Top Five Storylines Heading into the Second Half of the WNBA Season


The 2015 WNBA season could hardly go on a 24-hour break without another shakeup.

Following a feverish All-Star Weekend in Connecticut, Sunday was a rare quiet day across the league. Then Monday morning arrived with the news that All-Star centers Sylvia Fowles and Erika de Souza were on the move.

The three-way blockbuster trade between Chicago, Atlanta and Minnesota sets the tone for what is shaping up to be a memorable second half.

Here are the top five storylines to watch:

Who Will Challenge the Lynx Out West?

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Minnesota’s acquisition of Fowles appears to be a case of the rich getting richer, with the Lynx already atop the conference at 12-4. But how ready the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is to perform at a high level is a question mark, as is the health of Seimone Augustus and (less so) Lindsay Whalen.

The Mercury have a title to defend, the Shock are still dangerous, and the return of Candace Parker could lift the Sparks into that elite group.

Who Will Take Control of the East?

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About halfway through the season, the answer to this question also remains unclear.

The six teams in the East are separated by just five games at most and inconsistency across the conference makes for a muddled playoff picture. Adding de Souza to man the middle should shore up the Sky’s biggest hole, giving Chicago a center to match up with Tina Charles and the East-leading Liberty.

Washington, Connecticut and Indiana are each home to emerging young talent and Atlanta, a perennial playoff team, can never be counted out.

Race to the MVP: An EDD vs. Maya Showdown?

The historic start, the 45-point game, the constant stream of ESPN appearances. It just felt like Elena Delle Donne’s year … until Maya Moore made an All-Star Game statement.

With her record 30-point outburst to lead the West to victory, the reigning MVP and two-time champion reminded anyone who may have forgotten that she has an equally valid case to be the league’s alpha dog.

Moore started to close the gap on Delle Donne in the MVP race as the first half wound down, and watching them go to work — on teams that have a strong chance at finishing at the top of their respective conferences, no less — in the second half will provide great theater.

Let the debate begin.

The Griner Effect

Don’t forget about the 6-foot-8 force in Phoenix, either.

Brittney Griner made that point clear at the All-Star Game during one three-minute stretch on Saturday in which she blocked a shot, dunked and sunk a three-pointer.

Simply put, the Mercury center can impact the game in ways no other player can. She’s already scoring (17.4 PPG) and blocking shots (4.0 BPG) at a career pace through seven games, so expect Griner to raise her game, and the Mercury as a team, even higher.

Rookie Report

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The race for the Rookie of the Year Award is as wide open as its ever been. In fact, it’s difficult to even name a frontrunner — Natalie Achonwa, who missed last season while recovering from a torn ACL, likely holds that title after sparking the Fever.

Still, No. 1 pick Jewell Loyd looms as a breakout candidate after getting her professional legs underneath her. No. 6 pick Dearica Hamby has stepped up in San Antonio, as have Brittany Boyd and Kiah Stokes in New York.

Chelsea Gray, who like Achonwa is technically a rookie after missing her first season, has shined in Connecticut. Storm forward Ramu Tokashiki, the third Japanese player in league history, remains the dark horse, averaging 8.1 points and a block in just 19.3 minutes per game and recently entering the starting lineup.