Final time the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever confronted off, A’ja Wilson made historical past, changing into the all-time single-season scoring chief. The Aces got here away with the win in that one, and the Fever will look to bounce again once more tonight. Aces-Fever is the headliner once more tonight, however there are a couple of different video games of consequence on the schedule, together with a battle between the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics that would reap vital playoff implications.
First, let’s check out final night time’s comparatively unexciting outcomes from a single-game Thursday night time:
The New York Liberty crushed the Dallas Wings, 99-67: Sabrina Ionescu recorded 20 factors and 6 assists, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton posted 17 factors and 6 rebounds, and Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot every chipped in with 11 factors because the Liberty discarded of the Wings. The win marked New York’s fifth straight, and their second consecutive towards Dallas. For the Wings, Maddy Siegrist and Arike Ogunbowale led the best way with 11 a chunk, although Ogunbowale shot simply 3-13.
Ten groups are in motion within the WNBA tonight — right here’s the whole lot it is advisable know forward of a busy night on Ion.
The Chicago Sky vs the Minnesota Lynx at 7:30pm ET
The Sky had been “embarrassed” by Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Washington Mystics, in response to Kamilla Cardoso, in order that they’ll look to bounce again on Thursday. However, defeating the Lynx can be a tall job contemplating their dominance for the reason that break, and given the very fact the Sky proceed to be with out Angel Reese, who had profitable wrist surgical procedure final week.
Minnesota has received 11 of its final 12 video games, accruing solely a single loss for the reason that Olympics. If Chicago is to come back away with an upset, it should possible require an enormous sport from Chennedy Carter, who’s led the Sky in scoring this season with 17.4 factors on 50.1% capturing.
The Washington Mystics vs the Atlanta Dream at 7:30pm ET
When the Mystics started the season 0-12, it appeared unlikely they’d be battling for a playoff spot in September. However, that’s the place they discover themselves after a midseason turnaround that now has them tied with the Dream at 12-24, and only one sport behind the Sky. It is a consequential outing for each groups in the event that they wish to see postseason motion, and whereas the end result received’t single-handedly determine the eighth seed, it’s a vital one with the common season wrapping up in lower than per week.
The Seattle Storm vs the Dallas Wings at 7:30pm ET
The Storm sit one sport behind the Aces for the #4 seed, and so whereas it’s practically sure the 2 groups will face off within the first spherical, it’s not but decided who can have residence court docket benefit. Skylar Diggins-Smith has been nice for the reason that break — she’s averaging 18.7 factors on 46.7% capturing together with 6.4 assists for the reason that break, however Jewell Loyd has continued to battle, capturing simply 36.3% from the sector for the reason that Olympics for 19.2 factors per sport.
As for the Wings? None of it actually issues at this level. Arike Ogunbowale simply turned the franchise scoring chief for Dallas, and he or she’s been higher for the reason that Olympics (22.4 factors per sport, 43.3% from the sector). However Dallas was the second group to be eradicated from the playoffs hunt, and can look to start out over subsequent season.
The Las Vegas Aces vs the Indiana Fever at 7:30pm ET
The Aces and the Fever sq. off for the second time in three days. Final time they met, A’ja Wilson (27 factors, 12 rebounds) and the Aces had been victorious, and the Fever misplaced a sport to a group aside from the Lynx for the primary time for the reason that break.
Indiana will search for some redemption at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and to get again to their successful methods. Indiana has had two of the league’s prime three scorers for the reason that Olympics — Kelsey Mitchell has averaged 24.8 pints on 49.5% capturing, whereas Caitlin Clark has averaged 23.9 factors on 43.8% capturing alongside 9 rebounds.
The Connecticut Solar vs the Phoenix Mercury at 10pm ET
Head coach Stephanie White has acknowledged the Solar want to snag the #2 seed that they held for a lot of the yr. Proper now, they sit one sport behind the Lynx, which implies they’d face Caitlin Clark and the Fever within the first spherical of the playoffs if issues tipped off in the present day.
For the reason that break, Brionna Jones has been the group’s main scorer, averaging 15 factors per sport, whereas Marina Mabrey has supplied a much-needed offensive enhance, scoring 14.8 factors an evening on 42.7% capturing from three. The Mercury, in the meantime, have struggled. They’ve misplaced 5 of their final six video games, and presently sit two video games beneath .500. There are actually additionally rumors swirling that this may very well be Diana Taurasi’s final WNBA season.
Up to date WNBA Standings
- New York Liberty (31-6)
- Minnesota Lynx (27-9)
- Connecticut Solar (26-10)
- Las Vegas Aces (23-13)
- Seattle Storm (22-14)
- Indiana Fever (19-18)
- Phoenix Mercury (17-19)
- Chicago Sky (13-23)
- Atlanta Dream (12-24)
- Washington Mystics (12-24)
- Dallas Wings (9-28)
- Los Angeles Sparks (7-30)
