It’s been 8,660 days, or since August 31, 2002, since a WNBA game was broadcast on NBC.
That almost 24-year absence will officially end on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET when the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream tip off at a sold-out State Farm Arena. Then, at 6 p.m. ET, the Seattle Storm visit the Indiana Fever. Both games also will be available through Peacock.
Aces-Dream will
be preceded by WNBA Showtime at 1 p.m. ET, when Maria Taylor will host a studio show with Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller serving as analysts. A second round of WNBA Showtime will also lead into Storm-Fever, with Carolyn Manno taking over hosting duties from Taylor.
While it will be exciting to evaluate the broadcast, the real excitement, as always, happens on the court. For me, that excitement begins with the head-to-head A’ja Wilson-Angel Reese showdown in the ATL, and here’s why.
Can Angel neutralize A’ja’s dominance of the Dream?
A’ja Wilson has absolutely owned Atlanta in recent seasons. (Even more than she has owned the rest of the WNBA.)
She averages more points against the Dream than any team in the league, a stat certainly aided by her single-game record-tying 53 points in Atlanta in 2023. Per Basketball Reference’s game score, that’s the best statistical game of Wilson’s career, and the second-best in league history. Overall, the Aces are 16-6 against the Dream during her career; Vegas has also notched five-straight wins over Atlanta.
A’ja’s ownership of the ATL also extends beyond the hardwood and into the seats. The South Carolina FAMs flock to Atlanta when the Gamecock legend is in town, (in)famously serenading her with MVP chants last season.
Do the Dream have any chance of dethroning A’ja reign over Atlanta? Yes, thanks to Angel Reese.
On the court, Reese will be tasked with defending Wilson, while also making her work on both ends of the floor. Angel’s not going to allow A’ja to get anything easy, from shots attempts to rebounds. She’s also not going to be afraid to get her shot blocked by the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. A rejection or two will not make Reese any less relentless. She’s going to keep coming and find a way to get hers.
Angel’s bigger impact, however, might come from her willingness to contest A’ja’s claim to ATL. As I have previously written, Angel injects the Dream with a needed emotional edge. That intensity not only can be directed towards her teammates, but also the potentially pro-A’ja crowd. Don’t expect Reese to resist an opportunity to prod the Aces’ supporters or urge on those cheering for the Dream.
Yes, that’s a lot to ask of Angel, especially since Rhyne Howard will be absent due to a concussion. But, the Dream brought her to Atlanta because they believe she’s capable of delivering in big moments. Sunday is the first test.
Sunday’s other star showdowns will be…
What head-to-head showdown are you hoping to see in Storm vs. Fever?
The matchup could have been the battle of bright-future bigs, but Dominque Malonga is also out with a concussion while Aliyah Boston is questionable with a lower leg injury.
That turns the attention towards the backcourts. Possibly, Sunday sets up as the national TV breakout for Flau’jae Johnson, who, fresh off of walking in her college graduation ceremony, could walk into Indy and take advantage of what has been a porous Fever defense that, if Boston is absent, could surrender even more points. Get the degree, and then get buckets!
On the other side, however, Kelsey Mitchell likely will be ready to match her bucket for bucket. What do you think about that?
When the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx meet (7 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass), an injury could against spoil a potential showdown, as Skylar Diggins is questionable with an eye injury that could prevent a face off with Olivia Miles and the first edition of a fun battle between former Notre Dame starting point guards.
If Skylar’s out, what matchup might determine the outcome? Can Natasha Howard keep turning back the clock and feasting around the basket and on the boards? Or, will Kamilla Cardoso cause problems for the vet?
The Toronto Tempo will play their second-straight game in Los Angeles (7 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass), having lost to the Sparks on Friday night, 99-95.
The Sparks led by as many as 20 points, before the Tempo charged back to make LA earn it in the clutch. Kelsey Plum and Brittney Sykes had matching 27-point performances, with Plum shooting more efficiently while Sykes benefitted from getting to the line and going 11-for-11. Will the guards go at it again? Or, will it be Marina Mabrey’s turn to get into a bucket-getting battle with Plum?
Alternatively, does LA’s path to another win run through the froncourt of Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby, who combined for 39 points on 16-for-21 shooting of Friday? Does Toronto have the bigs capable of at least containing the Sparks’ duo?
Let us know your thoughts about all of Sunday’s possible showdowns, from the ATL to Indy to the CHI to LA, in the comments.
