WNBA 2022 opening night time – Largest surprises and takeaways because the season suggestions off

The 2022 WNBA season tipped off Friday night time with 4 action-packed video games.

Within the first, the Washington Mystics notched a 14-point win over the Indiana Fever. Then, the 2021 defending champions Chicago Sky fell 98-91 in time beyond regulation to the Los Angeles Sparks after a controversial foul call with 1.5 seconds left in regulation helped power time beyond regulation.

Later within the night time, the Las Vegas Aces cracked triple digits, defeating the Phoenix Mercury — opening their season with out Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February — 106-88. And the Seattle Storm christened their new dwelling court docket at Local weather Pledge Area in type, with a 23-point win towards the Minnesota Lynx.

ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel, Alexa Philippou and Kevin Pelton analyze every of the 4 video games to open the season.

How Chicago misplaced to Los Angeles

It is necessary to begin with a caveat right here: Like most WNBA groups proper now, neither squad was at full power. The Sky had been with out Allie Quigley (knee) and 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper (abroad). The Sparks had been with out Kristi Toliver (teaching within the NBA playoffs) and Katie Lou Samuelson (abroad). So it is too quickly to completely overreact a technique or one other about both workforce.

That stated, this was a pleasant win for the Sparks, who want to bounce again from a disappointing 2021 through which they missed the postseason for the primary time in a decade. What could have been most shocking or notable concerning the efficiency was that it wasn’t the likes of prized free company additions Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter who moved the needle to beat the reigning champs. Cambage bought in early foul bother and did not rating from the sphere till the second half, ending with 12 factors and 4 rebounds. Carter was restricted to 12 minutes, though she was productive in that point with 12 factors.

Nneka Ogwumike (19 factors, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists) dominated the primary half — nice information for L.A. after she handled a knee harm final season — whereas Jordin Canada, who received two titles with Seattle earlier than signing with the Sparks this previous offseason, carried the workforce throughout the end line with a team-high 21 factors and eight assists. Lexie Brown‘s clutch taking pictures (4-for-5 on 3s) stored the momentum from totally shifting in Chicago’s favor. Chiney Ogwumike performed 19 minutes and had some good moments, and Brittney Sykes, who stated she labored within the offseason on bringing again her offensive swagger, was additionally a difference-maker at instances on each ends. General, that kind of depth will serve the Sparks effectively, particularly if higher luck with well being is on their facet this 12 months.

It definitely did not appear like a completed product, and I am curious to see how Derek Fisher continues to tinker with lineups, particularly as soon as Toliver and Samuelson are again. One other storyline to observe can be how shortly Cambage (who completed -3, the second worst mark on the workforce) can discover her footing, and the way the Sparks can put her, and the Ogwumikes round her, in the most effective place to succeed.

Chicago did numerous issues that put itself in place to win the sport, and barring a controversial foul name with 1.5 seconds to play, would have come away with the W. Afterwards, gamers and James Wade stated they thought they had been simply gassed in time beyond regulation, which contributed to their turnover drawback (25 vs. L.A.’s 22 on the sport). Emma Meesseman stuffed the stat sheet with 12 factors, 5 assists and eight rebounds, nevertheless it was apparent she’s nonetheless getting used to her new teammates and system. Her continued consolation will definitely be one thing to observe, together with as Copper and Quigley re-insert themselves into the lineup, too.

And the way about Dana Evans? I didn’t have her scoring a career-high (and team-best) 24 factors on my bingo card, however hey, that is why you play the sport. — Alexa Philippou

play

Sue Hen sends a full-court cross to Jewell Loyd, who finishes the shot plus the foul.

Seattle’s depth got here via towards Minnesota

SEATTLE — On a historic night time the place the Storm returned to the Seattle Middle campus for the primary time since 2018, making their regular-season debut at newly rebuilt Local weather Pledge Area, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions delivered a efficiency worthy of their trendy new dwelling. Seattle outscored the visiting Minnesota Lynx 34-14 within the third quarter, turning a tie sport at halftime right into a 97-74 rout.

Just like the constructing, the Storm’s supporting solid underwent a makeover after the workforce was eradicated within the second spherical of the playoffs with out injured star Breanna Stewart final season. Seattle traded for beginning small ahead Gabby Williams and added veterans Briann January and Jantel Lavender to the bench, hoping to cut back the workforce’s dependence on its three All-Stars (Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd).

On the eve of the opener, Hen argued the additions made the Storm the deepest workforce within the league. The second unit regarded the half Friday, carrying Seattle via a poor-shooting first half for Stewart (2-of-10). With all three stars on the bench, the Storm rallied to tie the sport within the second quarter.

Against this, Minnesota’s depth was compromised by the absence of 4 key gamers: Napheesa Collier (pregnant), Damiris Dantas (working again from a Lisfranc harm), Kayla McBride (nonetheless taking part in overseas in Turkey) and Angel McCoughtry (who underwent a PRP injection earlier within the week). The Lynx had simply 9 gamers in uniform, one in all whom, Serbian rookie Nikolina Milic, had by no means practiced with the workforce earlier than making her WNBA debut on a hardship contract.

The absences left Minnesota closely depending on the duo of Sylvia Fowles and Aerial Powers, who had been as much as the duty within the first half. Powers had 14 and Fowles 12 to account for 63% of the workforce’s scoring. But Seattle was capable of include them after halftime, and the sport flipped in a rush. The Lynx had extra turnovers (seven) than subject objectives (5) within the third quarter.

