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Jim McCormick
We’re firmly within the second-half stretch of the WNBA season — the a part of the calendar the place urgency rises, rotations tighten and each sport carries a little bit extra weight.
It is also a window the place youthful gamers begin getting actual possibilities. Accidents, relaxation administration, and playoff positioning create openings — and the league’s rising expertise is moving into them.
On the identical time, worldwide play has winded down. Which means key contributors who’ve been abroad are rejoining their groups, shifting dynamics throughout rosters and rotations.
We have seen this worldwide affect within the streaming marketplace for weeks now, with two names under as additional examples of how timing, alternative and expertise are converging proper now. Let’s check out the way to navigate the week forward.
Backcourt
Rachel Banham, G, Chicago Sky (rostered in 19.6% of ESPN leagues): Even deep into her profession, Banham is establishing a profession excessive in scoring effectivity. The Sky have empowered her to create for herself and others this season, with superior leads to current weeks. Since June 27, Banham has delivered double-digit scoring in 12 of 13 video games whereas sinking greater than three 3-pointers per sport over this productive stretch. With the Mystics and Dream on the schedule this week, Banham may proceed to excel in opposition to subpar defenses.
Aari McDonald, G, Indiana Fever (22.1%): With Caitlin Clark‘s return nonetheless unclear, McDonald continues to assist rating and create for the Fever offense. A savvy veteran with the flexibility to conduct pick-and-roll units in her sleep, McDonald has been very productive as a passer in current video games and might even pop for large scoring nights every so often. Trying forward, the Fever will end the week in opposition to Banham’s Sky, a group with the worst defensive ranking within the league over the previous 10 video games.
Frontcourt
Iliana Rupert, C, Golden State Valkyries (11.3%): We have discovered some useful statistical stretches emerge from the Golden State rotation this season. Experimentation is commonly a core part of an enlargement group, with the Valkyries prepared to strive completely different rotations and younger gamers all through. Rupert is having fun with extra run these days for the group, particularly as she’s gotten snug after taking part in in Europe for a lot of the summer time. This stretch huge can rating effectively, if not ship a lot on protection. Keep watch over Rupert forward of a telling assembly with A’ja Wilson early this week.
Emma Meesseman, C, New York Liberty (11.7%): The previous WNBA Finals MVP thrived in her return to the league in a current win over the Solar. Producing 18 fantasy factors in simply 17 minutes is telling, as Meesseman is clearly prepared to supply for the defending champions. With extra taking part in time more likely to comply with, Meesseman is positioned to maximise manufacturing in matchups in opposition to the Wings and Lynx this week.