Welcome to the Basketball Hangover.
Breanna Stewart continues to play MVP ball for the Storm.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gosling/Getty Images.)
The Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces continue their excellent play this season. After their wins over the Chicago Sky and the New York Liberty, respectively, both teams clinched playoff spots as we get closer to the postseason.
Seattle has been pretty dominant in the Wubble. I had mentioned before that Breanna Stewart has been better than ever and it’s remarkable because she had a torn Achilles last season. They continue to be really awesome on both ends (tops in the league in both offensive and defensive ratings). And Natasha Howard, who had struggled early, has now woken up, averaging 13.5 points and 10 boards in the last 6 games.
Getting Sue Bird back for the postseason would also be key as she had been struggling with knee injuries. But Jordin Canada has done a great job as a starter and we know Canada is easily that player for any other team.
As for Las Vegas? Angel McCoughtry was a key signing and I feel like if Liz Cambage and Kelsey Plum were healthy, it’d be an embarrassment of riches for the Aces. But Cambage opted out and Plum has a torn Achilles that took her out for the season. McCoughtry has become the second-leading scorer for the team.
But if you don’t think Stewie is the MVP this season, then A’ja Wilson should be. She’s been fantastic on both ends of the floor. I suppose the silver lining of Cambage not being on the floor is that Wilson has more space to operate. Wilson is in the top 5 in both scoring (20.3 points makes her second in the league) and rebounds (8.7 makes her fifth).
The Aces and the Storm have faced each other before and they’ll face each other again in a make-up day on September 13th, which has now become the last day of the regular season. Not sure if we’re going to get more of a Finals preview there since they’ll likely be the Top 2 seeds at the end. I just know that if they do face each other in a possible finals series, it’s going to be one hell of a battle.
Bullet Passes
Amanda Zahui B grabbed 21 rebounds for the New York Liberty. That is a franchise record. The league record is by Chamique Holdsclaw with 24.
This is a big deal for the Chicago Sky. Azura Stevens, who could be in line for Most Improved Player, has left the Wubble with knee soreness. Diamond DeShields has also left the Wubble because of personal reasons.
After a career-best 28 points, Satou Sabally came back with 18 points and 11 boards as she reestablishes herself as a candidate for Rookie of the Year.
Double U Scoreboard
NY 63 (2-13) v LV 80 (12-3)
SEA 88 (13-3) v CHI 74 (10-6)
DAL 82 (6-10) v IND 78 (5-10)
Watch This Play
Pretty touch pass from Danielle Robinson to Angel.
That pass from @justDROB though 🔥
📺 @CBSSportsNet | #BradentonArea pic.twitter.com/kPO4EHM46e
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 29, 2020
Please take care of yourselves, y’all.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.