WNBA Playoffs Day 1 Recap
Day 1 of the WNBA Playoffs has wrapped up, and there’s quite a bit to unpack. Let’s dig into Game 1 highlights.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the teams gear up for Game 2. The Lynx, Dream, Liberty, and Aces have a chance to wrap up their first rounds with a 2-0 win. Meanwhile, the Valkyries, Fever, Mercury, and Storm are battling to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Since the first round is a short, three-game series, teams can’t afford many mistakes. They really need to adjust quickly after what happened in Game 1.
Here are four overreactions from the opening day:
- Seattle might be in trouble. The Storm seemed unprepared for their playoff opener against the Aces. They fell behind by double digits in the first quarter and ultimately lost by 25 points. On the flip side, the Aces are on a roll, boasting a 16-game winning streak.
- Liberty’s win doesn’t hide serious issues. The Liberty-Mercury game was entertaining, wrapping up in overtime with Liberty guard Natasha Cloud scoring 23 points, along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals against her old team. The defending champs’ win was big; they’re the only team that managed to win on the road and have a chance to clinch the series at Barclays Center on Wednesday.
- The Lynx are a formidable, deep team. Minnesota was slow to get going against the Valkyries, but by the end of the match, they completely turned things around.
- Can the Aces be stopped? It’s almost hard to believe that the Aces were sitting at 14-14 just a few weeks ago. Now they’ve strung together 17 wins in a row, marking the second-longest winning streak in WNBA history. The trade for Narissa Smith is looking like a game-changer. Las Vegas put on a defensive clinic in Game 1, and A’ja Wilson, a three-time MVP, is also playing at an elite level.
On paper, Seattle is stacked—boasting four All-Stars on their roster: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, and Brittney Sykes. They also have promising rookie Dominique Malonga and veteran Erica Wheeler coming off the bench. Plus, Ezi Magbegor is noted as a top defender in the league.
Yet, something’s not clicking.
Sunday’s loss took me back to when they re-signed Ogwumike and designated Williams as a core player. It was no shock when Seattle decided to keep these two elite wings.
But the truth is, they haven’t achieved what they hoped. Last year, they were swept in the first round. This season, they stumbled into the playoffs with a 23-21 record, securing the seventh seed. On the first playoff day, they didn’t seem like a playoff team at all.
However, the game’s biggest story was Brenna Stewart’s injury. She had a solid performance with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, but hurt her knee during a play in overtime and was visibly upset on the bench.
Liberty head coach Sandy Blondelo mentioned that Stewart requested to come out, but there wasn’t a clear update after the game. Considering Stewart’s history with knee injuries, her inability to finish the game raises some concerns. New York may have the series lead, but if their star player is sidelined, it could become a major setback.
Five Lynx players scored in double digits, with Naphesa Collier leading the way with 20 points. They held the Valkyries to just 33.9% shooting, and Alana Smith—the league’s top defensive player—had a significant impact with a +/- of +31 and four steals. Dihony Carrington, who just came back from a shoulder injury, also impressed by posting a +20 in only 11 minutes of play.
The Lynx’s tough loss last fall has clearly fueled their desire to win this season. They still need eight more wins for the title, but starting off strong in Game 1 is definitely a positive sign.
But what’s really impressive is the depth of the Aces’ roster.
Jewell Loyd scored 14 points on a solid shooting performance, while Dana Evans contributed 13 points and 6 assists in just 23 minutes. Smith added 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, rounding out a strong frontcourt alongside Wilson. Cheyenne Parker made a swift return after giving birth, contributing another 7 points.
As we look ahead, we can expect stellar performances from Wilson and Jackie Young as they both had standout games—Wilson with 29 points and Young with 18, along with some impressive defensive stats. The supporting cast plays a crucial role, and it raises the question: Will Las Vegas take home the championship again?
