DALLAS WINGS: 3-4, third in Western Conference
Previously known as the Tulsa Shock in 2015, Dallas kicked off their season with a win over the Indiana Fever but three losses from their past three games has dropped them out of contention for a top two spot.
Erin Phillips- Starting all six games she has played in this year, Phillips has had a successful start with her new team after coming across from Los Angeles last season. Averaging 8.7 points and shooting at 50% from the field, both career highs so far, the guard had her best game against Washington when she tallied 16 points on May 18 which followed a game on May 15 when she tallied four points, five rebounds and five assists in just 15 minutes.
SEATTLE STORM: 3-5, fourth in Western Conference
Struggling for consistency through their first eight games, Seattle still find themselves in a playoff position as they look to make the post-season for the first time since 2013. They will be buoyed by two victories over their nearest rival on the ladder, Phoenix, in the opening quarter of the season but they have fallen well short of Minnesota and Los Angeles.
Jenna O’Hea- Having played five games so far, O’Hea proved how damaging she can be at the offensive end in a June 3 meeting with the Mercury when she torched them for 14 points on 4-7 shooting. Coming off the bench, she is still averaging more minutes per game than her career numbers, a positive sign for how integral O’Hea is to the Storm’s chances this season.
Abby Bishop- Struggling with a couple of niggles, Bishop has only competed in four games so far this year after arriving from training with the Australian Opals. She found herself in foul trouble in her debut but still collected an assist, a steal and a block in just 15 minutes of court time.
PHOENIX MERCURY: 2-6, fifth in Western Conference
Having reached the Conference Finals last season, Phoenix have started their 2016 campaign slowly with their only wins coming against the two worst teams in the East Conference and their road record sitting at 0-4. A couple of their losses have been by four points or less but there is work to do for coach Sandy Brondello’s team in what is already shaping as a tight race to the playoffs.
Penny Taylor- Starting all eight games so far, Taylor is averaging double-figures (14.4 points per game) for the 11th season. She has been lighting it up from distance so far, hitting 48% from the three-point line while she sits second for the club with 3.3 assists. Taylor has really found some form in her past three games, tallying 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block against Connecticut on May 31, nailing 6-8 from downtown on June 3 against Seattle and recording four points, seven boards and ten assists earlier today against Minnesota.
