Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
The other Arizona professional team didn’t so well as they lost to the Minnesota Lynx
(PHOTO CREDIT: Darryl Webb/Arizona Republic.)
Looks like the Minnesota Lynx are finding some rhythm. They have won three straight games as they defeated the Phoenix Mercury.
While it was Sylvia Fowles that was dominant the past two games, it was my niece’s favorite player, Kayla McBride, who provided all the offense for the Lynx. She scored 26 points and went 5 for 7 from behind the arc.
The Lynx went on a 12-0 run in the third and McBride scored 10 of those points in that period. But the Mercury weren’t easy to put away; Brittney Griner also had an excellent offensive game. She went for 28 points off 12 for 15 shooting. Heck, she even made a three in the fourth quarter as Phoenix tried to mount a comeback.
In the end, Layshia Clarendon held them at bay with timely buckets late in the game. What really separated them was the battle on the boards. The Lynx won, 39-22, on rebounds. Napheesa Collier and Fowles each had 11 boards.
The Lynx are now 8-7 while the Mercury fall to 7-9. Again, Minnesota might be starting to find a groove here. They made it to the semifinals last season and there’s no reason to think they can’t improve upon that and even give the Seattle Storm or Las Vegas Aces a run for their money.
Bullet Passes
Speaking of the Aces, they brutalized the Los Angeles Sparks. Jackie Young led 6 women in double figures with an 18-5-5 line.
It was also Chelsea Gray‘s first game back in L.A. since she left the Sparks. She finished with 6 points and 8 assists.
By virtue of a tiebreaker, Las Vegas has taken over the #1 seed in the league.
The Sky have won 8 of 9 after they took care of the Dallas Wings. They also used a balanced attack as they had 7 ladies score 10 or more points. Kahleah Copper had 17 points.
Speaking of Copper…
The all-star rosters have been revealed. It’s basically the National team against stars who are not on that team. Here are the rosters:
I am happy for Brionna Jones making the team; we all noted her improvement for the Connecticut Sun. Also happy for Betnijah Laney, who won Most Improved Player last season. We know how much she’s lethal as a scorer.
Liz Cambage and Dearica Hamby making it makes it four Aces in the game (A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray are in the national team). A little surprised Satou Sabally made it. If that’s the case, where’s Kelsey Plum (who is also going to be in the 3-on-3 national team)? And of course, we mentioned Copper; she deserves to be there.
I don’t want this to turn into an argument like the men’s team so we’ll stop here.
WNBA Scoreboard
June 30, 2021
Watch This Play
TNLP by Candace Parker to first-time all-star Kahleah Copper!
From one All-Star to another 🔥
📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/92cVmcIZvq
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 1, 2021
That’s a heck of a finish, too. Love those double clutch lay-ups.
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.