March feels like it was so long ago … and it was at that point of the year that because of the coronavirus pandemic, we did not even know if there would even be a 2020 WNBA season.
But after moving all 12 teams to the IMG wubble in Florida and in the midst of a couple of Covid-related hiccups (including one that briefly delayed the start of one of the semifinals series), we are ready to crown a champion in central Florida.
The two teams that will be participating in season’s WNBA Finals are the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces. The Storm have to be considered the favorite given the team is once again fully healthy and has sights set on taking back what they believe is theirs after the 2019 season was injury-ridden with ailments to Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.
Both Bird and Stewie are healthy again and leading a Storm team that if they win this season’s championship may firmly put itself in position to be the W’s next dynasty.
As for Las Vegas, it is the high point for a franchise that has only gone in one direction – up – since the move from San Antonio. Last season had to be somewhat disappointing for Vegas after reaching the semifinals only to be eliminated in four games by the eventual WNBA champion Washington Mystics.
A’ja Wilson’s 2020 season was more than worthy of her winning the MVP award and the addition of Angel McCoughtry in free agency has more than paid its fair share of dividends for this Aces team. For Vegas, it is the second time in franchise history that the team has qualified for the Finals. The last time they did – they were not even playing in Las Vegas as they were still the San Antonio Silver Stars at the time.
The big thing that the Storm have on the Aces is playoff experience … particularly WNBA Finals experience. The last time the Storm were in the Finals was 2018, when they swept the Mystics. While this may be the case, Las Vegas has actually defeated Seattle in both of their matchups this year in the wubble.
Saturday August 22 – Aces defeat Storm 82-74
In August, the Aces defeated the Storm with the final score being 82-74 and that was with a healthy Breanna Stewart (and her 29 points and 18 rebounds). It was also with a healthy A’ja Wilson who scored 23 points with 14 rebounds in that game. Not to be outdone, but Angel McCoughtry also managed a double-double in that game too with 13 points and 14 rebounds with three steals. Danielle Robinson also managed 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds off the bench.
Seattle also was the recipient of 16 points and nine rebounds from Natasha Howard in addition to 11 points and four assists via Alysha Clark. Jordin Canada scored 10 and sent out seven assists.
Sunday September 13 – Aces defeat Storm 86-84
In the final game of the regular season for both teams – one that was nationally televised via ABC – the Storm and Aces had the second of their get-togethers, one in which the Storm were without Bird and Stewart.
It practically clinched the No. 1 overall seed for Las Vegas, but it also reinforced Wilson’s case for MVP. Even without their two premier players, Seattle still held its own despite the final being an 86-84 result in the Aces’ favor.
Wilson and Dearica Hamby (who injured her ankle throughout the course of the semifinals with the Connecticut Sun) each scored 23 points with Wilson also contributing seven rebounds to the Aces’ efforts plus eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals via Hamby. Danielle Robinson scored 13 points with six rebounds and four assists. Kayla McBride scored 10.
Jewell Loyd scored 30 and Alysha Clark finished with 16 and seven rebounds with three assists. Mercedes Russell hauled in 11 rebounds and Natasha Howard grabbed seven rebounds.
Schedule
Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and TSN followed by Game 2 on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. on ABC and SportsNet. Game 3 is set for Oct. 6 on 7 p.m. on ESPN and TSN. If necessary, Game 4 is 7 p.m. at ESPN2 and TSN3 on Oct. 8 and Game 5 will be on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. on ABC and SportsNet.
Who ya got?!
