WNBA Roundup

What a super Final we are about to witness… For the Connecticut Sun, they’ll be making a return engagement and the Sacramento Monarchs will advance to the big dance for the first time – and not only that, but for the third consecutive year, there will be a new champion. How great is that?

For those of you that followed the WNBA last year, and can remember the finals, the Sun were just a shot away from winning it all against the Storm… and for those of you who follow the Monarch, they were dealt a losing hand in the second-round. That was then, and this is now…

The top two teams in the WNBA this season will go head-on beginning on Wednesday… both were the most dominant teams, the most consistent teams and probably the two most feared teams in the WNBA. Matter of fact, both teams were neck n’ neck record wise, and it was a down to the wire finish to determine who would windup with the best record.

Meanwhile, as both teams get ready for the opening game, two prominent players for each team could be on the bench not just for the opening game, but for the entire series as well.

Ticha Penicheiro of the Monarchs missed the Conference Finals against the Comets after suffering a severely sprained ankle that had her using crutches to walk… and as of this writing her status remains questionable.

According to reports, for two-days she was unable to bear any weight on the ankle and although she is pain-free now, reports state the ankle is still extremely tender. While she is confident of a Game 1 return, reporters witnessed Penicheiro grimacing in pain after attempting a foul-shot during the Monarchs practice on Saturday. “When I went to bend my knee,” Penicheiro said, “a sharp pain shot up the inside of my ankle.” The Monarchs say she’ll continue to rehab, in hopes of being ready if not for Game 1 at least for some part of the series.

Losing her to the injury would be upsetting right now for the Monarchs… she’s been playing the best basketball of her career, both defensively and offensively –specifically during the post-season that has seen her offensive production double.

While eyes have been focused on Penicheiro of late, now they’ll be moving over to Lindsay Whalen’s of the Sun. The Sun found out on Monday morning that Whalen has been diagnosed with a nondisplaced fracture of the tibia in her left leg, after undergoing an MRI.

She is out for Game 1 against the Monarchs, and as for the remainder of the series, that remains in the hands of the Sun’s medical staff. According to reports, Whalen sustained the injury during the second half of Game 2 against the Fever, when she collided with Tully Bevilaqua. She remained in the game, although seemingly in pain.

Just as the Monarchs losing Penicheiro will hinder the team, losing Whalen will be harder on the Sun. Their bench isn’t as strong, and Whalen has been the work-horse for the team… Sacramento is able to use a 10-player rotation, and the bench play starters’ minutes - Jennifer Derevjanik, a 5-foot-10 guard who is expected to take Whalen’s place in the lineup, has played in all four of the Sun’s playoff games, but she has only averaged 6.5 minutes per game. Jamie Carey, who will now be Derevjanik’s backup, played in just two playoff games, averaging 10 minutes. Whalen was averaging 36.5 minutes in the playoffs.

During the regular season, the Sun won both contests against the Monarchs. In their first matchup, played back on June 24^th, the Monarchs had the early lead and went into halftime with a 31-28 lead. DeMya Walker carried the Monarchs scoring 12 of her 16 points in the first half, and for the Sun it was the first time that had trailed at halftime. The Monarchs meanwhile were counting on that halftime lead… as they came into the game with a 7-0 record when leading at halftime.

The Monarchs got off to a quick start in the second half and extended the lead to 41-30 with just over 16-minutes remaining, but the Sun bounced back and outscored the Monarchs 33-19 in the second half to take the game.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin led the Sun with 15-points and 14-rebounds, her third double-double of the season, while Nykesha Sales was the only other Sun player to score in double figures with 14, adding three assists and three steals on the night.

The Sun (9-2) shot 36.9 percent from the field and scored a season low in points. Their previous low was 67 against Detroit on June 21^st. The Monarchs shot 33.9 percent from the field, their worst output of the season.

The loss for the Monarchs was their first at home, and the teams’ third-leading scorer, Nicole Powell missed all of her shots, scoring just one point in the contest.

The anticipated rematch took place just four days later at the Mohegan Sun on June 28^th, where the Sun were 14-3 this season… this game would be no different as they won 70-66. The Sun had the early lead, 40-34 going into the half, but witnessed a Monarchs team that just wouldn’t give up – during the course of the game the lead changed hands seven times, and they also tied the score four times.

Late in the second half, the Monarchs made it interesting coming back and finding themselves within three points of tying the game… but the Sun prevailed as they’d done so often at home.

