Game Recognize Game: Sue Bird

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With the entire crowd on its feet in anticipation, it’s only a matter of time before Diana Taurasi does something magical. With the game tied late in the fourth and a championship on the line, the Phoenix Mercury legend goes to work, motoring toward the basket with her right hand despite a Chicago Sky defender attached to her hip. Taurasi still wins the battle, absorbing contact and converting an off-balance runner while falling away toward the baseline. The three-point play with less than 15 seconds to play gave the Mercury a lead it would not relinquish, and Taurasi’s otherworldly performance — 24 points, three rebounds, five assists and four triples — earned her the third title of her storied career in the 87-82 victory on September 12, 2014.

Diana Taurasi

In six seasons as Sue Bird’s teammate in Seattle, Breanna Stewart has become one of the faces of the WNBA. Already a four-time All-Star, two-time champion and Finals MVP, Stewart’s presence is a constant reminder that the league will be in good hands even after the legendary Bird’s retirement. The W’s leading scorer in 2022, Stewart shows that she’s got plenty of defensive prowess on hand too, sticking to an Atlanta Dream player and earning a thunderous rejection beneath the basket. Stewart was her usual dominant self on July 24, 2022, posting 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks in an 82-72 triumph.

Breanna Stewart

The longevity of an epic career is aided by great teammates and Sue Bird has had no shortage of those over the last 19 seasons. Consider Lauren Jackson one of the best of the bunch. In Game 2 of the 2010 WNBA Finals, Bird corrals a loose ball in Seattle’s defensive zone and immediately trains her eyes on Jackson, already long gone in transition against the Atlanta Dream. Able to corral a long outlet pass from Bird, Jackson - a three-time MVP - works a give-and-go with another teammate then finishes the play under the basket. Jackson’s enormous effort of 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals paced the Storm to an 87-84 victory on September 14, 2010, helping to pave the way for her second championship and first Finals MVP award two days later.

Lauren Jackson

With a championship on the line in a tight fourth-quarter showdown, strategy becomes simple: get the ball to Sylvia Fowles and get out of her way. Sensing her second ring and Finals MVP award in three years, the longtime Minnesota Lynx center does what she does best, battling for a tough bucket in the paint, despite being outnumbered by two Los Angeles Sparks defenders. Fowles racked up 17 points and 20 rebounds - breaking her own WNBA Finals record - to go along with four assists, two steals and three blocks as her squad claimed its fourth title in seven years on October 4, 2017.

Sylvia Fowles

When you’re the WNBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goal percentage at .458, there is no shot you won’t take with confidence. Jennifer Azzi showcases that legendary stroke against the Phoenix Mercury, pushing the ball up the court while facing a rapidly draining clock and unleashing a prayer at halfcourt that beats the buzzer and hits nothing but net. The San Antonio Silver Stars walked away with an 81-70 win on July 5, 2003, aided by Azzi’s 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Jennifer Azzi

If having a relentless motor and a versatile skill set on both ends of the floor is the key to a lengthy career, then Rhyne Howard is here for the long haul. Proving to be double trouble in a matter of seconds, the Atlanta Dream guard showcases her basketball intelligence with an opportune cut into the lane, snaring a dish from a teammate in the post and earning an easy deuce off the glass. Then, instead of rushing back on defense, Howard’s awareness takes center stage, lingering just long enough to pick off a lazy Chicago Sky inbound pass and rise up to bury a baseline jumper. Howard’s willingness to do it all for her squad earned her 16 points, four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and her highlight-reel steal on June 17, 2022.

Rhyne Howard

The mark of an elite ball handler is the ability to remain calm under pressure. Despite being face-guarded by an Atlanta Dream defender, Arike Ogunbowale displays her patented handle while dribbling through traffic. Fooling her defender with the help of a timely pick, the Dallas Wings guard then charts her path into the paint, beating two help defenders to her spot and connecting on a jumper from just inside the foul line. Named an All-Star for the second consecutive season, Ogunbowale left little doubt as to why by torching the Dream for 21 points, five rebounds, eight assists and five blocks in the 81-68 victory on July 30, 2022.

Arike Ogunbowale

Following in your leader’s footsteps is never a bad plan, especially when that leader’s name is Sue Bird. Having made more than 1,000 three-pointers at a success rate over 39 percent, Bird never met a shot she didn’t think she could make; now, it’s clear that this quality has rubbed off on Jewell Loyd, Bird’s backcourt mate with the Seattle Storm for the last eight seasons. With the first-quarter clock rapidly diminishing, Loyd receives an urgent pass behind the arc and, despite having her back turned when she catches the rock, still manages to nail a turnaround triple at the buzzer. Loyd tallied a game-high 26 points against the Phoenix Mercury on May 11, 2022.

