Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Kahleah Copper has led the Sky in scoring the first two games.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.)
We said that the Chicago Sky was on the brink of being a title contender for years. Then they got Candace Parker in the offseason and that instantly made them a top team.
However, Parker (along with Allie Quigley, Azura Stevens, and Stefanie Dolson) did not play against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday. That didn’t seem to matter in this game early on, though. They jumped on Atlanta and the Sky led, 38-15.
The Dream did make a valiant comeback. After all, they also have talented spitfire guards in Courtney Williams and Chennedy Carter. Atlanta cut the deficit to a single point. But the Sky seem deeper than ever before. Both Astou Ndour (15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks) and Ruthy Hebard (18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks) dominated the boards. Ndour came up big late as she scored 5 straight to hold off the Dream. A Diamond DeShields jumper put it away for good.
Like I said, the team seems deeper. I didn’t even mention Kahleah Copper, who has been huge for the Sky the first two games. She led the team in scoring with 23 points. She also led the team against the Mystics with 19.
I know people have mentioned the Aces as the favorites to win. I said not to forget the Seattle Storm. But the Sky seem to be for real. After years of disappointment, the Sky might finally break through with this roster. They have the deadly backcourt of Courtney Vandersloot and Quigley. They have an excellent scorer in Copper. Parker brings her all-world game to the mix. DeShields and Stevens will continue to get better. Dolson brings the toughness in the middle. And Hebard and Ndour are there if you need it.
So let’s keep our eyes up and watch the Sky.
Bullet Passes
It’s early but it still breaks my heart that Aari McDonald hasn’t done well thus far. She missed all three of her shots against the Sky. And to add to that Dream logjam, Tiffany Hayes returned. She only went 1 for 10 on Wednesday.
Connecticut went to 3-0 after they thoroughly dominated the Fever. Jonquel Jones went for 17-11-5. Also, let’s watch how Natisha Hiedeman does. She’s averaging 15 points in her first three games.
There are only four undefeated teams left in the league. Sun and Liberty are 3-0. The Sky are 2-0. And the Wings won the only game they played.
Meanwhile, a whopping 5 teams have yet to win a game. The Sparks lost their one game. The Lynx, Dream, and Mystics are 0-2 while the Fever haven’t scratched after three games.
WNBA Scoreboard
May 19, 2021
Watch This Play
I really like these moves by Chennedy Carter. Elizabeth Williams finishes it off after that wonderful dish by Carter.
(VIDEO CREDIT: WNBA.)
Hopefully, Atlanta can win a game soon.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.