Swish Appeal - WNBA 2019 Team PreviewsBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2019-05-24T12:12:23-04:00http://www.swishappeal.com/rss/stream/182806352019-05-24T12:12:23-04:002019-05-24T12:12:23-04:00WNBA 2019: How to watch the games
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<figcaption>The new-look Minnesota Lynx are not just retooling in 2019; they are vying to win it all. If any coach can assemble rookies, players new to the team and a few Lynx veterans into a serious title-contender it would be Cheryl Reeve. | Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The 2019 WNBA season is upon us and the league has brokered a television deal with CBS Sports, which will make it even easier to watch the games. Find the complete 2019 WNBA season schedules here, including nationally-televised games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBA TV, WNBA League Pass and Twitter. </p> <p id="PWOCmm">The 2019 WNBA season is upon us, and the league has brokered <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/22/18511146/wnba-cbs-sports-network-television-partnership">a game-changing television deal with CBS Sports</a> that will make it even easier to watch the games. CBS Sports Network will be broadcasting 40 WNBA games in primetime and on weekends beginning Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET, when the new-look Minnesota Lynx host the Chicago Sky.</p>
<p id="jYtD41">But before we get to Saturday’s slate of games featuring No. 6 overall draft pick Napheesa Collier (Lynx) battling bestie and No. 4 overall draft pick Katie Lou Samuelson (Sky) for the first win of their professional careers, the 2019 WNBA season tips off tonight — Friday, May 24!</p>
<p id="krqP4i">The Atlanta Dream hosts the Dallas Wings at 7:30 p.m. ET — watch on WNBA League Pass (or WSB NOW in Atlanta). And the New York Liberty hosts the Indiana Fever at 8:00 p.m. ET — watch on NBA TV (or YES in the local New York market). </p>
<p id="oOj1vU">Check out the following schedules of games for the rest of the 2019 season:</p>
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<h2 id="xrPc1S"><strong>2019 WNBA SEASON | National Television Viewing Schedule</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="VTlp9K"><strong>2019 WNBA SEASON | Complete Schedule</strong></h2>
<aside id="ae8dv2"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"2019 WNBA SEASON | COMPLETE SCHEDULE","description":"All games for all 12 teams","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.wnba.com/schedule/"}'></div></aside><p id="NkcDni"></p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/25/18515160/2019-wnba-season-schedule-how-to-watch-the-gamesTamryn Spruill2019-05-04T14:00:00-04:002019-05-04T14:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: Can the Atlanta Dream (#2) continue their newfound success?
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<figcaption>Tiffany Hayes averaged 17.2 points per game last season and will be a key player for the Atlanta Dream in 2019. | NBAE/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Dream had an ideal turnaround 2018 season under new head coach Nicki Collen. Can they stay among the top teams in the WNBA?</p> <p id="JQRxgX">After finishing <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/ATL/">above</a> .500 for the first time since 2014, the Atlanta Dream fell to the Washington Mystics in a tough five-game semifinals series to end last season. The Dream are bringing back their core group, with a few additions through trades and the draft, and should maintain their success in 2019.</p>
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<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Atlanta Dream in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="mOqQzt">Angel McCoughtry is the leader of Atlanta Dream and was key to their regular-season success. However, she may not be available until late into the season, if at all. McCoughtry suffered a torn ACL in August and there is no timetable for her return. Her anticipated absence led to the Dream <a href="https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-acquire-nia-coffey-in-trade/">trading</a> their 2020 second-round pick to the Las Vegas Aces for forward <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/nia-coffey/#/career">Nia Coffey</a>. Second-year player <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/monique-billings/#/career">Monique Billings</a> will likely be included in the rotation at the small forward spot as the Dream try to fill the hole left by McCoughtry.</p>
<p id="CXBN7g">Although small forward is a big question for Atlanta, the rest of the roster seems set. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/renee-montgomery/">Renee Montgomery</a> joined Atlanta in 2018 and had one of her best seasons since her Connecticut Sun days. She <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/renee-montgomery/#/career">started</a> all 34 games, averaged 10.3 points and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc.</p>
<p id="vnPkE6">Playing alongside Montgomery is <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/tiffany-hayes/">Tiffany Hayes</a>, who has played her entire career with Atlanta. Hayes has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/tiffany-hayes/#/career">increased</a> her scoring average every year since coming into the league. As she enters her eighth season, she will be called on to do even more. </p>
<p id="ucsUso"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/jessica-breland/">Jessica Breland</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/elizabeth-williams/">Elizabeth Williams</a> round out the starters for the Dream. Breland <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/jessica-breland/#/career">averaged</a> 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds in 2018. Williams’ scoring <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/elizabeth-williams/#/career">fell</a> from 2017, but saw her shooting percentage rise to nearly 55 percent. These two also combined for nearly four blocks a contest.</p>
<p id="F93w9Y">Midseason acquisition <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alex-bentley/#/gamelogs">Alex Bentley</a> was quite the asset for the Dream, scoring in double figures in seven of her 16 regular season games with Atlanta and averaged over 15 points per game in the playoffs.</p>
<p id="7Ssb2E"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittney-sykes/">Brittany Sykes</a>’ role changed in 2018, as she primarily came off the bench after starting 23 games in 2017. She is another guard in the stable for the Dream who can shoot and get to the rim at will.</p>
<h4 id="bXSCPI"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="eECjwL">The Dream drafted Brianna Turner at No. 11, but traded her draft rights to the Mercury for center <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/marie-gulich/">Marie Gülich</a>. Gülich was drafted by Phoenix as the 12th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/marie-gulich/#/career">saw</a> just 115 minutes of playing time in 23 games.</p>
<p id="qtMxOH">The Dream also selected Oregon guard Maite Cazorla in the second round and Chinese center Li Yueru in the third round. </p>
<p id="EkLJsp">Cazorla <a href="https://goducks.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8042">was</a> a four-year starter for the Ducks, where she averaged 10.1 points and was a 39 percent three-point shooter. Cazorla is a dynamic player who adds depth to a talented group of guards for Atlanta.</p>
<p id="JKGSYV">Li <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/womensbasketballworldcup/2018/player/Yueru-Li">averaged</a> 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in the FIBA World Cup for China last year. Having just turned 20 years old in March, Li is clearly a developmental player. It remains to be seen if she will see much, if any playing time with the Dream this season. </p>
<p id="SlDaIO">Coffey was <a href="https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-acquire-nia-coffey-in-trade/">acquired</a> via trade the day after the draft. Entering her third year, she has yet to see significant playing time. She <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/nia-coffey/#/career">averaged</a> 13.8 minutes and 5.3 points with the Aces last season, but did show some flashes of being able to get by players on the drive.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Dream will face this season:</p>
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<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>How can they fill the hole left by Angel McCoughtry? </strong>The Dream are a talented team, but when the leader goes down, everyone has to step up. The players attempting to fill the small forward role are relatively untested. It will be on the four other players on the court to put them in positions to be successful.</li>
<li id="LYsOf2">
<strong>Was their success a product of a down year by other teams? </strong>The Atlanta Dream boasted a great defense last year, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/stats/team-stats/#?Season=2018&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=PTS&dir=1">holding</a> their opponents to 42.3 percent shooting, the best in the WNBA. However, their offense was not as prolific. The Dream’s <a href="https://www.wnba.com/stats/team-stats/#?Season=2018&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=PTS&dir=1">point differential</a> was 2.3 points over the course of the season. With Los Angeles and Phoenix expected to improve this year, it will be interesting to see if the Dream can win on defense with just enough offense.</li>
</ol>
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<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR"><strong>Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream</strong></h4>
