Gamecocks in the WNBA: Playoff semifinals

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A’ja Wilson continues to add hardware, and both series include former Gamecocks as the WNBA playoffs head to the semifinals.

Atlanta Dream
Laeticia Amihere (Playoffs: 1 game, 3.0 mpg)
94-82 loss at Dallas: DNP-CD
101-74 loss at Dallas: 3 minutes, no stats

Allisha Gray (Playoffs: 2 games, 2 starts, 36.0 mpg, 20.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
94-82 loss at Dallas: 36 minutes*, 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
101-74 loss at Dallas: 37 minutes*, 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists

Atlanta’s late-season slump carried into the playoffs, where the Dream basically had one good quarter across two games. It puts a bit of a damper on what was otherwise an excellent season for Gray. For Amihere, it was a developmental year. Now she has an offseason to build on it, whether she plays overseas or takes the winter off.

Upcoming games:
Atlanta’s season is over.

Connecticut Sun
Tyasha Harris (Playoffs: 3 games, 24.7 mpg, 10.7 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 rpg, 63.6 3P%)
90-60 win vs Minnesota: 27 minutes, 12 points, 2 assists, 3-3 3PT
82-75 loss vs Minnesota: 27 minutes, 2 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
90-75 win at Minnesota: 20 minutes, 18 points, rebound, assist, 4-6 3PT

Ty Harris, Sharpshooter. Harris has thrived over the last six weeks or so as the Sun’s designated shooter off the bench. When she gets hot – which has been most games – the Sun usually wins. Now they face New York, a team that completely dominated Connecticut during the regular season.

Upcoming games:
Sunday, September 24 at New York (1:00 ET, ESPN)
Tuesday, September 26 at New York (8:00 ET, ESPN)
Friday, September 29 vs New York (7:30 ET, ESPN2)
Sunday, October 1 vs New York (3:00 ET, ABC) *If Necessary
Tuesday, October 3 at New York (8:00 ET, ESPNU) *If Necessary

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Las Vegas Aces
Alaina Coates (Playoffs: 2 games, 3.0 mpg, 1.0 ppg, 1.5 RPG)
87-59 win vs Chicago: 3 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, steal
92-70 win vs Chicago: 2 minutes, rebound

A’ja Wilson (Playoffs: 2 games, 2 starts, 29.0 mpg, 26.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 4.0 bpg, 1.5 spg)
87-59 win vs Chicago: 28 minutes*, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks
92-70 win vs Chicago: 30 minutes*, 38 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals

Wilson was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She led the league in blocks and was top ten in defensive rebounds and steals. Wilson scored a playoff career-high 38 in the closeout win against Chicago, and the Aces got a long rest before facing the Wings. Dallas beat Las Vegas once during the regular season and took another game down to the wire, so the series could get interesting.

Upcoming games (Best of Five):
Sunday, September 24 vs Dallas (5:00 ET, ESPN2)
Tuesday, September 26 vs Dallas (10:00 ET,  ESPN)
Friday, September 29 at Dallas (9:30 ET, ESPN2)
Sunday, October 1 at Dallas (9:00 ET, ESPN) *If Necessary
Tuesday, October 3 vs Dallas (10:00 ET, ESPNU) *If Necessary

Minnesota Lynx
Tiffany Mitchell (Playoffs: 3 games, 3 starts, 21.7 mpg, 3.7 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3,3 RPG)
90-60 loss at Connecticut: 19 minutes*, 5 rebounds, assist
82-75 win at Connecticut: 24 minutes*, 5 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
90-75 loss vs Connecticut: 23 minutes*, 6 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds

This was the only series to go three games, and although Minnesota lost it has to be considered a successful season for the Lynx and Mitchell personally. Her statistics were down from the past few years, but Mitchell was a starter on a playoff team. That shows she’s got a role in the league.

Upcoming games:
Minnesota’s season is over.

Other notes:
Zia Cooke was named to the USA Basketball U23 3×3 team.
Destanni Henderson and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan are playing in Turkey. 
Victaria Saxton has signed to play in Belgium.
Destiny Littleton is playing in Finland.

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