The WNBA’s 27th season kicked off this weekend featuring the return of Brittney Griner, an exceptional effort by Breanna Stewart, and a dominant performance by the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces.
However, not everything went according to plan in the first few games of the season.
The revamped Chicago team won both of their games, including a last-minute victory over Phoenix which ruined the homecoming of Griner, a former prisoner in a Russian jail. Griner played in Los Angeles for her opening game, where Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance.
The Sky, which had lost four of its five starting players from last year’s team, played impressive away games over Minnesota and Phoenix by utilizing strong defense. Chicago managed to hold both teams under 70 points and will play its first home match against Washington on Friday.
The game against Washington will come one night after the Aces play against the Los Angeles Sparks in the first of their home-and-home matches. Vegas will continue to be without head coach Becky Hammon, who is serving a two-game suspension from the league for violating “respect in the workplace” policies after one of her former Vegas players, Dearica Hamby, accused her of bullying and manipulation during her pregnancy.
Hamby now plays with Los Angeles, and the two teams will face off again on Saturday in Las Vegas. The Aces, who thrashed Seattle by 41 points in the season opener, will celebrate their championship win from last season in a ring ceremony and banner unveiling. This will be Hammon’s first game back from her suspension.
The Aces remain the top team in the AP WNBA power rankings, followed by Connecticut, which won their first two games, and then by Washington, New York, and Chicago. Dallas and Los Angeles are ranked after the Sky, whereas Phoenix, Atlanta and Minnesota are next. Indiana and Seattle share the last spot on the list in 11th place.
GRINER WATCH
Griner played in her first WNBA regular season games last weekend, after spending last season in a Russian jail. Griner scored an average of 22.5 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in two defeats. She received a massive ovation from Phoenix fans when she was introduced before their home opener on Sunday.
“There might have been a little dust in my eye, a little dusty,” she said. “It was emotional being back stage, seeing some of the clips.”
Griner’s debut in Los Angeles last Friday became the most-watched regular-season WNBA game on cable in 24 years with 683,000 viewers.
Griner’s next appearance will be a home game on Thursday against Minnesota, coached by Cheryl Reeve, who also serves as the coach for the US national team. Griner has stated that it has been her interest to play for the US in the 2022 Olympics.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Breanna Stewart, who won the AP player of the week, had an extended day on Sunday. She woke up at 6 a.m. because of her 21-month-old daughter Ruby’s screaming.
Stewart said, “Ruby doesn’t care that I have a game.”
When asked about her breakfast before scoring a career and franchise-best 45 points in a victory over Indiana, Stewart said she had consumed toast with cream cheese, a cheese omelet, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and some fruit. She followed all of that with a glass of orange juice.
“Can you make me that? I’m gonna come over next game,” joked Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu after hearing Stewart’s meal of choice.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Indiana at Atlanta, on Sunday. With 20 straight losses, the Fever will attempt to avoid setting a WNBA record of 21 consecutive losses. Last season, Indiana lost their final 18 games, and this year, they began with a pair of defeats, tying the 2011 Tulsa Shock for the longest losing streak ever.