Following a lively WNBA All-Star weekend, some players might still be recovering or caught up in the ongoing Stud Bats 72-hour Twitch stream. Indianapolis enjoyed the spotlight in the WNBA universe, while the players demonstrated the league’s seriousness about CBA negotiations.
As the All-Star festivities conclude, the WNBA season accelerates toward the playoffs. Top teams like the Mercury, Lynx, and Liberty are battling for home court advantage, whereas teams near the crucial eighth seed fight just to qualify. The key factor influencing playoff success? Player health.
Injuries remain a significant storyline this season, directly impacting which teams can sustain deep runs in the postseason. Here’s a look at some key players’ injury status and potential impact on their teams:
Kate Linklerk (Indiana Fever) has missed 10 games this season due to groin muscle pulls on both sides, complicating her return. The Fever are 12-11 overall but perform better (8-5) when Clark plays, as her presence opens scoring opportunities for teammates like Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull.
Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty) suffered an ankle injury on June 19 and has been out since, though she’s expected back for a Tuesday game against the Fever. Liberty also signed veteran Emma Meesman, a former WNBA champion and MVP who’s been playing for Belgium’s national team, providing valuable depth as Jones recuperates.
Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) went down with a knee injury on July 11 and is sidelined for at least July, leaving a big gap in Atlanta’s lineup where she averaged 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. The Dream, fighting for a home court playoff spot at fourth seed, must now rely more on other starters and role players like Maya Caldwell and Te Hina Paopao.
Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury) also battled injuries, with Sabally missing the All-Star game and Copper playing limited games due to a hamstring issue. Despite this, Mercury have thrived thanks to Alyssa Thomas and strong contributions from role players, but they’ll need their stars back to hold their playoff position.
Highlighting the week, Skylar Diggins-Shields of the Seattle Storm made history with the first-ever triple-double in an All-Star Game, racking up 14 assists, 11 points, and 11 rebounds.
Looking ahead, an exciting matchup features the Liberty versus Mercury on Friday, a key game that could influence postseason seeding, especially with stars like Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas going head-to-head.
Yahoo Sports Power Poll ranks the teams as follows:
1. Minnesota Lynx (20-4)
2. Phoenix Mercury (15-7)
3. New York Liberty (15-7)
4. Seattle Storm (14-9)
5. Atlanta Dream (13-9)
6. Indiana Fever (12-11)
7. Washington Mystics (11-11)
8. Las Vegas Aces (11-11)
9. Golden State Valkyries (10-12)
10. Chicago Sky (7-15)
11. Los Angeles Sparks (8-14)
12. Dallas Wings (6-17)
13. Connecticut Sun (3-19)
Fan Take: This update highlights just how crucial health and depth are to postseason success in the WNBA, underscoring the relentless physical demands on top players. For fans, staying tuned means witnessing not only fierce competition but also how teams adapt and evolve, shaping the drama and growth of women’s professional basketball.
