The others are A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. (Data: @acrossthetimeline.com)
Should be an All Star!
She's one of four players averaging at least 10 points and 3 steals + blocks per game. The others are A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. (Data: @acrossthetimeline.com)
Should be an All Star!
such a huge credit to the Valkyries players and coach Natalie Nakase for the way Golden State has played.
it ain’t easy gelling as a team with new players, a new coach and a short training camp, and then being competitive right out of the gate.
it ain’t easy gelling as a team with new players, a new coach and a short training camp, and then being competitive right out of the gate.
June 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
such a huge credit to the Valkyries players and coach Natalie Nakase for the way Golden State has played.
it ain’t easy gelling as a team with new players, a new coach and a short training camp, and then being competitive right out of the gate.
it ain’t easy gelling as a team with new players, a new coach and a short training camp, and then being competitive right out of the gate.
Nobel Laureate and labor economist Claudia Goldin on WNBA pay inequity:
"These numbers suggest that the average WNBA salary should be roughly one-quarter to one-third of the average NBA salary [...] Instead, the average WNBA salary is but a minuscule fraction — a mere 1/80th"
"These numbers suggest that the average WNBA salary should be roughly one-quarter to one-third of the average NBA salary [...] Instead, the average WNBA salary is but a minuscule fraction — a mere 1/80th"
June 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Nobel Laureate and labor economist Claudia Goldin on WNBA pay inequity:
"These numbers suggest that the average WNBA salary should be roughly one-quarter to one-third of the average NBA salary [...] Instead, the average WNBA salary is but a minuscule fraction — a mere 1/80th"
"These numbers suggest that the average WNBA salary should be roughly one-quarter to one-third of the average NBA salary [...] Instead, the average WNBA salary is but a minuscule fraction — a mere 1/80th"
It's really impressive how good Kiki Iriafen has been so early into her career.
I'd love to see the Mystics experiment more with some Iriafen and Shakira Austin lineups. (Although maybe Dolson's three-point shooting is needed to unlock space for Iriafen.)
I'd love to see the Mystics experiment more with some Iriafen and Shakira Austin lineups. (Although maybe Dolson's three-point shooting is needed to unlock space for Iriafen.)
June 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
It's really impressive how good Kiki Iriafen has been so early into her career.
I'd love to see the Mystics experiment more with some Iriafen and Shakira Austin lineups. (Although maybe Dolson's three-point shooting is needed to unlock space for Iriafen.)
I'd love to see the Mystics experiment more with some Iriafen and Shakira Austin lineups. (Although maybe Dolson's three-point shooting is needed to unlock space for Iriafen.)
Late night rabbit hole: Laughing at these two “wrong guarding” pictures from Spalding’s Official Basketball Guide for Women (1917)
June 1, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Late night rabbit hole: Laughing at these two “wrong guarding” pictures from Spalding’s Official Basketball Guide for Women (1917)
Karl Smesko's system is alive and well in Atlanta: The Dream rank third in Rim or 3 shot frequency (70.3%) and have increased their effective field goal percentage from 45.2% last season to 49.1% this year.
There's still room to grow in efficiency, too.
There's still room to grow in efficiency, too.
May 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Karl Smesko's system is alive and well in Atlanta: The Dream rank third in Rim or 3 shot frequency (70.3%) and have increased their effective field goal percentage from 45.2% last season to 49.1% this year.
There's still room to grow in efficiency, too.
There's still room to grow in efficiency, too.
The Sun posted their starting five for today's matchup against the Atlanta Dream.
Love to see the Sun continue to give Saniya Rivers a starting role off the bat. Even though Connecticut is a different group than last season, they have a fun squad and seem to be building in the right direction.
Love to see the Sun continue to give Saniya Rivers a starting role off the bat. Even though Connecticut is a different group than last season, they have a fun squad and seem to be building in the right direction.
May 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The Sun posted their starting five for today's matchup against the Atlanta Dream.
Love to see the Sun continue to give Saniya Rivers a starting role off the bat. Even though Connecticut is a different group than last season, they have a fun squad and seem to be building in the right direction.
Love to see the Sun continue to give Saniya Rivers a starting role off the bat. Even though Connecticut is a different group than last season, they have a fun squad and seem to be building in the right direction.
Reposted by Dan Falkenheim
"They really stepped up and impacted this game."
There's a new dynamic duo in town, and they're French and rookies and suddenly the Valkyries' key players | @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/artic...
There's a new dynamic duo in town, and they're French and rookies and suddenly the Valkyries' key players | @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/artic...
Valkyries hold off Sparks to improve to 2-1 led by French rookies Leite, Salaün
The Golden State Valkyries used breakout games from French rookies Carla Leite and Janelle Salaün to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 82-73 on Friday.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 24, 2025 at 5:45 AM
"They really stepped up and impacted this game."
There's a new dynamic duo in town, and they're French and rookies and suddenly the Valkyries' key players | @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/artic...