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<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, May 13, at 5 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: </strong>To be determined</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes: </strong>This game features the new-look Wings — without Liz Cambage or Skylar Diggins-Smith — against a team trying to prove they are more than a one-year wonder.</p>
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<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0"><strong>Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream</strong></h4>
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<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where: </strong>State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch: </strong>WNBA League Pass</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Dream open up the 2019 season in the newly-renovated State Farm Arena against a Wings team that will be searching for its identity this year.</p>
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<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="aW0g2q"><strong>Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream</strong></h4>
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<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Sunday, June 23, at 1 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where: </strong>State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>ESPN</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes:</strong> This will be the second meeting of the regular season between Washington and Atlanta in only the Dream’s ninth game of the year. That said, how the Dream perform in this game will likely be an indicator as to how their 2019 season is going to go.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/4/18529083/wnba-atlanta-dream-season-preview-tiffany-hayes-renee-montgomeryJimSavell2019-05-04T11:00:00-04:002019-05-04T11:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: The Chicago Sky (#10) looks to shoot its way back into the postseason
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<figcaption>Diamond DeShields leads the next wave of talent for the Chicago Sky. | Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Sky is a team on the rise with plenty of talent and offense. Will new head coach James Wade be able to put it all together and lead Chicago back into contention?</p> <p id="g6X6Zk">After two disappointing seasons ending in trips to the WNBA Draft lottery, Amber Stocks was replaced as Chicago Sky head coach by former Minnesota Lynx assistant James Wade. Wade has experience coaching Russian powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg, and Chicago hopes that this championship pedigree can rub off on its talented core of young players.</p>
<p id="L6jxEf">That core — which includes <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/ct-spt-sky-lynx-20180814-story.html">record-setting</a> point guard Courtney Vandersloot, <a href="https://sky.wnba.com/news/allie-quigley-sets-new-3-point-contest-record-in-historic-all-star-performance/">three-point champion</a> Allie Quigley and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/history_all-rookie-teams/">all-rookie performer</a> Diamond DeShields — showed glimpses of greatness in 2018. The Sky has plenty of offense, there’s no doubt about that; it’s the defense that will need to improve for Chicago to return to contention in 2019.</p>
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<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Chicago Sky in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="iZf921">Other than the revamped coaching staff, the Sky will look almost the same as it did in 2018. Vandersloot and Quigley are the team’s mainstays, both among the steadiest at their respective guard positions. Under Stocks, Vandersloot <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/v/vandeco01w.html">assisted on</a> 41.9 percent and 43.4 percent of her teammates’ baskets in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and Quigley <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/q/quiglal01w.html">shot 42 percent or better</a> from long range on over six attempts per 36 minutes. Even if their volume is reduced somewhat this season, Chicago’s backcourt will once again be hard at work.</p>
<p id="WAekH7">In the frontcourt, the Sky will roll out Stefanie Dolson and a much-improved Cheyenne Parker. Dolson had a down year in 2018 after an excellent 2017; her outside shooting and passing should be well-utilized under Wade. Parker averaged a career-high 18.2 points and 10.5 rebounds <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/p/parkech01w.html">per 36 minutes</a> last season, though she started just five games. We’ll see if that performance was good enough to earn her a more permanent starting role in 2019.</p>
<p id="z5PsPP">Elsewhere, the team will feature elite athletes in Gabby Williams and Kahleah Copper and a strong young center in Alaina Coates. All of these players have plenty of room to grow. Williams, in particular, started 30 games in her rookie season and ranked among the <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/years/2018.html">league leaders in steals</a>. No matter what Wade’s starting lineup looks like, he’ll have good depth with these players at his disposal.</p>
<p id="RUlB8D">With Vandersloot’s passing, Quigley’s shooting and an array of explosiveness on the wing, the Sky figure to be a pretty exciting team in 2019. And that’s not even including Jamierra Faulkner, who is still recovering from a <a href="https://sky.wnba.com/news/faulkner-sidelined-with-season-ending-injury/">nasty knee injury</a> suffered last season. When healthy, Faulkner pushes the envelope offensively and adds another dimension to an already potent offense.</p>
<h4 id="cfCdWG"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="eECjwL">The Sky selected Katie Lou Samuelson in the first round of the 2019 draft, which gives a good idea of how Wade wants his team to play: fast and with maximum floor spacing. Samuelson finished <a href="https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-sp-napheesa-collier-katie-lou-samuelson-boast-uconn-records-2019604-20190406-6pdfm3ot5rblvoc62mgolmfqp4-story.html">second in UConn history</a> in three-pointers made, and at 6-foot-3 will be able to provide that knockdown shooting ability for athletic slashers DeShields and Copper. Moreover, she’ll ensure that Chicago has at least one elite shooter on the floor at all times.</p>
<p id="TKpwO4">Baylor product Chloe Jackson was selected by the Sky at No. 15. The tough-nosed guard won hearts with her <a href="https://baylorbears.com/boxscore.aspx?id=23089&path=wbball">stellar performance</a> in the NCAA championship game, and while she won’t have as big of a role on the Sky, she’ll play solid on-ball defense and compete against Linnae Harper for the team’s backup point guard position. Jackson and Harper will also be fighting for a more permanent roster spot; it’s unlikely that both will remain on the team once Faulkner returns.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Sky will face this season:</p>
<ol>
<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>Defense.</strong> Chicago ranked last in the WNBA in defensive efficiency last season, allowing a <a href="https://www.wnba.com/stats/team-stats-advanced/#?Season=2018&sort=DRTG&dir=1">league-high</a> 109.4 points per 100 possessions. With Wade seemingly going all-in on scoring in the draft, it will be up to the Sky’s returning players to play good enough defense to give their offense a chance. They’ll also have to do better at finishing defensive possessions with rebounds, which was another category the <a href="https://www.wnba.com/stats/team-stats-advanced/#?Season=2018&sort=DREB_PCT&dir=1">team ranked last</a> in last season.</li>
<li id="LYsOf2">
<strong>Frontcourt continuity.</strong> Outside of Dolson and Parker, what the Sky will do with its frontcourt is still a mystery. Coates figures to have a larger role than she did as a rookie, but will Wade continue Stocks’ experiment of using Williams as an undersized power forward? Who will win the final frontcourt spot: Astou Ndour or former lottery pick Evelyn Akhator? Such questions will need to be answered quickly and definitively for the unit to build chemistry and work on its defense.</li>
<li id="1WC3hM">
<strong>Establishing an identity.</strong> For all its talent, the Sky lacked an identity last season. It certainly wasn’t a defensive-oriented team, and it was just <a href="https://www.wnba.com/stats/team-stats-advanced/#?Season=2018&sort=ORTG&dir=1">middle-of-the-pack</a> offensively. Chicago didn’t stand out in any specific offensive category (free throw rate and three-point rate, in particular). In 2019, what will the Sky hang its hat on?</li>
</ol>