Sacramento was perfect from the line making all 11 of their free-throw attempts, while DeMya Walker recorded her first double-double of the season, 15-points and 12-rebounds (season-high), while assisting in six other baskets. Yolanda Griffith matched Walker’s 16-points and grabbed four boards. Nicole Powell chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, while Chelsea Newton and Ticha Penicheiro added seven and six points respectively.

Nykesha Sales led the way for the Sun, scoring 19-points. With her final two points of the game, Sales became the ninth player in WNBA history to reach 3,000 points in her career. Lindsay Whalen also contributed to the victory with 14-points and a team-high five assists, while Ashja Jones chipped in 12 points off the bench.

The Sun took the first game of the series in Detroit, 73-62, after getting swept by the Shock on the road during the regular season. Connecticut held a ten-point lead (43-33) going into the half. Detroit came out of the half with an 18-5 run to lead, 51-48. The Sun responded with nine uncontested points and held the lead for good.

Nykesha Sales led five Sun players in double figures, scoring 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers. Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 14 points and led the team with nine rebounds. Katie Douglas, Lindsay Whalen and Asjha Jones had 13 points apiece.

The Sun swept the Shock in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to make their third straight appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Sun never trailed in this game and led by as many as 14 early in the second half. Lindsay Whalen was the key to the game, scoring a postseason career-high 27 points including 15-of-17from the free throw line. Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 16 points and Nykesha Sales led the team with a careerhigh12 rebounds.

In a game that was close to the finish, the Sun came away with the road victory, 73-68. Indiana held an early one-point lead in the opening minute of the game, but the Sun led the rest of the way. Up by five at the half, the Sun opened the second half with a 9-2 run to stretch the lead to 12 with 15:41 left in the game. A clutch three-pointer by Katie Douglas with 30 seconds remaining in the game sealed the win for the Sun. Taj McWilliams-Franklin led the Sun in scoring with 24 points, her personal best in a postseason game. Lindsay Whalen added a team-high seven rebounds and 12 points.

The Sun won the Eastern Conference Championship for the second consecutive year, with a 77-67 overtime victory over the Indiana Fever. Up by four with 1:31 to go in the game, Fever forward Tamika Catchings nailed three-pointer with 18.6 seconds left to send the game to overtime. In overtime, the Sun sealed the victory, outscoring Indiana 17-7 and capitalizing Indiana’s nine personal fouls. Taj McWilliams-Franklin led the Sun with 15 points and tied the team-high with seven rebounds. Tamika Catchings had 21 points for the Fever before fouling out with 53.2 seconds left in overtime.

2005 Western Conference Semi-Finals - Los Angeles Sparks vs. Sacramento Monarchs

The Monarchs used two early runs to open a 16-point lead, got 18 points apiece from Nicole Powell and Yolanda Griffith and overcame a late scare for a 75-72 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in the first game of their best-of-three Western Conference semifinal.

Sacramento opened the game on a 9-0 run and scored 10 straight to take a 23-7 lead with 12:44 left in the first half. Griffith scored 10 points in the opening 20 minutes, when the Monarchs shot a blistering 69 percent (20-of-29) to take a 47-34 lead at the half.
About midway through the second half, Chamique Holdsclaw and the Sparks took over and put together a 33-17 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Holdsclaw that cut the deficit to 73-70 with one minute left.

Ticha Penicheiro and Yolanda Griffith scored 13 points apiece as the Sacramento Monarchs held off the Sparks for an 81-63 win and a 2-0 sweep of their Western Conference semifinal series.

The Monarchs, who have bounced the Sparks from the playoffs the past two seasons, withstood Los Angeles' rally for a 75-72 win in Game 1 on Wednesday. They took a 43-29 lead into the locker room in this one before the Sparks threatened again.

Chamique Holdsclaw's lay-up pulled Los Angeles within 48-47 with 13:14 to go, and her club trailed, 56-54, at the midway mark of the second half before Sacramento pulled away. Kara Lawson, who scored 11 points, kicked off a 16-0 Monarchs run with a 3-pointer.

The Monarchs limited the Sparks' star duo of Holdsclaw and Lisa Leslie to 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting (24 percent). Tamika Whitmore scored 15 points for Los Angeles.

Nicole Powell clutch shooting forced overtime with a 3-pointer and sank a key jumper in the final minute as the Monarchs edged the Houston Comets, 73-69, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

A pull-up jumper by Sheryl Swoopes, who scored 19 points, gave the Comets a 61-60 lead with 27 seconds left in regulation. Kara Lawson, who started for Penicheiro, missed an open jumper and Michelle Snow made two foul shots for a 63-60 lead with 6.3 seconds to go.

