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I cover six of the WNBA teams; the Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, and Phoenix Mercury. My co-host of our podcast The Hoodie and The Headband (https://linktr.ee/HandHShow) Bryce Warner covers the other six. Through two weeks, I’ve learned and enjoyed many things about each team, and I will share those with you all.
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever have been a pleasant surprise for me. I was hoping the organization would back the young players, and they have. Through five games, NaLyssa Smith is averaging a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while playing 30-plus minutes per game. Queen Egbo has quickly made a name for herself on the defensive end with a few highlight-reel blocks. She had five steals and three blocks against the Minnesota Lynx, 14 rebounds against the New York Liberty, and has only one game with less than two blocks. Destanni Henderson started out great with a 19-point game in just her secondcareer game, but the return of Danielle Robinson has decreased her minutes a bit. Emily Engstler’s defense and intensity have translated right away to the W. Despite playing less than 20 minutes, she is averaging six rebounds per game. The leadership of Kelsey Mitchell has been incredible to see as well. Scoring 25-plus in her last three games, two of those leading to close wins. The Fever are much closer to turning this around than I originally believed.
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury have only played three games winning two of those, both against a Seattle Storm team without Breanna Stewart. Skylar Diggins-Smith is playing like the best point guard in the league, averaging 19.3 points and four assists. Diana Taurasi answered her nine-point performance against the Aces with two games of 15 and 24 points while shooting 50 percent in both. Tina Charles has struggled compared to her standards in all but one game, where she scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. They need a dominant Charles to compete for a championship without Britney Griner. Diamond DeShields’ presence has absolutely helped in the last two games as well, and it will be interesting to see how much her role grows.
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics look like the 2019 team that won the WNBA Championship, especially on the offensive end. Sitting at 3-1 and atop the standings once again. Four players average double-digits in points, and five players average more than three assists. That is a sign of ball movement and trust. Elena Delle Donne is on a mission to reclaim her title as champion and best player in the world. Natasha Cloud is trying to prove to the world that she’s a shooter. Ariel Atkins is steady, do-it-all two-guard. Alysha Clark returned from injury, Hines-Allen has shown tremendous leadership. Rookies Shakira Austin and Rui Machida have contributed immediately, which bodes well for Coach Thibault.
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky lost their first game, but if the right call was made, they’d be 3-0. They answered a tough loss to the Sparks with a resounding thumping by 33 points of the New York Liberty. The defense and turnovers were a point of emphasis after game one. They held the Liberty to SEVENTEEN first-half points! They only had seven turnovers compared to the 25 against the Sparks. Dana Evans gave them 15 points off the bench, while Rebekah Gardner scored 14 points in her first WNBA game at 31 years old. Allie Quigley returned against the Lynx while the Sky still awaits Kahleah Copper. Copper is having a year to remember. She became a WNBA All-Star, WNBA Champion, Finals MVP, Euroleague MVP, Spanish Cup Champion, and MVP. When this team gets together, it’s going to be an incredible sight to see.
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm are tough to gauge, considering they have played their last two games without their best player Breanna Stewart. They blew out the Lynx in game one, which has looked like the worst team in the league to start the year. They would go on to lose their next three, including against the Aces, with Stewart on the court. WNBA fans predicted a breakout season for Gabby Williams, which hasn’t happened yet. Sue Bird’s performance differs from game to game. While Jewell Loyd is one of the best scorers in the league, she can get a feeling that she needs to carry the team and, at times shoot them out of the game. They need someone to step up other than Loyd and Stewart, or it will be a disappointing finish in the playoffs again.
Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings sit 2-1 and fourth in the standings currently. After releasing Moriah Jefferson, coach Johnson decided to move Marina Mabrey to the starting lineup. Arike Ogunbowale’s efficiency has improved in games two and three, which have led to wins. Ty Harris came through with 10 assists against the Mystics. The Wings badly need facilitating from the guard spot, and she was able to bring that. They are still without All-Star Satou Sabally, and if she can stay healthy, she can provide scoring, playmaking, and versatility. Allisha Gray must be aggressive but efficient for this team to go where they want.
It is early; some teams have only played a few games, and others have played up to five. Things can change day-to-day and week-to-week. But we’ve been able to answer some questions we had entering the season. I can’t wait to see how these teams continue to change as the season goes on.
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