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<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR"><strong>Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Tuesday, May 14, at 12 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: </strong>To be determined</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes: </strong>The Sky will play two preseason games in 2019, both of them against the Fever. Following this contest, the Sky will take a quick bus trip down I-65 for a rematch in Indiana. We’ll see if Wade makes any cuts in between games, though seeing as how the second game will be played just two days after this one, he might just use it as extra evaluation time before making his final roster decisions.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0"><strong>Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, June 1, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where: </strong>Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch: </strong><a href="https://leaguepass.wnba.com/">WNBA League Pass</a></p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Sky didn’t have much success against the Storm in 2018. They dropped all three games of the series, including a pair of <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20180612/CHISEA/">fourth-quarter</a> <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20180525/CHISEA/">meltdowns</a> in Seattle. Things will be different this time around, though: Seattle will be without reigning MVP Breanna Stewart, who injured her Achilles overseas and will <a href="http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/26553314/wnba-mvp-stewart-season-ending-surgery">miss the 2019 season</a>. With Stewart on the mend, Chicago figures to have an easier time against the Storm, who they’ll play at home again on June 9.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="aW0g2q"><strong>Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where: </strong>Target Center, Minneapolis, MN</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>CBS Sports Network</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Sky will make its regular-season (and CBS Sports Network) debut on May 25 in Minnesota. It will also be a homecoming of sorts for Wade, who won a championship as a Lynx assistant coach in 2017. Chicago has had decent success against the Lynx lately, going 3-3 against them over the past two seasons. This time around, they won’t be facing Maya Moore, who is <a href="http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/25932019/maya-moore-minnesota-lynx-sit-2019-season-focus-ministry">sitting out the 2019 season</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/4/18516641/wnba-chicago-sky-season-preview-courtney-vandersloot-diamond-deshieldsEric Nemchock2019-05-03T14:00:00-04:002019-05-03T14:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: The Washington Mystics (#3) look to return to the WNBA Finals
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<img alt="WNBA: Finals-Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EldMewH2YpyvUahHRmxN9F_95oo=/0x0:3214x2143/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63729230/usa_today_11232682.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics are looking to put together another WNBA Finals run to avenge last year’s loss. | Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mystics will begin their campaign to overcome last year’s WNBA Finals sweep by the Seattle Storm. With new weapons, the franchise’s championship quest is on.</p> <p id="JQRxgX">Last season, the Washington Mystics made their first WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Washington finished the 2018 season in third place, and second in the Eastern Conference, with a 22-12 record.</p>
<p id="K5gj3q">Washington put up a fight in the WNBA Finals but lost 0-3 to the Seattle Storm. Although the Mystics entered the title round with their full rotation, Elena Delle Donne was not 100 percent due to injuring her knee in the semifinals. </p>
<p id="jAQev2">Throughout most of the championship round, the Mystics struggled to defend a fast-paced Seattle team. The Storm destroyed Washington by running the pick-and-roll, pushing the tempo and spacing the floor. In addition to the Mystics’ defense being exposed, the team struggled to score in the fourth quarter. </p>
<p id="v4P6ke">With the recent injury to Breanna Stewart, the Mystics most likely won’t have to worry about a finals’ rematch against the Storm. But in order for Washington to make a second consecutive appearance in the WNBA Finals, they need to develop their rookies, remain healthy, avoid complacency and improve offensively. </p>
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<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Washington Mystics in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="uVDaSW">Delle Donne will enter the 2019 season fully rested and healthy, which is a huge plus for this team. She is the team’s best player and can beat defenses with her ability to attack the rim, shoot from three or shoot over smaller defenders. </p>
<p id="N6tUwJ">In addition to Delle Donne, the Mystics will also have other notable returning players in Kristi Toliver, LaToya Sanders, Aerial Powers, Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins. One name that fans will be excited to see on the jumbotron is Emma Meesseman. Meesseman will help this team with her passing, size and offensive feel for the game. Not to mention, her return will help provide frontcourt depth for this roster. </p>
<p id="uSoqTo">Toliver is the leader of this team and is always calm under pressure. Every team needs a veteran presence that can lead by example and elevate the play of her teammates. </p>
<p id="N2pASF">Sanders had a lopsided Finals performance, but she is a solid, rebounding big who can do a bit of everything. Sanders continues to improve as a scorer and she is becoming an even better passer. Powers and Cloud, meanwhile, provide Washington with backcourt depth and shooting. Although both players can be streaky at times, they are strong defenders and can get hot at any moment. The return of both players will help the franchise in the long run and both will only get better with time. </p>
<p id="iPw94m">Last season, Atkins won the hearts of Mystics’ fans as she exceeded her rookie expectations. Atkins provided heart, grit and energy for this team all season long. She had two games with 20 or more points and embraced multiple roles with the team. In 2018, Atkins started 24 games and did not look like a rookie at all. </p>
<p id="dV3TIp">Washington will enter this season with more depth, but one weakness will be generating enough points from the entire rotation. Last year, the organization sometimes struggled to get consistent scoring outside of Toliver and Delle Donne. </p>
<h4 id="cfCdWG"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="Bnnm5W">With the 10th and 34th picks in the 2019 WNBA Draft, the Mystics selected Kiara Leslie and Sam Fuehring, respectively. Both Leslie and Fuehring will help the Mystics in the immediate and distant future. </p>
<p id="zntKGK">Leslie averaged <a href="https://gopack.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7816">15.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists</a> per game at North Carolina State. She will make a solid addition to this team and most likely will be paired with Cloud and Atkins in the backcourt. </p>
<p id="4ntVxf">Fuehring is a selection that fans will be talking about years down the line. She is a strong frontcourt presence that can shoot the ball, rebound and set other players up. While at Louisville, she was a Jane-of-All-Trades and finished the college season with <a href="https://gocards.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8745">10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds </a>per game while shooting <a href="https://gocards.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8745">37.5 percent</a> from three-point distance. </p>
<p id="ik7Srq">Obviously, Washington did not make any trades this offseason besides sending Tierra Ruffin-Pratt to the Sparks. But by drafting Fuehring and Leslie the team, the Mystics will be able to develop the two rookies on the fly. Both players will be able to come off the bench and provide the team with balance.</p>
<p id="Eom4eq">One challenge the two rookies may face is growing pains and a possible lack of playing time down the stretch. The fact that the franchise made the WNBA Finals last season may prevent the franchise from making further changes any time soon.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Washington Mystics will face this season:</p>
<ol>
<li id="AHKggv">
<strong>Will Ariel Atkins rise to the pressure of being the third scoring option? </strong>Of course, the Mystics will be fine with Delle Donne and Toliver as the number one and two options. However, after watching, last year’s Finals exposed that the team needs a strong third scoring option. Atkins finished her rookie season averaging <a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">11.3 points </a>per game, which was the third highest on the team. If Washington is going to make another title run, someone must step up as the third option. </li>
<li id="UDVoHB">
<strong>Will the Washington Mystics avoid complacency? </strong>Normally when teams advance to the Finals and lose there is a chance for a hangover season. Clearly, Mystics head coach Mike Thibault has been doing a great job coaching this team. And even though last season ended on a sour note, this year’s team will be hungry to win their first title in franchise history. </li>
<li id="Kn0nX1">
<strong>Crowded backcourt could affect Aerial Powers.</strong> Maybe it’s too early to assess Powers’ potential playing time. Needless to say, Washington drafted another shooting guard in Leslie. Right now, the backcourt could consist of Toliver, Cloud, Atkins, Powers and Leslie. Depth is a need for any WNBA team but, come playoffs, minutes can decrease and the rotation may not be as open. Last season, Powers averaged<a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg"> 6.1 points </a>from <a href="https://mystics.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">nine appearances</a>. This season could be different but the backcourt dynamic is something to watch out for come opening night.</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7l7lZr">
<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="OLsrcq">No. 3 Washington Mystics at No. 7 Minnesota Lynx </h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, May 10, at 8:00 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Target Center, Minneapolis, MN</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: TBD</strong></p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes:</strong> This matchup will be the first time the Washington Mystics take the floor since being swept in the 2018 WNBA Finals. On the other hand, Kiara Leslie and Sam Fuehring will get to make their WNBA debut against Napheesa Collier and Cierra Dillard. </p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="xAbNru"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="OCuMUa">No. 3 Washington Mystics at No. 4 Connecticut Sun</h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. ET </p>
