Around the W - Week 4
A vast summary of what took place in the WNBA during the 4th week.
Another week of the WNBA has come and gone and we’ve had some shuffling in the standings. Let’s take a look at how every team did this week.
Atlanta Dream
Weekly Record: 0-2
Overall Record: 4-4
After winning four games straight, this week the Dream lost both of their games against the Minnesota Lynx. The first game was a hard-fought contest that resulted in a two-point loss at 86-84. Tiffany Hayes led Atlanta with 23 points and eight rebounds. Courtney Williams and Aari McDonald both added 15 points. Crystal Bradford also added 12 points off the bench in the losing effort.
Their 2nd loss was a blowout loss on Sunday against Minnesota by 20 points. Once again Tiffany Hayes led the team with 21 points. Aari McDonald had another 15-point performance as the rookie is starting to get more comfortable in the WNBA. Courtney Williams had 13 points and a team-high five assists. Cheyenne Parker played her first game of the season coming off an injury and scored 12 points off the bench. Crystal Bradford had 12 points again off the bench.
Chicago Sky
Weekly Record: 0-3
Overall Record: 2-7
The Chicago Sky had the worst week of any WNBA team going 0-3. They lost two heartbreakers to the Phoenix Mercury. First, Kia Nurse hit one of the most incredible shots you’ll ever see near halfcourt. The Sky lost by just one point at 84-83.
Diamond DeShields led the team with 26 points. Courtney Vandersloot had a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. Ruthy Hebard had a nice game with 14 points and nine rebounds.
On Thursday, the Sky lost again in a similar heartwrenching fashion. Leading by three points with less than a minute to play the Sky gave up a two-point basket. Then unexplainably, Courtney Vandersloot picked up a technical foul. This allowed Phoenix to tie the game and send it to OT. The Mercury would win 77-74 in the overtime period. Kahleah Copper led Chicago with 14 points and eight rebounds. Stefanie Dolson had 12 points and Astou Ndour-Fall added 11 more for the Sky.
Lastly, on Saturday the Sky lost 68-63 against the LA Sparks. This Sparks team was missing both Ogwumike sisters who are out with injuries and still defeated Chicago. Kahleah Copper led the way again with 15 points. Ruthy Hebard had another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Diamond DeShields was the only other player to score in double figures with 10.
Their 3rd loss this week was the Sky’s 7th in a row as they have now fallen all the way down to 2nd worst record in the league (11th) just ahead of the Indiana Fever.
Chicago’s week wasn’t just marred by the three losses. They also made a surprising move in trading away their first-round WNBA Draft pick Shyla Heal (selected 8th overall). Heal, who is just 19 years old and was a star in the Australian league (WNBL) had struggled in the WNBA during her limited minutes this season off the bench.
But from an optics standpoint, the move seems like an overreaction to the losses that are piling up. They traded her to the Dallas Wings for Dana Evans and the Wings immediately cut Heal after the trade was completed.
The move is questionable for a few reasons. The initial reaction is major confusion because Dana Evans was available with the 8th overall selection and Chicago passed on her in favor of selecting Heal. But then traded Heal away after just a handful of games and about 30 minutes of playing time in the WNBA at just 19 years old.
Apparently, further research explains that the deal wasn’t as much about swapping Shyla Heal for Dana Evans as it was in freeing up enough salary cap space to re-sign Lexie Brown. Because Evans was a 2nd round pick, her contract is less than Heal’s who was selected 8th overall in the 1st round. The trade essentially allows them to re-sign Lexie Brown for the remainder of the 2021 season. Something they wouldn’t have been able to do with Heal’s contract on the books.
But that still doesn’t explain everything. Like, why didn’t the Sky just keep Lexie Brown on their roster when she was with the team during training camp? They ended up cutting her before the regular season in favor of keeping Heal and some others.
The explanation I’ve heard is that they decided to cut Heal because they needed a veteran presence like Brown on the team to run the second unit. If that’s the case, why did they draft Heal in the first place? Or why didn’t they try to work out an agreement with her to stash her overseas for at least one season like Seattle did with Ezi Magbegor?
Drafting the 19-year-old Heal with their first-round pick and then cutting her just a handful of games into the season shows a real lack of foresight by the Chicago Sky front office and Coach James Wade.
Connecticut Sun
Weekly Record: 2-0
Overall Record: 8-2
The Connecticut Sun rebounded well after going 1-2 the previous week. They picked up two big victories over the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty.
