Stewart, Ogwumike Headline NBA TV Doubleheader

Jack Maloney

The WNBA will invade NBA TV on Wednesday, as we’re set for an afternoon doubleheader. The Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings will kick things off at 12:30 PM ET, while the San Antonio Stars and Seattle Storm’s matchup will follow at 3:00 PM ET. Here’s what to watch for.

Connecticut Sun at Dallas Wings, 12:30 PM ET

160719_sims_900

Playoff Chase

Both the Sun and Wings currently sit outside of playoff position, but their seasons are far from over. Just a half game behind the Mystics for the eighth and final spot, the Wings, at 9-14, are in better position at the moment. And given the way teams are bunched upt, a quick winning streak could vault them right into the middle of the pack.

As for the Sun, their 6-16 record hasn’t been quite reflective of their play this season. They boast a win over the Minnesota Lynx, and four of their losses have been single-digit missteps against the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks. With a dozen games to go, and just three games separating them from playoff contention, they aren’t out of the running quite yet.

Is Chiney Ogwumike Finally Back?

As she made her way back from a knee injury that kept her out all of last season, Chiney Ogwumike didn’t look her usual self over the first few months. She didn’t score in double figures until her eighth game of the season, and has only two double-digit rebound games (her last two games). But if her last few games are any indication, the 2014 Rookie of the Year is back. Over her last three games, Ogwumike is averaging 18 points on 54-percent shooting and 10.3 rebounds a game. The Sun will need her at her best if they hope to make a late playoff push.

Wings’ Three-Point Assault

The Dallas Wings absolutely love to fire up three-pointers. They lead the league with 22.4 attempts from beyond the arc per game, and 26.6 percent of their points are scored from downtown, also highest in the league. As for making them? Well that’s another story, as they sit seventh in the league in three-point percentage, hitting just 33.7 percent of the time. With the Wings coming off two straight games with 10 made triples, however, the Sun will need to be extra vigilant of the deep ball on Wednesday.

 

San Antonio Stars at Seattle Storm, 3:00 PM ET

160719_loyd-moriah_900

Huskies In The House

Just a few months ago, Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson were winning an NCAA Championship together — their fourth straight. But on Wednesday they’ll be on opposite sides of the floor, as Stewart’s Storm welcome Jefferson’s Stars to Seattle. But the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in this year’s draft won’t be the only former UConn players in action. The great Sue Bird is also a former Husky, as is Storm teammate Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.

Playoff Chase

Like the Sun and the Wings, both the Stars and the Storm find themselves outside of the playoff picture. And like the Sun and the Wings, the Storm still have plenty to play for. Despite sitting in 10th place (as of Tuesday morning), the Storm are just two games behind the Fever, who occupy the fifth seed. A dozen games is plenty of time to make up that difference, or at the very least slide into playoff position.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Stars. Losers of four straight, and without their injured leading scorer, Kayla McBride, for the rest of the season, the Stars seem to have run out of luck this year.

Breanna Stewart’s Rookie Of The Year Campaign Marches On

Breanna Stewart was expected to be the Rookie of the Year this season, and she’s more than lived up to the expectations. Averaging 19.1 points (fifth in the league) and 9.5 rebounds (tied for first in the league), Stewart hasn’t just been the best rookie this season, she’s been one of the league’s best players, period. And the scary thing is she seems to only be getting better. Over her last 10 games, Stewart is putting up 22.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 steals per night while shooting 56 percent and 48 percent from behind the arc.

So… yeah, Breanna Stewart is good at basketball.