Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. Here’s what’s going on in the WNBA.
Courtney Vandersloot sets another assist record.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ned Dishman/Getty Images.)
On Monday night, Courtney Vandersloot of the Chicago Sky set yet another record. She dished out 18 assists, breaking a 22-year-old record set by legendary point guard Ticha Penicheiro, when she dished out 16 dimes (she did it again in 2002). Vandersloot is one of the greatest point guards ever and is definitely a candidate for Most Valuable Player this season.
Vandersloot set the record for most assists in a season at 300 last season. That was also the third consecutive season that she broke the record for assists per game in a season. She’s in line to do it for a fourth straight year as she is currently averaging 9.29 this season (eclipsing the 9.09 average of last year). So she just keeps setting the table with the most delicious dishes.
She also is the career leader for assists per game at 6.35 (second, of course, is Penicheiro at 5.72). She’s currently 5th in career assists at 1,842. She’s 1,021 assists behind the still-active Sue Bird but 757 dimes behind Penicheiro. I don’t know when we’ll get back to normalcy but if she does get, say, 200 assists per season, she can catch Tisha in about four years. And Vandersloot may probably play another 5-6 years seeing as she’s currently 31.
As for this season? The Sky are 11-6 and that record is mostly because of Vandersloot. They have kept on despite losing Diamond DeShields and Azura Stevens. It also shows the bucket-getters on that Sky team. Kahleah Copper might win Most Improved Player. Cheyenne Parker has proved to be a go-to scorer. And of course, Sloot’s wife, Allie Quigley, continues to be a deadly assassin from behind the arc. I won’t be mad if Courtney wins MVP but it is such tough competition out there.
Keep breaking those records, Sloot.
Bullet Passes
The back-to-back got to the Sparks as their winning streak was stopped, thanks to the continuing resiliency of the Minnesota Lynx. Keep in mind that they’re doing this without Sylvia Fowles. Napheesa Collier (25 points on Monday) continues to be a threat and I can’t tell you how much Crystal Dangerfield (21 points) has been a boon and a possible Rookie of the Year winner.
Rachel Banham scored 18 points in that win as well. Let’s not forget that she is the all-time leading scorer in Minnesota and that she scored 60 points in a game, which is the record for NCAA women’s basketball. She can score.
I can’t believe the regular season is almost over. We’re in September now and the season ends on the 13th. Woof.
Double U Scoreboard
CHI 100 (11-6) vs IND 77 (5-11)
LA 78 (12-4) vs MIN 96 (11-5)
Watch This Play
Here is the record-breaking dime by Courtney Vandersloot. Like I said, it’s fitting she passed it to her wife, Allie Quigley.
THE WNBA ASSIST RECORD FOR A GAME!!!! 😤@Sloot22 pic.twitter.com/X60ScuwdNc
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 1, 2020
Hope everyone in the Wubble stays safe.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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