First, they beat the Aces for the 2nd time this season last Tuesday by a final score of 74-67. Jonquel Jones continues to be a front runner for the MVP as she led the team with 23 points. Brionna Jones had 14 points and was tied for a team-high eight rebounds. Both Jasmine Thomas and Briann January scored 11 points to help deliver the victory to Connecticut.
On Saturday, they had a dominant victory over the New York Liberty 85-64. Jonquel Jones was outstanding with 31 points and 13 rebounds (both game-highs). Brionna Jones added 14 points and eight rebounds and DeWanna Bonner also chipped in with 13 points.
With incredible defense, a top MVP candidate, and a strong balance of scoring the Connecticut Sun lead the WNBA in the standings, and they’re tied for the best Net Rating at 11.5. Net Rating is an important stat to keep track of because the eventual WNBA Champion has led the league in Net rating for the past three seasons.
The Sun will have to deal with some challenges ahead as Jonquel Jones is leaving the team for a handful of games to participate in the FIBA Women’s Eurobasket 2021 competition representing Bosnia and Herzegovina. She will miss at least four games between June 13th through June 22nd. Depending on how well the team does, she may miss two additional games on June 27th and the 29th. Can they remain in the top spot without her? We will find out!
Dallas Wings
Weekly Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 3-5
The youthful Dallas Wings team is starting to put things together and went 2-1 this past week. They had a strong victory over the LA Sparks on Tuesday with a final score of 79-69. Ty Harris had one of the best games of her young career with 18 points off the bench on 50% field goal shooting. Kayla Thorton added 15 points, Arike Ogunbowale had 14 points, and Moriah Jefferson and Marina Mabrey each added 10 points apiece.
On Friday, they fell just short of beating the defending champion Seattle Storm when they lost 105-102 in OT. Marina Mabrey led the way with 24 points and Arike Ogunbowale had 22 points and a team-high eight assists. Satou Sabally in her first game of the season shined with 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Allisha Gray returning from the Team USA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying trials added 15 points off the bench.
While they fell short on Friday, they got revenge on the Storm on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 67-60 with two minutes remaining in the game, Arike went on her own personal 8-0 run including back-to-back three-pointers in the final 35 seconds to defeat Seattle 68-67.
Ogunbowale led the way with 24 points. Marina Mabrey added 15 points and seven rebounds and Isabelle Harrison offered 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
First-year coach Vickie Johnson has her team playing hard every night and while they currently sit at 9th place in the standings, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them move into playoff contention after another week or two.
Indiana Fever
Weekly Record: 0-2
Overall Record: 1-9
The Indiana Fever have now lost 9 of their first 10 games this season. They lost both of their games this past week. The team is really struggling to even be competitive.
The Fever had four players score in double figures but no one more than 12 points. Jessica Breland had 12 points off the bench. Teaira McCowan had the best game of any Fever player scoring 12 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Danielle Robinson (11 points) and Tiffany Mitchell (10 points) were the other players to score in double figures.
Lauren Cox and Kysre Gondrezick combined for zero points in 17 minutes. Both of those players were drafted in the lottery in the first round of the 2020 and 2021 WNBA Drafts. You can’t miss that badly with your draft picks especially when you’re drafting inside the Top 5.
On Thursday, the Indiana Fever got wiped out by the LA Sparks by 35 points in a devastating 98-63 blowout loss. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 15 points. Jantel Lavender and Tiffany Mitchell each contributed 10 points, but they were the only ones to score in double figures.
One of the biggest issues I see with the Indiana Fever is they simply have missed on so many draft picks and free agent signings. They don’t have a single player that can give you 20-25 PPG. Scoring 10-15 PPG is not bad, but to compete in the WNBA you need at least one player that is going to average at least 18-20 PPG.
Las Vegas Aces
Weekly Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 7-3
The Las Vegas Aces had another strong week going 2-1. They did lose again to the Connecticut Sun last Tuesday by a final score of 74-67. Connecticut’s stingy defense held down the high-powered Aces’ offense. Liz Cambage had a very strong game scoring 28 points and pulling down a team-high seven rebounds. A’ja Wilson added 14 points and a team-high six assists. Chelsea Gray added 10 points as the only other player to score in double figures.
