The WNBA playoffs switch into high gear as the semifinals kick off on Monday (PH time). Four teams remain as the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, and defending champions Chicago Sky vie for the title.
Before the second round begins, let’s do a quick recap of what happened in the first round. We’ll review the eliminated teams and how they can improve for next season. We’ll also assess the remaining teams and what to look forward to in the semifinals.
Here are eight observations from the eight teams that competed in the first round:
Should we be concerned about Skylar Diggins-Smith?
To say that the Phoenix Mercury had a tumultuous season is an understatement. From Brittney Griner’s saga in Russa, Tina Charles’ arrival and abrupt departure, and Diana Taurasi’s late-season injury, things never got easy. The team didn’t even catch a break during the playoffs when Shey Peddy ruptured her Achilles tendon in Game 1 against the Aces. The fact that the Mercury even made it into the playoffs is a feat in itself.
One of the more pressing concerns for Phoenix, however, is the status of its lead guard Skylar Diggins-Smith. The Mercury star didn’t finish the regular season and was inactive in the two playoff games due to personal reasons. We hope that Diggins-Smith is alright but missing the remainder of the season is alarming and unlikely for her as one of the cornerstones and leaders of the franchise. The team eventually suspended her contract retroactively after she was out for personal reasons.
Phoenix GM Jim Pitman said that Sky is expected to be part of the team for next season (via ESPN) so that should alleviate some concern. Diggins-Smith is still one of the elite guards of the league so let’s hope she can handle her personal matters as she will be an integral piece of the team moving forward.
The Liberty are a team to keep an eye on
There’s something to be said about the seventh seed pushing the defending champions to the brink of elimination. When the New York Liberty took Game 1 on the road against the Chicago Sky, it was a telling moment of the team’s potential. It wasn’t just the fact that they beat one of the favorites, but it was also the way they won. They took over in the fourth quarter, displaying maturity and a winning fortitude that left the Sky rattled.
Take away Game 2’s debacle as the Sky flexed their muscles, and the Liberty almost made it into the semifinals. With a jam-packed home crowd behind them in Game 3, they took their best shot at the champs. It was a classic case of a young and up-and-coming team versus the OGs. It was Sabrina Ionescu – the league’s fastest rising star – going toe-to-toe against the champion and veteran Candace Parker.
New York has all the makings to be a consistent playoff contender for years to come with Ionescu continuing to evolve as one of the faces of the W.
The growth of the Wings continue
The big “what if” question for Dallas Wings is, of course, “what if Arike Ogunbowale was healthy in the playoffs?” The two-time All-Star was sidelined with an injury heading into the postseason and briefly made an appearance in Game 3. It was a valiant showing of effort for the young star but it couldn’t be overstated how much her team needed her against the Connecticut Sun.
Nonetheless, Dallas showed its wings (pun intended) against the Sun in Game 2 when they forced the do-or-die game. With Ogunbowale’s absence, it allowed the likes of Marina Mabrey and Teaira McCowan to shine.
Youth and potential have always been on the side of the Wings. They have a bonafide star in Arike and a potent scorer in Marina. They have a solid core with Isabelle Harrison, Satou Sabally, Kayla Thornton, Ty Harris, and Allisha Gray. But what is the next step for them? Getting McCowan was definitely a plus this season, however, what do they plan to do with their 2021 top picks, Charli Collier and Awak Kuier? What kind of pieces are they looking for? The upside remains high in Dallas and it’ll be interesting how the team develops.
EDD will be back
It can’t be said enough that it was nice to see Elena Delle Donne back in action. She’s a two-time MVP, a champion, a member of the 50-40-90 club, and part of the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team. And this season, she proved that she’s still EDD despite all the injuries.
After playing just three games last year, it was great to see those patented fallaways, post moves, and deadly jumpers, albeit she only played 25 regular season games as the Mystics were being extra cautious with her health.
In the playoffs against the Storm, EDD was an absolute force. It was fortunate that Seattle had Breanna Stewart and Tina Charles to throw at her because she proved that she’s still a big-time playoff performer. She had 26 points on 11-for-17 in Game 1, forcing the Storm to clamp down on her Game 2 when she struggled for just 12 points.
If you’re Washington, Della Donne is still your primary star and it’s an advantage that you were able to draft the third overall pick Shakira Austin. That’s a solid one-two punch in the frontcourt. The Mystics have a lot to go over in the offseason but it was great to have EDD back in the fold.
Sue’s still got it
Sue Bird may be retiring at season’s end but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a few more playoff performances left in the tank. In the Game 2 victory against the Mystics, she turned back the clock and became the oldest player in the WNBA to record a double-double in the playoffs, tallying 18 points and 10 assists.
When Sue and Seattle enter the semifinals, history dictates that they win a WNBA championship. The franchise has won four titles when Bird’s team advances as one of the four remaining teams. If you’re the Storm, this is definitely a good premonition.
Seattle takes on top seed Las Vegas in the next round in what can be expected to be a titanic matchup against contenders. These two teams met in the 2020 Finals with the Storm bringing home the championship.
Will the sun finally shine for Connecticut?
The Sun are looking for redemption. Last year, they had the league’s best record and secured home-court advantage as the top seed. Unfortunately for them, they met a Sky team that was peaking at the right time and ultimately lost in the semifinals. They hoped that 2021 would be their year especially after losing the 2019 title to the Mystics but it was simply not meant to be.
The 2022 version of the Sun offers a chance for them to finally break through. They still have last season’s MVP Jonquel Jones and the team has a formidable lineup from the top down. DeWanna Bonner, 35, has proven as deadly as ever, leading her team with 21 points in the Game 3 decider against the Wings. Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas are still explosive, particularly in the paint and their hustle and tenacity will be tested by Chicago’s frontcourt.
If the Sun can topple the defending champs, they’ll be well on their way to getting the franchise’s first-ever WNBA title.
Are the Sky still the favorites to repeat?
The Sky are aiming to become the first team since the 2001-2002 Los Angeles Sparks to win back-to-back titles. Last season, Chicago was the underdog as the sixth seed. They morphed into a contender late into the season and transformed into a champion in the middle of the playoffs.
This year is different for the Sky. Not only are they the two-seed, but they’ve played with a target on their backs the entire year. The Liberty’s stunning Game 1 victory was vindictive of how everyone wants to beat the defending champs. You could argue that their championship aura has faded because of that loss. On the other hand, it could be said that they showed their winning pedigree against a young team. Either way, it shows that the road to the title will be a lot tougher this time around.
Aces looking to build momentum
The Aces faced a hobbled Mercury team in the first round and swept them easily. However, their relatively safer road to the semifinals shouldn’t diminish their dangerous capability. Led by Chelsea Gray’s 27 points (9-of-11 shots and 7-of-8 from downtown), the Aces hit a record 23 triples in Game 2. They were scorching from downtown and didn’t cool off from start to finish.
When the Aces turn it on, they look unbeatable. A Kelsey Plum 3-pointer, an A’ja Wilson block, or a Gray jumpshot can spark a momentum-shifting run that can leave any opponent in the rubble. When the Aces don’t hit their shots, things get tricky and that’s when the Storm hope to pounce on them in the semifinals.
Can Las Vegas shoot its way to the WNBA Finals? That’s a tall ask. Nonetheless, the real test for the Aces begins.
