WNBA: Paige Bueckers is again, however the Wings nonetheless have massive issues

The Minnesota Lynx can tighten their grip on the highest spot within the Western Convention’s Commissioner’s Cup standings on Sunday afternoon after they journey to Dallas to face the Wings for a 3rd time this season.

Earlier than that, the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Solar meet in an Jap Convention Cup sport that, as a result of Washington’s 0-2 Cup document and Connecticut’s -40 level differential, possible has little relevance to the end result of the in-season competitors. However, the competition can nonetheless present extra information concerning the instructions of those retooling groups.

Solar-Mystics suggestions off at 3 p.m. ET, with Lynx vs. Wings following at 4 p.m. ET. Each video games can be found by WNBA League Cross.

Can Mystics begin to get extra from Dolson, Austin and Edwards towards Solar?

Picture by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

Simply once we doubt the Solar, they arrive by, decided to show that this won’t be a very misplaced season, as a 34-point outburst from Marina Mabrey spurred the Solar to a defeat of the beforehand surging Atlanta Dream, 84-76.

And but, we’re going to doubt them once more. The Solar, with a still-mismatched roster and ill-fitting methods, seemingly are depending on a Mabrey heater to search out the win column.

The Mystics, regardless of having misplaced three-straight video games, have an intentional, if imperfect, id that may extra sustainably produce aggressive basketball and, hopefully, wins. The 2 groups performed on Could 18, when the Solar sacrificed an early 15-point lead on their strategy to an eventual 15-point loss. As has been the case for the Mystics all through the season, the trio of Brittney Sykes, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron led the way in which, combining for 59 of Washington’s 90 factors. And as Beckett Harrison lately emphasised, we’re not going to cease speaking concerning the two rookies. Iriafen continues to do her greatest A’ja Wilson impersonation, whereas Citron is the steadiest “Regular Betty” of all of them.

That stated, to not solely guarantee a win over Connecticut, but in addition to situate themselves for a couple of extra wins over the course of the season, Washington possible wants improved play from their incumbent frontcourt gamers.

Stef Dolson, probably the greatest 3-point shooters within the W final season, has but to search out her stroke from behind the arc, although her credible means to area the ground as a stretch 5 makes issues simpler for Iriafen across the basket. Shakira Austin, whose minutes look like restricted due to her persistent damage troubles, has had flashes of excellence amongst some inconsistency. Aaliyah Edwards, who was sidelined with a again damage to begin the season, has but to search out her groove as she has likewise seen restricted minutes. Determining extra outlined roles and rotations for the this gifted trio can take the Mystics from a “cute story” that will probably be aggressive in most video games to a crew that may actually threaten for a playoff berth, whatever the group’s expectations coming into the season.

Does defensively poor Dallas have an opportunity towards Minnesota?

Picture by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Photos

Will the third time be a allure for the Wings?

It would take some form of charmed, ethereal powers for Dallas to defeat Minnesota, even when the Wings misplaced by solely 4 factors within the second matchup between the 2 groups. The primary sport, the season opener for each squads, was a 15-point Lynx win.

Paige Bueckers is possible to return for the Wings, having missed her crew’s three earlier video games whereas in concussion protocol. To this point, the rookie has struggled towards her homestate squad, capturing no higher than 30 % from the sphere within the two earlier matchups towards the Lynx, who personal the third-best protection within the WNBA.

The Wings issues, after all, exceed their No. 1 choose’s up-and-down capturing percentages. It’s one thing first-year head coach Chris Koclanes acknowledges, describing the efficiency of his crew and employees as “poor” and noting the difficulty they’re having placing their gamers in positions to succeed.

Nevertheless, whereas Koclanes detailed among the offensive points encountered by Myisha Hines-Allen and DiJonai Carrington, the Wings have been common on that facet of the ball, scoring 83.4 factors per sport, which ranks fifth within the league, and registering an offensive score of 102.5, which is sixth.

The offense could also be uninspiring, however it’s ample. It’s the protection that’s dooming Dallas. Most illustratively, the Chicago Sky, a crew that twice has failed to attain 60 factors in video games, rang up 94 and 97 factors in back-to-back video games towards the Wings. Opponents are capturing properly from the sphere, cashing in from behind the arc and feasting on free throws, as Dallas ranks within the backside three of the league in all three classes. Transition protection can also be a catastrophe, with the Wings relenting a league-worst 14.1 fastbreak factors per sport. No, the Wings are usually not optimizing the offensive skills of their gamers, but when they don’t repair the protection, that doesn’t matter.

Unsurprisingly, defensively poor Dallas has had nothing for Napheesa Collier within the two prior video games between these groups. The main MVPhee candidate has averaged 31 factors throughout the 2 video games, going an ideal 20-for-20 from the free throw line alongside the way in which. Count on Sunday afternoon to turn out to be one other exhibition of Collier’s excellence.

Sport data

Connecticut Solar (2-6; 1-1 CC) vs. Washington Mystics (3-6; 0-2 CC)

When: Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. ET

The place: CareFirst Enviornment in Washington, DC

How you can watch: WNBA League Cross

Minnesota Lynx (8-0; 2-0 CC) vs. Dallas Wings (1-8; 0-2 CC)

When: Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. ET

The place: School Park Middle in Arlington, TX

How you can watch: WNBA League Cross