2024 WNBA Season: Playoffs

[Dillon77]

93-69 Connecticut over Indiana.

Indiana was relatively close in the first three quarters, but the Sun went ballistic in the fourth, 25-12, to finish it off.
DeWonna Bonner got started early and finished with 22 on 7-11 from the floor (2-3 from 3) and 6-6 from the floor.

Marina Mabrey went ballistic in the third, scoring in double figures, draining three 3's. She scored a WNBA record 27 off the bench in a playoff game, but that's deceptive, because Ty Harris went out of the game after 3 minutes with a leg injury. Mabrey came in and didn't leave, starting the second half. Still 27 points is, well, 27 points. And Alyssa Thomas was hot throughout, registering a triple double (12 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists).

After the game, AT told Holly Rowe she and the Sun are very aware they've lost the last game two's in consecutive playoff series.
If Indiana wants to make it three in a row, it should start in two places: hitting some three pointers and keeping the Sun off the offensive boards. Oh, keeping track of Mabrey might help, too.

 

[Dillon77]

I didn’t see it that way, game was a blowout from the get go. Tanisha Wright also benched starters very early in the game, basically conceding a loss midway through the 2nd half

Liberty never trailed. Leonie Fiebich hit four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting while Breanna Stewart added 20 points and 11 rebounds.

 

[azfan]

93-69 Connecticut over Indiana.


Marina Mabrey went ballistic in the third, scoring in double figures, draining three 3's. She scored a WNBA record27 off the bench in a playoff game, but that's deceptive, because Ty Harris went of the game after 3 minutes with a leg injury. Mabey came in and didn't leave, starting the second half. Still 27 points is, well, 27 points. And Alyssa Thomas was hot throughout, registering a triple double (12 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists).

After the game, AT told Holly Rowe she and the Sun are very aware they've lost the last game two's in consecutive playoff series.
It should start in two places: hitting some three pointers and keeping the Sun off the offensive boards. Oh, keeping track of Mabrey might help, too.

My wife who was watching the game with me asked if Marina was the MVP. I said no that's the Indiana defense.....

 

[WBBTakeover]

@MilfordHusky, I'm not saying that Stewie isn't a Top 2 WNBA player. She very clearly is. I just don't think she had an MVP-type season this year.

 

[Stagnant]

I think the first round could be pretty boring. Easy to imagine 4 sweeps.

I just want to throw this out there. I am feeling pretty good about this prediction.

 

[cancontent]

Liberty never trailed. Leonie Fiebich hit four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting while Breanna Stewart added 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Liberty changing their starting line up helped as well. Vander Sloot handling it like the pro she is.

 

[ucbart]

Which is ridiculous to me. I don't even think she should've finished 3rd.

The level of disrespect Stewie gets from the fans and media is atrocious. Wilson may be the most dominant player in the W, but there is no doubt in my mind that Stewie is a better basketball player. She can do things in transition and from the perimeter than Wilson can't.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Well at least 1 good game today. Phoenix erased a 23 point deficit, now going back and forth w/ about a minute left. Career high 36 for Collier. Cloud going off for the Merc.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Carleton w/ a prayer 3 at the end of the shot clock to put them up 6. That should do it.

 

[azfan]

No one is surprised at the results as the top three seeds take care of business during the afternoon games.

What is surprising is the game in Minneapolis. Over the last 10 games the three and seven Merc have shown absolutely no character and lack of cohesion as a team.

Cloud like Mabry in the earlier game really had a field day.

If I were a Lynx fan I'd wonder what the heck happened to have the defense shredded at home.

Stephanie White and her squad watched the second half of this game and I think we can all agree will not allow Minnesota to score 90 plus points. More importantly the Sun may have found some inspiration offensively as the Lynx were at times befuddled and at other times simply beaten to the spot. At home!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Lynx pull away at the end 102-95. Collier finished w/ 38, 20 for McBride, 12 for Carleton, 10 off the bench for Hines-Allen. Smith had a couple big blocks late in the game.

33 pts/10 assists for Cloud, 21 for Taurasi, Copper got started late but scored 16.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Magbegor has been ruled out for Game 1 (concussion). Russell is not the same but at least an experienced player who was in the rotation for the two most recent Championships in Seattle.

 

[JellyBean]

I didn’t see it that way, game was a blowout from the get go. Tanisha Wright also benched starters very early in the game, basically conceding a loss midway through the 2nd half

Oh, it was a blowout but Atlanta put up a decent fight in the 2nd quarter but the hole they dug was too much to overcome long term.

 

[JellyBean]

Bridget Carleton!!! Oooowee!!!

 

[WBBTakeover]

I just want to throw this out there. I am feeling pretty good about this prediction.

I think that the Aces will be the ones to ruin this prediction--unless you think they will get swept (which is possible).

 

[WBBTakeover]

The level of disrespect Stewie gets from the fans and media is atrocious. Wilson may be the most dominant player in the W, but there is no doubt in my mind that Stewie is a better basketball player. She can do things in transition and from the perimeter than Wilson can't.

Like what?????

 

[WBBTakeover]

Bridget Carleton!!! Oooowee!!!

That shot was SICK

 

[nwhoopfan]

Storm threw a big scare into the Aces, but 4th quarter was a different story. HUGE boost from Hayes off the bench, we got the playoff version of Gray, and Wilson took over 2nd half after a really rough 1st stanza.

