After its long hiatus, the WNBA regular season started up once again this weekend and with that there are tons of links available.
I could spend all morning posting every link or I could post the highlights from the weekend with one link for each team for the first time in 2012. I chose the latter, but feel free to add your commentary and favorite links in the comments.
- Kristofer Habbas of SB Nation Arizona writes that the Phoenix Mercury can come away from yesterday's 105-83 loss to the Minnesota Lynx with some moral victories. Playing without Diana Taurasi, Habbas notes that Charde Houston and Samantha Prahalis were impressive. Read more >>>
- Dave Campbell of the AP reports that Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus suffered bruised ribs after landing on top of a courtside seat in the third quarter during yesterday's win over the Phoenix Mercury. She did return to the bench yesterday, but did not re-enter the game. Read more >>>
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Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times wrote that the Seattle Storm's 72-66 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on the WNBA's opening night on Friday was hardly what you'd expect at KeyArena - in fact, it was the first time the Storm have lost on Opening Night since 2005. Playing without Lauren Jackson and veterans having arrived late to training camp, perhaps it's just a matter of the team needing time to gel, but a veteran team like that expected better. Read more >>>
- The L.A. Times (via GoVolsXtra) writes that Sparks forward Candace Parker had two key baskets down the stretch to help overcome that 21 point Storm lead. Parker's second half performance was an example of how significant she is to the Sparks on the court, where she is intent on spending more time this year than she has in years past. Read more >>>
- David Woods of the Indianapolis Star wrote that the Indiana Fever's 12 3-pointers against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, setting a WNBA record for most players on one team making threes in a game. Jessica Davenport even got into the act with a 30-footer to end the third quarter. Read more >>>
- Kris Willis of SB Nation's Peachtree Hoops notes why the Fever's hot shooting was particularly disappointing for the Dream: they were were looking to improve their perimeter defense this year and didn't get off to a particularly strong start. Read more >>>
- John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant recapped the Connecticut Sun's 92-77 win over the New York Liberty yesterday, completing an early-season sweep in a season-opening back-to-back. Sun coach Mike Thibault noted that the Sun won all of the Four Factors in the game, the first time I recall a coach listing all of them publicly. Read more >>>
- Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News recapped the first game between the Liberty and Sun at Madison Square Garden, which the Liberty lost 78-73. A controversial offensive foul called on Liberty point guard Leilani Mitchell sealed the deal, although the Liberty had a few leads that slipped away during the game. Read more >>>
- Jshuane Melton of the DC Sports Box looked like the same old Mystics in their 69-57 loss to the Chicago Sky on Saturday, despite the addition of veterans this season in hopes of finishing games stronger. Unfortunately, experience didn't help the Mystics avoid what Trudi Lacey called "silly mistakes." Read more >>>
- The AP reports that the turnover problems weren't solely the problem of the Mystics: the Chicago Sky committed 21 of their own. That's part of what prompted Sky center Sylvia Fowles to say that they have a few more wrinkles to work out. Read more >>>
- Rich Lohman of Tulsa Today writes that new Tulsa Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg was complimentary of his young team after a 88-79 victory on Saturday. Among the bright spots for the Shock was Glory Johnson recording a double-double in her WNBA debut. Read more >>>
- Jimmie Tramel of the Tulsa World reports that when Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes was asked for his post-game reaction he also turned to praise the Shock rather than his own team's performance, which included a 16-point debut from newcomer Shameka Christon. Read more >>>
Feel free to add more of your favorite links in the comments along with your basketball insights from the first weekend of games.