Gamecocks in the WNBA: Week 2

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: News • Recruiting • Schedule • Roster • Stats • SEC • Polls • Scholarships

It was a battle of the GOATS as A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston faced off for the first time in a game that came down to the final possession.

Atlanta Dream (2-3)

Laeticia Amihere (1 game, 5 minutes, 1.0 blocks)

83-65 win over Chicago: 5 minutes, 0-2 shooting, block

92-87 loss to Las Vegas: DNP-CD

Allisha Gray (5 games, 5 starts, 32.0 mpg, 16.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.6 apg)

83-65 win over Chicago: 27 minutes*, 13 points, 4 rebounds, assist

92-87 loss to Las Vegas: 36 minutes*, 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists

Amihere made her professional debut at the end of a blowout win over Chicago. She went scoreless but blocked a shot. Gray is one of Atlanta’s most reliable players. However, she missed a layup against Wilson, and another social media (mock) war of words ensued over whether Wilson actually blocked it. 

Upcoming games:

Friday, June 9 vs New York (7:30 ET, Ion)

Sunday, June 11 vs Connecticut (4:00 ET, ESPN3)

Connecticut Sun (6-1)

Tyasha Harris (7 games, 10.7 mpg, 3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.9 apg)

81-78 win over Indiana: 11 minutes, 2 points

89-84 win over Minnesota: 9 minutes, 2 points, steal

80-74 win over Dallas: 4 minutes, 2 points, rebound, assist

Harrris’ playing time has decreased, but she’s going to get her two points per game. Plus Connecticut may be the most surprising team in the league.

Upcoming games:

Tuesday, June 6 vs Las Vegas (7:00 ET, League Pass)

Thursday, June 8 vs Las Vegas (7:00 ET, Amazon Prime Video)

Sunday, June 11 at Atlanta (4:00 ET, ESPN3)

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Indiana Fever (1-4)

Aliyah Boston (5 games, 5 starts, 26.0 mpg, 14.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 bpg, 67.5 FG%)

81-78 loss to Connecticut: 29 minutes*, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks

84-80 loss to Las Vegas: 22 minutes*, 7 points,4 rebounds, assist, block

Victaria Saxton (2 games, 1.0 mpg, 0.5 rpg)

81-78 loss to Connecticut: DNP-CD

84-80 loss to Las Vegas: DNP-CD

Boston was named rookie of the month following her monster game against Connecticut. Up next was the battle with Wilson. Boston got into early foul trouble and had her least effective game as a pro. Still, Boston hit the game-tying free throw with less than a minute to play, and then seconds later her go-ahead putback was wiped out by an offensive foul on a teammate. The game showed how far Boston has to go to reach Wilson’s level, but also how good she already is.

Upcoming games:

Tuesday, June 6 at Chicago (8:00 ET, CBS Sports Network)

Friday, June 9 at Minnesota (8:00 ET, Ion)

Sunday, June 11 vs Phoenix (5:00 ET, CBS Sports Network)

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Las Vegas Aces (6-0)

A’ja Wilson (6 games, 6 starts, 30.3 mpg, 20.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.3 bpg)

92-87 win over Atlanta: 33 minutes*, 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks

84-80 win at Indiana: 36 minutes*, 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals

Wilson seemed to have a little extra motivation last week. She had the de-facto home game in Atlanta, with a huge Gamecock crowd in attendance. Then came the game against Boston. Wilson went after Boston from the opening tip and scored Las Vegas’ first 12 points of the game. Wilson won the battle but it was interesting to see how Wilson and Boston were used differently, and a reminder that Wilson benefits from a great point guard (Chelsea Gray) that gets her easy baskets. Boston doesn’t have that luxury.

Upcoming games:

Tuesday, June 6 at Connecticut (7:00 ET, League Pass)

Thursday, June 8 at Connecticut (7:00 ET, Amazon Prime Video)

Sunday, June 11 vs Chicago (3:00 ET, ESPN3)

Los Angeles Sparks (3-2)

Zia Cooke (5 games, 14.8 mpg, 6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 57.1 3P%)

99-93 win over Phoenix: 9 minutes, 6 points, 2 assists, rebound, block

92-85 win over Seattle: 12 minutes, 2 rebounds

Compared to her first week as a pro, Cooke had a quiet second week. But the Sparks won both of their games (and probably don’t beat Phoenix without Cooke’s spark off the bench) and Cooke continues to look like a steal for LA.

Upcoming games:

Tuesday, June 6 at Seattle (10:00 ET, CBS Sports Network)

Friday, June 9 vs Chicago (10:00 ET, Ion)

Sunday, June 11 at Minnesota (7:00 ET, League Pass)

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Minnesota Lynx (1-6)

Tiffany Mitchell (7 games, 5 starts, 30.4 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg)

94-89 loss to Dallas: 38 minutes*, 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

89-84 loss to Connecticut: 33 minutes*, 12 points, 2 assists, rebound

80-78 win over Washington: 28 minutes*, 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists

Mitchell gave Minnesota its first win of the season when she rebounded her own miss and scored the game-winning putback. She’s becoming one of Minnesota’s most reliable players.

Upcoming games:

Wednesday, June 7 at New York (7:00 ET, League Pass)

Friday, June 9 vs Indiana (8:00 ET, Ion)

Sunday, June 11 vs Los Angeles (7:00 ET, League Pass)

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