Drop Off: May WNBA schedule analysis, games of the month

Each month, we’ll break down the WNBA schedule for all 12 teams. Because the schedule has been condensed in 2018 to accommodate the FIBA World Cup at the end of September, we’ll keep a close eye on how some difficult stretches could impact your favorite team’s playoff chances and the playoff picture at large.

Being five days into the season already, a few teams already ought to feel good with where they’re at, starting with the Los Angeles Sparks. Why? They’ve already won two games in their early season three-game road swing with Jantel Lavender and Maria Vadeeva still out of the country and Candace Parker missing both due to a minor back injury.

Chicago ought to feel good as well after sweeping a back-to-back over the weekend without starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot.

More on this month’s schedule, going team-by-team:

ATLANTA, GA – MAY 7: Elizabeth Williams #1, Tiffany Hayes #15, and Layshia Clarendon #23 of the Atlanta Dream pose for a head shot at WNBA Media Day at McCamish Pavilion on May 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Atlanta

Games this month: 4

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: The Dream get Dallas at home to kick off a four-game home stand less than a week after the Wings blew them out to start the season. They then get two days to prepare before hosting the Lynx.

Chicago

Games this month: 4

Back-to-backs: 1 (5/19 @ IND, 5/20 vs. NY)

Notes: They play just two times the rest of the month. The six day break after their game in Seattle could ensure they’ll hit the ground running with Vandersloot back in the states (or at least as well as possible given the circumstances).

Connecticut

Games this month: 3

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: Connecticut won’t be putting their feet up for too long. They’ve got five games in the first nine days of June with the first four in that stretch being on the road.

ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 20: Allisha Gray #15 of the Dallas Wings gets introduced before the game against the Atlanta Dream on May 20, 2018 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dallas

Games this month: 5

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: The Wings open with four of five on the road including Minnesota, Atlanta and New York in a span of seven days.

Indiana

Games this month: 5

Back-to-backs: 1 (5/19 vs. CHI, 5/20 @ WAS)

Notes: Tough draw for the Fever, as they had to travel much further for their back-to-back than the Sky. Then after playing three games in six days, Indiana will get six days off as they gear up for June’s slate.

Las Vegas

Games this month: 4

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: The short-handed Aces did rebound nicely in Washington after being blown out in Connecticut, but they came up just short. With four days off prior to their home opener against Seattle, fans can be hopeful that Plum and McBride will give them the boost they need to start racking up some wins.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 20: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks shoots the ball against the Minnesota Lynx on May 20, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Los Angeles

Games this month: 4

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: The Sparks ought to be delighted with how the schedule panned out for them early. After three games in five days to open the season, they’ll kick off a five game home stand that includes a six day break after they host the Mercury on Sunday.

Minnesota

Games this month: 5

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: Their home date with Dallas on Wednesday kicks off a stretch of four games in seven days, which includes trips to New York, Washington and Atlanta.

New York

Games this month: 3

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: It’s up to New York to spin this as they please. Maybe you want to get out there more often early under a new head coach, but they’ll look back fondly on their extra days off once they’re in the midst of their late June stretch that includes five games in nine days.

PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 18: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury after the game against the Dallas Wings on May 18, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix

Games this month: 5

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: The Mercury don’t have to travel too far for now — just once to Seattle and Los Angeles. They’ll really be tested next month, where they’ve got two back-to-backs and three different stretches with three games in five days.

Seattle

Games this month: 6

Back-to-backs: None

Notes: Another Western Conference team stays close to home, at least for now. And they just might catch both the Sky and the Aces before their backcourts are at full strength.

Washington

Games this month: 6

Back-to-backs: 1 (5/29 @ SEA, 5/30 @ PHX)

Notes: That’s a tough back-to-back to close out the month. For what it’s worth, they’ll have plenty of tape of those two teams playing each other as they draw up those scouting reports.

Games of the month for May

Wednesday, 5/23 — Wings at Lynx (League Pass)

Thursday, 5/24 — Sparks at Sun (ESPN2)

Friday, 5/25 — Sky at Storm (League Pass)

Saturday, 5/26 — Wings at Dream (League Pass)

Sunday, 5/27 — Mercury at Sparks (League Pass)

Tuesday, 5/29 — Lynx at Dream (Twitter, League Pass)

Links I like

Here’s Grant McGinnis on Justice Sikakane and his daughter, Liliana, who you may have seen already posing in front of the Maya Moore ‘Wings’ billboard.

Here’s Nate Fain with words from Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith on WNBA marketing and the role of the NBA in those efforts.

Here’s Jim Fuller, who spoke with Aces F Dearica Hamby about her sister-in-law and incoming UConn freshman F Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

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