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
This season, Alyssa Thomas set career highs in *both* usage rate and effective field goal percentage.
October 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
This season, Alyssa Thomas set career highs in *both* usage rate and effective field goal percentage.
Alyssa Thomas is responsible for 41% of the triple-doubles ever recorded in a WNBA non-exhibition game.
She also has *10* more triple-doubles than all other players with one career triple-double combined.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
She also has *10* more triple-doubles than all other players with one career triple-double combined.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
October 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Alyssa Thomas is responsible for 41% of the triple-doubles ever recorded in a WNBA non-exhibition game.
She also has *10* more triple-doubles than all other players with one career triple-double combined.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
She also has *10* more triple-doubles than all other players with one career triple-double combined.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
This year, Alyssa Thomas became the only player in WNBA history to average at least 15 points and 9 assists per game in a single season.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
October 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
This year, Alyssa Thomas became the only player in WNBA history to average at least 15 points and 9 assists per game in a single season.
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
(Data via @acrossthetimeline.com)
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!
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.
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?
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
Elena Delle Donne retires on top: She's the only player to average above 1.1 points per possession over the course of their career. She also retires with the third-highest points per 36 minutes (23.3).
(Data: @acrossthetimeline.com | min. 1,000 points scored and 150 games played)
(Data: @acrossthetimeline.com | min. 1,000 points scored and 150 games played)
April 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Elena Delle Donne retires on top: She's the only player to average above 1.1 points per possession over the course of their career. She also retires with the third-highest points per 36 minutes (23.3).
(Data: @acrossthetimeline.com | min. 1,000 points scored and 150 games played)
(Data: @acrossthetimeline.com | min. 1,000 points scored and 150 games played)
Lauren Betts and Paige Bueckers are posting two of the top efficiency stretches in NCAA women's tournament history.
Betts ranks 2nd (75.0%) and Bueckers ranks 12th (68.0%) in eFG% across any player's best four-game stretch in an individual tournament since '99.
Data: @stathead.com
Betts ranks 2nd (75.0%) and Bueckers ranks 12th (68.0%) in eFG% across any player's best four-game stretch in an individual tournament since '99.
Data: @stathead.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Lauren Betts and Paige Bueckers are posting two of the top efficiency stretches in NCAA women's tournament history.
Betts ranks 2nd (75.0%) and Bueckers ranks 12th (68.0%) in eFG% across any player's best four-game stretch in an individual tournament since '99.
Data: @stathead.com
Betts ranks 2nd (75.0%) and Bueckers ranks 12th (68.0%) in eFG% across any player's best four-game stretch in an individual tournament since '99.
Data: @stathead.com
Paige Buckets 🪣
Through three games, UConn's Paige Bueckers has scored 85 points on a effective field goal percentage of 70.2%
That's the highest eFG% by a guard—min. 40 attempts—across any NCAA women's tournament three-game stretch since at least 2014.
Through three games, UConn's Paige Bueckers has scored 85 points on a effective field goal percentage of 70.2%
That's the highest eFG% by a guard—min. 40 attempts—across any NCAA women's tournament three-game stretch since at least 2014.
March 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Paige Buckets 🪣
Through three games, UConn's Paige Bueckers has scored 85 points on a effective field goal percentage of 70.2%
That's the highest eFG% by a guard—min. 40 attempts—across any NCAA women's tournament three-game stretch since at least 2014.
Through three games, UConn's Paige Bueckers has scored 85 points on a effective field goal percentage of 70.2%
That's the highest eFG% by a guard—min. 40 attempts—across any NCAA women's tournament three-game stretch since at least 2014.
On the eve of the NCAA Women's Tournament Sweet 16, a look at some historical results:
💠 1 vs. 4: 55-15
💠 1 vs. 5: 34-3
💠 2 vs. 3: 29-29
💠 2 vs. 6: 20-8
💠 2 vs. 11: 12-0
💠 3 vs. 7: 8-6
The 2 vs. 3 matchup is a coin flip, and most games are within 20 points.
💠 1 vs. 4: 55-15
💠 1 vs. 5: 34-3
💠 2 vs. 3: 29-29
💠 2 vs. 6: 20-8
💠 2 vs. 11: 12-0
💠 3 vs. 7: 8-6
The 2 vs. 3 matchup is a coin flip, and most games are within 20 points.
March 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
On the eve of the NCAA Women's Tournament Sweet 16, a look at some historical results:
💠 1 vs. 4: 55-15
💠 1 vs. 5: 34-3
💠 2 vs. 3: 29-29
💠 2 vs. 6: 20-8
💠 2 vs. 11: 12-0
💠 3 vs. 7: 8-6
The 2 vs. 3 matchup is a coin flip, and most games are within 20 points.
