The 2024 Olympics in Paris brought a much-needed break for some WNBA players and an opportunity to represent their country for others. Now that Team USA has successfully secured the gold medal and returned home, it is time for the WNBA to resume its season.
That is great news for anyone who cannot get enough of women's basketball and watching their favorite players on the court. For some of the players, on the other hand, it leaves little time for a break.
Players who went to compete in Paris and their teams may feel that lack of a break when the season picks back up. So, let's look at four teams that may suffer the most from an Olympic hangover.
4. Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics did not have any WNBA players representing Team USA at the 2024 Olympics but still sent out their fair share of players. Jade Melbourne played for Australia alongside several other WNBA players. Julie Vanloo Suited up for Belgium, and Aaliyah Edwards played for the Canadians.
All three are contributors on the Mystics, with Vanloo and Edwards each averaging over 20 minutes per game for the season so far. The one advantage they have over the other teams who sent several players to Paris is that both Edwards and Melbourne are still young. At 22 and 21 years old, they should be able to deal with the extra workload a little more easily than some of the older players.
Nevertheless, the Mystics might feel a noticeable Olympic hangover when they resume the regular season. They have back-to-back games against the Minnesota Lynx scheduled. Back-to-backs are always tough but especially when you are playing a strong team and three of your players did not get to rest much during the Olympic break.