Top 3 (AND 1!) Games to Watch — June 17–23

This week’s list of games to watch features some of the league’s top-performing teams, including the top two teams in each conference facing off, and some that are still trying to find ways to win consistently. All four games are available on national TV or streaming on Twitter, so be sure to tune in for some exciting basketball.

Before we get to the Her Hoop Stats games to watch for this week, take a look at the results from last week’s games.

• Washington Mystics 75, Connecticut Sun 83
• Los Angeles Sparks 85, Phoenix Mercury 68
• Seattle Storm 67, Connecticut Sun 81
• Las Vegas Aces 80, Minnesota Lynx 75

Her Hoop Stats Games to Watch

Indiana Fever (4–4) at Atlanta Dream (1–5)

Wednesday, June 19, at 11 AM ET — Twitter, Bounce TV

Take a midday break to watch two teams whose performances look very different than last season. The Fever have already racked up more than half as many wins as they got in all of 2018, while the Dream are not living up to the expectations set by their semifinal appearance last year.

The Fever have been strong on offense, ranking second in the WNBA with an offensive rating of 105.7. They are also second in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 44.2 percent from the floor. Five players are contributing at least 10 points per game: Kelsey Mitchell (15.8), Tiffany Mitchell (12.9), Natalie Achnowa (11.6), Candice Dupree (11.5) and Erica Wheeler (10.8). They are not as successful on defense; their 104.2 defensive rating is third to last in the league. Rookie Teaira McCowan is still adjusting to the WNBA, but is a solid defensive contributor in limited minutes. When she is on the floor, she pulls down 21.4 percent of opponent misses and blocks 8.5 percent of opponent two-point attempts.

Just like in 2018, the Dream got off to a slow start in 2019. After winning their first game, the team has lost five in a row. Atlanta has struggled on offense; they are last in the league in offensive rating (86.3) and field goal percentage (36.4%). The Dream have been stronger on defense, ranking seventh with a defensive rating of 101.6. Atlanta is tough in the paint, averaging a league-high 6.8 blocks per game. Still, their defensive performance hasn’t been enough to make up for their poor shooting. Watch to see if they can find their offensive rhythm and return to last year’s level.

Washington Mystics (4–3) at Las Vegas Aces (4–3)

Thursday, June 20, at 10 PM ET — CBS Sports Network, MyLVTV, Monumental

This matchup features a top offense and a top defense. The Mystics lead the league in offensive rating at 111.6, while the Aces are first in defensive rating at 90.9. Las Vegas will be looking for their newly acquired superstar, Liz Cambage, to be a bigger factor on both sides of the court. Her 33.8 usage rate in the limited minutes she’s played hints at the role she could play once she’s fully healthy and integrated into the team.

Washington’s offense has been hard to stop. They lead the WNBA with a 50.2 effective field goal percentage and 1.9 assist to turnover ratio. Team play has been key to their offensive success. The Mystics get assists on 69.1% of their baskets, which ranks first in the league, and four active players are averaging double-digit points per game: Elena Delle Donne (14.8), Aerial Powers (11.8), Natasha Cloud (11.6), and Kristi Toliver (10.9). Ariel Atkins is right behind, adding 9.9 points per game. The Mystics are without Emma Meesseman, who is averaging 13.3 points per game over three games, as she is overseas for EuroBasket.

Kayla McBride is leading Las Vegas on offense, averaging 17.3 points per game with a 60.6 effective field goal percentage. Liz Cambage adds 15.2 points per game in limited minutes. Still, their offense ranks in the bottom half of league with an offensive rating of 98.5. The Aces have been more successful on the other side of the court, holding their opponents to just 37.4 percent shooting. They lead the league in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 76.5 percent of opponent misses. Tune in to see if they can stop the Washington scoring machine.

Los Angeles Sparks (4–3) at Seattle Storm (5–4)

Friday, June 21, at 10:30 PM ET — CBS Sports Network, JOEtv, Spectrum SportsNet

Though both teams are missing key players, they have been finding ways to win. In fact, the Sparks are first and the Storm are second in the Western Conference standings. Not only are the Sparks missing Candace Parker, but they are also adjusting to new head coach Derek Fisher and the addition of Chiney Ogwumike. The Storm are missing reigning MVP Breanna Stewart for the entire season and team leader Sue Bird for at least a few more weeks.

The Sparks have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league, 99.7, and have held opponents to just 40.4 percent shooting. Their offensive rating of 100.0 also ranks fifth in the league. Chelsea Grey leads the team’s offense, averaging 16.7 points per game. When she’s on the floor, she assists on 30.3 percent of her teammates' baskets and 25.3 percent of possessions end with her taking a shot, getting to the line, or turning the ball over. Nneka Ogwumike (15.3 points per game) and Chiney Ogwumike (14.9) round out the team’s scoring.

The Storm are near the middle of the pack on both sides of the court, ranking sixth in offensive rating (99.7) and fourth in defensive rating (97.3). Natasha Howard has stepped up to lead the team in the absence of Stewart and Bird, averaging 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. Jewell Loyd (16 points per game) and Jordin Canada (9.8) have also contributed to the team’s offense, but have struggled with efficiency. An injury to Canada in last week’s game against the Mystics highlights both the team’s tenuous position and their approach to making it work. Newcomer Blake Dietrick played strong defense and Mercedes Russell racked up her first career double-double to eke out a win. Watch to see if they can find a way to beat a Los Angeles team that is finding its footing.

Connecticut Sun (8–1) at Chicago Sky (4–2)

Sunday, June 23, at 6 PM ET — NBA TV, The U Too, NESN

The Sun are dominating the league, but the Sky have found some success this season as well, ranking second in the Eastern Conference standings. Connecticut moved on quickly from the trade of Chiney Ogwumike while Chicago is making steady improvement under new head coach James Wade.

The Sun have started the season strong, with their only loss coming against the Sparks. They rank third in offensive rating (102.2) and second in defensive rating (93.4). Jonquel Jones has stepped easily into a starring role, averaging 17.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Courtney Williams (13.9 points per game), Alyssa Thomas (11.0), and Jasmine Thomas (10.6) are also strong contributors on offense. On defense, Connecticut limits opponents to just 25.8 percent shooting from three. This could be a problem for the Sky, who score 28.1 percent of their points from beyond the arc, second-highest in the WNBA.

The Sky rank tenth in offensive rating (98.0) and sixth in defensive rating (100.5). Point guard Courtney Vandersloot led the league in 2018 with a 43.4 assist percentage and she’s taking on the same leading role in 2019, assisting on 41.8 percent of her teammates’ baskets when she’s on the floor. Diamond DeShields is continuing her success from last season as well, averaging 14.0 points per game. The team has struggled with turnovers, averaging 16.8 per game, next to last in the WNBA. Tune in to see if an improving Chicago squad can hold their own against the top team in the league.

If you like this content, please support our work at Her Hoop Stats by subscribing for just $20 a year. All stats are compiled from Basketball-Reference.com/WNBA and stats.wnba.com. Statistics are for games played through June 15, 2019.