WNBA roundup: final evening’s recreation outcomes, right now’s Mercury-Storm matchup, and extra

Good afternoon, WNBA followers! There’s nearly two weeks left within the common season, and the race for playoff seeding has intensified. A Minnesota Lynx win (over the Indiana Fever) and a Connecticut Solar loss (to the Las Vegas Aces) shook up the standings, with the Solar dropping to the third seed.

Tonight is a single-game slate, with the Seventh-seeded Phoenix Mercury taking over the Fifth-seeded Seattle Storm at 9pm ET.

First, let’s begin with Friday’s recreation outcomes:

• The Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks, 92-78, behind 24 factors and 12 rebounds from Angel Reese. Chennedy Carter, who returned from a couple-week absence resulting from sickness, added 15 factors, 9 rebounds, and eight assists within the win. It’s simply Chicago’s second win for the reason that Olympic break. With the loss, the Sparks develop into the primary crew to be eradicated from playoff competition. They’re now poised to be frontrunners within the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes.
• The Minnesota Lynx snapped a four-game Indiana Fever win streak with a 99-88 win, powered by 26 factors and 10 rebounds from Napheesa Collier, 16 factors from Bridget Carleton, and 15 factors from Courtney Williams. The Fever had been outscored by 17 factors within the third quarter — and lose simply their second recreation for the reason that break.

• The Las Vegas Aces (22-12) overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to beat the Connecticut Solar (24-10). Kelsey Plum led the way in which with 27 factors on 8-15 taking pictures, whereas main MVP candidate A’ja Wilson added 20 factors and eight rebounds. The 72-67 victory made it 4 consecutive wins for the Aces, who very nicely might be peaking on the proper time.
• The Atlanta Dream beat the Dallas Wings in an additional time thriller, largely thanks to an enormous 33-point outing by Rhyne Howard. Tina Charles posted 20 factors and 13 assists within the 107-96 victory, and the Dream keep in ninth place within the standings.

The Phoenix Mercury (17-18) go to the Seattle Storm (20-14) at 9pm ET

Photograph by Barry Gossage/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

It’s been a considerably disappointing 12 months for the Mercury, who hover beneath .500 and have dropped 5 of their final seven video games. Phoenix has been led by Kahleah Copper (21.9 factors on 44.3% taking pictures), Brittney Griner (18.1 factors on 57% taking pictures, 6.4 rebounds), and Diana Taurasi (15 factors), Natasha Cloud (11.6 factors, 6.8 assists).

The Storm additionally haven’t been nice for the reason that break — they’re simply 3-5 for the reason that Olympics — so this one is a battle between two gifted groups who’ve considerably underachieved. Skylar Diggins-Smith has been the Storm’s main scorer in three of the final 4 video games, whereas Jewell Loyd (20.1 factors per recreation) has been the main scorer this season. Nonetheless, it’s Nneka Ogwumike who’s arguably had the most effective season of the Storm trio — the 2016 league MVP has averaged 16.8 factors on 50.6% from the 12 months and 41.3% from three.

Tonight, each groups will look to safe a much-needed win. They’ve confronted off twice to date, with every crew popping out victorious as soon as.

Up to date WNBA Standings

We noticed some motion within the standings final evening, with the Lynx surpassing the Solar for the #2 seed. Right here’s the place every little thing stands with two weeks left to play:

1. New York Liberty (28-6)
2. Minnesota Lynx (25-9)
3. Connecticut Solar (24-10)
4. Las Vegas Aces (22-12)
5. Seattle Storm (20-14)
6. Indiana Fever (18-17)
7. Phoenix Mercury (17-18)
8. Chicago Sky (12-22)
9. Atlanta Dream (12-22)
10. Washington Mystics (11-23)
11. Dallas Wings (9-25)
12. Los Angeles Sparks (7-27)

Learn how to watch right now’s WNBA recreation

Saturday’s matchup between the Mercury and Storm can be streamed on WNBA League Cross and NBA TV.