After an unprecedented upset and a pair of thrilling win-or-go-home Sport 3s, the WNBA catches its breath earlier than the league semifinals tip off on Sunday.
Forward of the second spherical, we break down Dream-Liberty and Valkyries-Aces with keys to every collection beneath.
Liberty inside protection | Atlanta lived on the rim in the course of the common season, main the league with 1,236 field-goal makes an attempt within the restricted space. That development continued in a routine first-round sweep of the Washington Mystics; of the Dream’s 90 two-point makes an attempt, 52, or 57.8 %, got here from inside 0 to five ft of the basket. (h/t Her Hoop Stats)
In its historic collection win over the Minnesota Lynx, turning into the primary No. 8 seed to advance previous a No. 1, New York largely saved Minnesota from attacking the basket. And when the Lynx did, the Liberty have been wonderful defensively, holding them to 25-of-59 (42.4 %) from inside the paint.
New York’s means to maintain the Dream one-and-done on the offensive finish will probably be key, too, significantly going through rebounding maestro and not too long ago named Defensive Participant of the Yr Angel Reese. The Liberty led the league in defensive rebounds (27.4 per sport) within the common season and averaged 28.5 per game in opposition to the Lynx.
Dream perimeter protection | New York thrived by the three throughout its gorgeous first-round sweep. Based on Her Hoop Stats knowledge, the Liberty lead playoff groups in three-point price, with 39.6 % of their scoring alternatives (subject aim makes an attempt and journeys to the free-throw line) approaching makes an attempt from past the arc. They shot 40.4 % in opposition to Minnesota, averaging 11.5 makes per sport.
Dream guard trio Jordin Canada, Allisha Grey and Rhyne Howard have been a nightmare defensively in opposition to Washington, combining for 8.5 steals per sport and serving to restrict the Mystics to 31.7 %, the bottom of the opening spherical, on three-point tries.
Breanna Stewart’s continued dominance | Recent off receiving MVP honors on the FIBA Ladies’s World Cup, Stewart, 32, is taking part in a number of the finest basketball of her two-time MVP profession. Since Aug. 18 and together with the playoffs, she ranks third within the league in scoring amongst 30 certified gamers (minimal 9 video games, 100 field-goal makes an attempt), averaging 22.9 factors on 52.2 % capturing whereas additionally including 8.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per sport.
Stewart has scored over 20 factors in all 5 video games she’s performed since getting back from Berlin, and if she continues to place the Liberty on her again, they could quickly be headed to a 3rd WNBA Finals in 4 seasons.
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