As I was catching up on this week's WNBA action, I couldn't help but notice how international players continue to shape the league's landscape. Just yesterday, I was reading about Justin Brownlee's recovery journey, and it struck me how similar challenges face both basketball players across different leagues. Brownlee's presence at the start of actual Philippine team practices would allow him to test his newly-operated shooting hand after undergoing surgery last April - that's about five months of recovery time, which honestly feels pretty standard for hand surgeries in basketball. It makes you appreciate what WNBA athletes go through when they're dealing with injuries during this packed season.
Speaking of this week's games, the Connecticut Sun really impressed me with their 89-72 victory over the Chicago Sky last Tuesday. I've been following DeWanna Bonner's comeback season, and let me tell you, her 24-point performance was something special. The way she moved on the court reminded me exactly why I keep coming back to watch WNBA games - that raw determination and skill just can't be matched. The Sun have now won 7 of their last 10 games, which puts them in a pretty solid position for playoff contention if you ask me.
Then there was that absolutely thrilling matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty that went into double overtime. I stayed up way too late watching that game, but it was completely worth it. Chelsea Gray's buzzer-beater that sent the game into the first overtime had me jumping off my couch - the woman is pure magic with the ball in her hands. The final score of 98-95 doesn't even begin to capture how intense that game felt from start to finish. These are the kinds of matchups that really showcase why the WNBA deserves more prime-time coverage.
What's really been standing out to me this season is how the league's international influence continues to grow. Thinking about Brownlee's situation with the Philippine team makes me appreciate how global basketball has become. We're seeing similar international connections in the WNBA too - just look at how Marine Johannès from France has been elevating the Liberty's gameplay with her incredible court vision. It's this beautiful blend of styles and approaches that makes women's basketball so fascinating to follow year after year.
The Seattle Storm's 82-76 victory against the Dallas Wings on Thursday was another highlight worth mentioning. Jewell Loyd put up 28 points, which marks her sixth 25+ point game this season. I've been tracking her performance all year, and honestly, she's playing at an MVP level that doesn't get nearly enough recognition. The Storm have been somewhat inconsistent this season, but when Loyd gets going like she did against Dallas, they look like a completely different team.
I know some fans get too caught up in just watching the scoring, but for me, the defensive plays are what really make games memorable. Take Atlanta's 67-65 grind against Indiana - that was a defensive masterpiece, if you ask me. The Dream held the Fever to just 32% shooting from the field, which is honestly one of the best defensive performances I've seen all season. Sometimes these low-scoring games get overlooked, but they can be just as exciting as the high-scoring affairs when you appreciate the defensive artistry involved.
Looking ahead to the weekend games, I'm particularly excited about the rematch between Connecticut and Chicago. The Sky will be looking for revenge after that 17-point loss earlier in the week, and something tells me we're in for another competitive matchup. Personally, I think the Sun have figured out how to exploit Chicago's defensive weaknesses, but in this league, you never really know which version of a team will show up on any given night.
As we approach the midpoint of the season, what's becoming clear to me is how much parity exists in the league this year. Unlike previous seasons where you had clear favorites, this year feels much more wide open. The Aces and Liberty might be getting most of the attention, but teams like Connecticut, Atlanta, and even Seattle on their good days have shown they can compete with anyone. It's this unpredictability that makes following WNBA game scores and highlights so rewarding week after week. The level of competition just keeps getting better, and honestly, as a longtime fan, that's exactly what I want to see.