There's a new dynamic duo in town, and they're French and rookies and suddenly the Valkyries' key players | @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/sports/artic...
Reposted by Dan Falkenheim
Jonquel Jones looking dapper af at the 2025 Met Gala 🔥😮💨
#WNBA #MetGala #MetGala2025 #FashionAndBuckets
#WNBA #MetGala #MetGala2025 #FashionAndBuckets
May 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Jonquel Jones looking dapper af at the 2025 Met Gala 🔥😮💨
#WNBA #MetGala #MetGala2025 #FashionAndBuckets
#WNBA #MetGala #MetGala2025 #FashionAndBuckets
Aaliyah Nye is such a sharpshooter
May 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Aaliyah Nye is such a sharpshooter
Happy first WNBA preseason game day to all who celebrate 🥳
May 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Happy first WNBA preseason game day to all who celebrate 🥳
Julia wrote a great article on Angel Reese diversifying her shot profile ahead of Year 2.
Here are a few charts (zoom in!) to hammer home why that's important.
Both Reese and Cardoso took most of their shots close to the rim. Neither was particularly efficient and the Sky's offense suffered,
Here are a few charts (zoom in!) to hammer home why that's important.
Both Reese and Cardoso took most of their shots close to the rim. Neither was particularly efficient and the Sky's offense suffered,
May 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Julia wrote a great article on Angel Reese diversifying her shot profile ahead of Year 2.
Here are a few charts (zoom in!) to hammer home why that's important.
Both Reese and Cardoso took most of their shots close to the rim. Neither was particularly efficient and the Sky's offense suffered,
Here are a few charts (zoom in!) to hammer home why that's important.
Both Reese and Cardoso took most of their shots close to the rim. Neither was particularly efficient and the Sky's offense suffered,
So, this surprised me, but maybe it shouldn't have:
Between 1997 and 2017, WNBA home teams won by ~3.25 points on average.
Then, an obvious COVID dip.
In '24, that number dropped to a ~0.8 point advantage. Is it small-sample noise, or could it be the effect of charters?
Between 1997 and 2017, WNBA home teams won by ~3.25 points on average.
Then, an obvious COVID dip.
In '24, that number dropped to a ~0.8 point advantage. Is it small-sample noise, or could it be the effect of charters?
April 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
So, this surprised me, but maybe it shouldn't have:
Between 1997 and 2017, WNBA home teams won by ~3.25 points on average.
Then, an obvious COVID dip.
In '24, that number dropped to a ~0.8 point advantage. Is it small-sample noise, or could it be the effect of charters?
Between 1997 and 2017, WNBA home teams won by ~3.25 points on average.
Then, an obvious COVID dip.
In '24, that number dropped to a ~0.8 point advantage. Is it small-sample noise, or could it be the effect of charters?
love the Aneesah Morrow/Saniya Rivers double tap for the Sun
April 15, 2025 at 12:22 AM
love the Aneesah Morrow/Saniya Rivers double tap for the Sun
trying to drive to the hoop only to be met by Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga is nightmare fuel
April 14, 2025 at 11:57 PM
trying to drive to the hoop only to be met by Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga is nightmare fuel
Shyanne Sellers' career shooting chart is pretty, pretty good.
Sellers and Paige Bueckers are the only two players in the draft who shot at least 45% from the paint, 35% from the midrange and 40% on above-the-break threes this season.
Data and viz via CBB Analytics
Sellers and Paige Bueckers are the only two players in the draft who shot at least 45% from the paint, 35% from the midrange and 40% on above-the-break threes this season.
Data and viz via CBB Analytics
April 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Shyanne Sellers' career shooting chart is pretty, pretty good.
Sellers and Paige Bueckers are the only two players in the draft who shot at least 45% from the paint, 35% from the midrange and 40% on above-the-break threes this season.
Data and viz via CBB Analytics
Sellers and Paige Bueckers are the only two players in the draft who shot at least 45% from the paint, 35% from the midrange and 40% on above-the-break threes this season.
Data and viz via CBB Analytics
Ahead of the 2025 WNBA draft, I looked at team needs and potential best fits. 31 players, 11 teams and a whole lot of blurbs.
tell me what I got wrong 👇
www.si.com/wnba/what-ev...
tell me what I got wrong 👇
www.si.com/wnba/what-ev...
What Every Team Needs and the Best Fits Ahead of the 2025 WNBA Draft
After a chaotic free agency period and before looming collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the one thing that is all but certain is the Dallas Wings se
www.si.com
April 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Ahead of the 2025 WNBA draft, I looked at team needs and potential best fits. 31 players, 11 teams and a whole lot of blurbs.
tell me what I got wrong 👇
www.si.com/wnba/what-ev...
tell me what I got wrong 👇
www.si.com/wnba/what-ev...
Azzi. Fudd.
a national geographic logo is visible in the corner of a dark blue background
Alt: supernova explosion
media.tenor.com
April 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Azzi. Fudd.