Olympians To Make Their Return To WNBA


Although the 12 members of the United States Women’s National Team worked as a unit to leave Rio with gold around their necks, their focus must quickly turn back to helping their respective WNBA teams make the necessary playoff push when the season resumes on Friday.

Whether you were in awe of Diana Taurasi’s scoring output, enamored by Brittney Griner and Sylvia Fowles’ post presence, or inspired by Sue Bird’s triumphant return to the gold medal podium, all of the contributing stars will now look to add another trophy to their mantels as teammates and rivals on the WNBA hardwood.

Here’s when you can catch the United States’ Olympic ballers back in action for their WNBA teams:

Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles – Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun (Friday, 7:00 PM ET, League Pass)

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The fantastic four from Minnesota played a vital role in the United States cruising to the gold medal in Rio. The most represented team at the Olympics showcased why they have won three of the last five WNBA championships, including their most recent title in 2015.

Maya Moore started all eight of the United States’ Olympic contests and saw her game grow to even greater heights. Her 12 points per game were the second most on the squad while her 34 total assists were a team-high. Sylvia Fowles joined forces with Brittney Griner and Tina Charles to form a low post trio of the highest order, and Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus combined for 14.7 points a game. Augustus also suited up in her 100th game for the red, white and blue in a group play win over China.

Now these four will begin the quest to repeat as champions when they kickoff the second half of the season against Connecticut. The Lynx have already clinched a playoff berth and their 21-4 overall record is the second best in the WNBA. The Lynx players who were on the Olympic team are well positioned to earn more hardware before 2016 comes to an end.

Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart – Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm (Friday, 10:00 PM ET, NBATV)

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Although these two are well apart in age, and Sue’s now four gold medals trump Stewie’s one, they played equally important roles on the United States’ path to victory. Storm fans took a collective gasp when Bird suffered what looked like a serious knee injury against Japan in the Quarterfinals but had to be relieved when she returned for the gold medal game. Bird’s 31 total assists were the second most on the team and contributed mightily to the squad recording 224 total assists over the course of the Games, setting a new Olympic record.

Stewart, the youngest member of the United States’ roster, appeared unfazed by the pressure of trying to win a sixth-straight gold medal for the U.S. and her first. Her 73% shooting from the field was tops on the squad and only added to the growing legend that is Breanna Stewart.

This formidable tandem will begin the second half of the season tied with the Washington Mystics at 9-15 for the eighth and final playoff spot, but currently are in ninth place due to tiebreakers. They will have the added help of Olympic opponent turned Storm teammate once again in Ramu Tokashiki whose 17.2 points per game for Japan where the third most among all competition.

Getting the ball rolling on their season will be no easy task though as they face the league-leading Los Angeles Sparks, who will feature fellow Olympian Ana Dabovic who finished with a robust 13.0 points per game for Serbia.

Brittany Griner, Diana Taurasi – Dallas Wings vs. Phoenix Mercury (Friday, 10:00 PM ET, League Pass)

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There was arguably no bigger star in women’s basketball at the Olympics than Diana Taurasi. Taruasi tied and broke her own three-point record, shot an eye-popping 57% from behind the arc, and led the U.S. in scoring with 15.6 points per game.

Brittney Griner was highly effective in her own right, scoring 9.8 points per game while tying Fowles for the most rebounds per game for the U.S. at 5.6. Also, it came as no surprise that her 11 blocks were a team-high as she leads the WNBA with 3 blocks per game.

Now this dynamic duo will hope that their success in Rio will serve the Mercury well, as one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA has underachieved thus far this season and sits in the seventh spot. The Mercury will also get back the Australian backcourt combination of Erin Phillips and Penny Taylor who led their team to the quarterfinals in Rio. In addition, the squad will welcome Sonja Petrovic back from Brazil, who played a key role in Serbia winning the Bronze.

Angel McCoughtry, Elena Delle Donne – Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky (Friday, 8:30 PM ET, League Pass)

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Angel McCoughtry and EDD will have little time to bask in their shared gold medal experience as they immediately face off on the opening night of the second half of the season. The two played together on the highly-effective second unit of the United States and combined for 18 points a game in the Olympics’ most potent offense.

The Dream and Sky sit at the the fourth and sixth seeds respectively in the playoff race but are separated by just a game and a half. As both teams settle into the starting blocks for the sprint to the finish of the season this fixture could go a long way in determining who and where both team’s play in September/October. Also, while Angel and Elena may have been reserves for the United States they are the driving forces behind their WNBA teams.

Tina Charles – New York Liberty vs. San Antonio Stars (Friday, 8:00 PM ET, NBATV)

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The current WNBA scoring leader was just as useful for the National Team, as her 9.6 points per game were the fourth-highest mark on the team. Now she will hope to continue her fine play for the New York Liberty, whose 18-8 record is the third best in the league.

Charles will see a familiar face on the Stars in the opener, Astou Ndor. Ndor’s play in the paint was a driving force behind the Spanish reaching the gold medal game against the United States.

While the Liberty have not secured their spot in the postseason, there’s little doubt that Madison Square Garden will see postseason women’s basketball for the second-straight year.

Tamika Catchings – Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever (Saturday, 7:00 PM ET, NBATV)

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Fresh off her record-tying fourth gold medal, Tamika Catchings will look to make her final WNBA season a memorable one as Indiana fights to maintain a playoff spot. Presently, the Fever find themselves as the five seed but only three games separate them and the current ninth seeded Storm, which makes every game all the more important for Indiana under the new playoff format.

Catchings was the emotional backbone of the U.S. in Rio and plays that role to an even greater extent for the Fever. She will join forces with Canadian national player Natalie Achonwa for the final stretch of a storied WNBA career.