Good morning WNBA followers — after sooner or later off, the league is again in motion, and we’ve bought 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 seemed like a unique crew since getting 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 gained 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 rather a lot for both the Mystics or Wings to stand up within the standings and safe the ultimate playoff spot, and each groups are most likely 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 seemed like a way more full crew with Brittney Sykes again within the lineup.
On the opposite aspect, Arike Ogunbowale did every little thing 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 executed. 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 remaining 40 seconds to tie issues up. Chicago — losers of six straight — haven’t gained a recreation since, and Carter, who’s been out in well being and security protocols, additionally hasn’t performed for the reason that 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 contemporary off of a 41-point, 17-rebound outing in opposition to the Mercury.
Can the younger however promising entrance courtroom of Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso include her? That will likely be one thing to observe in tonight’s matchup. Reese additionally lately set a brand new file 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 shedding three straight video games. Brittney Griner has been a brilliant spot — she’s averaging 19.5 factors in her final 4 video games — however Phoenix hasn’t seemed just like the crew many followers hoped they might develop into after they signed Kahleah Copper. Plenty of it’s been on the defensive aspect of the ball — Mercury have had the league’s fourth-worst protection this yr.
Because of the Sky’s current struggles, the Dream have a transparent pathway towards the eighth and remaining playoff spot — however thus far, they haven’t taken benefit, having misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games. Corridor of Famer Tina Charles has been glorious for Atlanta, and watching her and Griner face off needs to 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)
The best way to watch right now’s WNBA video games
All of right now’s video games will likely be on the native broadcast in addition to on WNBA League Move.