<p id="zKgFDT"><strong>Where: </strong>Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch: </strong>TBD</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> Washington will start its regular-season journey on the road against a solid offensive unit in the Connecticut Sun, which will be retooling somewhat after recently <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/five-takeaways-from-chiney-ogwumikes-trade-to-l-a/">trading</a> Chiney Ogwumike to the Los Angeles Sparks. </p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="HEqKri">No. 3 Washington Mystics at No. 1 Seattle Storm </h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, June 14, at 7:00 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="GMF52X"><strong>Where: </strong>Entertainment and Sports Arena, Washington, DC</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>CBS Sports Network</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes:</strong> Breanna Stewart will not be suiting up this season, but this matchup will still be a mental test for Washington. This game will be televised on CBS and it will be the first time the Mystics take on Seattle since the 2018 WNBA Finals. </p>
</blockquote>
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<aside id="LTaxqB"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"WNBA 2019 | HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES","description":"Schedules for all 12 teams, all 384 games, featuring nationally-televised games on CBS Sports, Twitter and ESPN and its affiliates","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/25/18515160/2019-wnba-season-schedule-how-to-watch-the-games"}'></div></aside><p id="FMF8Ul"></p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/3/18516646/wnba-2019-washington-mystics-season-preview-elena-delle-donne-ariel-atkinsZackery Rogers2019-05-03T11:00:00-04:002019-05-03T11:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: The New York Liberty (#11) has a lot of options for its rebuild
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Albany Regional-Connecticut vs Louisville" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b0JN4GkZoxVsfpw0jr8QSOs8mzo=/0x0:1896x1264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63727044/usa_today_12475628.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Will Asia Durr be the Liberty’s much-needed second scorer in 2019? | Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With Tina Charles’ signing status still up in the air, the Liberty has collected players from everywhere with whom to build a winning team in 2019.</p> <p id="ude69r">It’s never ideal to end a season on a losing streak, but the New York Liberty’s <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2018&seasontype=02">13-game</a> losing skid to end 2018 signaled the team’s absolute need for some re-tooling in the offseason.</p>
<p id="OlSBaD">And re-tooling they’ve done: Only seven players from <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg&sort=ln&dir=-1">last season’s squad</a> appear on the Liberty’s 20-player <a href="https://elitesportsny.com/2019/05/02/new-york-liberty-unveil-training-camp-roster-and-schedule/">training camp roster</a>. Instead, a handful of new faces — both experience-wise and new-to-the-team — will compete for roster spots this month.</p>
<p id="mpgKgZ">But even among the returning players, there are questions. </p>
<p id="b7SxHw">Most urgently, why hasn’t <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/tina-charles/">Tina Charles</a> re-signed with the team? She <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/24/18513605/wnba-free-agency-unsigned-free-agents-rebekkah-brunson-tina-charles-chelsea-gray-kia-vaughn">received</a> the core tag for the second season in a row but, entering May, doesn’t seem too rushed to sign. <em>Swish Appeal</em> reached out to the Liberty yesterday for comment and, although the team answered one of our questions by tweeting to its followers, it did not reply to our question about Charles’ signing status. </p>
<p id="ajGMdB">But Charles has other things to worry about today — a documentary she has been working on in her free time for the past two years is <a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/tina-charles-tribeca-film-festival-charlies-records-1.30522164">premiering</a> at the Tribeca Film Festival tonight. </p>
<p id="wMAdLf">Charles’ presence on the training camp roster could suggest an affirmative decision coming soon, but it would still come quite late in the game.</p>
<p id="VSJj2y">For the Liberty, whose offense <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/20/18508585/wnba-draft-analysis-new-york-liberty-asia-durr-han-xu-megan-huff">revolved around Charles</a> last season, getting its star center back is imperative to anchoring a rebuild. But then, so is ensuring the several other roster spots are filled by the best possible players — and there are a lot of good ones to choose from.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="VXXQ8o">
<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The New York Liberty in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="DPKyhQ">Of course, a Tina Charles return is the team’s best hope.</p>
<p id="VLtxih">Charles <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">led the Liberty</a> in scoring by more than 10 points last season, and in minutes by nearly nine per game. Most teams have more than one of a player like her, someone who can score, provide valuable minutes and remain a consistently high-performing presence. But, for the Liberty — at least last season — Charles was it.</p>
<aside id="NSd6Gn"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Tina Charles has yet to re-sign with the Liberty — here’s why she should","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/28/18521136/wnba-free-agency-new-york-liberty-unsigned-free-agents-tina-charles"}]}'></div></aside><p id="6AI61l">Otherwise, though, the Liberty do have some solid returners. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/kia-nurse/">Kia Nurse</a>, for example, was one of the team’s most reliable scorers off the bench, and could turn that experience into a spot in the starting lineup. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/bria-hartley/">Bria Hartley</a>, New York’s other high-scoring guard, is also back in 2019, as is <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittany-boyd/">Brittany Boyd</a>.</p>
<p id="sGxRVF">But as far as players who started more than 10 games last season, Charles, Hartley and Boyd are it. And of the other returners, only Nurse (seven) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/kiah-stokes/">Kiah Stokes</a> (four) started any games at all for New York.</p>
<p id="AqouJ7">The final two returning players from 2018 are <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/amanda-zahui-b/">Amanda Zahui B</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/rebecca-allen/">Rebecca Allen</a>. Zahui B, especially, should see some increased playing time in 2019, including some starts, with the current lack of experience in the frontcourt.</p>
<p id="oUaTQj">Besides last season’s returners, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/reshanda-gray/">Reshanda Gray</a> (2018 training camp), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/nayo-raincock-ekunwe/">Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe</a> (2017) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/avery-warley-talbert/">Avery Warley-Talbert</a> (2014-15) are all former Liberty players looking to make it back onto the team.</p>
<h4 id="cfCdWG"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="TpLGZj">A solid mix of players appears on the Liberty’s 2019 <a href="https://elitesportsny.com/2019/05/02/new-york-liberty-unveil-training-camp-roster-and-schedule/">training camp roster</a>, ranging from No. 2 overall draft pick Asia Durr to 13-year WNBA veteran <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/tanisha-wright/">Tanisha Wright</a>.</p>
<p id="bGISSq">Durr has all but locked up a spot on the team. Should her skills translate to the WNBA as easily as predicted, the <a href="https://gocards.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8742">multiple-time award winner</a> and second-leading scorer in Louisville program history will become a top scoring option for New York. If there’s anything Durr needs to work on, it’s her shooting accuracy, especially when she’s not able to shoot at-will, like in college.</p>
<aside id="A1NTFD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"2019 WNBA Draft Analysis: Led by Asia Durr, New York Liberty’s future already looking brighter","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/20/18508585/wnba-draft-analysis-new-york-liberty-asia-durr-han-xu-megan-huff"}]}'></div></aside><p id="yoEFfQ">Another bright spot out of the draft is China’s Han Xu, who will bring unprecedented (but also fairly necessary) size to the Liberty. At only 19 years old, there are still plenty of ways Han can mature as a player, but she’s already shown she knows how to use her size while playing professionally in China as well as internationally. </p>
<p id="tZ323O"><a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/20/18508585/wnba-draft-analysis-new-york-liberty-asia-durr-han-xu-megan-huff">Both Han and third-round pick Megan Huff</a> could assert themselves as presences down low for a team that needs just that.</p>
<p id="KgPEtb">While the veteran Wright is past her peak, she still <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">put in quality minutes</a> on the Minnesota Lynx last season, adding 4.3 points per game while leading the team in three-point shooting percentage. If anything, she could end up playing something of a late-2018 Cappie Pondexter role, being a valuable asset to the team and its younger players both on and off the court.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Liberty will face this season:</p>
