Stewart leads Seattle to 2nd WNBA title in 3 years
Stewart scored 26 points and Seattle completed a sweep of the Las Vegas Aces with a 92-59 rout Tuesday night. It was the biggest margin of victory in WNBA Finals history. Seattle had pretty much the same core group that won the 2018 championship back for this year, led by Stewart, Bird and Jewell Loyd. Seattle has now won a record 11 games in a row in the WNBA Finals, dating to the team's first championship in 2004. She led the Dream to three WNBA Finals appearances but the team was swept in each one.
Stewart, Bird help Storm rout Aces; go up 2-0 in WNBA Finals
The team had 33 assists to set a WNBA championship round record as the Storm had a more balanced offense. Las Vegas couldn't respond. A'ja Wilson had 20 points to lead Las Vegas while Angel McCoughtry and Emma Cannon added 17 each. The Storm, who had 17 assists on their 18 baskets, built the lead to 13 before Las Vegas rallied to the six-point halftime deficit. ... Stewart had her fifth consecutive 20-point game in the WNBA Finals spanning back to the 2018 season.
Stewart lifts Storm to Game 1 WNBA Finals win over Aces
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) celebrates after the team defated the Las Vegas Aces during Game 1 of basketball's WNBA Finals Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)BRADENTON, Fla. โ The Seattle Storm's lead down to two with a quarter left, Breanna Stewart took over. The big-game player scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and finished with 37 to help the Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-80 on Friday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. She was a point short of the WNBA Finals record set by Angel McCoughtry. McCoughtry scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas, which was playing in the WNBA Finals for the first time since the franchise moved to the Nevada city three years ago. Eight players had reached 11 assists in a finals game before Bird's record performance.
WNBA: Liberty face Sun; Lynx take on the Mystics
The SeattleTwo games are in action before the WNBA All-Star break. Connecticut will have a pair of players in Saturday's All-Star game, center Jenquel Jones and forward Alyssa Thomas. Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx Preview (tipoff 1 p.m. EST)The Washington Mystics are obviously at their best with Elena Delle Donne on the court. Delle Donne, averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds, fractured her nose early against Los Angeles on July 7. Collier was added to the All-Star game this week, replacing injured Aces forward A'ja Wilson.
WNBA: Dream take on Sky; Wings face Mercury; Storm match-up with Lynx
Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky Preview (tip-off 12 p.m. EST)Coming off a win against the Dallas Wings, the Chicago Sky are looking to continue their three-game win streak in a noon battle against the Atlanta Dream. The Mercury hope for a much better outing than their first meeting with the Wings this season on June 20. Griner and Bonner were held to a combined 20 points as Phoenix shot 24.6 percent and was outrebounded 49-28. The Dallas Wings are looking to avoid a third straight loss as they square off with the Phoenix Mercury. Sims, meanwhile, totaled 20 points in those two contests.