The New York Liberty sit atop the WNBA standings and play within the Commissioner’s Cup title recreation Tuesday night time. (Photograph by Wealthy von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
After six weeks of play, the highest of the league is beginning to separate, with the Liberty, Solar and Lynx trying like legit contenders. However there are many necessary storylines from prime to backside, together with a budding rivalry, devastating accidents, the return of a former Finals MVP and extra.
The WNBA is a top-heavy league
The New York Liberty, who play within the Commissioner’s Cup title recreation Tuesday night time, have received 11 of their final 12 video games to safe the highest spot within the standings with a 15-3 document. The Solar and the Lynx are each 13-3 to spherical out the highest three, separating themselves as the very best squads within the league, adopted by the Storm (10-6) and Aces (8-6). No different workforce is above .500.
The cut up between the highest and the underside of the league makes for an fascinating playoff image. With regards to favorites to win the WNBA title, nobody exterior the highest 5 appears to have a lot of an opportunity. However by way of making the playoffs, issues are huge open. As a result of the remaining groups are .500 or beneath, even the 4-13 Mystics and 3-13 Wings may make a playoff push.
Simply when issues concerning the Aces had been beginning to rise, Chelsea Grey returned from harm and instantly gave her workforce a carry. The purpose guard, who was named 2022 Finals MVP, has been out with a left foot harm since Recreation 4 of final season’s WNBA Finals. The Aces began the season because the favorites to win one other title after taking back-to-back championships, however after beginning the yr 8-6, their expectations grew to become muddled.
Grey appears to have her workforce again on observe. The Aces have received their final two video games towards the Storm and the Solar, coinciding with Grey’s return. Towards Seattle she completed with seven assists and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. It’ll take time for Grey to get again to full power, however the Aces clearly reply to her management and really feel extra comfy along with her on the ground. If Grey will get again to final season’s type when she averaged 15.3 factors and seven.3 assists per recreation, the Aces could turn into the favorites as soon as once more.
The rising Indiana-Chicago rivalry
Each Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have downplayed the rivalry between their respective groups, however the pleasure surrounding the matchup says in any other case. The third recreation between Indiana and Chicago was a sellout that attracted celebrities like Jason Sudeikis, Probability the Rapper, Jalen Brunson and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. It additionally delivered on the hype, as Chicago avenged two earlier losses with an 88-87 victory Sunday, snapping a four-game Fever successful streak. Reese was the star with 25 factors and 16 rebounds for her eighth consecutive double-double. Clark completed with 17 factors and a franchise-record 13 assists within the loss.
The Dallas Wings are at present the worst workforce within the WNBA at 3-13, and issues don’t look like getting any higher. Arike Ogunbowale is doing her finest to maintain the workforce afloat, averaging 23.9 factors and 4.8 assists per recreation, however accidents have devastated her squad. Satou Sabally hasn’t performed all season after injuring her shoulder competing for Germany in an Olympic qualifying match in February. Final season she averaged 15.8 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per recreation.
Sabally’s absence has been tough to beat, however the harm woes don’t cease there. Maddy Siegrist, who’s having a breakout season with 14.6 factors and 4.2 rebounds per recreation, is anticipated to be out eight weeks after breaking her index finger.
WNBA accidents impression Olympic 3×3
Cameron Brink, Rhyne Howard, Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick had been set to compete for the USA ladies’s 3×3 workforce within the Paris Olympics, however accidents have impacted the roster. Brink, who was having fun with a profitable rookie marketing campaign, tore her ACL final week. She’s going to miss the rest of the season and the Olympics. Los Angeles Sparks teammate Dearica Hamby was tabbed to exchange her.
Howard additionally suffered an harm, hurting her left ankle Wednesday towards the Lynx. Howard is out indefinitely and was seen utilizing a scooter Friday, however her standing for the Olympics is unknown.