<ol>
<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>Finding a second scorer.</strong> The obvious answer here lies in prolific collegiate point-getter Durr, though it’s yet to be seen how well she will transition from college to the pros. Nurse, the team’s <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg&sort=pts&dir=1">second-leading scorer</a> last season, could also develop into this role in her second year in the league.</li>
<li id="LYsOf2">
<strong>What will it be like to win again?</strong> Losing 13 games in a row is demoralizing. Losing 13 games in a row and having to wait eight months for a shot at a win? It’s a mental block, sure, but when that win comes, the Liberty will have a lot to gain from it. Here’s to the team identifying its strengths in a win sooner rather than later.</li>
<li id="Ry7X1f">
<strong>Putting together a brand-new team — and a young one, at that.</strong> Sure, some anchors remain from last year’s squad. But youth will be the dominant obstacle during this rebuilding year. The team found some stability last season in 10th overall pick Nurse, who fulfilled every expectation. How will everyone else respond to the call?</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7l7lZr">
<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR"><strong>New York Liberty vs. China National Team</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch:</strong> TBD</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Liberty is the only team to face another country’s national team in its preseason schedule. Therefore, New York is also the only team with a national team player facing her own country’s squad. Han Xu will be playing <a href="https://twitter.com/nyliberty/status/1124045425332367360">for the Liberty</a> in this matchup.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0"><strong>New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where:</strong> Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch:</strong> WNBA League Pass</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Fever is one of just two teams the Liberty beat twice last season, and is also the team to whom the Liberty almost ceded 11th place during its late-season downswing. Indiana is in its second year of a major rebuild, so as far as teams at the bottom of the table go, this game will be an important confidence-builder as the Liberty ease into the season.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="1cDmTN"><strong>New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Wednesday, June 19, at 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where:</strong> Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>WNBA League Pass</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes: </strong>The Liberty had one truly decisive victory in all of 2018: a <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2018&seasontype=02">107-84</a> drubbing of the Sky on July 15. It also ended up being its final win of the season. This first meeting of the season between these teams will, therefore, have two questions to answer: Can the Liberty manage a win against a team it decimated last season, and will they be able to maintain the intensity and keep winning should they grab the victory?</p>
</blockquote>
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<aside id="LTaxqB"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"WNBA 2019 | HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES","description":"Schedules for all 12 teams, all 384 games, featuring nationally-televised games on CBS Sports, Twitter and ESPN and its affiliates","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/25/18515160/2019-wnba-season-schedule-how-to-watch-the-games"}'></div></aside><p id="FMF8Ul"></p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/3/18516639/wnba-new-york-liberty-season-preview-tina-charles-asia-durrChristine M. Hopkins2019-05-02T14:00:00-04:002019-05-02T14:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: Seattle Storm may be in for long season without MVP Stewart
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Womens Basketball: Vanderbilt at Tennessee" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D_y99Vd3LF5mOwy9NZzUW-q5XQE=/0x0:2798x1865/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63722582/usa_today_10529188.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mercedes Russell, seen here playing with Tennessee in 2018, will likely see a big uptick in playing time this season after Breanna Stewart’s season-ending injury. | Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Between Breanna Stewart’s Achilles injury and head coach Dan Hughes’ cancer diagnosis, the Storm’s 2019 season is already off to a difficult start. But there are also some bright spots the team can explore more fully now.</p> <p id="JQRxgX">Just a few short weeks ago, everything looked different.</p>
<p id="VXXQ8o">The Seattle Storm had a solid draft outing on April 10, though the consensus seemed to be that they didn’t need very much at all out of it — some reinforcements off the bench, maybe some players to develop over the coming years. But on April 14, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/breanna-stewart/">Breanna Stewart</a> <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/14/18310696/wnba-fiba-euroleague-women-finals-breanna-stewart-achilles-tendon-injury">injured her Achilles</a>, which will keep her out for the season. Then, on April 19, head coach Dan Hughes <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-head-coach-dan-hughes-diagnosed-with-cancer/">announced</a> he was diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery.</p>
<p id="0QRrH4">Nine days is all it took for the Storm to go from a team with a solid chance at repeating as WNBA champions to staring down two of the biggest obstacles a team can face: the loss of their star, and the uncertainty of their coach’s health throughout the season.</p>
<p id="zDWN7n">That doesn’t mean the Storm don’t have bright spots, as most members of last season’s championship squad are returning. In fact, the only player who <em>isn’t</em> returning to the court is Noelle Quinn — but she’ll still be <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/noelle-quinn-returns-to-storm-as-an-assistant-coach/">on the sideline</a> as an assistant coach. And with plenty of strong training camp invitees to go with their draft picks, the Storm could put together a winning team yet.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="0ENZTc">
<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Seattle Storm in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="pJXP2T">Seattle had a straightforward <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/storm-re-signs-crystal-langhorne-and-mercedes-russell/">re-signing period</a>, bringing back <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/mercedes-russell/">Mercedes Russell</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/crystal-langhorne/">Crystal Langhorne</a> on the first day of free agency to lock in their championship roster for another season. This kind of stability will prove essential, especially considering the more recent changes the team is facing.</p>
<p id="KhAZMk">The guard situation is similarly secure, with second-year player <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/jordin-canada/">Jordin Canada</a> already showing herself to be a solid backup for the venerable <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sue-bird/">Sue Bird</a>, and last season’s team second-highest scorer <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/jewell-loyd/">Jewell Loyd</a> also back for more. But the Storm’s latest issues aren’t in their backcourt.</p>
<p id="FrTZao">With Stewart out for the season, replacing her height down low is a primary concern. For the majority of the season, the 6-foot-4 forward was joined in the frontcourt by 5-foot-11 <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alysha-clark/">Alysha Clark</a> and 6-foot-2 <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/natasha-howard/">Natasha Howard</a>. But the only two players at Stewart’s height or taller of the returning players are Russell and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/courtney-paris/">Courtney Paris</a>, who <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">totaled</a> 3.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.</p>
<p id="42hQ6O">While Paris is a seasoned veteran who made the most of her 10.6 minutes per game in 2018, that Seattle re-signed second-year player Russell to a multi-year contract shows their obvious investment in her development. The 6-foot-6 center appeared in just 23 games last season, including one postseason game. But with this opportunity to get some playing time in Stewart’s absence, it could be Russell’s year to break out.</p>
<h4 id="cfCdWG"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="lEDiYd">The <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-signs-free-agent-guard-shavonte-zellous/">signing</a> of 10-year veteran guard <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/shavonte-zellous/">Shavonte Zellous</a> was Seattle’s marquee free agency pickup. Zellous will add both depth and experience to the Storm, and could influence the look of the starting five as the team decides how to deal with Stewart’s absence. Although her 2018 season was <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/shavonte-zellous/#/news">cut short</a> by injury, Zellous will be back in form for 2019 — with the renewed urgency of playing for a winning team that truly needs her experience.</p>
<p id="2kIK8V">Although the Storm <a href="https://www.wnba.com/2019-wnba-draft/#/panel2-1">drafted three players</a> last month, their selections won’t pay off immediately. No. 12 overall pick Ezi Magbegor, for example, won’t join the team <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/seattle-storm-select-australian-forward-ezi-magbegor-with-no-12-pick-in-wnba-draft/">until 2020</a>. And although Anriel Howard (No. 24 overall) and Macy Miller (No. 36 overall) are intriguing selections, they’re not locks to make the final roster.</p>