Lawson scored 12 points and Walker 11 with six assists for Sacramento. Tina Thompson scored 18 points and Snow added 14 for Houston, which upended defending champion Seattle in the conference semifinals.

Ticha Penicheiro didn't need crutches, as was the case in Game 1. Kara Lawson and her Sacramento Monarchs teammates carried her to the WNBA Finals. Lawson scored 13 of her 18 points during a hot-shooting first half as the Monarchs rolled to a 74-65 victory over the Houston Comets.

Lawson was 5-of-5 shots in the first half, including three 3-pointers. The Monarchs shot a blistering 70 percent (19-of-27) and opened a 44-30 halftime lead over the Comets, who shot just 35 percent (11-of-31). A pair of 3-pointers by Sheryl Swoopes pulled Houston within 54-48 with 11:40 to play. Lawson answered with a 3-pointer to reverse the momentum, and Sacramento remained in control thereafter.

Yolanda Griffith scored 19 points and DeMya Walker added 13 off the bench for the Monarchs, who shot 53 percent (29-of-55). Walker made all five of her shots and Kristin Haynie was 4-of-5. Swoopes scored 24 points, Tina Thompson added 13 and Janeth Arcain 12 for the Comets, who shot under 40 percent (25-of-63) and were outrebounded, 36-25.

1997 – The Houston Comets defeat the New York Liberty 65-51 in their one-game Championship. Houston defeated Charlotte 70-54 in their semi-final game, while the Liberty did the same over Phoenix 59-41. Cynthia Cooper is named the League and Championship MVP.

1998 – With all playoff games expanding to the best of three, the Houston Comets still held-off their opponents to capture their second Championship defeating the Phoenix Mercury 2-1 (Phoenix 54-51, 74-69; 80-71).

Winning their semifinal series 2-0 (85-71; 77-61) over the Charlotte Sting, the Comets then advanced to meet the Mercury, winner of their series against the Cleveland Fever. Cynthia Cooper is named the League and Championship MVP for the second consecutive year.

1999 – The playoffs expanded, put that still didn’t stop the Comets from bringing home the trophy… winning their third consecutive championship, when they defeated the New York Liberty 2-1. Cynthia Cooper once again wins the Championship MVP.

First Round
Charlotte defeats Detroit, 1-0	Charlotte 60, Detroit 54	Los Angeles defeats Sacramento, 1-0	L.A. 71, Sacramento 58

Conference Finals
Houston defeats Los Angeles, 2-1	Los Angeles 75, Houston 60	New York defeats Charlotte, 2-1	Charlotte 78, New York 67
	Houston 83, Los Angeles 55		New York 74, Charlotte 70
	Houston 72, Los Angeles 62		New York 69, Charlotte 54
Championship
Houston defeats New York, 2-1
	Houston 73, New York 60
	New York 68, Houston 67

2000 – The Comets won their fourth consecutive Championship by defeating the Liberty 2-0. Cynthia Cooper continues her MVP dominance winning her fourth consecutive award, and Sheryl Swoopes pumped in 31 points, setting a new championship record.

First Round
Cleveland defeats Orlando, 2-1	Orlando 62, Cleveland 55	Los Angeles defeats Phoenix, 2-0	L.A. 86, Phoenix 71
	Cleveland 63, Orlando 54		L.A. 101, Phoenix
	Cleveland 72, Orlando 43	Houston defeats Sacramento, 2-0	Houston 72, Sacramento 64
New York defeats Washington, 2-0	New York 72, Washington 63		Houston 75, Sacramento 70
	New York 78, Washington 57
Conference Finals
New York defeats Cleveland, 2-1	Cleveland 56, New York 43	Houston defeats Los Angeles, 2-0	Houston 77, Los Angeles 56
	New York 51, Cleveland 45		Houston 74, Los Angeles 69
	New York 81, Cleveland 67
Championship
Houston defeats New York, 2-0
	Houston 59, New York 52
	Houston 79, New York 73 (OT)

2001 – Houston we have a problem… the LA Sparks won this Championship, by eliminating the Comets in their first-round series 2-0. Lisa Leslie's Most Valuable Player performance made her the first WNBA player to sweep all three MVP awards – regular-season, All-Star and Finals, all in the same season.

