9/6/2023 0 Comments Best nba moments 2022![]() In the short stint that she did play last season, you could see the flashes of greatness, but she understandably wasn’t all the way back or primed physically. Elena Delle Donne’s First Back to Backįormer MVP and franchise stalwart Elena Delle Donne had played just three games in the last two years due to a back injury and missing the bubble due to COVID concerns (due to her Lyme disease, the risks of COVID were of that much more significance). Austin would go on to start 32 games her rookie year after initially looking like she’d be the first big off the bench for a team that had deep playoff aspirations. Her defense and impact as a roller, screener and release valve for the Mystics’ guards were felt immediately. In a Washington win, Austin legitimately held her own against Fowles while snagging the first double-double of her young career. Third-overall pick, Shakira Austin, stepped into the starting lineup during her second game in the W… starting against Sylvia Fowles. ![]() One of the more intriguing face-up and skilled scoring prospects in recent memory, adding that three-point jumper early and often was head-turning considering how little Smith shot from deep at Baylor.ĭon’t forget about NaLyssa Smith! This Fever team is coming. Off rip, she shot the ball with confidence and efficacy from deep, including a 3/5 outing against the Dream in the same game Howard popped off. The second overall pick, NaLyssa Smith, went a bit under the radar this season but had an incredibly fun and exciting season. She shot the lights out and scored in double digits in her first five games, looking like an immediate All-Star, including a 21-point outburst against the Sparks in an early surprise win and 33 against the Fever a few games later in one of her more complete games of the season (her highest scoring as well). The first few weeks of the season gave great reason for optimism about the ’22 Draft Class.įirst-overall pick, Rhyne Howard, hit the ground running and didn’t look back. You can project and contemplate a great deal based off of pre-professional data and viewings, but to an extent, you just don’t know who a player will be as a pro until they play in the league. The opening two weeks of league play were significant for a plethora of reasons, but perhaps my favorite was the establishment of the next wave of youth. Here’s to another year of an awesome in-season series between the Aces and Sky. This game had it all as the Sky erased a 28-point deficit and wound up nearly winning by double-digits themselves. Azura Stevens outscored the Aces’ bench on her own with an incredibly efficient 19-point outing. Candace Parker’s defense was a significant determining factor in the evening of the game. Every game brought emotion, excitement, and tremendous play between two of the elite squads in the W.Ĭourtney Vandersloot cut up the Aces’ defense with drives, mid-range jumpers, and dynamic pick-and-roll play. But, as was the case for the entire season, Sky vs. This was set to be one of the marquee games of the mid-season, and it looked like a dominant blowout for Vegas by the end of the first quarter. The Sky were still finding their way after integrating new pieces, players coming over from international play, and regaining their championship form. The Aces were in the midst of an unreal opening month to the season. Without further adieu, here are my Top 5 moments of the WNBA season, in no particular order! Chicago Sky Record-breaking Comeback The timeless play of three of the players that defined the league for the last decade-plus won’t be forgotten. Sue Bird and Briann January were integral parts of one of the best guard rotations in the W. ![]() Legends of the game put forth incredibly impactful final seasons Sylvia Fowles was an All-Star and All-Defense nominee. ![]() Few teams in pro sports have possessed the charisma and gravitas that Las Vegas conjures without trying. To condense down to my Top 5 moments of the season feels impossible, given the wealth of excitement and intrigue that the 26th season of league play brought.Ī first-time league champion was crowned as the Aces won the Finals in a season filled with endearing moments. Then, training camp will be here, and oh hey, games are starting! March Madness and the Draft will hit with quickness. It’s difficult to grasp that the year comes to an end today, and soon, free agency and the throes of another start to the league season will be upon us quicker than we can fathom.įree agency will be a whirlwind. The 2022 WNBA season will maintain a special place in my heart as my first full season covering the league. ![]()
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