Good morning WNBA followers — after in the future off, the league is again in motion, and we’ve received a four-game slate:
Seattle Storm (19-13) vs Connecticut Solar (24-8) at 7pm ET
The Solar and Storm play the second recreation in a row in opposition to each other, with the Solar rising victorious on Sunday. The Storm have regarded like a unique group since coming back from the Olympic break — they’ve misplaced 6 of their final 8 video games, after ending the primary half of the season 17-8. The trio of Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, and Skylar Diggins-Smith has had a good quantity of particular person success this season, but it surely hasn’t translated to the win share Seattle had hoped for.
The Solar, in the meantime, have received 5 of their final 6 video games, with Marina Mabrey serving as an enormous offensive enhance since she was acquired final month. Mabrey is averaging 18.2 factors in her final 5 video games, and the Brionna Jones, who’s been quiet for stretches this season, exploded for a season-high 26 factors on 9-13 FG. The Solar will look to make it back-to-back wins tonight as they attempt to fend off the Minnesota Lynx for the #2 seed.
Washington Mystics (9-23) vs Dallas Wings (9-23) at 8pm ET
It’s going to take loads for both the Mystics or Wings to stand up within the standings and safe the ultimate playoff spot, and each groups are in all probability headed for the lottery at this level. Nonetheless, although the Mystics’ three-game win streak was snapped in opposition to Connecticut on Saturday, they’ve regarded like a way more full group with Brittney Sykes again within the lineup.
On the opposite aspect, Arike Ogunbowale did all the things in her energy to assist get the Wings a win on Sunday in opposition to the Fever — she exploded for 34 factors on 9 made three-pointers — however Dallas nonetheless couldn’t get it accomplished. Ogunbowale is having an inefficient capturing yr (37.6% from the sector), which hasn’t helped Dallas, and Satou Sabally missed the primary half of the season. Sabally has been actually good in her return (20.6 factors per recreation on 45.8% capturing) however the Wings have nonetheless misplaced 4 of their 7 video games together with her within the lineup.
Chicago Sky (11-21) vs Las Vegas Aces (20-12) at 10pm ET
Final time the Sky and Aces confronted off, A’ja Wilson had a buzzer-beating layup to win the sport after Chennedy Carter hit two three-pointers within the ultimate 40 seconds to tie issues up. Chicago — losers of six straight — haven’t received a recreation since, and Carter, who’s been out in well being and security protocols, additionally hasn’t performed because the final Sky-Aces recreation.
The massive story heading into this one is that Wilson has been on one other degree on this most up-to-date stretch and has all however secured MVP. She’s averaging 27.5 factors and 12 rebounds this season, and is recent off of a 41-point, 17-rebound outing in opposition to the Mercury.
Can the younger however promising entrance court docket of Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso include her? That can be one thing to look at in tonight’s matchup. Reese additionally not too long ago set a brand new report for many rebounds in a single WNBA season (418).
Atlanta Dream (11-21) vs Phoenix Mercury (16-17) at 10pm ET
The Phoenix Mercury have slipped to the #7 seed after dropping three straight video games. Brittney Griner has been a vivid spot — she’s averaging 19.5 factors in her final 4 video games — however Phoenix hasn’t regarded just like the group many followers hoped they might turn into once they signed Kahleah Copper. Quite a lot of it’s been on the defensive aspect of the ball — Mercury have had the league’s fourth-worst protection this yr.
As a result of Sky’s latest struggles, the Dream have a transparent pathway towards the eighth and ultimate playoff spot — however to this point, they haven’t taken benefit, having misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games. Corridor of Famer Tina Charles has been wonderful for Atlanta, and watching her and Griner face off must be enjoyable.
Up to date WNBA Standings
- New York Liberty (27-6)
- Connecticut Solar (24-8)
- Minnesota Lynx (24-9)
- Las Vegas Aces (20-12)
- Seattle Storms (19-13)
- Indiana Fever (17-16)
- Phoenix Mercury (16-17)
- Chicago Sky (11-21)
- Atlanta Dream (11-21)
- Washington Mystics (9-23)
- Dallas Wings (9-23)
- Los Angeles Sparks (7-24)
How you can watch right this moment’s WNBA video games
All of right this moment’s video games can be on the native broadcast in addition to on WNBA League Move.