First Round
Charlotte defeats Cleveland, 2-1	Charlotte 53, Cleveland 46	Los Angeles defeats Houston, 2-0	Los Angeles 64, Houston 59
	Cleveland 69, Charlotte 51		Los Angeles 70, Houston 58
	Charlotte 72, Cleveland 64	Sacramento defeats Utah, 2-0	Sacramento 89, Utah 65
New York defeats Miami, 2-1	New York 62, Miami 46		Sacramento 71, Utah 66
	Miami 53, New York 50
	New York 72, Miami 61
Conference Finals
Charlotte defeats New York, 2-1	New York 61, Charlotte 57	Los Angeles defeats Sacramento, 2-1	L.A. 74, Sacramento 73
	Charlotte 62, New York 53		Sacramento 80, L.A. 60
	Charlotte 48, New York 44		L.A. 93, Sacramento 62
Finals
Los Angeles defeats Charlotte, 2-0
	L.A. 75, Charlotte 66
	L.A. 82, Charlotte 54

2002 – For the second consecutive year, the Sparks, swept their opponents, the New York Liberty, which has now been a bridesmaid in the Finals four times. Lisa Leslie was selected the Most Valuable Player of the Finals for the second straight year, averaging 16 points.

First Round
New York defeats Indiana, 2-1	Indiana 73, New York 55	Los Angeles defeats Seattle, 2-0	Los Angeles 78, Seattle 61
	New York 84, Indiana 65		Los Angeles 69, Seattle 59
	New York 75, Indiana 60	Utah defeats Houston, 2-1	Utah 66, Houston 59
Washington defeats Charlotte, 2-0	Washington 74, Charlotte 62		Houston 83, Utah 77
	Washington 62, Charlotte 59		Utah 75, Houston 72
Conference Finals
New York defeats Washington, 2-1	Washington 79, New York 74	Los Angeles defeats Utah, 2-0	Los Angeles 75, Utah 67
	New York 96, Washington 79		Los Angeles 103, Utah 77
	New York 64, Washington 57
Finals
Los Angeles defeats New York, 2-0
	L.A. 71, New York 63
	L.A. 69, New York 66

2003 – The Detroit Shock shocked the WNBA world by defeating the Sparks, to capture their first WNBA Championship behind their leader and MVP – Ruth Riley.

First Round
Los Angeles defeats Minnesota, 2-1	Minnesota 74, Los Angeles 72	Connecticut defeats Charlotte, 2-0	Connecticut 68, Charlotte 66
	Los Angeles 80, Minnesota 69		Connecticut 68, Charlotte 62
	Los Angeles 74, Minnesota 64	Detroit defeats Cleveland, 2-1	Detroit 76, Cleveland 74
Sacramento defeats Houston, 2-1	Sacramento 65, Houston 59		Cleveland 66, Detroit 59
	Houston 69, Sacramento 48		Detroit 77, Cleveland 63
	Sacramento 70, Houston 68
Conference Finals
Los Angeles defeats Sacramento, 2-1	Sacramento 77, Los Angeles 69	Detroit defeats Connecticut, 2-0	Detroit 73, Connecticut 63
	Los Angeles 79, Sacramento 54		Detroit 79, Connecticut 73
	Los Angeles 66, Sacramento 63
Finals
Detroit defeats Los Angeles, 2-1
	L.A. 75, Detroit 63
	Detroit 62, L.A. 61
	Detroit 83, L.A. 78

2004 – The Seattle Storm, led by MVP Betty Lennox and Sue Bird won their first-ever WNBA Championship by defeating the Connecticut Sun. Lennox averaged 22.3 ppg. In the tournament to win the MVP award, and coach Ann Donovan made history by becoming the first female coach to guide a team to the WNBA title.

First Round
Connecticut defeats Washington, 2-1	Washington 67, Connecticut 59	Seattle defeats Minnesota, 2-0	Seattle 70, Minnesota 58
	Connecticut 80, Washington 70		Seattle 64, Minnesota 54
	Connecticut 76, Washington 56	Sacramento defeats Los Angeles, 2-1	Sacramento 72, Los Angeles 52
New York defeats Detroit, 2-1	New York 75, Detroit 62		Los Angeles 71, Sacramento 57
	Detroit 76, New York 66		Sacramento 73, Los Angeles 58
	New York 66, Detroit 64
Conference Finals
Connecticut defeats New York, 2-0	Connecticut 61, New York 51	Seattle defeats Sacramento, 2-1	Sacramento 74, Seattle 72 OT
	Connecticut 60, New York 57		Seattle 66, Sacramento 54
			Seattle 82, Sacramento 62
Finals
Seattle defeats Connecticut, 2-1
	Connecticut 68, Seattle 64
	Seattle 67, Connecticut 65
	Seattle 74, Connecticut 60