The WNBA resumes, so do Chiefs Breanna Stewart and the Liberty

First Place New York Liberty They picked up where they left off before the Olympic break and dominated Los Angeles Sparks 103-68 The WNBA returns to action on Thursday. Washington Mystics The team had two good results – though not victories – and the Phoenix Mercury’s three Olympians were among the Paris gold medalists, looking fresh and ready to play.

The league is back in action and the playoff push is on everyone’s minds. With about a month left in the regular season, teams know every game from now on will have an impact. The Liberty, who seek the franchise’s first WNBA title, are focused on the No. 1 seed as a goal.

For third place Minnesota LynxFor the Mystics, who won the Commissioner’s Cup Finals in June, facing a team playing at full strength was a good test to start the rest of their schedule. 79-68 The win was the closest game of the night, and the Olympic gold medalist Nafeesa Collier He notched his 13th double-double of the season.

The sixth-place Mercury, who hovered around a .500 record in the first half of the season, earned an 85-65 win at Chicago on Thursday that moved them to 14-12 and — they hope — perhaps a chance to catch up with the WNBA’s top five. Sky Forward angel reese (11 points, 15 rebounds) notched her 18th double-double, moving her closer to Tina Charles’ rookie record (22, set in 2010).

Five other teams, including Indiana Fever With rookie standout Caitlin Clarkewill be in action again on Friday, while the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces On Saturday they host New York, a team from last season’s WNBA Finals. Here’s a look back at what stood out when the WNBA returned to the hardwood.

How did the Olympians play?

Filippo: The Olympians showed few signs of jet lag. All of the U.S. national team members who played on Thursday scored in double figures, including the night’s major stars – Kahaleh Copper (29 marks), Brittney Griner (23), Breanna Stewart (27) – Helping their WNBA teams win their first games. New York’s starters didn’t need to play much and the team went over 40 minutes, while Phoenix’s core five players each played at least 30 minutes.

Whether or not fatigue shows up in the second half is something to keep an eye on, but the way the Liberty and Mercury performed on Thursday is a good indication of what’s to come for them in the coming weeks and months. The Mercury in particular is something to keep an eye on — if their entire core gets healthy at the same time, can they make a run late?

Voepel: Griner made 10 of 12 shots from the field, adding 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks – one of her best games of the season. Injuries limited her to 15 of the Mercury’s first 25 games. But if Griner, Copper and Diana Taurasi (11 points, 4 assists) Going forward, Phoenix can be dangerous.

“After this (Olympic) break, there are a lot of teams, a lot of people that are hungry,” Griner said. “I know we’re ready to give that effort. The sky’s the limit for this team. I think we’re going to do really well.”

Which teams looked weak?

Filippo: Chicago left a lot to be desired, though that may have been because of personnel changes: It was the first game since Marina Mabrey was sold to Connecticut, while Chennedy Carter He was sidelined Thursday with a non-COVID illness. The lack of floor spacing without Mabrey on the court, as well as the absence of Carter’s explosiveness and ability to create, really caused problems for the Sky: their 65 points were their second-lowest total this season.

His return to Mabrey trade will take some time – Rachel Banham (7 marks, 26 minutes) and Moriah Jefferson (2 points, 12 minutes) — To settle things in, but even if Carter returns soon, Chicago will need her help in pacing the offense and finding ways to open things up in the paint as they eye a playoff berth in Year 1 under Teresa Weatherspoon.

Will a team like Washington impact the playoff picture?

Voepel: Maybe so, even though the Mystics themselves – in last place at 6-20 – won’t be able to achieve it, they can have an impact on other teams as a sort of spoiler. Injuries ravaged the Mystics in the first half of the season, but the center Shakira Austin (9 points, 10 rebounds) returned to action Thursday for the first time since May 31 and guard Brittney Sykes (11 points, 4 rebounds) was on the field for the first time since June 11.

While Washington is realistically looking more toward the 2025 draft and season, seeing the team closer to what was expected this season could be a boost. And the Mystics should play without any pressure.

As more teams restart, is there one thing to keep in mind?

Filippo: Speaking of Mabrey, we’ll get our first look at how she’s been incorporated into the Suns’ offense when she faces one of her former teams on Friday. Dallas WingsWill his 3-point shooting elevate the Suns’ offense as they hoped when trading for him? He’ll also mark the game Satou SaballyThis is Wings’ first contest of the season after missing out with a shoulder injury, but if she plays like she did at the Olympics for Germany, she could help Dallas make some noise in the second half.

Voepel: It will be interesting to see the Liberty and Aces face off again. New York beat the Sparks on Thursday, even if it was for no reason. Betnijah Laney-HamiltonWho is still recovering from knee surgery, and the Liberty really want to send the message that they are the best in the league.

The first meeting between the Liberty and Aces this season was on June 15 in Las Vegas, with the Liberty winning 90–82, defeating Aces star Aja Wilson She tearfully promised in the postgame that she would inspire her teammates to play better. The Aces fell to 6-6 with that loss; they are 10-2 since then. This will be the second of three regular-season contests between New York and Las Vegas. The last one will be Sept. 8 in Brooklyn.