The NCS Rest of Season Outlook
As players return from the Olympics and WNBA teams resume play, here's what to look for from each team.
Welcome back hoops fans. With the first half of the season and the Olympics in the books, it’s time to take a look at what’s to come for each team the rest of the season.
Atlanta Dream, 7-17, 9th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - Rhyne Howard is back. Howard was nursing an ankle injury prior to the Olympic break but was able to suit up for the women’s 3X3 team and bring home Bronze.
Reasons to be concerned - The Dream didn’t look great with Rhyne Howard. There was something still not quite right and hopefully a healthy Jordin Canada at point is what they were looking for as they try to right the ship and fight for a playoff spot.
Chicago Sky, 10-14, 8th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - The Sky traded Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson. The Sky needed steady guard play and the veteran duo is reliable and should produce.
Reasons to be concerned - There will obviously be an adjustment period as the new guards get acclimated, but other than that, Teresa Weatherspoon’s stubbornness in her lineups would be something to keep an eye on.
Connecticut Sun, 18-6, 2nd in the league.
Reasons to be excited - Marina Mabrey gives them an edge. She’s a bucket getter with an attitude and not afraid to let opposing players hear about it. Joining her former nemesis Dijonai Carrington should make for some fun times.
Reasons to be concerned - They’re still the Connecticut Sun. Prior to the break, the Sun went 0-1 against the Las Vegas Aces and 0-4 against the New York Liberty, one of those games the Liberty were without Breanna Stewart. The Sun are constantly the bridesmaid and never the bride and they haven’t shown a tremendous amount to make anyone (mainly me) believe this is the year they’ll get over the hump and beat another top contender.
Dallas Wings, 6-19, 12th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - Satou Sabally is back. The often injured, but very talented forward had a strong showing in the Olympics for the German national team, scoring 15 in the game against the US.
Reasons to be concerned - Dallas might have too much ground to make up in order for this to be anything but a lottery year. While they are just 4 games behind 8th seed, so are the teams in front of them. It’s possible to make a playoff push, but they start from a pretty deep hole.
Indiana Fever, 11-15, 7th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - Business is booming and the playoffs are within reach for the first time since Tamika Catchings retired in 2016. Above all, the Fever’s star guard who you may have heard of got her first bit of extended rest in about a year. Caitlin Clark was in MVP conversations as a fringe candidate with tired legs. Imagine what she’s about to do with fresh ones, especially with the hardest part of their schedule behind them.
Reasons to be concerned - Indy is still young and there’s a reason why it’s been so long since they’ve been in the playoffs. We’ve seen during this season old habits rear their ugly head at inopportune times. Still, the Fever finished with a total of 13 wins last year. They’re at 11 now and still in really good shape.
Las Vegas Aces, 16-8, 5th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - A’ja Wilson is still living, breathing and suiting up for this team. At this point she’s earned Lebron James respect in that as long as she’s on the court, I’ll never doubt the team. This is especially true in the playoffs.
Reasons to be concerned - Good Lord, where to start? There’s the pending legal issues as Dearica Hamby filed a lawsuit against the Aces and the WNBA for workplace discrimination. There’s also the investigation in regards to the sponsorship deal the team took from the Las Vegas Tourism Department. And to make matters worse, there’s the on court concerns as a total of six Aces played in the Olympics, four from the starting lineup. While she is playing, Point Gawd Chelsea has not looked like herself since returning from a leg injury. Kelsey Plum hasn’t been stellar either.
Los Angeles Sparks, 6-18, 10th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - Azura Stevens is back and hit the ground running. Rookie Rickea Jackson has rounded into form with extended minutes which will page huge dividends in the future.
Reasons to be concerned - Health as well as the chemistry of next year’s team with Cam Brink and hopefully Lexie Brown returning.
Minnesota Lynx, 17-8, 3rd in the league.
Reasons to be excited - They’ve proven they’re a legit threat, taking down the top-seeded Liberty several times including in the Commissioners Cup, as well as positioning themselves as a general thorn in the side of contenders like Seattle.
Reasons to be concerned - Size at the forward position. If the Lynx are forced to grind it out in the playoffs, a team with a legitimate big could pose a problem. Right now Brittany Griner and the Mercury are at the six spot with Aliyah Boston and the Fever on their heels.
New York Liberty, 21-4, 1st in the league.
Reasons to be excited - All of the other contenders have a myriad of concerns. Whether it be health, chemistry or just overall lack of dawg, the top teams pale in comparison to the Liberty on paper. If any year were the year to get that elusive first title it would be this one.
Reasons to be concerned - Being better on paper has never stopped them from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Go back to this past WNBA finals. A short-handed Aces team with an injured A’ja Wilson took New York’s heart and a second title in Barclay’s. Fast forward to the Commissioner’s Cup where the Minnesota Lynx stopped them from repeating as CC champs. The Lynx have also been a thorn in their side for the last two years now which also could be a problem.
Phoenix Mercury, 13-12, 6th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - The new practice facility is beautiful and kudos to them for having the unveiling during All-Star Weekend as many of the big name future free agents were in town.
Reasons to be concerned - There is no way to determine which team is going to show up on a nightly basis. The same team that beat the Aces by 10 also put up 47 points in regulation in a loss to the Sun. Diana Taurasi held it together for her highly anticipated showdown with Caitlin Clark, but has been slapboxing with Father Time ever since; including during the Olympics.
Seattle Storm,17-8, 4th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - The younger core pieces got some meaningful reps in the Olympics while the older starters were able to get some rest.
Reasons to be concerned - Seattle is 1-2 on the year so far against the Aces who are right behind them as the fifth seed. Minnesota has also posed a problem for them this season. Seattle plays mostly hungry lottery teams in August, but September has a gauntlet waiting for them with the Aces, Liberty, Sun and Mercury.
Washington Mystics, 6-19, 11th in the league.
Reasons to be excited - The draft is coming up and there is more than enough talent to make each lottery happy, including the Mystics. But heading into next year Washington has much to be excited for as this often short-handed squad has battled and been competitive every single game. Add Shakira and a top pick and next season is going to be interesting.
Reasons to be concerned - Eric Thibault. As long as he’s head coach, Washington fans will always be concerned.