💠 1 vs. 4: 55-15
💠 1 vs. 5: 34-3
💠 2 vs. 3: 29-29
💠 2 vs. 6: 20-8
💠 2 vs. 11: 12-0
💠 3 vs. 7: 8-6
The 2 vs. 3 matchup is a coin flip, and most games are within 20 points.
Some numbers behind Michigan's three outstanding freshmen:
Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway rank first in total minutes, points, rebounds and assists among all top freshmen trios
They also rank 1st in points per game and assists per game, and 4th in rebounds per game.
Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway rank first in total minutes, points, rebounds and assists among all top freshmen trios
They also rank 1st in points per game and assists per game, and 4th in rebounds per game.
March 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Some numbers behind Michigan's three outstanding freshmen:
Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway rank first in total minutes, points, rebounds and assists among all top freshmen trios
They also rank 1st in points per game and assists per game, and 4th in rebounds per game.
Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway rank first in total minutes, points, rebounds and assists among all top freshmen trios
They also rank 1st in points per game and assists per game, and 4th in rebounds per game.
NCAA Tournament time is Audi Crooks time 🌪️
The Iowa State center was one of two players to average over 30 points and 10 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. She did so on a higher usage rate (36.6%) than Raegan Beers (29.3%).
Princeton will have their hands full tonight.
The Iowa State center was one of two players to average over 30 points and 10 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. She did so on a higher usage rate (36.6%) than Raegan Beers (29.3%).
Princeton will have their hands full tonight.
March 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
NCAA Tournament time is Audi Crooks time 🌪️
The Iowa State center was one of two players to average over 30 points and 10 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. She did so on a higher usage rate (36.6%) than Raegan Beers (29.3%).
Princeton will have their hands full tonight.
The Iowa State center was one of two players to average over 30 points and 10 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. She did so on a higher usage rate (36.6%) than Raegan Beers (29.3%).
Princeton will have their hands full tonight.
There are ~some~ more upsets in the Round of 32.
March 17, 2025 at 10:48 PM
There are ~some~ more upsets in the Round of 32.
Looking for an upset in the NCAA women's bracket? Don't expect one of the top seeds to fall in the Round of 64.
The No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds have a combined 359-1 record since 1994 with an 30-point average margin of victory.
I dug into where else upsets can be found here 👇
www.si.com/college-bask...
The No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds have a combined 359-1 record since 1994 with an 30-point average margin of victory.
I dug into where else upsets can be found here 👇
www.si.com/college-bask...
March 17, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Looking for an upset in the NCAA women's bracket? Don't expect one of the top seeds to fall in the Round of 64.
The No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds have a combined 359-1 record since 1994 with an 30-point average margin of victory.
I dug into where else upsets can be found here 👇
www.si.com/college-bask...
The No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds have a combined 359-1 record since 1994 with an 30-point average margin of victory.
I dug into where else upsets can be found here 👇
www.si.com/college-bask...
Ariel Atkins was one of the Mystics' few true constants last season and had major efficiency gains 10-16 feet from the hoop.
Easy to see how she slots in next to Sloot in the Sky's offense.
Easy to see how she slots in next to Sloot in the Sky's offense.
February 24, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Ariel Atkins was one of the Mystics' few true constants last season and had major efficiency gains 10-16 feet from the hoop.
Easy to see how she slots in next to Sloot in the Sky's offense.
Easy to see how she slots in next to Sloot in the Sky's offense.
gotta find this guy
February 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
gotta find this guy
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!)
February 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
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!)
Time to look at the early Best Ball landscape 🏞️
In Underdog's Big Board contests, the Running Back ~16-30 has rebounded to BBM4 levels.
Earlier, the RB8-15 falls somewhere between BBM3 and BBM4 prices.
(Caveat: Big Board ADPs are not a 1:1 to BBM. It's a first look.)
In Underdog's Big Board contests, the Running Back ~16-30 has rebounded to BBM4 levels.
Earlier, the RB8-15 falls somewhere between BBM3 and BBM4 prices.
(Caveat: Big Board ADPs are not a 1:1 to BBM. It's a first look.)
January 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Time to look at the early Best Ball landscape 🏞️
In Underdog's Big Board contests, the Running Back ~16-30 has rebounded to BBM4 levels.
Earlier, the RB8-15 falls somewhere between BBM3 and BBM4 prices.
(Caveat: Big Board ADPs are not a 1:1 to BBM. It's a first look.)
In Underdog's Big Board contests, the Running Back ~16-30 has rebounded to BBM4 levels.
Earlier, the RB8-15 falls somewhere between BBM3 and BBM4 prices.
(Caveat: Big Board ADPs are not a 1:1 to BBM. It's a first look.)
If the #Oscars were determined by top Letterboxd weighted average rating, the Academy Award for Best Picture would go to...
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two
January 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If the #Oscars were determined by top Letterboxd weighted average rating, the Academy Award for Best Picture would go to...
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two
Sunday is a great day to watch the PWHL 🚨
January 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Sunday is a great day to watch the PWHL 🚨