We’ve got six WNBA video games on deck for Thursday and Friday as we inch nearer to the weekend.
Thursday incorporates a matchup between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, adopted by the New York Liberty taking part in the Chicago Sky at 8 p.m. ET on WNBA League Go.
Friday is an ION day with all 4 video games on the community. The Connecticut Solar go to the Minnesota Lynx for the 7:30 p.m. ET sport, whereas the Washington Mystics and Las Vegas Aces, the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks, and Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm all tip off at 10 p.m. ET.
With a lot motion to maintain up with, listed below are the important thing storylines to observe throughout these video games:
Can the Liberty begin their title protection 2-0?
Throughout their first sport of the season, New York celebrated their 2024 title by elevating their banner, receiving their rings and dominating the Aces, 92-78.
They’ll be seeking to present that this efficiency was not an outlier and that they’re ready to go back-to-back.
Standing of their method is a scrappy Sky staff led by Angel Reese. The Sky misplaced badly in opposition to the Fever of their season debut, however they’re anticipated to be a very good, playoff-caliber staff.
An authoritative victory by the Liberty would exhibit their seriousness about one other title run, whereas a win by the Sky would show that their first loss was not an indicator of larger issues with the staff.
Are the Mystics this good? Are the Aces nonetheless good?
Final season, the Mystics have been one of many worst groups within the WNBA. They began 0-12 and completed 14-26; this 12 months, followers didn’t have a lot optimism that issues can be completely different. Nonetheless, they’ve exceeded expectations early on, profitable their first two video games earlier than falling by two factors in Golden State on Wednesday night time.
The rationale for the turnaround? The rookies Kiki Iirafen and Sonia Citron have been producing. Iriafen is averaging 15.5 factors and 9 rebounds per sport, and Citron is scoring 17 factors per sport. Once you add in Brittney Sykes main the staff with 24.5 factors per sport, all of the sudden the Mystics have a enjoyable offense that may trigger issues.
The Aces, however, have been on a sluggish decline. They have been unable to win the championship in 2024 and have began the season with a 1-1 file.
Sure, they’ve the MVP in A’ja Wilson and the Gold Mamba in Jewell Loyd, however bench scoring has been a wrestle. With so many groups bettering, maybe the league is passing over the juggernaut that after was the Aces.
A dominant win over the Mystics would quiet these ideas, and if Washington can rebound from their first loss and beat Las Vegas, they may be a legitimately good staff this 12 months.
Fever-Dream rematch headlines different motion
The primary spherical of Fever-Dream went to Atlanta as they received by the slimmest of margins. Rhyne Howard and Brittney Griner mixed for 41 factors, and Caitlin Clark led all scorers with 27 factors. The speedy rematch ought to make this a must-see occasion.
The Lynx will tackle the struggling Solar, who’ve but to win a sport this 12 months. Connecticut appears to be a staff having hassle discovering their identification early on. Golden State takes on Los Angeles for the second time this 12 months, besides in LA this time round.
Just like the Mystics, the Mercury have stunned individuals by beginning the 12 months off 2-0. They’ll take a look at that profitable streak in opposition to the Storm on Friday. They’ve already crushed Seattle 81-59 throughout their season opener, so it’s an opportunity for them to copy that consequence whereas the Storm shall be seeking to flip the script.
Sport info
Atlanta Dream (1-1) vs. Indian Fever (1-1)
When: Thursday, Might 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET
The place: State Farm Area in Atlanta, GA
The right way to watch: Prime Video
Chicago Sky (0-1) vs. New York Liberty (1-0)
When: Thursday, Might 22 at 8 p.m. ET
The place: Wintrust Area in Chicago, IL
The right way to watch: WNBA League Go
Minnesota Lynx (3-0) vs. Connecticut Solar (0-2)
When: Friday, Might 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET
The place: Goal Heart in San Francisco, CA
The right way to watch: ION
Las Vegas Aces (1-1) vs. Washington Mystics (2-1)
When: Friday, Might 23 at 10 p.m. ET
The place: Michelob ULTRA Area in Las Vegas, NV
The right way to watch: ION
Los Angeles Sparks (1-2) vs. Golden State Valkyries (1-1)
When: Friday, Might 23 at 10 p.m. ET
The place: crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, CA
The right way to watch: ION
Seattle Storm (1-1) vs. Phoenix Mercury (2-0)
When: Friday, Might 23 at 10 p.m. ET
The place: Local weather Pledge Area in Seattle, WA
The right way to watch: ION
