The WNBA made its triumphant return Thursday night, with a commanding 79-57 victory for the Seattle Storm over the Connecticut Sun. Even though it was a one-sided result, the first-ever Commissioner’s Cup brought the league back on a high note. On Sunday, every team takes the court in a push towards the playoffs. Here are the WNBA storylines that Beyond Women’s Sports writers are watching.
Returning From Injury – Aislyn Jowers
As the second half of the season starts, one of the many WNBA storylines to look forward to is players who were injured; who will hopefully play after much-needed rest during the Olympic break. Many players ended up hurt right before the break; if you were going to get injured, this is the perfect chance to get much-needed rest and rehabilitation. Many teams needed the much-needed rest to come back strong in hopes of making the playoffs. Teams like the Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, and the Washington Mystics needed this break after many players were not eligible to play due to injury or personal reasons.
One player, Diana Taurasi, had not played for the Mercury leading up to the Olympic break. She did play in the Olympics, but having her back playing in the WNBA will be huge for the Mercury. Chiney Ogwumike of the LA Sparks has been struggling with a knee injury leading up to the break. The Sparks definitely will need their players healthy to finish off the second half of the season. Some exciting news is that it has been reported that Elena Delle Donne has been practicing with the team for the first time in two years since having two back surgeries. Having Delle Donne back is huge for the Mystics; as they have been struggling with a short roster and many injuries. Also, she’s an incredibly talented athlete.
Coming off of injuries is hard so therefore players may not be at their peak performance. But after much-needed R&R who knows what could happen. This break has been great for the league and well deserved to all the players. Many WNBA players are headed back into the league with some new hardware in addition to new knowledge. Fans should be excited to see what these teams have to bring for the second half of the regular season; as teams look towards the playoffs.
A Chicago Resurgence – Nov
Coming into the second half of the season, the word for the Chicago Sky is consistency. During their eight-game winning streak, it was clear to all that this squad could get scoring from anywhere. After dropping three of their final four games before the Olympic break, it was noticeable that this team was off.
So, what can they do to resolve this problem? For starters, Chicago needs to figure out who their offense will run through. Next, Chicago needs Diamond DeShields to be DeShields of 2019. The Diamond we saw become a WNBA All-Star. Lastly, Candace Parker has to develop into the other consistent three-point shooter for the Sky. Parker shoots the 3 at almost 40% and fires about four threes per game. If Parker can hit that outside shot for Chicago, it would make their already lethal offense more dangerous.
Seattle Storm Championship Repeat – LaDarius Brown
With a one-game lead over the Aces in the Western Conference, the Storm is looking to be the second franchise to win back-to-back WNBA titles. The Los Angeles Sparks accomplished the feat back in 2001 & 2002.
Five members of the Storm played in the 2020 Olympics Games: –
- Center Ezi Magbegor (Australia)
- Forward Stephanie Talbot (Australia)
- Forward Breanna Stewart (USA)
- Guard Sue Bird (USA)
- Guard Jewell Loyd (USA)
Three players, Stewart, Bird, and Loyd, won gold and USA Women’s Basketball’s seventh consecutive gold medal in the Olympics. Forward Katie Lou Samuelson withdrew from the USA 3×3 basketball team after testing positive for COVID-19 before leaving for Japan. Samuelson played over 14 minutes in the victory, with two points, two rebounds, and a steal.
During the Olympic break, Storm head coach Noelle Quinn signed a multi-year extension. Quinn took over the reins on May 30 after Dan Hughes announced his retirement. She was an assistant coach under Hughes the previous two seasons. Seattle is 10-4 since Quinn took over and is looking to lead the Storm to three titles in four years.
Turning Things Around in Atlanta – Thomas Costello
The Atlanta Dream started the 2021 season in good shape. Atlanta won four of their first six, and the backcourt of WNBA All-Star Courtney Williams, sophomore Chennedy Carter, and Tiffany Hayes shined. Forwards Monique Billings and Crystal Bradford each brought energetic performances off the bench, and Atlanta looked like a team to beat. Then things changed.
Atlanta won only two of the next 13 games, Hayes left the team due to injury. And Carter followed up her own stint on the injury list by confronting teammates, leading to a team suspension. The Dream are hoping that they make the WNBA storylines for on-court reasons in the second half.
Atlanta signed seven-time All-Star Candice Dupree who will help not only in the paint but in the locker room; both areas of need following recent on and off the court weaknesses. Also in the locker room, interim coach Mike Peterson left the team due to health issues. Peterson inherited the head coaching role; after Nicki Collen left the position just weeks before the season, to coach at Baylor. Assistant coach Darius Taylor is the new interim head coach.
Hayes also makes her comeback from the injury list. But there’s one noticeable difference on the second half of the season roster provided by the team: the status of Carter. The starting point guard for the Dream remains suspended; with no new information regarding the timeframe, her status with the team, or the chemistry in the locker room. Time will tell if Carter stays or goes.
Watch these, and many other, WNBA storylines unfold. Beyond Women’s Sports covers them plus other news from the WNBA, NWSL, and more.
