WNBA Weekly- SELive365 Style
Atlanta Sweeps Indiana in Home and Home Series;
Fever Fall to 2-4
By Deon Cash
SELive365 Recaps Home and Home Series Between Atlanta -Indiana
Game 1 –INDY @ ATLANTA
Howard Shines Brightly in 1 vs 2 Rookie Matchup; Mitchell Drops 27 in Loss
The Indiana Fever came into the Atlanta series feeling pretty good about the movement they had made, winning 2 straight, and finding a good rhythm to their early season.
After winning 2 straight to get back to .500, the Fever headed to the ATL to test their luck, and took a tough loss on the road to the Dream in a close one 85-79. The #1 pick of the WNBA showed out with a career high 33 points to move the Dream to 3-1.
Rhyne Howard was a beast, and led Atlanta, who had 5 players in double figures. Her ability to get her deadly shot off at any time, with the combination of dribble moves was on full display in her “Welcome To The League" performance which wrapped up the WNBA Player of the Week award for Howard.
NaLyssa Smith, the #2 pick of the draft, was having a good game herself (18pts, 6 reb) before she suffered a ankle injury later in the game.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with a game high 27 in the loss, which drops the Fever to 2-3 on the season.
GAME 2 –ATLANTA @ INDY
DREAM USE BALANCED EFFORT TO DEFEAT FEVER IN INDY; HOWARD STARTS FAST TO LEAD BALANCED ATTACK
The Atlanta Dream used a balanced effort to shut down the Indiana Fever and send them to their second straight loss on the season by the score of 101-79.
Rhyne Howard led a balanced attack with 19 points, as the Dream took full advantage of a off night by the #2 leading scorer in the WNBA, Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell and Robinson, the Fever starting backcourt, both had a tough 1st half, and the result was a double-digit advantage for the Dream at the half.
The Fever would battle, but was outscored all four quarters by Atlanta, who now sit at 4-1 on the early season and have become the surprise team of this 2022 WNBA early season. The Dream had 6 players in double figures en route to a 101-point performance.
Forward Victoria Vivians paced the Fever in scoring with 16, followed by top rookie C Queen Egbo (12 points, 5 rebs).
Rookie F Emily Engstler started for the first time (in place of NaLyssa Smith – ankle) and garnered a nice 10-rebound effort in the loss.
Destanni Henderson, who has become a fan fave already, had 9 points and 2 dimes in 17 minutes, and looks as if she might get more minutes in the rotation in the upcoming games.
S.E.LIVE365 ANALYSIS
(Top 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM SERIES)
(1) #1 Draft pick Rhyne Howard is The Real Deal
Howard showed her versatility, combo moves, deadly jump shot, and lastly, but most importantly, her ability to lead. Howard has helped lead the Dream to a 4-1 record after having the worst record last year. She can play multiple positions and can shoot or distribute, which has been a problem for anyone defending her. A legit superstar in the making.
(2) #2 Pick NaLyssa Smith was up for the Challenge Until Injury
Smith has been a good selection, and seemingly was having a breakout game as well, before being sidelined with a ankle injury.
(3) As Backcourt Goes, So Go the Fever
Kelsey Mitchell has been a MVP Candidate early this season, but the last game was a nightmare. Robinson came off a injury and was inserted back into the lineup, but it seems to have shifted the momentum of the team a little bit.
Destanni Henderson, the stick of dynamite that fueled the team early as a starter, now has to come off the bench and provide that same impact, which the staff will implement in the next games.
(4) Rookies All Bringing Good Energy; More Minutes for Henny, Englster, Hull?
Emily Englster started her first game and grabbed 10 boards, while Queen Egbo held it down in the paint. Maybe the Fever could let all 5 rookies play at one point, a la the Michigan Fab Five of the 90s. Hull has started to step up and find her range and footing in the league, and Henny must get more time. Englster will play more until Smith comes back.
(5) Dream will make WNBA Playoffs this season
The Atlanta Dream have all the components to make a run in the WNBA playoffs: Solid Vets to go with a future superstar in Rhyne Howard. Add the fact that she is the reigning WNBA player of the week, and you have a quick turnaround in the ATL. With players such as Cheyenne Parker leading as well, expect some exciting moments and more wins from Atlanta this year. They currently are 4-1.
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