Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Tina Charles walloped her former team on Friday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Oliver Contreras/Washington Post.)
Well, the Washington Mystics sent the New York Liberty back down to Earth.
Mystics blew out the Liberty and handed them their first loss. New York endured a 16-0 run from D.C. in the first half but couldn’t get through the rest of the rain.
Yup. Rain. Washington made 16 threes against them. And a former Liberty player haunted New York. Their former star, Tina Charles, went for a season-high 34 points and 9 rebounds. Once Myisha Hines-Allen and Elena Delle Donne come back, the Mystics should be a force to be reckoned with.
Remember that EDD did not play last season and they still made the postseason. Of course, their run was cut short by Shey Peddy with a memorable buzzer-beating three but they probably won’t be in that position when all their guns are back.
They’re also hoping to get Emma Meesseman back after the Olympics. That would make their frontcourt even deeper.
But no, she did not play on Friday for the Liberty.
What is wrong with this picture?
(PHOTO CREDIT: @MysticsBE from Twitter.)
I mean, the Liberty certainly could’ve used Emma.
Bullet Passes
The Atlanta Dream had a late 8-0 run that helped them get their first win. Chennedy Carter went for 23 points.
Again, with Tiffany Hayes back, that backcourt is such a huge jam right now. Aari McDonald didn’t even get to see the court.
The Connecticut Sun doubled up on the Phoenix Mercury on boards, 48-24. The Sun have gotten off to a 4-0 start and are looking every bit as scary as they have the last two seasons WITHOUT Alyssa Thomas.
Chelsea Gray led the Las Vegas Aces with 18 points and blew out her former team. The Sparks losing some of their good players (Gray, Candace Parker, Sydney Wiese) makes me and my friends sad. The Ogwumike sisters are great but they were the only bright spot for the team on Friday.
WNBA Scoreboard
May 21, 2021
Watch This Play
I love this outlet pass from Crystal Bradford to Monique Billings on the run.
Who saw this 🚀 from Crystal ➡️ @moniquebillings last night? #DoItForTheDream | #CountIt pic.twitter.com/Lk9skAd329
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 22, 2021
The Dream finally scratched on Friday. That play certainly helped them.
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.