 

[azfan]

I think that the Aces will be the ones to ruin this prediction--unless you think they will get swept (which is possible).

?

Aces in control late.

All four top seeds won although the Lynx oddly struggled against the million dollar coach and his non defensive minded squad.

 

[WBBTakeover]

?

Aces in control late.

All four top seeds won although the Lynx oddly struggled against the million dollar coach and his non defensive minded squad.

They were struggling early (understatement), but Point Gawd remembered how much she hates Seattle.

Oh, and then there's the 2-point 4th quarter. I have no words for that.

 

[willtalk]

Has any team in the WNBA ever scored 2 points or less in the fourth quarter of a playoff game? Or in any quarter for that matter?

 

[Stagnant]

?

Aces in control late.

All four top seeds won although the Lynx oddly struggled against the million dollar coach and his non defensive minded squad.

I am surprised he apparently thought Seattle would sweep.

I think the Aces look like they are going to win three titles in a row. They are on a roll right now.

 

[Dillon77]

The Aces-Storm game was close enough at the end of the third quarter to merit staying up later than I wanted to watch the 4th quarter.
From a fan's and (still) sometime player's perspective, that was a mistake. The first five minutes was some of the ugliest basketball I've seen in quite some time. I'd love to buy that both teams were applying spectacular defense, but it wasn't the case: missed bunnies, sloppy passing, was that really a shot? Ugh.

BTW, those two points -- yes, 2 -- that Seattle score look even worse when you consider they were free throws. Not one field goal was scored by the Storm. Whatever was ailing Jewel Loyd is still ailing her because she looked halfway there, if that. Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams were valiant until the 4th, then the air came out of the tires. And the team misses Ezi Magbegor in a major way. Her defensive presence -- or absence last night -- cannot be understated. Tiffany Hayes would just blow by people for a layup into areas that Ezi usually patrols.

Credit where credit is due: Hayes was great, Wilson had a fine second half, Chelsea Gray was solid and Coach Hammon got to play her Wilson + four guards/wings lineup given Magbegor's absence. And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.

Aces got the W but I'm not ready to annoint that they're totally back based on this game....

 

[nwhoopfan]

And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.

I counted at least 3 shots that were halfway in and then rattled back out, 2 of them were behind the arc. She was unbelievably unlucky is what she was.

 

[Dillon77]

I counted at least 3 shots that were halfway in and then rattled back out, 2 of them were behind the arc. She was unbelievably unlucky is what she was.

It's ok, @nwhoopfan....I'm not dissing her overall value . Call it "unlucky" or call it "utterly off," Plum went 1 for 8 last night.
I also noted that probably won't happen again in this series....she's too good.

 

[GoUconn7961]

The game of the day was Lynx/Mercury. Phee played out of her mind.
I didn't think any of the games were boring like a couple of other posters said. I loved them. Best Sunday I've had in a while.

 

[cancontent]

The game of the day was Lynx/Mercury. Phee played out of her mind.
I didn't think any of the games were boring like a couple of other posters said. I loved them. Best Sunday I've had in a while.

The NY-ATL was the only game I struggled paying attention to from the third quarter onwards. Having a full slate of WNBA to watch instead of some of the dredge called NFL games that were on was delightful.

 

[GamecockFam]

The NY-ATL was the only game I struggled paying attention to from the third quarter onwards. Having a full slate of WNBA to watch instead of some of the dredge called NFL games that were on was delightful.

Yeah, I struggled with this one too. I was getting ready to shut it off in the 4th when Amihere hit the court, so I had to stay and watch her play. She looked like she deserves a few minutes of play each game. Defensively, she was frustrating Stewie in a way that I don't see happen that often and she helped extend some plays by grabbing some offensive rebounds.

 

[azfan]

Credit where credit is due: Hayes was great, Wilson had a fine second half, Chelsea Gray was solid and Coach Hammon got to play her Wilson + four guards/wings lineup given Magbegor's absence. And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.

Aces got the W but I'm not ready to annoint that they're totally back based on this game....

Absolutely. Digging deep near the end of games and fourth quarters demonstrates the resilience and character of the team. The Aces responded Storm did not.

Judging by the now completed first set of games the Liberty and Sun looked consistently outstanding. The Aces demonstrated the type of resilience one would expect from a two time champion. The Lynx were merely befuddling.

A "vaunted" defense giving up 95 points at home to a staggering Mercury team. Based upon regression to the mean I expect Reeves will adjust and Minnesota will hold the million dollar coach's squad to under 75 on Tuesday and comfortably win. But still...... 95 at home, wow.

To paraphrase the apt truism

Offense wins fans defense wins championships.

Liberty well they took care of business gave up 69 points.

Sun shut down CC..... And Kelsey.

Storm a 2-point closing quarter.

The Lynx seemed to be bamboozled by the million dollar coach in giving up 95 at home.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

In a game where KP only scored 2 points and A'ja only shot 1-8 in the first half I was pleasantly surprised that the Aces were able to secure the win. Chelsea Gray and Tip Hayes really came in clutch the whole game.

I'm glad Tip seems to really enjoy her time in Vegas, it's hard to believe that this type of talent was really about to retire for good from the WNBA. Tip's big game was made sweeter knowing her mom was in attendance.