The WNBA has been again for 3 days, and we’ve already skilled some fascinating developments.
The Atlanta Dream and Connecticut Solar, who meet on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET (League Move), each received their return video games. The Dream survived a considerably stunning thriller in opposition to the Seattle Storm. With 5 seconds left, Jewell Loyd fired a fadeaway 3 and tied the rating at 81, however Tina Charles was unfazed by the unbelievable shot and put her staff forward 83-81 with a easy 2-pointer. With no timeouts left and underneath two seconds to go, the Storm had been unable to launch a shot. Dream’s resilience was one thing to be admired, because the staff’s possibilities of making the playoffs are near none, but they refused to surrender and, regardless of trailing by eight factors with quarter-hour left within the recreation, mounted a comeback.
The Solar have championship aspirations and may beat the Dream simply in the event that they need to show that that is going to be THE season. That Marina Mabrey commerce? 17 factors, 4 rebounds, three assists and two steals in her debut for the Solar. She additionally had 5 fouls, however with out that depth, Mabrey wouldn’t be the participant that she is. The Solar have additionally signed Caitlin Bickle and Celeste Taylor, two rookies, who can step in for the veterans and provides them relaxation. Within the 109-91 win over the Dallas Wings, Taylor performed 11 minutes, whereas Bickle noticed only one. Anticipate the latter to get extra time when known as upon by head coach Stephanie White.
Can the Fever climate the Storm with momentum, motivation?
After dropping a detailed recreation to the Dream, the Storm are going to be trying to launch their frustrations. The Indiana Fever, who they meet at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC), may not be the staff to strategy with that mindset although, as a result of the Fever can use that to their favor. Should you give them an inch, they’ll take 22 toes and 1.75 inches. In Thursday’s win over the Phoenix Mercury, the backcourt of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell made 10 of their mixed 24 makes an attempt from lengthy distance. Clark had 29 factors and Mitchell 28, whereas the rookie additionally dished out 10 assists. NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston each grabbed 9 boards. It’s only one recreation, however one could be tempted to say that the Fever are on the verge of one thing good.
This, although, is when the Fever’s talents are going to get examined. The Storm are, in the mean time, the superior, extra skilled staff and their roster is extra full. However the Fever have one thing that the Storm don’t: three gamers worthy of Olympic participation who didn’t make the roster and who missed out on the chance to win gold for his or her nation. They usually have but to win a recreation in opposition to the Storm this season. So that they have the Storm beat in regard to motivation. We’ll see on Sunday in the event that they’ll have the ability to use it to their benefit.
Recreation data
Atlanta Dream (8-17) vs. Connecticut Solar (19-6)
When: Sunday, August 18 at 3 p.m. ET
The place: Gateway Heart Area @ Faculty Park in Atlanta, GA
The best way to watch: League Move, ESPN3
Dream damage report: Aerial Powers (out; calf)
Solar damage report: none
Indiana Fever (12-15) vs. Seattle Storm (17-9)
When: Sunday, August 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET
The place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN
The best way to watch: ABC
Fever damage report: Temi Fagbenle (out; thumb)
Storm damage report: none
Las Vegas Aces (16-9) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (6-20)
When: Sunday, August 18 at 6 p.m. ET
The place: Michelob ULTRA Area in Las Vegas, NV
The best way to watch: League Move
Aces damage report: none
Sparks damage report: Aari McDonald (out; proper foot), Lexie Brown (out; Crohn’s illness), Layshia Clarendon (not with staff; private), Cameron Brink (out for season; ACL)
Phoenix Mercury (14-13) vs. Chicago Sky (11-15)
When: Sunday, August 18 at 9 p.m. ET
The place: Footprint Heart in Phoenix, AZ
The best way to watch: League Move
Mercury damage report: Rebecca Allen (out; proper hamstring), Charisma Osborne (out; left decrease leg)
Sky damage report: Elizabeth Williams (out for season; knee)