<p id="itDB8D">The Storm are re-invested in a different later-round draft pick, though, <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/storm-signs-teana-muldrow-to-training-camp-contract/">signing</a> 2018 third-round pick <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/teana-muldrow/">Teana Muldrow</a> to a training camp contract on Feb. 7. Muldrow’s WNBA experience includes appearing in three regular-season games for Seattle and one for the Dallas Wings. But it’s her overseas play that has kept her in the conversation, as at the time of her signing she was averaging a double-double for Israeli club Maccabi Ra’anana.</p>
<p id="EMZ0dK">Muldrow, a 6-foot-1 forward, would provide that extra frontcourt help that Seattle needs. But she’ll likely be competing for a job with the 5-foot-11 Howard, who is also coming off a <a href="https://hailstate.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4983">stellar season</a> as a graduate transfer at Mississippi State. The Storm could use either player, but with so little roster space, it will be interesting to see how the team makes its decision.</p>
<p id="8ozXRp">Seattle also <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/storm-adds-zykera-rice-presley-hudson-and-recee-caldwell-to-training-camp-roster/">added three rookies</a> to round out its training camp roster: Zykera Rice (Gonzaga), Presley Hudson (Central Michigan) and Recee Caldwell (California). Each led their respective teams in several statistical categories throughout their careers, and each fit needs the Storm are now looking to fill.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Storm will face this season:</p>
<ol>
<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>The impact of Stewart’s absence cannot be overstated.</strong> Not only do the Storm have to find someone to fill her position, they’ll also have to find a way to recreate her MVP stat line, which included a <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg">team-leading</a> 21.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Seattle isn’t necessarily lacking scorers, but losing your best player is still losing your best player.</li>
<li id="1WC3hM">
<strong>Hughes’ cancer diagnosis could leave team leadership in flux.</strong> There isn’t a lot yet publicly known about how Hughes’ health issues will affect his management of the team, other than that <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-head-coach-dan-hughes-diagnosed-with-cancer/">he will have surgery</a> “prior to the team’s 2019 season opener.” But losing their head coach for any amount of time will certainly affect the players on a mental level.</li>
<li id="f7ZCK1">
<strong>After all that, there’s a title to defend. </strong>Maybe that’s not exactly at the top of the Storm’s list this season, but it has to be in their minds somewhere. With all the adversity on their plate already, it wouldn’t be unforgivable for them to not breeze through the season. But this team will still give it their absolute best — whatever their “best” ends up being this season.</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7l7lZr">
<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR"><strong>Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Wednesday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where:</strong> Angel of the Wings Arena, Everett, WA</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: </strong>TBD</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes:</strong> After eliminating the Mercury in last season’s semifinals, the Storm will have to contend with a team out for revenge right out of the gate. Of course, with so many new players looking to impress on both sides, the absences of Stewart and, for the Mercury, Diana Taurasi likely won’t play as big a role in this meeting.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0"><strong>Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When:</strong> Saturday, May 25, at 3:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where: </strong>Angel of the Wings Arena, Everett, WA</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch:</strong> ABC</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes: </strong>With considerably pared-down rosters, this meeting between the Storm and Mercury will look a lot different than their May 15 matchup. Both teams will be expected to have found players to fill the holes left by key injuries, and coming out with a win will be a testament to that team’s early resilience. The Storm will have a lot more to lose, though, as their injured star won’t be returning this season.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="aW0g2q"><strong>Seattle Storm vs. Washington Mystics</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where: </strong>Entertainment and Sports Arena, Washington, DC</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>CBS Sports Network</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes:</strong> Though it comes well into the season, the first of <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20190614/SEAWAS/">three games</a> between these teams will still say a lot about how they’ve dealt with their personnel changes since meeting in the 2018 Finals. If anything, it should be a lot closer than last season’s series, which Seattle took <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2018&seasontype=02">5-1</a> (including the three-game sweep in the Finals).</p>
</blockquote>
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<aside id="LTaxqB"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"WNBA 2019 | HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES","description":"Schedules for all 12 teams, all 384 games, featuring nationally-televised games on CBS Sports, Twitter and ESPN and its affiliates","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/25/18515160/2019-wnba-season-schedule-how-to-watch-the-games"}'></div></aside><p id="FMF8Ul"></p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/2/18516679/wnba-seattle-storm-season-preview-breanna-stewart-mercedes-russellChristine M. Hopkins2019-05-02T08:00:00-04:002019-05-02T08:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: Sylvia Fowles, Napheesa Collier will be the chain links in depleted Lynx roster
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<img alt="WNBA: Finals-Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bAkfn8GQrvGGFOeG8M7XcbrxLb4=/0x0:3515x2343/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63720255/usa_today_10389393.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sylvia Fowles had 21 double-doubles last season, which will complement Napheesa Collier’s ole college try of 25 as a senior at UConn. | Photo By: Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The biggest news coming out of the Minnesota Lynx’s offseason isn’t the 2019 WNBA Draft, but rather the loss of stars Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen.</p> <p id="JQRxgX">Two years after winning a WNBA title, the Minnesota Lynx are in a very different position under GM/head coach <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/lynx-coaches/">Cheryl Reeve</a>, who celebrates her tenth season with the Lynx in 2019. Because unfortunately, there’s some bad news to crash Reeve’s party, as she will have to learn to live without Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Alexis Jones and possibly Rebekkah Brunson.</p>
<p id="bnMpD2">After just five years with the Connecticut Sun, <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/w/whaleli01w.html">Lindsay Whalen</a> went back to her roots in Minnesota, where she not only played college ball, but also led the Lynx to four WNBA titles (2011, 2013-15) before <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/lynx-guard-lindsay-whalen-announces-retirement-from-wnba/">announcing her retirement</a> this past season. Because of her contributions to the organization, the Lynx will honor her legacy by <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-to-retire-lindsay-whalens-number-13/">retiring No. 13</a> on Saturday, June 8.</p>
<p id="PNGYvP">In Maya Moore’s case, her <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/maya-moore-wnba-announcement"><em>Players’ Tribune</em> piece</a> in February can lead one to assume that she’s not stepping away because she’s questioning her love for basketball, but that something deeper and more spiritual is happening. Though born and bred in Missouri, Moore has spent her seven-year WNBA career in Minnesota, pausing with over 4,000 points, over 800 assists and over 400 steals.</p>
<p id="muOPr4">On a separate course than Whalen and Moore is the Lynx’s new face of the franchise, <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/f/fowlesy01w.html">Sylvia Fowles</a>, who finished — among league leaders — eighth in points (602) behind teammate Moore, first in total rebounds (404) and second in field goal shooting percentage (61.9 percent).</p>
<p id="PkOTuo">Then there’s the <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/10/18305363/2019-wnba-draft-order-pick-selections">2019 WNBA Draft</a> — a very busy time for the Lynx and Reeve, who snatched three players in the second round alone: Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman and Cierra Dillard.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="VXXQ8o">
<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Minnesota Lynx in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="mOqQzt">By far, ex-LSU ballplayer Sylvia Fowles is the biggest treat for any Lynx fan entering the 2019 season. Since being drafted into the WNBA in 2008, Fowles has appeared in six playoffs and has collected <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/f/fowlesy01w.html">over 20 awards</a>. At age 32, she continues to struggle at the free-throw line, but that didn’t come in the way of a career-best 282 defensive rebounds in 2018.</p>