Jewell Loyd

The best way for a rookie to endear herself to teammates is to make life easier for everyone else on the roster. Nikolina Milic is happy to oblige. Playing in her first career game, the Minnesota Lynx reserve center wastes no time providing value, catching a pass atop the key before immediately flicking a smooth, one-handed bounce pass into the waiting fingertips of Sylvia Fowles for an easy deuce. Milic made a quick impact, needing only 12 minutes to contribute seven points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal against the Seattle Storm on May 6, 2022.

Nikolina Milic

When you draw as many double teams as Sabrina Ionescu does, the ability to thread the needle and set up open teammates becomes a must-have skill. Commanding the respect of the Atlanta Dream, Ionescu takes two defenders with her on a dribble handoff, before freezing them just long enough to drop in a no-look bounce pass down the lane for an open score. The New York Liberty star was in do-it-all mode on June 30, 2022, tallying 17 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. Putting the league on notice, she would soon be named Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Sabrina Ionescu

Never shy about reaching deep into her bag of tricks, Las Vegas Aces star guard Kelsey Plum has an offensive skill set that leaves defenders with two choices: watch her score or stop her with a foul. Working a dribble handoff against the Los Angeles Sparks, Plum shows that sometimes neither idea works, using a quick hesitation-spin combination to get into the lane for a contested and-one bucket. Plum was in takeover mode, scoring or assisting on 13 of the Aces’ 20 fourth-quarter points to guide a 79-73 win on June 27, 2022. She dominated to the tune of 29 points, five assists, four three-pointers and three steals.

Kelsey Plum

Benefitting from both good health and a new home with the Minnesota Lynx, Moriah Jefferson has wasted zero time making an impact with her new squad. Showing off the limitless energy that’s become her calling card, Jefferson sneaks in at the last second to break up an errant Phoenix Mercury inbound pass attempt before capping the play with a silky smooth one-handed reverse layup to fire up her teammates. The Lynx guard was on her A-game against the defending Western Conference Champions, leading a balanced scoring charge with 21 points, three rebounds, five assists, three three-pointers and two steals in a 100-88 win on June 23, 2022.

Moriah Jefferson

Basketball is the ultimate team sport, but sometimes you’ve got to take matters into your own hands. Sensing the urgency of a rapidly winding clock, Alyssa Thomas takes an inbound pass in the backcourt, then races the entire length of the floor, zipping by three Seattle Storm defenders to lay the ball in the cup and beat the first-quarter buzzer. One of the most well-rounded players in the league, the Connecticut Sun forward filled the box score with 19 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals in an 88-83 win on July 28, 2022.

Alyssa Thomas

Owners of the league’s fastest-paced offense two years in a row, Las Vegas Aces guards don’t waste time racking up highlights. In the blink of an eye, Jackie Young leaves a Seattle Storm defender in the dust, opting out of her patented dribble pull-up in favor of a nifty hesitation move for an easy score. Young, a first-time All-Star, helped fuel an 85-74 win over a title-contending Storm team on May 8, 2022, putting in 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting, along with three rebounds, three assists, two three-pointers and a steal.

Jackie Young

Among the WNBA’s fiercest competitors, Sophie Cunningham knows plenty of ways to change the spectrum of a game. With the New York Liberty focused on defending a potential pick-and-roll, Cunningham eases into an unoccupied spot on the wing before calmly sinking a three-point bucket. Ramping her game to a new level since becoming a starter, Cunningham poured in 23 points — including 17 in the first quarter — on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting to go with five rebounds, an assist, a steal and three three-pointers in a hard-fought 84-81 Phoenix Mercury victory on July 7, 2022.

Sophie Cunningham

Even after 19 seasons in one of the most storied careers in WNBA history, Sue Bird still has the ability to dazzle with her slick passing tricks. Controlling the ball at the top of the key, the Seattle Storm backcourt legend fools the defense with a quick head fake to her right before instantly slinging a perfect pass over the top into the lane where she finds a teammate for an easy layup off the glass. It was business as usual for Bird in this one, dishing a team-high seven assists to go along with three rebounds, a steal and two three-pointers in a tight 74-71 victory over the Chicago Sky on May 18, 2022.

Sue Bird

Patrolling the paint for one of the WNBA’s premier defenses, Ezi Magbegor has swatted dozens of shots into the crowd during her breakout 2022 season. Quickly rotating over to defend a wide-open New York Liberty player at the rim, Magbegor expertly times her jump, denying a layup attempt with authority. The up-and-coming Seattle Storm big made quite the impact in the 81-72 win on June 19, 2022, with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks.

