May 22, 2007: Plenette Pierson, Detroit Shock

Plenette Pierson was instrumental off the bench for the Shock in their Opening Day win.

D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Each week throughout the season, the WNBA Peak Performer of the Week will be given to the player who raises her game the most depending on what her team needs and when they need it. As the first player off the bench for the Detroit Shock the past two seasons, forward Plenette Pierson has consistently raised her game in a number of capacities and continued to do so in Detroit's Opening Day win Saturday over the Sacramento Monarchs.

Picking up right where she left off in Game 5 of the 2006 WNBA Finals, Pierson led her team in points, rebounds and assists in the 75-68 opener against Sacramento. When All-Star forward Cheryl Ford picked up two early fouls and then spent much of the game on the bench, Pierson stepped in and didn't miss a beat. She finished with 22 points and eight boards and played the second most minutes of any Shock player. Her 14 points in the first half helped to put the Shock out in front, and they never relinquished the lead.

Sound familiar? In the decisive Game 5 of last year's Finals, while Cheryl Ford sat the bench in trouble, Pierson stepped in and scored 16 points, including a sterling 10-13 from the free throw line. It is just one game, of course, but if Pierson continues this level of play, she could warrant All-Star consideration... and she may not even be on the ballot!

Week One

Date

Opp

Result

Min

FG

3P

FT

ORB

DRB

TOT

AST

ST

BL

TO

PF

PTS

May 19

vs. Sac

75-68 W

31

7-15

0-0

8-9

6

2

8

4

3

2

2

4

22

Other Notable Performances

Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm - 23.0 ppg, 10 rpg
Iziane Castro Marques, Seattle Storm - 25.0 ppg
Erin Thorn, New York Liberty - 28.0 ppg
Chasity Melvin, Washington Mystics - 22.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg
Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx - 22.0 ppg
Sophia Young, San Antonio Silver Stars - 14.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg