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Your Day in Women’s Basketball: Buzzer beaters and big-time blocks

By James Hyman

PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Seattle Storm players celebrate after defeating the Chicago Sky at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Seattle Storm players celebrate after defeating the Chicago Sky at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Playoff basketball just keeps on giving

Whether it is the primetime schedule, the bubble format, or the electrifying play, there has not been a postseason in recent memory that has been as exciting as the one we are currently witnessing. And it’s still just the semifinals.

The Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx finally got their series under way, and the WNBA showed in the process how they are in good hands with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the helm.

The three-headed monster of Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart, and Sue Bird were a well-oiled machine on offense, and the Storm as a whole shot 50% from three and 93% from the line in their efficient performance.

However, the unlikely star of the night was forward Alysha Clark. Coming off a timeout tied at 86, Seattle’s Sami Whitcomb drove to the basket, where her layup bounced off the basket and into the waiting arms of Clark. With just 0.5 seconds left, she put up a shot, got blocked?, and scored anyway. Try and make sense of it for yourself:

Whatever happened, the ball went in the hoop and the Storm won the game. Napheesa Collier had 25 for the Lynx, who as a team had 8 steals, 7 blocks, and only 9 turnovers. It’s a tough loss for Minnesota given how well they played, and Crystal Dangerfield is going to need to contribute more than 4 points if they want to even the series in game two.

The M’VP was on full display Tuesday night for Las Vegas. A’ja Wilson scored 29 points with 7 rebounds and 7 blocks as the Aces used a strong 4th quarter to take down the Connecticut Sun.

A huge advantage for Wilson and Las Vegas was defensive leader Alyssa Thomas reaggravating her shoulder injury after only 5 minutes. It was impressive that the Sun were able to stay in the game after such a big loss, and hopefully Thomas can avoid serious long term repercussions. DeWanna Bonner and Briann January picked up the slack with 23 and 20 points respectively.

I had predicted in yesterday’s preview that one of the complimentary stars for the Aces would break out and provide enough help for Wilson to take down the Sun in game 2. Kayla McBride, Angel McCoughtry, and Dearica Hamby decided they wanted to share in the effort, all scoring 11 points in a more efficient outing.

Both series will head to crucial games on Thursday, as the playoffs continue to give fans everything they could ask for.

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