Preview: Back to business with 3 Tuesday games

It’s Tuesday night, and three games of excellent WNBA action are on the plate. We’re out of the All-Star Break and into the back half of the regular season, starting with the Mystics taking on the Dream and culminating with a West Coast clash of Storm vs. Mercury. We’ve also got Allie Quigley taking the court for the first time since her record-breaking performance in the three-point contest.

Let’s get into it!

Washington Mystics (14-11) vs. Atlanta Dream (16-9)

When: 7 p.m. ET

Where: McCamish Pavilion

How to watch: Twitter

Scouting Report: After the excitement of the 2018 WNBA All-Star weekend in Minneapolis, the Atlanta Dream are looking for their ninth-straight win when the league gets back in action on Tuesday evening against the Washington Mystics.

This Dream team has been having a great 2018 season campaign and headed into All-Star break with a road win over the LA Sparks. Dream leader Angel McCoughtry made her 5^th All-Star team appearance for Team Parker, with 10 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists in the win over Team Dell Donne. McCoughtry was joined by Renee Montgomery, whom competed in the 3-point contest. Although Montgomery placed fifth with her shooting performance, she made quite the statement shooting in her teammate and Dream standout, Tiffany Hayes’ jersey in honor of her being snubbed in the All-Star nominations. This may be the kind of team bonding “chip on the shoulder” gesture that the Dream need to carry them high into the playoffs.

Mystics star Elena Delle Donne was one of the 2018 All-Star team captains and had six points and six rebounds in the loss to Team Parker 119-112. Mystics’ Kristi Toliver was also on Team Delle Donne and added 23 points.

Chicago Sky (9-17) vs. Dallas Wings (14 -11)

When: 8 p.m. ET

Where: College Park Center

How to watch: NBA TV, FSSW-DAL+, The U Too

Scouting Report: The Dallas Wings look to capitalize on their play off push against the Chicago Sky at home on Tuesday night. With only five games separating the top eight teams that are currently in playoff contention, every game becomes crucial for those teams fighting for a position and higher seed.

At All-Star weekend, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Liz Cambage both represented the Wings on Team Parker. Diggins-Smith added 17 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds and Cambage had 11 points and 8 boards in the win over Team Delle Donne. For the Sky, veteran Allie Quigley rep’d on Team Parker, as well with 18 points. Quigley also won the 3-point contest for the second time in a row and set a new all-time record for most points scored in the contest across both the NBA and W!

Seattle Storm (19-7) vs. Phoenix Mercury (15-11)

When: 10 p.m. ET

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena

How to watch: Twitter

Scouting Report: The Seattle Storm are on the tear for their first 20-win season since their 2011 season. With Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird leading the way into break, the Storm look to maintain consistency currently in the top spot in the standings. The Phoenix Suns will be making every game count with the regular season ending on August 19^th. The Mercury suffered a loss heading into the All-Star weekend against the Chicago Sky 101-87 and will need this win at home. Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and DeWanna Bonner will have to continue to set the pace for the Mercury play off race.

At All-Star, Taurasi, Griner, and Bonner all represented the Mercury for Team Delle Donne, as well as Storm stars Stewart, and Bird. Storm’s Jewell Lloyd was on Team Parker.