Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images
Here’s who stood out from Tuesday’s WNBA slate: Sun-Sparks, Storm-Mystics, and Liberty-Wings.
Tuesday’s WNBA play was headlined by a sold-out TD Garden that saw Boston host its first-ever WNBA game. DiJonai Carrington led the charge in that one as Connecticut pulled out a win in front of a massive home crowd more than 100 miles away from their typical home arena. Elsewhere, the Liberty hosted the Wings, and the Mystics hosted the Storm.
First, Tuesday’s game results:
The Sun (20-7) beat the Sparks (6-22), 69-61, in front of a historic sell-out crowd at TD Garden.
The Liberty (24-4) blew out the Wings (6-21), 94-74 to extend their win streak to 7. Sabrina Ionescu sat out with a neck injury, but no Sabrina was no problem for New York.
The Storm (18-10) squeezed out an 83-77 win over the Mystics (6-22).
Now for the daily top performers roundup — here are Tuesday’s top 5 WNBA standouts.
5. Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics
Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
In a loss to the Storm, Ariel Atkins scored 25 points on 9-16 shooting — including 5-10 from three. It was her’ second 25+ points game this season.
The Mystics, who are now tied with the Sparks for the worst record in the league, were just a few hours removed from learning about several major roster changes that shook the locker room — including sending Myisha Hines-Allen to Minnesota and waiving DiDi Richards. Atkins said it was difficult to switch gears from that news and that it was what they talked about leading up to the game.
“You don’t try to replace anybody,” Atkins said. “You just continue to be yourself. Even with My leaving, I still think we have a really good locker room.”
Atkins struggled in the first two quarters, but she exploded for 14 points in the third quarter to help pull the Mystics within striking distance.
“In the first half, I don’t even know who that was that was playing, if I’m being honest,” Atkins said.
4. Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
The Wings lost by 20 to the Liberty at Barclays Center, but Satou Sabally did everything she could to keep Dallas in it. Saboully, who missed the first half of the season recovering from shoulder surgery, recorded 24 points (8-14 FG), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in just her second Wings game of the year.
Sabally would probably be ranked higher on this list based purely on her performance, but the fact this game was barely contested keeps her out of the top three performers list. Still, her strong play is a welcome sign for Wings fans, and Sabally said she was feeling 100% postgame.
“I feel like I always believe in my abilities,” Sabally said. “I’ve had some games under the belt from the Olympics, and I feel like coming from that — I’m just excited to play again. This was a really hard time for me, and I’m just happy to play.”
3. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
Storm veteran Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points on 8-16 shooting and grabbed 8 boards in the Storm’s win over the Mystics. It was Seattle’s first win since the Olympic break, and came just a few hours after the team announced it signed French star Gabby Williams. Ogwumike said getting in the win column was critical ahead of Williams’ arrival.
“It’s very important, especially with Gabby,” Ogwumike said. “We’re going to be able to get some practice time with Gabby before we head back into a string of games. So this week, after checking our temperature for the first three games, is going to be major going to the postseason.”
2. DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
Photo by Brian Fluharty/NBAE via Getty Images
DiJonai Carrington scored a game-high 19 points on 8-17 shooting in the Sun’s win over the Sparks, played in front of more than 19,000 fans at TD Garden in Boston’s first-ever WNBA game. She spent much of the night guarding rookie standout Rickea Jackson, who she held 14 points on 5-13 shooting.
The Sun trailed by four points with four minutes to play, when Carrington drove to the basket to cut the deficit to two. She drove again for the lead with three minutes to play, ultimately scoring six points in the final five minutes of the game to help the Sun pull out the victory.
Carrington thanked the sold-out crowd after the win: “I know all y’all got to work tomorrow, so thank you for being here.”
DiJonai Carrington addresses the TD Garden crowd after the thrilling win:
“Hopefully this isn’t the last. Hopefully this is the first of many.”
Certainly seems like a ton of momentum for a WNBA team in Boston pic.twitter.com/bwxb1dXmnT
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) August 21, 2024
Postgame, she gushed about the energy in the building.
“It felt great,” Carrington said. “It felt like what every night should feel like.”
Sun head coach Stephanie White praised Carrington for her continued two-way effort this season.
“She is a front runner for Most Improved Player,” White said. “She is a candidate for First Team All Defensive Team. We look at numbers all the time, and she’s consistently holding opponents best perimeter players under their averages.”
1. Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images
In Tuesday’s win over the Mystics, Jonquel Jones dominated the paint, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds. Jones’s big night helped New York compensate for the absence of Sabrina Ionescu, who was out with a sore neck. Jones, a former MVP, is averaging 14.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Liberty this season, and has continually showed that she can increase those numbers with more touches.
After the win, Jones praised her teammates for helping foster such an enjoyable environment in New York. The victory widens the Liberty’s lead for best record in the WNBA at 24-4.
“It’s always fun when you’re winning but it’s even better when you’re surrounded by really great people,” she said postgame. “That’s the power that we have being on this team. We want to get the job down and bring a championship back to the team too.”
