With just one more week before the Olympic break, teams are trying to build momentum for the second half of the season, while Indiana finally ends its losing streak.
Dallas Wings (9-9)
Allisha Gray
Wednesday vs Chicago (91-81 loss): 30 minutes, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Friday vs Chicago (100-91 win): 32 minutes (start), 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Season: 13 games (6 starts), 24.5 mpg, 11.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg
Notes: Gray had her best week of the season, even sliding into the starting lineup to replace center Charli Collier on Friday.It’s just another week in Gary’s roller-coaster season, which has seen her play a key role for Dallas and barely get on the court. Dallas has three more games before the Olympic break, and it would sure feel a lot better going into the break with a winning record instead of a losing record.
Tyasha Harris
Wednesday vs Chicago (91-81 loss): 11 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, assist
Friday vs Chicago (100-91 win): 15 minutes, 1 point, 3 assists
Season: 18 games (1 start), 19.1 mpg, 5.6 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 rpg,
Notes: Unlike Gray, Harris had a very quiet week. Like Gray, Harris’ up and down season is emblematic of a team that is still figuring itself out. Harris is tenth in the league in assist/turnover ratio, but she is shooting just 35.7% from the floor, which limits her effectiveness.
Games: Monday, July 5 at New York (7:00 pm eastern, Facebook); Wednesday, July 7 at Minnesota (8:00 pm eastern, ESPN2); Sunday, July 11 vs Las Vegas (1:00 pm eastern, ABC)
Indiana Fever (2-16)
Tiffany Mitchell
Thursday vs Connecticut (86-80 loss): 27 minutes (start), 18 points, 3 rebounds, assist
Saturday vs Connecticut (73-67 win): 32 minutes (start), 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Season: 18 games (15 starts), 11.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 apg,
Notes: Just when you were beginning to think they might not win again, Indiana’s 12-game losing streak came to an end against Connecticut. With games against 9-9 New York and 6-11 before the Olympic break, could Indiana actually create some momentum?
Games: Friday, July 9 vs New York (7:00 pm eastern, NBA TV); Sunday July 11 at Atlanta (5:00 pm eastern, Facebook)
Las Vegas Aces (14-4)
A’ja Wilson
Wednesday at Los Angeles (99-75 win): 23 minutes (start), 17 points, 10 rebounds, assist, steal, block
Friday at Los Angeles (66-58 win): 35 minutes (start), 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Sunday vs Atlanta (118-95 win): 25 minutes (start), 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Season:18 games (18 starts), 32.0 mpg, 19.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 bpg, 90.6 F%
Notes: Wilson and the Aces just keep rolling. The Aces set a franchise record with 118 points against Atlanta, and Wilson is averaging career-highs in minutes, rebounds, free throw percentage, and assists, plus career-lows in fouls and turnovers. If we are going to pick nits, and I have to put something here, Wilson is averaging a career-low 45.8% from the floor.
Games: Wednesday, July 7 vs Phoenix (10:00 pm eastern, Amazon Prime); Friday, July 9 vs Minnesota (10:30 pm eastern, ESPN3); Sunday, July 11 at Dallas (1:00 pm eastern, ABC)
Seattle Storm (14-4)
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan
Season: 1 game, 1.0 mpg, no stats
Notes: Herbert Harrigan will miss the remainder of the season due to pregnancy, the Storm announced on May 27. In a statement released by the team, Herbert Harrigan said, “I’m excited to announce that I am expecting! I’m very much looking forward to motherhood and starting a family with my boyfriend, Stanford. While I am disappointed to miss the 2021 WNBA season, I appreciate the supportive environment the Storm family has provided for me. I will be cheering on the Storm from the sidelines and wish the whole organization great success this season. See you next year!!”