<p id="4ar6jO">Alongside Fowles is another one from Geaux Tigers nation, <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/a/augusse01w.html">Seimone Augustus</a>, who’s been in Minneapolis since 2006. Though she’s a long-serving member and has consistently scored in double figures since her rookie season, Augustus comes with yellow tape. It seems as though she injures a different part of her body every season, starting in 2009 when <a href="http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2009/07/seimone_augustus_wnba_season_t.html">she tore her ACL</a>. </p>
<h4 id="cfCdWG"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></h4>
<p id="eECjwL"><a href="https://uconnhuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9333">Napheesa Collier</a> is a jack of all trades: She tallied over 20 double-doubles in her senior season at UConn, and she’s Minnesota’s future. She’s got a great mentor in Fowles and a better chance at developing and competing in the ferocious Western Conference, which features a platter of elite players.</p>
<p id="kTarHW">Much like Collier’s rebounding game, Notre Dame alum <a href="https://und.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8541">Jessica Shepard</a> is extremely helpful at finding the boards, even though the Lynx were good enough to finish <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/years/2018.html">third in defensive rebounds</a> anyway in 2018. With a backlog in that category, Shepard (6-foot-4) would likely be used with Fowles (6-foot-6) on a team that has one of the shorter rosters (average Lynx player is 6-foot-1) in the WNBA.</p>
<p id="TGAdNQ">Lastly, the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/2019/4/22/18511059/lynx-trade-odyssey-sims-whalen-jones-sparks">addition of Odyssey Sims</a> from Los Angeles may excite or anger people because of the rivalry between her and Lindsay Whalen. Either way, it was hard for Sims to make a difference and that might have remained the same if she stayed in L.A., since the Sparks <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/29/18521795/wnba-los-angeles-sparks-2019-team-preview-chiney-ogwumike-candace-parker-nneka-ogwumike-chelsea-gray">added the second Ogwumike sister</a> into the bunch. A guard from Baylor, Sims’ frontcourt presence is desperately needed in a depleted Lynx roster.</p>
<h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Minnesota Lynx will face this season:</p>
<ol>
<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>Will there be fallout post-Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen?</strong> The effect both of these departures will have may be more mental than physical. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.startribune.com/lynx-forward-rebekkah-brunson-balancing-life-s-many-demands/504908592/">Rebekkah Brunson</a>’s comeback is questionable after she’s had her own ride in the offseason, from free agency to being a new mom. Altogether, <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/stats/#?season=2018&seasontype=02&permode=avg&sort=gs&dir=1">those three averaged</a> 29 games started, 26.2 minutes of play and a 40.7 field goal shooting percentage. It’ll sting to not see their names on opening day, but with absence comes vigilance, along with weeding out who will step up and who won’t. </li>
<li id="LYsOf2">
<strong>What should we expect from Napheesa Collier?</strong> It’s very possible that Collier could have the biggest impact of the entire 2019 rookie class. The purpose isn’t to sound like a broken record, but with the loss of Moore, Whalen and (maybe) Brunson, the Lynx need to somehow stop the hemorrhaging. In terms of Collier’s role, the paint is pretty much shot-caller Sylvia Fowles’ (6-foot-6) domain, but there’s no harm in adding a second cannon. Even if Collier isn’t used that way by Reeve, there are other options, such as allowing her to set up Fowles on the inside (Collier finished with a team second-best 134 assists last season at UConn).</li>
<li id="1WC3hM">
<strong>Will the Lynx-Sparks rivalry continue this postseason?</strong> Dating back a short time ago, the Minnesota Lynx <a href="https://www.wnba.com/playoffs2017/">defeated the Los Angeles Sparks</a> in three games to win the 2017 championship. Then, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/playoffs2018/">one year later</a>, the Sparks avenged themselves in the first round, robbing the No. 7 seed from the City of Lakes of any postseason hopes. But one of the most outstanding performances by a Lynx player against the Sparks came from the <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20171004/LASMIN/">2017 WNBA Finals</a>, when Sylvia Fowles had 17 points topped off by 20 rebounds.</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7l7lZr">
<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR">No. 3 Washington Mystics at No. 7 Minnesota Lynx</h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Target Center, Minneapolis, MN</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: </strong>TBD</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes:</strong> Over the last five years, the Lynx are 1-3 against the Mystics in the preseason, with a 2018 regular-season record of 2-1. A key component that will be missing this year, however, is Tanisha Wright, who was <a href="http://www.startribune.com/liberty-acquire-guard-tanisha-wright-from-lynx/508461612">traded to New York</a>. Through three games last year, Wright was responsible for 24 points, 13 assists and over 20 minutes of play per game.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0">No. 10 Chicago Sky at No. 7 Minnesota Lynx</h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where: </strong>Target Center, Minneapolis, MN</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch: </strong>CBS Sports Network</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> Napheesa Collier (Lynx) and Katie Lou Samuelson (Sky) had four years to brew a bromance at UConn. They, of course, got along very well, but pleasure will give way to business when Chicago travels to the Target Center to open up their season. Other aspects of this game will be how Fowles and Collier shut down one of the WNBA’s best playmakers and three-point slingers, Allie Quigley.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="aW0g2q">No. 6 Los Angeles Sparks at No. 7 Minnesota Lynx</h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, June 8, at 3:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where: </strong>Target Center, Minneapolis, MN</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>ABC</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes:</strong> They may be familiar with each other in the postseason, but it’s all Sparks, all the way in the regular season. Last year, the Lynx went 1-3, including <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20180520/LASMIN/">a one-point loss</a> in the season opener. The <a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20180705/LASMIN/">lone win</a> was a matter of third-quarter defense (where the Lynx outscored the Sparks, 28-18) and help from Rebekkah Brunson’s double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds). This particular matchup will also surround Lindsay Whalen and her jersey retirement ceremony.</p>
</blockquote>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/2/18516689/wnba-minnesota-lynx-season-preview-sylvia-fowles-napheesa-collierCarly Regehr2019-05-01T14:00:00-04:002019-05-01T14:00:00-04:00WNBA 2019 Team Preview: Dallas Wings (#8) look to move on from Cambage rumors
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1wM-OUPjki9b_77VcFf-YAvLZ_c=/338x127:757x406/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63717129/Arike_O..0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale will be relied upon to fill some of the scoring void Skylar Diggins-Smith will leave behind in the 2019 season due to pregnancy. | Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wings may play the entire 2019 season without Liz Cambage and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Thanks to first-round draft pick Arike Ogunbowale and returning player Glory Johnson, they are still competitive. </p> <p id="d7IOiJ">The <a href="http://wings.wnba.com">Dallas Wings</a> were 15-19 in the 2018 regular season and earned a second-straight berth to the WNBA Playoffs, as the eighth seed. But they lost <a href="https://wings.wnba.com/news/wings-close-out-season-with-loss-to-mercury/">101-83 to the Phoenix Mercury</a> in the first round.</p>
<p id="huiY1L">Dallas’ two leading scorers, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/skylar-diggins-smith">Skylar Diggins-Smith</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/liz-cambage">Liz Cambage</a>, made the <a href="https://pr.nba.com/mvp-breanna-stewart-unanimously-selected-to-2018-all-wnba-first-team-mercurys-diana-taurasi-named-to-all-wnba-team-for-record-13th-time/">All-WNBA Team</a> and led Dallas to a 14-9 record through July 19. But the Wings lost 10 of their last 11 games and then-head coach Fred Williams was fired after an <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/8/12/17682102/wnba-fred-williams-has-been-fired-as-head-coach-of-the-dallas-wings">Aug. 12 loss</a> to the <a href="http://mystics.wnba.com">Washington Mystics</a>. </p>
<p id="b8faRL">Though former Sparks head coach <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/brian-agler-named-head-coach-of-the-dallas-wings/">Brian Agler is now in Dallas</a>, there is a good chance he will not coach either member of Dallas’ leading duo in 2019. Diggins-Smith is <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/10/26/18023280/skylar-diggins-smith-pregnancy-dallas-wings-liz-cambage-tayler-hill-wnba">pregnant with her first child</a> and will miss at least part of this season. Cambage <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/2019/1/23/18194505/liz-cambage-trade-request-wnba-free-agency-2019">requested a trade</a> and may hold out until it happens. </p>
