The Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics are both off to historic starts in 2024, but for different reasons.
Connecticut is 8-0 for the first time in franchise history, while Washington's 0-8 start is tied for its worst ever.
The Sun, though, are downplaying their torrid start entering Tuesday's Commissioner's Cup clash against the Mystics in Uncasville, Conn.
"We don't care about the record," forward Alyssa Thomas said. "It's a 40-game season -- it's a lot of basketball to be played. Right now it's just about us and getting better each and every game."
Thomas's all-around play has contributed to Connecticut's success. The 11-year veteran averages 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and a league-leading nine assists per game. She bundled eight points, 11 assists and 14 boards in the Sun's 69-50 road win over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday.
Washington lost at home to Atlanta 73-67 on Wednesday before falling 90-79 at the New York Liberty on Friday.
Scoring struggles have hampered the Mystics amid their worst start since 2007 -- Washington ranks last in the WNBA in points per game (74.0) and is shooting 40.4 percent from the field, the league's second-lowest mark.
The Mystics led 75-74 midway through the final quarter on Friday before going scoreless over the next 2 1/2 minutes as New York reclaimed the lead for good.
Despite his team getting outscored 16-4 over the game's final 4:26, Washington coach Eric Thibault praised the Mystics for rallying from a 17-point deficit to take the lead against the defending Eastern Conference champions.
"I think that's who we are," Thibault said about Washington's resilience. "Our collective self-talk in timeouts and to each other on the court was outstanding. Even people that weren't in the game just really engaged. ... I think that's a sign that it's going to turn."
Ariel Atkins led the Mystics with 15 points on Friday, boosting her team-best scoring average to 13.8.
DeWanna Bonner paces the Sun with 19 points per game and is coming off her first double-double of the season, an 18-point, 10-rebound effort against the Dream.
Bonner set her season high with 22 points in Connecticut's 84-77 home win over Washington on May 17. Karlie Samuelson scored 18 points -- her most this season -- to lead the Mystics.
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The Los Angeles Sparks are the WNBA's hottest team, and a recent injury update could mean they won't cool down anytime soon. Forward Cameron Brink, the team's first-round pick (No. 2 overall) of the 2024 WNBA Draft, is set for her return after suffering an ACL tear in June 2024. Brink is expected to play on Tuesday, when the Sparks host the Las Vegas Aces (13-13). Last season, Brink started 15 games before being injured and quickly established herself as a defensive force, averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.1 steals while adding 7.5 points per game. Per Stathead, Brink is one of seven players in WNBA history to average at least two blocks and one assist per game in their first season and the first since 2008, when both Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker accomplished the feat. With Brink slated to return to the Sparks rotation, Los Angeles could be in better shape to keep up its positive momentum. The Sparks (11-14) have won five consecutive games, the longest active win streak in WNBA. On Saturday, they defeated the New York Liberty (17-7), 101-99, on a Rickea Jackson buzzer-beater. Los Angeles is only a game behind the Washington Mystics (12-13) for the league's final playoff spot, and Brink could help erase the gap completely. The Sparks have struggled defensively this season, allowing the league's second-most points per game (87.3) and ranking 11th in defensive rating (109.9). (h/t Basketball Reference) Those shortcomings have negated the team's offensive success. Los Angeles ranks third in scoring (85 points per game) and second in pace. It holds the league's top three-point shooting percentage (35.7%) and second-best shooting percentage overall (45.8%). With better defensive effort, which Brink should provide, the already-hot Sparks could soon ignite.
The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.
The Green Bay Packers decided to cut cornerback Jaire Alexander last month, a rather frustrating move considering the Packers didn’t really have much of an answer to replace him. One of the primary reasons Green Bay released Alexander was because of his inability to stay healthy, as the two-time Pro Bowler played in just 14 games over the last two seasons and 34 over the last four. He refused to take a pay cut, and the Packers did not feel justified paying that much money for a guy who was rarely on the field. Well, Green Bay was kind of validated in its decision to move on from Alexander in training camp, as the 28-year-old is already sidelined in Baltimore Ravens camp due to swelling in his knee, via Jason B. Hirschhorn of The Leap. Alexander is going to have his knee drained and is expected to practice on Tuesday, but the fact that he is already experiencing injury issues in Baltimore is evidence that the Packers made the right move. Of course, it would have been nice if Green Bay cut Alexander back in March rather than in June, as it would have given the team a better opportunity to add another cornerback, either via free agency or the NFL Draft. Yes, the Packers signed Nate Hobbs, but the general consensus at the time was that he was being added to play alongside of Alexander; not to replace him. Green Bay has very limited proven depth at the position, and had the Packers known for sure they would be parting ways with Alexander earlier in the offseason, perhaps they would have been more inclined to bring in another corner. When healthy, Alexander is terrific. During his last healthy campaign in 2022, he racked up 56 tackles, five interceptions and 14 passes defended en route to a Pro Bowl appearance, but that’s just the thing: it’s rare that the former first-round pick isn’t dealing with some sort of injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers could make yet another addition to their roster this offseason. After a poor postseason run, the Los Angeles Lakers have been active this summer in hopes of bolstering their roster. In fact, general manager Rob Pelinka has already made some key additions to the roster, including Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. Signing an elite center was arguably the most important task for Pelinka this offseason, and he fulfilled it with the arrival of Ayton. However, one could argue that the Lakers still need a quality backup center. Luka Doncic could recruit Nikola Vucevic to the Los Angeles Lakers While the Lakers re-signed Jaxson Hayes, a player of Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic’s caliber would undoubtedly be a major upgrade. Moreover, with Vucevic being on the Lakers’ radar for years, it means that the organization rates him highly. Previously, the Bulls didn’t indulge in a trade with the Purple and Gold around Vucevic. It has led to Vucevic’s trade value diminishing so much that he is expected to complete a contract buyout with the Bulls. The Laker Nation would love to sign the 34-year-old, and Luka Doncic can help in this quest. How? Well, Doncic and Vucevic share the same agent in Bill Duffy. This means that if Vucevic completes a buyout, the Lakers could have the upper hand in negotiations. The 2x NBA All-Star has given the last five and a half seasons of his career to the Bulls, but it’s obvious that their time together is about to end sooner rather than later. Adding fuel to the fire were former Orlando Magic star Evan Fournier’s comments. Fournier ridiculed the Bulls while taking a shot at Vucevic after the latter called out his move overseas. Luka Doncic has already proven he can recruit stars Ahead of his first full season with the Lakers, Doncic is doing everything in his power to bring back the glory days for the Lakers. He has already undergone a massive transformation to silence his critics. Additionally, Doncic has been actively involved in recruiting players for the Lakers. Smart admitted Doncic was a huge reason behind his decision to sign with the Lakers. Ayton also acknowledged Luka’s role in his decision to join the Purple and Gold. Let’s not forget Ayton also has the same agent as the Slovenian superstar. So, Doncic has already given the inside track for one star; there’s no reason to doubt he would do the same in Vucevic’s case.
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