Then on Thursday, Las Vegas took care of business defeating the New York Liberty 94-82. The team had excellent balance with five players scoring double figures. None better than the MVP, A’ja Wilson, who scored a game-high 30 points and had 13 rebounds. Jackie Young (16 points), Dearica Hamby (13 points, 9 rebounds), Liz Cambage (12 points), and Chelsea Gray (11 points) were the other players to score in double digits.
Then on Saturday, the Aces had a hard-fought battle against the Washington Mystics holding on to defeat them 96-93. The starters came up huge in this game with three players scoring 20 points or more and all five starters scoring in double figures. Liz Cambage led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young had 22 points and Riquna Williams added 20 points. Chelsea Gray offered up 11 points and a team-high eight assists. Lastly, the reigning MVP had 15 points and 15 rebounds. A monster game by almost anyone’s standards but after the game, she tweeted out a comment made in jest about how she was just out there working on her cardio because she didn’t contribute at all to the team. Since when are 15 points and 15 rebounds a bad game!? Only for the MVP!
Los Angeles Sparks
Weekly Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 4-3
Derek Fisher takes a lot of flack from the WNBA Community. But he deserves some credit for how he’s rallying the Sparks this season. Especially, after they lost Nneka Ogwumike to a knee injury for at least the next 4-6 weeks. Chiney Ogwumike is also out injured. On top of the fact that the Sparks lost Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray in free agency during the offseason. Despite all of these losses, Fisher has the Sparks playing well. They currently have a winning record at 4-3 and sit in the 5th overall seed in the league.
On Tuesday, as mentioned above, the Sparks lost to the Dallas Wings 79-69. Four players scored in double figures with Kristi Toliver leading the way with 14 points. Te’a Cooper added 12 points and a game-high four assists. Nneka Ogwumike scored 10 points and Amanda Zahui B. added 10 points off the bench.
Two days later, the Sparks had their biggest win of the season as they demolished the Indiana Fever 98-63. Five players scored in double figures with Kristi Toliver leading the way again with 22 points. Te’a Cooper added 15 points. Erica Wheeler provided 14 points and a team-high five assists. Bria Homles scored 14 points off the bench and tied for a team-high with seven rebounds. Nia Coffey also added 13 points on a perfect 4-4 FG shooting.
The Sparks then won again on Saturday, this time defeating the Chicago Sky 68-63. While not scoring a ton, the Sparks defense limited the Sky to under 65 points. Erica Wheeler led the team with 22 points. Amanda Zahui B. had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Te’a Cooper scored 13 points and Nia Coffey added 10 points and nine rebounds.
It’s not clear how successful the Sparks can be this season, especially if both Ogwumike sisters are out for an extended period of time. But what is clear is that Coach Derek Fisher does have the team playing hard and potentially above their current talent level.
Minnesota Lynx
Weekly Record: 2-0
Overall Record: 3-4
After starting the season 0-4 the Minnesota Lynx are now rolling winning three games in a row. They went 2-0 this past week defeating the Atlanta Dream two times.
As mentioned above in the Dream summary, the Lynx won a close game on Friday and blew out Atlanta on Sunday by 20 points.
The first game, an 86-84 victory, saw Napheesa Collier have her best game of the season scoring a game-high 26 points. Layshia Clarendon continues to shine in their new role scoring 15 points and dishing out a team-high five assists. Kayla McBride scored 17 points including knocking down five three-pointers and Crystal Dangerfield added 13 points off the bench.
The Lynx beat the Dream again 100-80 on Sunday. Five players scored in double figures getting strong contributions from their starters and the bench. Kayla McBride led the way with 19 points. Sylvia Fowles scored 17 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Napheesa Collier added 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Crystal Dangerfield, the reigning Rookie of the Year, scored 17 points off the bench and Rachel Banham scored 13 points on a perfect 5-5 FG shooting.
Minnesota was supposed to be one of the top contenders for the WNBA Championship this season. But their awful start had people really concerned. With the return of Collier and the addition of Clarendon, the team has really turned things around. It wouldn’t be shocking to see this team continue to climb the standings over the next couple of weeks.
New York Liberty
Weekly Record: 0-2
Overall Record: 5-4
This week the New York Liberty started to come back to reality. The team started 5-1 on the season but have now lost three in a row including two games this past week.
On Thursday, they were defeated by the Las Vegas Aces 94-82. Betnijah Laney continues to impress leading the team with 23 points. Rebecca Allen added 16 points off the bench. Former Seattle Storm player, Sami Whitcomb, scored 14 points on 60% FG shooting. Michaela Onyenwere was the last player to score in double figures for the Liberty.
