Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals brought expected wins from the Minnesota Lynx over the Washington Mystics, 93-83, followed by the Los Angeles Sparks over the Phoenix Mercury, 86-72. Business as usual for the league’s best teams.
5 things we learned from Day 2 of the WNBA semifinals
MVP Sylvia Fowles is pretty good, huh?
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota center Sylvia Fowles was announced as the league’s MVP before the Lynx game and showed exactly why in the hours after. Fowles finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, absolutely owning the paint and anyone who came near it. The Mystics had more fight to them than they did in a Game 1 rout, but Elena Delle Donne’s 25 points weren’t enough.
Candace Parker dominated on both ends of the court for the Sparks, setting a playoff record with nine first-quarter rebounds. She finished with 24 points and 13 boards, which more than outshined Diana Taurasi’s 21 points. The Sparks did a phenomenal job keeping Brittney Griner out of the paint, and without her offense, Phoenix didn’t stand a chance.
Here’s what we learned after the second game of semifinals action:
- Sylvia Fowles is MVP for a reason.
No Mystic could stop Fowles for the second straight game. And by “couldn’t stop,” I mean Fowles essentially scored whenever she wanted... And when her teammates missed shots, she probably cleaned it up on the glass... And when Washington had the ball, Fowles probably swatted its shot attempts. Fowles finished with 25 points, nine boards, and four blocks.
Double teams were useless for the second game in a row. Fowles sealed off Tianna Hawkins, Krystal Thomas or whoever else tried to stand in the way of her and a Lynx guard’s entry pass. It was too easy. Just feet from the rim, Fowles caught easy lobs and baby hooked a number finesse shots. No matter how close the game was, Lynx fans were always at ease knowing her buckets were automatic.
If Washington can’t find a way to contain her, this series is over.
2. Lindsay Whalen is all healed and ready to command the Lynx offense again.
Whalen had surgery on a broken bone in her hand a month ago and missed the final 12 games of the regular season. The Lynx lost five of those without her. But Whalen was off and running as well as ever in Minnesota’s Game 2 win with nine points and seven assists.
It was a much different tale from Game 1, where the vet played just seven first-half minutes and Renee Montgomery ran ship for most of the game. In Game 2, Whalen looked Finals-ready, dishing passes in usual fashion, and working reverse scoops around the Mystics’ towers. She’s back, and that’s great news for the Lynx.
3. Elena Delle Donne still isn’t getting enough touches for Washington to win.
Similar to the Mystics’ problem in Game 1, they can’t seem to get the ball in Delle Donne’s hands. That’s a real problem considering she’s one of the best three or so scorers in the league, and Washington has few consistent options behind her.
Emma Meesseman has looked out of place all series, and though Kristi Toliver looked better in Game 2, she was forced to hoist a number of deep shots without Delle Donne to back her up.
Delle Donne needs to work smaller defenders in the post if her team stands any chance of coming back. Maya Moore has been too good keeping the ball out of her hands on the perimeter.
4. Candace Parker is in 2016 Finals form.
Parker set a WNBA playoff record with nine rebounds in the first quarter alone to go along with 12 points. She was dominant off the dribble, passing out of traps and connecting on jumpers. She’s the spitting image of a modern big, and this Sparks offense runs as she does.
Her outside shooting threat drew Griner to the perimeter and opened up the middle for everyone else as well. That was key. Guard Charles Gray was open to penetrate the paint, and Nneka Ogwumike was the beneficiary of a number of open cuts.
5. We’re a game away from a Sparks-Lynx rematch. That’s great news.
Last season’s WNBA Finals was one of the best ever, and it ended on an Ogwumike buzzer-beater in a decisive Game 5. A year later, these two teams are far and away the best in the league again, and this championship series could be just as competitive.
