WNBA resumes, so do the dominant Breanna Stewart and the Liberty

The primary-place New York Liberty picked up the place they left off earlier than the Olympic break, dominating the Los Angeles Sparks 103-68 because the WNBA returned to motion Thursday. The Washington Mystics acquired two welcome returns personnel-wise — although not a victory — and the Phoenix Mercury’s three Olympians had been among the many Paris gold medalists who regarded recent and able to go.

The league is again in motion with the push for the playoffs on everybody’s minds. With a couple of month left within the common season, groups know each sport from right here on has an affect. The Liberty, looking for the franchise’s first WNBA title, are targeted on the No. 1 seed because the aim.

For the third-place Minnesota Lynx, who received the Commissioner’s Cup closing in June, dealing with a closer-to-full power Mystics squad was a superb take a look at to get the remainder of their schedule began. Their 79-68 win was the closest sport of the evening, and Olympic gold medalist Napheesa Collier acquired issues going along with her thirteenth double-double of the season.

The sixth-place Mercury, who hovered round a .500 file for a lot of the primary a part of the season, acquired an 85-65 victory at Chicago on Thursday that moved them to 14-12 and — they hope — an opportunity to maybe meet up with the WNBA’s prime 5. Sky ahead Angel Reese (11 factors, 15 rebounds) acquired her 18th double-double, shifting her nearer to Tina Charles’ rookie file (22, set in 2010).

5 different groups, together with the Indiana Fever with rookie standout Caitlin Clark, will get again to motion Friday, whereas the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces return Saturday as they host final season’s WNBA Finals foe New York. This is a take a look at what stood out because the WNBA hit the hardwood once more.

How did the Olympians play?

Philippou: The Olympians confirmed few indicators of jet lag. All U.S. nationwide workforce members who performed Thursday scored in double figures, together with the most important stars of the evening — Kahleah Copper (29 factors), Brittney Griner (23), Breanna Stewart (27) — serving to their WNBA groups cruise to victories of their first video games again. New York’s starters did not must play main minutes with the workforce pulling forward by as many as 40, whereas Phoenix’s fundamental 5 every performed at the very least 30.

Whether or not fatigue hits over the course of the second half is one thing to watch, however with the way in which the Liberty and Mercury got here out Thursday, they might be making statements about what’s in retailer within the coming weeks and months. The Mercury particularly are a workforce to watch — if their core is all lastly wholesome on the similar time, can they make a late run?

Voepel: Griner was 10 of 12 from the sector, with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks — considered one of her most full video games of the season. Accidents restricted her to fifteen of the Mercury’s first 25 video games. But when Griner, Copper and Diana Taurasi (11 factors, 4 assists) are main the way in which, Phoenix will be harmful.

“After this [Olympic] break, there’s lots of groups, lots of people which can be hungry,” Griner stated. “I do know we’re able to make that push. The Sky is the restrict for this workforce. I believe we’ll do actually, actually good.”

Which groups regarded rusty?

Philippou: Chicago left lots to be desired, although which may have needed to do extra so with personnel modifications: This was its first sport since Marina Mabrey was traded to Connecticut, whereas Chennedy Carter was dominated out earlier Thursday as a consequence of a non-COVID sickness. The shortage of ground spacing with out Mabrey on the court docket, plus the absence of Carter’s explosiveness and talent to create, actually spelled bother for the Sky: Their 65 factors had been their second fewest on the season.

It will take a while for his or her return within the Mabrey commerce — Rachel Banham (7 factors, 26 minutes) and Moriah Jefferson (2 factors, 12 minutes) — to settle into issues, however even when Carter is again quickly, Chicago will want them to assist jump-start the offense and discover methods to open issues up within the paint as they eye a playoff berth in 12 months 1 below Teresa Weatherspoon.

Will a workforce like Washington affect the playoff image?

Voepel: Maybe so, despite the fact that the Mystics themselves — in final place at 6-20 — aren’t going to make it, they may have an effect on different groups as a spoiler of kinds. Accidents devastated the Mystics within the season’s first half, however heart Shakira Austin (9 factors, 10 rebounds) returned to motion Thursday for the primary time since Could 31 and guard Brittney Sykes (11 factors, 4 rebounds) was again for her first motion since June 11.

Whereas Washington realistically is likely to be wanting extra towards the 2025 draft and season, seeing the workforce wanting nearer to what it hoped to be end out this season generally is a increase. And the Mystics needs to be taking part in with out a lot strain.

What’s one factor to observe as extra groups resume?

Philippou: Talking of Mabrey, we’ll get our first take a look at how she is integrated into the Solar offense Friday when she faces one other considered one of her former groups within the Dallas Wings. Will her 3-point taking pictures elevate the Solar’s offense as they’d hoped once they traded for her? That sport can even mark Satou Sabally‘s first contest for the Wings this season after she was sidelined with a shoulder damage, but when she will play like she did on the Olympics for Germany, she may assist Dallas make some noise within the second half.

Voepel: Will probably be fascinating to see the Liberty face the Aces once more. New York actually took it to the Sparks on Thursday, even with out Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who continues to be recovering from knee surgical procedure, and the Liberty actually need to ship the message that they’re the league’s finest.

The primary assembly this season between the Liberty and Aces was June 15 at Las Vegas, a 90-82 Liberty win that moved Aces star A’ja Wilson to tears within the postgame as she promised she would assist encourage her teammates to play higher. The Aces dropped to 6-6 with that loss; they’re 10-2 since. This would be the second of the three regular-season conferences between New York and Las Vegas. The final is in Brooklyn on Sept. 8.