The WNBA season resumes on Thursday following the month-long Olympic break.
Listed below are 5 storylines we’re watching because the race for the postseason intensifies.
How far can Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston take the Fever?
Indiana has come a great distance from its 1-8 begin. The Fever are 10-7 of their final 17 video games, and the crew’s turnaround has been fueled by the final two No. 1 total picks of the WNBA Draft in Boston and Clark.
Throughout the crew’s first 9 video games, Boston averaged 11 factors on 45.2 p.c taking pictures, 6.8 rebounds and fewer than one block per recreation. Since June 1, Boston has averaged 15.9 factors (56.9 p.c taking pictures), 9.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per recreation.
In the meantime, Clark averaged fewer factors through the Fever’s turnaround however has a greater taking pictures share, extra rebounds and assists and fewer turnovers per recreation for the reason that begin of the season.
The Fever (11-15) are seventh within the WNBA standings and three video games forward of the Dream (7-17) for the league’s closing playoff spot.
“Barbie and Chen” lead the Sky
Clark’s most important Rookie of the Yr competitors is Angel Reese, a double-double machine within the season’s first half. Earlier this season, Reese set the WNBA document for many consecutive double-doubles (15). The previous LSU Tiger is second within the league in complete rebounds per recreation (11.9) and first in offensive rebounds (4.9).
The “Barbie” nickname she earned at LSU traveled along with her to Chicago, the place she discovered her “Ken” on the basketball court. Guard Chennedy Carter has grow to be the crew’s go-to scoring menace.
Per Her Hoop Stats, Carter has the league’s third-highest utilization fee (28.9 p.c). She’s made a career-high 51.8 p.c of her subject purpose makes an attempt whereas averaging 17.2 factors per recreation, her most since her rookie season (17.4).
Marina Mabrey’s impression on the Solar
With Carter taking her recreation to the subsequent stage, the Sky sent guard Marina Mabrey to the Solar on July 17. The six-year WNBA veteran may very well be the piece Connecticut must win its first league title.
The Solar have been the perfect defensive crew this season, permitting the fewest factors per recreation (72.9) within the league, however the offense has lagged. They rank eighth in scoring (79.8 factors per recreation), with their three-point assault sorely missing.
Connecticut is tenth in three-point makes an attempt (424), makes (133) and share (31.4 p.c). Mabrey is a profession 35.9 p.c shooter from past the arc and is 35 p.c this season.
The largest query in regards to the match is how Mabrey and guard DiJonai Carrington will coexist. The 2 have had a few dustups as rivals prior to now, and each should bury the hatchet for the commerce to work for the Solar.
Worldwide Olympic stars search for roster spots
The Olympics have been a superb showcase for a few of the high unsigned WNBA expertise, together with Gabby Williams of the French nationwide crew.
The previous UConn guard (2014-15 by means of 2017-18) completed the Olympics averaging 15.5 factors, 4.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and a couple of.8 steals per recreation. She nearly sent Sunday’s gold medal recreation between the USA and France to time beyond regulation with a last-second subject purpose.
Williams’ foot was inches previous the three-point line, which gave the U.S. a 67-66 win. As shut as she was to sending the sport to time beyond regulation, Williams needs to be even nearer to a WNBA roster spot.
One crew we are able to seemingly cross off her record is the Sky. Reese just lately implored Williams to signal with the franchise, which Williams shut down.