Then on Saturday, the Liberty were soundly defeated by the Connecticut Sun 85-64. Betnijah Laney’s streak of scoring 20+ points per game ended in this game (she had 8 games in a row). Laney scored just eight points in this game. In fact, only one Liberty player reached above double digits with Rebecca Allen scoring 14 points off the bench.
The Liberty will continue to be tested as their schedule doesn’t get any easier over the next two weeks. They’ll face the Phoenix Mercury, then the Aces again for two more games in Vegas.
Phoenix Mercury
Weekly Record: 2-0
Overall Record: 5-3
The Mercury edged the Chicago Sky twice this past week. The first was the crazy Kia Nurse shot I mentioned earlier; leading to the 84-83 victory for Phoenix. All five starters scored in double figures. Skylar Diggins-Smith led the way with 24 points and a team-high five assists. Kia Nurse scored 18 points and tied for a team-high eight rebounds. And of course the game-winner! Brittney Griner scored 13 points and Brianna Turner added 12 points and eight rebounds. Megan Walker rounded out the group with 11 points.
Phoenix beat Chicago again, this time in OT with a final score of 77-74. Sylar Diggins-Smith continues to shine scoring 28 points to lead her team. Brittney Griner had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Kia Nurse scored 14 points and Megan Walker added 11 points.
The Mercury are playing quite well, especially considering Diana Taurasi is out injured with a fractured sternum. At 5-3, Phoenix currently holds the 4th best record in the WNBA. The biggest concern is their lack of bench depth and scoring. In their first win against Chicago, the bench players scored just six points. In the 2nd victory, it was even worse, with the bench putting up a big goose egg (zero points!).
Can they continue to win if their bench isn’t scoring at all?
Seattle Storm
Weekly Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 7-2
The Seattle Storm were a late-game collapse away from going a perfect 3-0 this past week.
Seattle started the week beating the Indiana Fever 88-73. The Storm were led by their Big 3. Breanna Stewart had a monster game with 28 points. Jewell Loyd added 18 points and five assists. Sue Bird had 12 points and a game-high eight assists. It was also special because Coach Noelle Quinn picked up her very first career victory.
Then on Friday, the Storm won 105-102 in OT in one of the most exciting games all season long when Jewell Loyd hit a crazy buzzer-beater with less than a second to go.
Loyd led the team with 25 points and was second on the team with seven assists. Seattle had three players score about 20 as Breanna Stewart added 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. And Stephanie Talbot had one of the best games of her career scoring 21 points. Mercedes Russell also had her best game of the season scoring 12 points and pulling down nine rebounds.
Unfortunately, Seattle got hit with a dagger three by Arike Ogunbowale in their third game of the week. Leading 67-60, the Storm gave up eight points to end the game and lose in the final seconds 68-67.
Sunday’s game was a stark contrast from Friday as both teams really struggled to score and had poor shooting performances by several key players. Loyd once again led the way with 25 points. Breanna Stewart gave them 14 points but overall her performance was not as strong as it needed to be. Sue Bird had a very nice game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high five assists. However, Bird was held to just two points in the 2nd half of the game and missed a three in the final minute that would have clinched the victory for Seattle.
After that game, Seattle fell to 7-2 and dropped to the 2nd best record in the WNBA after holding the top spot the week before.
Similar to the Mercury, the Storm need to get better contributions from their bench players. That is if they want to remain at the top of the league. The team needs to improve its defense and not rely solely on Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd as much as they have through the first nine games of the season.
Washington Mystics
Weekly Record: 0-1
Overall Record: 2-5
The Washington Mystics played just one game this past week falling to the Las Vegas Aces 96-93. They had plenty of opportunities to win the game but went cold for most of the 4th quarter. To their credit, a 13-0 run late in the game allowed them to take the game right down to the wire. But the Aces executed late better than the Mystics did.
Myisha Hines-Allen had her best game of the season scoring 32 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Ariel Atkins had a career-high 29 points and Tina Charles added 16 points and nine rebounds. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the team fell to 2-5 on the season.
The Mystics are really missing Elena Delle Donne who remains out after having multiple back surgeries. It’s unclear when Delle Donne will return this season or if she’ll return at all.
With Delle Donne still out and free agent acquisition Alysha Clark out for the season with a foot injury, the Mystics are currently struggling to keep up with expectations that many placed on them before the WNBA’s 25th season tipped off. Washington currently has the third-worst record in the WNBA.
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