Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
The Las Vegas Aces won after going overtime with the Seattle Storm.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal.)
We were high on the Chicago Sky before the season. Talks about them simmered down when they went through what was potentially a season-killing 7-game losing streak. But then they won 7 straight to counter that and they seem dangerous again.
We were a little surprised on how the Connecticut Sun started the season. Jonquel Jones reminded us how good she was by playing MVP-caliber ball. They got off to an 8-2 start before Jones left to fulfill her overseas commitments. The Sun went 2-3 without her (more on them later) but Jones is due to come back on Tuesday. They might be top contenders with her available once again.
But I always feel it’s about these two teams that made the Finals last year. The Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces reacquainted on Sunday to put on an instant classic.
The Seattle Storm led most of the way as Breanna Stewart continues to stake her claim as one of the top players in the league. She really turned it on in the second half as the Aces put pressure on them. Las Vegas finally led after a Kelsey Plum three.
Stewie would eventually tie the game at 84 but missed a couple of shots that would have given them the lead. Of course, these two teams would go an extra session.
In the end, it was the newest Ace, Chelsea Gray, that got it done. She made a huge three-point play to give Vegas a 91-90 lead. After Stewie free throws, Gray crossed into a jumper that gave them the lead back. Sue Bird would miss the go-ahead three and the Aces would win this duel.
Adding Chelsea to the team might give the Aces a better chance this time around should they meet the Storm again in the Finals. It gives them ridiculous depth at guard as Plum comes off the bench for them.
Seattle still leads the league with a 12-4 record but two of their losses came against the Aces. They’re done meeting in the regular season but I’d pay money to see them go at it in the postseason. Maybe the Finals?
Bullet Passes
The Sun did limit the Sky to 58 points as they snapped Chicago’s 7-game win streak. DeWanna Bonner scored 23 points while we continue to see Brionna Jones grow as a player as she went for 21 points and 9 boards.
And as we had mentioned, Jonquel Jones is due back on Tuesday.
Diana Taurasi returned on Sunday and what a return it was. The all-time leading scorer of the WNBA hit another milestone.
Fastest player to 7,000 career points ✅
WNBA’s all-time leading scorer ✅
Only player to 8,000 ✅
9,000 ✅ pic.twitter.com/jbR7dT9AGz— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 27, 2021
Next up? 10K for Diana. Congratulations to Diana Taurasi.
WNBA Scoreboard
June 27, 2021
Watch This Play
As mentioned, here’s Chelsea Gray’s jumper after a cross with Stewie in front of her.
Gray (@cgray209) calls game with this one, @LVAces WIN 😤 pic.twitter.com/t4LtUUYEUT
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 27, 2021
That is some clutch shot.
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.