Breakdown of WNBA Teams at the one-third mark of the season
Taking a closer look at how well teams have performed so far at the one-third mark.
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The 25th WNBA season is well underway and teams have started to reach the one-third mark of their WNBA schedule. Some teams have played exceptionally well while others have struggled in the early part of the WNBA season. While the season is far from over, we have enough data to see how they stack up in 2021. Today, we are going to break down half the league with the remaining teams analyzed later this week. For this exercise, we’re going through the teams by the order they reached the ten-game mark.
Indiana Fever (1-11, 12th place, 9.0 Games Back)
The Indiana Fever are one of two teams (Seattle Storm) that have played the most games in the league so far this season. They were the first team to play one-third of their WNBA schedule. Unfortunately, despite playing twelve games, they currently only have one win. It’s been a struggle from the start for the Indiana Fever as they lost their first four games of the year. They are currently averaging 75.2 points per game and give up 89.2 to their opponents. It has not been an easy start for the Fever so far. They’ve played Connecticut and Seattle once and Las Vegas twice, who are currently the top 3 WNBA teams in the standings.
Despite being the last team in the league, they do not play their younger players very much. Kysre Gondrezick (2021 #4th overall pick) has averaged 10.7 minutes per game this season and was under 5 in her two previous games before reaching 17 on Saturday. Lauren Cox (2020 #3rd overall pick) plays just 9.3 minutes per game which is down from her rookie season. Both Kelsey and Tiffany Mitchell continue to do their best, but their best can only do so much. In the end, it’s been a disappointing start for the Fever.
Seattle Storm (10-2, 1st place, 0.0 Games Back)
The Seattle Storm have gotten off to an excellent start in their 2021 season. They are currently at the top of the league standings and have played some good basketball despite losing Natasha Howard and Sami Whitcomb to the New York Liberty and Alysha Clark to the Washington Mystics in the offseason. They have two solid MVP candidates in Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart. Sue Bird is holding her own at age 40. They currently average 89.1 points per game which is second-best in the league. There is some slight concern, however, as they are currently giving up 80.7 points per game which is sixth in the league. As a result, their average margin of victory of 8.4 points per game is actually 2nd to the Aces at 9.4. If it weren't for some close games down the stretch that the Storm won, the Storm’s record wouldn’t look the way it is now. Their defense needs some tightening up as they try to stay among the top 3 teams in the WNBA standings.
Connecticut Sun (8-3, 2nd place, 1.5 Games Back)
The Connecticut Sun have started the season off incredibly well and are currently in the top two in the WNBA standings at the one-third mark. They have played great basketball and Jonquel Jones is having a career year that has her at the top among MVP candidates through the early portion of the season. Despite losing Alyssa Thomas for the year, the Sun has responded well behind Jones, Dewanna Bonner, Jasmine Thomas, and Brionna Jones. Natisha Hiedeman has also put herself in the running for the Most Improved Player Award.
The Sun currently average 80.0 points per game which is eighth in the league. However, they give up just 74.0 points per game which leads the league. Their defense has been outstanding and it should bode well while they lose Jonquel Jones for a couple of weeks due to Eurobasket. They will have to figure out how to hold steady until she comes back, but they can hold onto the fact that their defense is rock solid.
Las Vegas Aces (8-3, 3rd place, 1.5 Games Back)
The Las Vegas Aces are currently third in the WNBA standings in a virtual tie with Connecticut. They have largely met their high expectations so far led by Liz Cambage and A’ja Wilson. As usual, they get solid production off the bench from Dearica Hamby. New arrival Chelsea Gray has fit right in with the Aces. She has had some spectacular assists to players and her shooting from outside has bounced back as she’s making 37.9% of her three-pointers this season.
As a result, the Aces are right where they are supposed to be. They currently average 89.3 points per game which is first in the WNBA for the second consecutive season. Clearly, scoring is not a problem for the Aces. They give up 79.9 points per game which is the fourth-best in the league. Both their offense and defense are clicking which bodes well for the future. With the Sun missing Jonquel Jones for a few weeks, the Las Vegas Aces can make a push in the WNBA standings and improve to top two overall. If they beat the Storm on June 27th, perhaps they’ll be back in first place.
Chicago Sky (4-7, 11th place, 5.5 Games Back)
With the signing of Candace Parker, the Chicago Sky had heavy expectations placed on them before the season. However, they have gotten off to a rough start in the first third of their WNBA schedule. They started the season with a 2-0 record and promptly lost seven straight. Candace Parker was injured during the losing streak and came back to play in their next game which they won. During the streak, execution during the last few minutes cost them a couple of games.
The Sky currently average 78.0 points per game which is the tenth best in the league after ranking third last season. Surprisingly, the Sky only give up 78.0 points per game which rank second despite playing at a high pace. That is good news for the Sky who should improve on offense now that Candace Parker is back in the lineup.
Atlanta Dream (5-6, 5th place, 4.5 Games Back)
The Atlanta Dream has had decent results so far in 2021 given what seemed to be the public consensus before the season started. They’ve had some great wins, some mixed losses, and are in a jumble of teams a half-game under 0.500. Both Courtney Willams and Tiffany Hayes have had some excellent games and have struggled in others but are having a strong season overall. Recently, Chennedy Carter has missed some games due to injury. However, Cheyenne Parker returned from COVID-19 for the last five games and is slowly starting to come into form. The Dream currently average 81.8 points per game which is the fourth-best in the league. Their defense, however, is a problem. They currently give up 86.5 points per game which is second to last in the league. The Dream needs to address their team defense to stay in the race for the playoffs.
This concludes Part 1 of the breakdown of WNBA teams at the one-third mark. Look for part two on Thursday.
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