You want a great bench to win within the WNBA. Having a licensed participant are available and make an affect could make all of the distinction.
As we method the midway level of the season, listed here are three severe candidates for the Sixth Participant of the Yr award. Two gamers are members of groups vying for playoff spots, and the opposite has been so good that she is the exception to the rule that it’s important to be on a successful group to be thought-about for such an award.
Myisha Hines-Allen (Washington Mystics)
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Guidelines had been made to be damaged, and the Washington Mystics’ Myisha Hines-Allen is a rule breaker. Her versatile scoring potential as a ahead is what each group desires on their roster. She’s large and powerful sufficient to assault the paint and athletic sufficient to run point-forward and make performs.
MHA and the Washington Mystics outscored the Sparks (4-15) 30-16 within the 4th to win 82-80 in LA and enhance to 5-15
Myisha Hines-Allen: 16-7-4
Julie Vanloo: 15-4-4-1stlDearica Hamby: 16-11-7-1stl
Stephanie Talbot: 17-8-3-3stl
Aari McDonald: 17-3-6-1stl#WNBA #BallOnOurTerms pic.twitter.com/WMTyqn1Zvb— AllThingsWNBA (@AllThingsWNBA) July 3, 2024
In her first season coming off the bench full time, she’s averaging 8.4 factors, 4.7 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists per sport. She’s additionally taking pictures her greatest share from deep at 43 p.c.
The largest blemish on her resume is her group’s 5-17 report. Whereas her play hasn’t resulted in lots of wins, it’s laborious to search out one other participant producing greater than Hines-Allen whereas coming off the bench. That’s why she’s at present one of the best reserve within the WNBA.
Temi Fagbenle (Indiana Fever)
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Caitlin Clark will be the speak of the city in Indiana, however Temi Fagbenle has been excellent. She’s embracing her position of coming off the bench and offering prime minutes for the Fever.
Hell of a discover from Caitlin Clark to Temi Fagbenle off the DHO
After which a incredible transfer to shake unfastened below the basket by Temi pic.twitter.com/AYoEf7zSLU
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) Could 23, 2024
She’s solely performed in 11 video games, having handled a foot damage and now a thumb damage. However, she’s averaging 8.5 factors and 5.5 rebounds and is predicted to return quickly. If Fagbenle can play extra within the second half of the season, she very properly might win this award and assist the Fever attain the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.
Kayla Thorton (New York Liberty)
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Kayla Thornton is taking part in necessary minutes for a championship contender. The ahead is taking part in probably the most reserve minutes for the New York Liberty, registering 6.0 factors and a couple of.5 rebounds per sport.
Her minutes are essential in conserving the offense flowing, serving to to make sure that, when the celebrities catch a breather, the group’s manufacturing doesn’t fall off a cliff. One of many causes she’s been so efficient is that her 3-point taking pictures continues to enhance. Thornton is taking pictures a career-high 37 p.c from deep, and her coming off the bench and catching fireplace from past the arc give the Liberty one too many weapons for groups to beat.
If Thornton continues to supply at this stage the remainder of the way in which, the Liberty will likely be powerful to beat come playoff time.