<p id="Lmhdz7">In the meantime, the Wings have kept most of their other contributors to fill the void that Cambage and Diggins-Smith leave behind. Dallas also drafted two of the 2019 WNBA Draft class’ most notable names: Notre Dame guard <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/arike-ogunbowale/">Arike Ogunbowale</a> and Iowa center <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/megan-gustafson">Megan Gustafson</a>. </p>
<p id="Q6Q7ax">The Wings still have enough talent to make a third consecutive playoff berth. Can they get their chemistry together to do so?</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="VXXQ8o">
<h2 id="zdBQiA"><strong>Season outlook: The Dallas Wings in 2019</strong></h2>
<h4 id="VE10Nc"><strong>Familiar faces</strong></h4>
<p id="G3xGZc">The backcourt returns <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/tayler-hill">Tayler Hill</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/allisha-gray/">Allisha Gray</a>. Hill was <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/mystics-trade-tayler-hill-to-wings-for-aerial-powers-2/">traded to Dallas from the Mystics</a> during the 2018 season in exchange for <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/aerial-powers">Aerial Powers</a> and averaged <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/h/hillta01w.html">5 points per game</a> with the Wings.</p>
<p id="mkO8oy">Gray started every game for Dallas in 2018 but her production <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/g/grayal01w.html">dropped to 9.2 points per game </a>from 13 points the year before.</p>
<p id="8fo3XT">In the frontcourt, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/kaela-davis">Kaela Davis</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/azura-stevens/">Azura Stevens</a> return. Davis averaged <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/d/daviska01w.html">5 points per game</a> in 27 contests in 2018, while Stevens averaged <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/s/steveaz01w.html">8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game</a>. </p>
<p id="dpCIWQ">Dallas also re-signed several players, likely in anticipation of Cambage skipping the 2019 season if she is not traded. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/glory-johnson/">Glory Johnson</a> was cored, but she <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/dallas-wings-re-sign-trio-of-players/">re-signed for the 2019 season</a>. Johnson, meanwhile, averaged <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/j/johnsgl01w.html">8 points and 6 rebounds per game</a> in 2018, both career lows. That said, the drop in production was in part because of Cambage’s presence. </p>
<p id="yf1uiY"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/kayla-thornton/">Kayla Thornton</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/cayla-george">Cayla George </a>re-signed with Dallas during free agency. Thornton averaged a <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/t/thornka01w.html">career-high 9.2 points per game</a> in the 2018 season and started 32 games. George <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/f/francca01w.html">averaged 3.6 points per game</a> last season.</p>
<p id="Mdnehm"><strong>Notable newbies</strong></p>
<p id="TMODLh">The Wings’ notable additions came from the WNBA Draft with Ogunbowale (fifth overall) and Megan Gustafson (17th overall). Ogunbowale will bolster the backcourt with her ability to score off the dribble. Gustafson can fill the rebounding void that Cambage would leave behind. </p>
<aside id="0UiJce"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"2019 WNBA Draft Analysis: Dallas Wings sneak away with big win","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/11/18305909/wnba-draft-analysis-dallas-wings-arike-ogunbowale"}]}'></div></aside><h4 id="Wtuwnw"><strong>Biggest obstacles </strong></h4>
<p id="zrHf4a">Here are the biggest challenges the Dallas Wings face in 2019:</p>
<ol>
<li id="qsJEhW">
<strong>Will the Cambage situation be resolved before midseason? </strong>The Wings retained most of their roster despite the rumors surrounding Cambage. Still, players may not feel secure and play at their best until this situation is resolved, whether Cambage is traded or returns in a Dallas uniform.</li>
<li id="qSrD42">
<strong>How does Brian Agler ensure that his young players and veterans get ample playing time? </strong>Agler is one of the WNBA’s best coaches; he has won two league championships — with the Storm (<a href="https://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/playoffs/2010/index.html">2010</a>) and the Sparks (<a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/20161020/LASMIN/#/game-story">2016</a>). However, he has been reluctant to play younger players. Though Ogunbowale and Gustafson are two of the biggest names in the 2019 draft class, it’s unclear how much of a role they will get for Dallas. This is particularly the case for Gustafson because the frontcourt rotation is deep even without Cambage. </li>
<li id="rZi7kW">
<strong>Can Hill quickly regain her 2016-17 form? </strong>Hill shot below 30 percent from the field in the 2018 season; she was recovering from a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/07/16/mystics-second-leading-scorer-tayler-hill-out-for-the-season-with-torn-acl/?utm_term=.d26b5ae4b3bd">torn ACL in 2017</a>; and she started in Washington for the Mystics and was <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/elizabeth-williams-2016-wnba-most-improved-player-award/">second in Most Improved Player voting</a> in 2016. Hill can expect to have a larger role in the short term, with Diggins-Smith’s absence. But the addition of Ogunbowale makes Hill’s future in Dallas uncertain even if she is under a <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/1/5/18168635/wnba-free-agency-salary-cap-situation-tina-charles-maya-moore">maximum-level contract</a>.</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7l7lZr">
<h1 id="o4LdCC"><strong>Game zone</strong></h1>
<h2 id="z8i8ZZ"><strong>Preseason opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="NgcMxR">Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream</h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="oMQv8l"><strong>When: </strong>Monday, May 13, at 5 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bYOpVM"><strong>Where: </strong>Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT</p>
<p id="KJI5xH"><strong>How to watch: </strong>To be determined</p>
<p id="eo2NKW"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Wings will start their preseason game schedule at a two-day event <a href="https://sun.wnba.com/news/sun-announce-preseason-schedule-3/">hosted by the Connecticut Sun</a>. Dallas will start this event against the Dream, which advanced to the WNBA Semifinals last year. This game will be a good first opportunity for rookies like Ogunbowale and Gustafson to show their skills at the professional level. The Wings will play the Sun the following day at 7 p.m. ET.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="Umlj8X"><strong>Season home opener</strong></h2>
<h4 id="RMKEj0"><strong>Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="aNxjeW"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, June 1, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="PKqPUk"><strong>Where: </strong>College Park Center, Arlington, TX</p>
<p id="gCw1ka"><strong>How to watch: </strong>WNBA League Pass, additional networks to be determined</p>
<p id="rZElKa"><strong>Notes:</strong> The Wings’ home opener will be against a Lynx team that is looking to rebound from a first-round playoff exit last year. It is also the first meeting of the season between head coach Brian Agler and Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who squared off against each other in the 2016 and 2017 WNBA Finals. This time, they are coaching teams that are retooling without some of their top stars. For Minnesota, the Lynx will be without <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/maya-moore">Maya Moore</a> who is taking the <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/2/5/18212687/wnba-maya-moore-to-miss-2019-season-minnesota-lynx">2019 season off to rest</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="X15T1w"><strong>Marquee matchup</strong></h2>
<h4 id="aW0g2q"><strong>Dallas Wings vs. Phoenix Mercury</strong></h4>
<blockquote>
<p id="hKxzz2"><strong>When: </strong>Tuesday, June 20, at 8 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="2HzGIe"><strong>Where: </strong>College Park Center, Arlington, TX</p>
<p id="t94uEw"><strong>How to watch: </strong>CBS Sports Network</p>
<p id="H2DoFj"><strong>Notes: </strong>The Wings will face off against the 2018 Western Conference semifinalist Phoenix Mercury at home — and on national television. While a veteran frontcourt battle looms between Johnson and Mercury center <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittney-griner">Brittney Griner</a>, there is also an intriguing rookie matchup between Gustafson and Mercury forward <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alanna-smith">Alanna Smith</a>. </p>
</blockquote>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="E9AqNp">
<aside id="LTaxqB"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"WNBA 2019 | HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES","description":"Schedules for all 12 teams, all 384 games, featuring nationally-televised games on CBS Sports, Twitter and ESPN and its affiliates","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/25/18515160/2019-wnba-season-schedule-how-to-watch-the-games"}'></div></aside><p id="FMF8Ul"></p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/5/1/18522968/wnba-dallas-wings-team-preview-liz-cambage-skylar-diggins-smith-glory-johnson-arike-ogunbowaleAlbert Lee