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Who else had former All-Star Jeff Teague turning into an MVP-level NBA podcaster on their bingo card?
WNBA Playoffs Imminent
Three questions with Ben Pickman
Earlier than we faucet into NBA speak, I’m going to tag in WNBA author Ben Pickman of The Athletic to debate a few of the league’s largest storylines because the common season wraps. With the playoffs nearing, it’s time to preview the larger image, so let’s see what Ben thinks forward of the postseason.
With MVP favourite A’ja Wilson setting the WNBA single-season scoring document, how dominant a playoff run may we count on because the Aces search a three-peat?
Ben: Wilson has undoubtedly been the WNBA’s most dominant participant this season, maybe recording probably the most prolific season in league historical past. (Getting into Sunday’s motion, she was averaging 27 factors and 12.1 rebounds per sport.) Nonetheless, Las Vegas will enter the playoffs with extra questions than in years previous. The Aces had the WNBA’s greatest protection final season, however they’ve slipped to fifth in 2024. In each 2022 and 2023, they have been the WNBA’s greatest first-quarter group, with web scores above plus-14.5. This season, although, they’ve a mere plus-1.9 web score within the opening body. Whereas Chelsea Grey, Jackie Younger and Kelsey Plum all performed on the U.S. Olympic group, the trio has additionally not been as efficient as in previous seasons. Might Las Vegas nonetheless three-peat? Completely. However the Aces aren’t nearly as good as in previous years and a date with New York within the semifinals (by which the Liberty could have dwelling court docket) awaits.
The one. The Solely. A’ja Wilson 👑
A glance again at a few of A’ja Wilson’s hardest buckets all through the szn that helped her develop into the primary participant in WNBA historical past to attain 1,000 factors in a single season#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/vARRmDTWP1
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 15, 2024
Nonetheless writing HER-story 🖋️
With 2 video games remaining within the common szn, A’ja Wilson nailed her 1,000th PT on the yr, turning into the primary participant in league historical past to attain 1K factors in a single season
Wilson dominated with 29 PTS, 9 REB and a win over the Solar 🙌#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/plpgME1ig4
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 16, 2024
What are your predictions for the opposite WNBA awards?
Ben: With per week to go, loads that would change within the award race. However it appears seemingly that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will find yourself taking dwelling her fourth Coach of the 12 months honor, which might break a tie with Mike Thibault and Van Chancellor for many all time. Caitlin Clark is the favourite to win Rookie of the 12 months, and Wilson the favourite for the MVP. For me, probably the most attention-grabbing award has been the Most Improved Participant of the 12 months race.
Is there a darkish horse playoff group contenders ought to worry?
Ben: Aside from the Aces, look to the Fever as a franchise that no one needs to play within the playoffs. Previous to its consecutive defeats vs. the Aces final week, Indiana had gained eight of its first 10 video games within the second half and had a plus-6.1 web score, the third-best mark within the league. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell is averaging 24.4 factors per sport because the All-Star break (the second-most within the league) whereas Caitlin Clark is averaging the third-most factors (23.4) and a league-leading 9 assists per sport since play resumed. Add in All-Star middle Aliyah Boston, and Indiana turns into a troublesome opponent, even with out factoring the wave of followers that follows them throughout the nation.
The Newest From Shams
Lakers add middle; Morris returns to New York
Out West, the Lakers and seven-footer Christian Koloko have agreed on a deal, agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports activities says. The 24-year-old Koloko could have a possibility for a task in Lakers’ frontcourt after he receives clearance from the league’s health panel.
In New York, the Knicks and veteran ahead Marcus Morris have agreed to a one-year deal, agent Yony Boy of the LAA Companions tells The Athletic. The 14-year veteran shot 40.3 p.c from deep whereas splitting time with the 76ers and Cavaliers. Morris returns to the Knicks, the place he began 43 video games within the 2019-20 season, throughout which he averaged practically 20 factors.
Can Celtics Repeat?
Could be first repeat champs since 2018
It’s means too early to ponder whether or not the Celtics will develop into a dynasty, despite the fact that issues appear in place for them to have an opportunity to make that occur. However going for back-to-back rings could be an enormous step in beginning that dialog.
The Celtics could have confidence from profitable the 2023-24 title and their two greatest gamers having causes to be salty in regards to the summer season. The latter may very well be the additional little bit of motivation to assist Boston get by way of the doldrums of the common season.
Jayson Tatum gained gold on america Olympic group however didn’t play a lot. Final season, Tatum was an All-NBA First Workforce choice, however he sat behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant on Workforce USA’s depth chart. Jaylen Brown gained Finals MVP however was handed over because the substitute for Kawhi Leonard on Workforce USA in favor of his Boston teammate, Derrick White.
Sure they did 😤 https://t.co/fSR8pvjV2h
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 11, 2024
If each play with an fringe of a duo that hasn’t confirmed something, that wouldn’t damage Boston’s title probabilities. Repeat champions generally want new psychological challenges to remain targeted.
Kristaps Porziņģis may return from ankle surgical procedure as early as December. That may give the Celtics the most effective beginning lineup within the NBA, except one other group jumps out to show otherwise. Even when that occurs, shouldn’t the champions get the sting if it’s shut?
The East must be harder, however the Celtics are nonetheless the favorites to get again to the NBA Finals.
If Boston Can’t Repeat …
Might these 4 groups take its crown?
Miami, if Jimmy Butler bullies Boston? Can Minnesota determine issues out? Is it too quickly for Oklahoma Metropolis? Did Dallas get fortunate final season? What if one of many OGs from the Olympics (LeBron’s Lakers, KD’s Suns or Steph Curry’s Warriors) get sizzling?
Oh, isn’t it enjoyable to invest in September?? Listed here are 4 groups which are in place to journey up Boston’s bid for back-to-back titles:
76ers: I do know, I do know: Joel Embiid hasn’t seen playoff life past the second spherical. I additionally get many individuals don’t think about the 34-year-old Paul George within the postseason (however he’s been to the convention finals thrice). However I imagine in Tyrese Maxey and what he will be as he grows as a participant. That trio may give Boston issues, particularly with Embiid at middle.
Nuggets: I’m cautious of how Denver will look with out Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, as a result of its depth was shaky final season. This can be a nod to Nikola Jokić as a result of a deeper group can lose when the opponent has the most effective participant. Jokić could be the most effective participant within the collection.
Bucks: That is primarily based on the belief Giannis Antetokounmpo will lastly be wholesome within the postseason. He has the flexibility to dominate a collection and overcome Boston’s depth. With some clutch play from Damian Lillard, the Bucks may return to the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2021.
Knicks: This solely issues if Julius Randle performs. From Jan. 1 to Jan. 27, after the Knicks added OG Anunoby to the lineup, New York’s offensive effectivity improved by 10 factors when Randle performed (491 minutes). With out him, Jalen Brunson and a set of gamers counting on grit whereas taking part in 47 minutes gained’t be sufficient to beat the Celtics.
Bounce Passes
The place are the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga on extension talks?
Is that this the final dance for the Timberwolves?
Most-clicked in Thursday’s publication: Is Bulls guard Lonzo Ball able to play once more?
(High photograph: David Becker / Getty Photographs )