In the meantime, the Storm’s stars had been making their presence felt on the different finish. Loyd and Hen mixed for 17 of the workforce’s 34 factors within the interval and attached on a spotlight when Hen lobbed the ball from effectively past half court docket to Loyd, who completed the alley-oop with a layup for a three-point play. The help was one in all 9 on the night time for Hen, who completed one shy of a double-double in 22 minutes to start her 19th and sure remaining WNBA season.

Friday’s sport was a reminder that so long as Hen, Loyd and Stewart are wholesome, the Storm can be robust to beat. If Seattle continues to get the type of manufacturing that the bench supplied within the season opener — three reserves scored at the least 9 factors, with January and Stephanie Talbot combining for six assists and 5 blocks — this workforce is able to hanging one other banner within the rafters of the brand new area. — Kevin Pelton

play

Kelsey Plum blows by the protection to attain for the Aces.

Aces, absences an excessive amount of for Phoenix to beat

On a gap night time when the Mercury’s ideas had been on Brittney Griner, in addition they missed their star heart on the court docket.

In a 106-88 loss to visiting Las Vegas that offered the Aces’ Becky Hammon with her coaching victory, the Mercury had been removed from their finest defensively with out Griner and Brianna Turner, their high rim protectors, plus guards Diamond DeShields and Kia Nurse. DeShields and Turner have been taking part in abroad however are anticipated again quickly, whereas Nurse is rehabbing a knee harm suffered through the playoffs final October.

“We have now some essential gamers coming in for our subsequent sport that I am certain will assist us,” stated Vanessa Nygaard in her debut because the Mercury’s coach. “I’ve to be higher. And we’ll all proceed to enhance.”

Guard Skylar Diggins-Smith picked up the place she left off final season, main the Mercury with 25 factors. Shey Peddy had 16, and Tina Charles had 15. Diana Taurasi, beginning her 18th WNBA season, had 9 factors and 9 assists.

“They shot the hell out of the ball tonight,” Diggins-Smith stated of the Aces’ 58.2% taking pictures from the sphere. “We all know we have to get higher. We’re lacking some items.” The Mercury employees and gamers wore warm-up T-shirts that learn, “We Are BG 42.”

U.S. consultant Greg Stanton of Arizona, a longtime Mercury fan who was mayor of Phoenix when Griner was drafted in 2013, attended Friday’s sport. Stanton informed ESPN that the choice earlier this week by the U.S. authorities to classify Griner as “wrongly detained” was an essential step within the effort to get her out of Russia.

“That permits for vital further motion by america’ state division and the particular envoy to get way more actively concerned,” Stanton stated. “Nobody is working underneath any false hope right here … that is going to be very tough negotiations and discussions. I do know in Congress, we will do every thing we will do to assist carry Brittney Griner dwelling, and we will preserve pushing the administration.

“I used to be fortunate to assist greet her on the very first press convention when she was launched as our first decide. It has been an awesome pleasure to observe the skilled and private improvement of Brittney. I’ve marched along with her in a homosexual satisfaction parade. My spouse and he or she labored collectively on anti-bullying efforts. I’ve seen her blossom as a pacesetter on this neighborhood. We have to get her dwelling.” — Mechelle Voepel

play

Shakira Austin will get the and-1 reverse layup to fall because the Mystics pad their lead vs. the Fever.

Rookies confirmed out for Washington and Indiana

As completely satisfied because the Mystics had been to have Elena Delle Donne again for Friday’s season-opening 84-70 victory over Indiana, in addition they needed to see how their draft lottery decide did in her first WNBA sport.

Middle Shakira Austin, whom the Mystics took with the No. Three choice in April’s draft, did not have large numbers — three factors, three rebounds and one block — however confirmed promise, in response to coach Mike Thibault.

“She did not end some photographs across the basket; I feel that is going to return with a while,” Thibault stated after the sport. “She type of rushed herself slightly bit at present. However I believed she actually defensively bothered them. I feel this was a great preliminary sport for her.”

Austin started her faculty profession at Maryland however then transferred to Ole Miss, the place she averaged 15.2 factors and 9.Zero rebounds this previous season. With Delle Donne not touring to Minnesota for Sunday’s sport as a consequence of load administration, the 6-foot-5 Austin could have a check towards veteran star heart Sylvia Fowles of Minnesota.

“She performed large minutes on protection,” Delle Donne stated of Austin. “She simply makes the sport simpler for us as a result of she creates extra alternatives when she’s getting second-chance rebounds. When she’s attacking, we’re actually good.

“Defensively, she’s simply so lengthy. So even when she’s in a ball-screen, she smothers guards. And her potential to get again and get well can also be actually spectacular. And simply how a lot you see her eager to get higher.”

play

Elena Delle Donne makes a wonderful inside transfer for the Mystics’ bucket.

Austin wasn’t the one lottery decide on the ground on Friday night time, although: No. 2 NaLyssa Smith and No. 4 Emily Engstler, each forwards, had been additionally in motion for Indiana. Smith, a standout from Baylor, had 13 factors and 13 rebounds to begin her WNBA profession, whereas Engstler had 4 and 9, respectively. Middle Queen Egbo, the No. 10 decide within the draft, had 10 factors and 6 rebounds for the Fever, who’re anticipated to rely quite a bit on their younger gamers — which incorporates Destanni Henderson and Lexie Hull — this season.

Guard Crystal Dangerfield, a third-year participant, who was the rookie of the 12 months for Minnesota in 2020, was reduce by the Lynx this previous week, however wasn’t out of motion for lengthy. The Fever added her to their roster, and he or she had 5 factors and two assists Friday. — Voepel