WNBA OPENS MISSING GRINER
The WNBA will begin its 26th season this weekend with several intriguing storylines, including the potential retirement of Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, the return of Becky Hammon as a coach and the absence of Brittney Griner.
There is no bigger headline engulfing the league than Griner.
The Mercury’s All-Star center remains in Russia after being detained following her arrival at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17. Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner’s status has been changed to “wrongfully detained“and she has a hearing scheduled for May 19.
But Griner’s presence will be felt even in her absence.
The league plans to honor Griner and keep her ongoing situation front and center with a floor decal that will feature her initials along with her number 42. It will appear on the home court of all 12 teams starting with today’s season openers. The regular season ends Aug. 14.
Teams will play a record 36 games this year.
“The 36-game schedule will provide fans greater opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said when the schedule was announced in December.
Before Griner’s arrest the Mercury made many moves in the offseason to put the team in contention to win another championship after losing to Chicago last season in the Finals. Phoenix added Tina Charles and Diamond
DeShields to the roster to compliment Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
DeShields joins the Mercury from the Sky, who will try and become the first team to repeat as champions since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-02. Chicago added Emma Meesseman — the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP — to its roster.
Then there is the looming retirement of All-Stars Bird and Fowles.
Bird, the league’s all-time assists leader, has said all signs are pointing toward this year being her last with the Seattle Storm.
Fowles, the WNBA’s alltime leading rebounder, has stated she will retire after this season.
Meanwhile, Hammon took over as coach of the Las Vegas Aces, replacing Bill Laimbeer, after serving as an NBA assistant
coach for the San Antonio Spurs since 2014. She’s one of six former players who are now head coaches in the league.
A few other storylines to follow this season:
Healthy Mystics
No team went through more injury problems the last two seasons then the Washington Mystics. Coach Mike Thibault hopes his team has finally put all that bad luck in the rearview mirror and is looking forward to having Elena Delle Donne (COVID-19, back) and Alysha Clark Iright foot) in the lineup.
Rebuilding Fever
Indiana used four firstround picks in the draft to try and rebuild its roster, taking NaLyssa Smith (2nd), Emily Engster (4th), Lexie Hull (6th) and Queen Egbo (10th).
The Fever also drafted Destanni Henderson (20th).
Return of the Cup
The league is bringing back the Commissioner’s Cup for the second year. The in-season tournament was won by Seattle last year.There are 10 designated “Cup games” per team — the first home game and first road game each team plays against its five conference rivals.
Fresh starts
Liz Cambage now calls Los Angeles home after leaving Las Vegas. Courtney Williams returned to Connecticut after spending two seasons with the Atlanta Dream. The Dream picked up former WNBA AllStar MVP