Ezi Magbegor

Now in her 15th WNBA season, Candace Parker is still able to impress with her do-it-all ability. The Chicago Sky legend showcases her skills on both ends, snatching a defensive rebound before leading her team up the court in transition. Despite being chased by defenders from all angles, Parker maintains her handle from foul line to foul line before depositing a no-look pass to a teammate streaking to her left, who finishes with an easy layup. The Connecticut Sun had no answers for Parker’s multi-faceted attack, stuffing the stat sheet with a team-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and four three-pointers in a 91-83 victory on June 29, 2022.

Candace Parker

When the shot clock starts to wind down, having an all-time great bucket getter is the ultimate cheat code. Fighting off a hounding Atlanta Dream defense, Elena Delle Donne somehow finds a way to recover a loose ball and rise up for a 25-foot fall-away three-pointer all in one motion. That buzzer-beating triple helped the Washington Mystics open up a late 12-point lead on their way to an 85-66 victory on July 6, 2022. Leading the way, Delle Donne contributed a game-high 26 points, eight rebounds, an assist and two three-pointers.

Elena Delle Donne

No offensive possession is truly over when Victoria Vivians is on the prowl. With the Seattle Storm looking to push the tempo in transition following a blocked shot, Vivians lunges into the frame and intercepts a lethargic bounce pass to give her team second life, dribbling strongly into the lane and confronting a defender head-on for the and-one finish at the rim. The Indiana Fever guard’s strong work ethic was on display throughout, tallying nine points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a three-pointer on July 5, 2022.

Victoria Vivians

The key to becoming a deadeye shooter is being fearless no matter the situation, and Lexie Brown saves her biggest makes for the most clutch moments. With her Los Angeles Sparks clinging to a one point fourth-quarter lead, Brown pinballs around a screen and finds open real estate at the top of the key before calmly burying a three-pointer. Her fourth triple — along with 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals — gave the Sparks all the cushion they needed to close out a 78-75 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on July 4, 2022.

Lexie Brown

After falling into an early hole, it certainly helps having one of the WNBA’s all-time greats on your side. With the Phoenix Mercury down 15 after one quarter, Diana Taurasi entered takeover mode in the second, pouring in 13 points to bring her team back into the fight. Far from done then, Taurasi showcases her legendary skills on the defensive end, staying in lockstep with a Washington Mystics ball handler driving before coming away with an emphatic fourth-quarter rejection. The opportune block preserved a late six-point lead, allowing the Mercury to prevail 80-75 thanks to her all-around effort of 29 points, seven rebounds, five triples, two assists, two blocks and a steal on July 14, 2022.

Skylar Diggins-Smith has long been one of the most versatile players in the league, so it’s never a surprise to see her well-rounded arsenal on display on both ends of the court. Starting on defense, the Phoenix Mercury guard stands tall in a one-on-one scenario, swatting a shot attempt in the lane and sending her team the other way in transition. With her motor constantly running, Diggins-Smith glides the length of the floor, using her downhill momentum to grab a pass before switching hands to convert a sleek reverse layup. The six-time All-Star filled up the stat sheet, contributing 25 points, three assists and three steals against the Chicago Sky on July 2, 2022.

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Give DeWanna Bonner an inch and find out the hard way that she will take a mile. Showing absolutely no hesitation from long distance, the Connecticut Sun forward lulls her still-unset defender into a false sense of security before calmly pulling up from 31 feet and burying a difficult triple. Bonner had it going from deep early, connecting on all four of her three-pointers in the first quarter, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal in a 97-90 road win over the Las Vegas Aces on June 2, 2022.

DeWanna Bonner

Having elite court vision is a sure-fire way to establish a dominant transition attack. Following a rejection on the defensive end, Kahleah Copper scoops up a loose ball, takes one dribble, then lasers a lengthy outlet pass up the floor into the waiting hands of a teammate, who catches the assist in stride. Copper’s heads-up play was consistent throughout, tallying 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Chicago Sky’s 91-83 win over the Connecticut Sun on June 29, 2022.

Kahleah Copper

When you can create your own shot in any scenario the way Jewell Loyd can, it’s shaping up to be a long night for the opposing defense. Loyd takes a handoff from a teammate on the left wing, moving through traffic to her right before switching hands with a slick behind-the-back dribble and step-back fadeaway jumper to fool a helpless Las Vegas Aces defender. Loyd was unstoppable all night, pouring in a game-high 24 points to go with two rebounds, four assists, a steal and four three-pointers while leading the Seattle Storm to an 88-78 triumph on June 29, 2022.

Already boasting a WNBA scoring title early in her career, no made shot comes as a surprise for Arike Ogunbowale. Battling both an elite Seattle Storm defense and a quickly-winding shot clock, the Dallas Wings star enters must-score mode, raising into her form for a 32-foot three-point bomb to the delight of ecstatic teammates. The tough bucket helped the Wings open a 13-point lead in the third quarter on the way to a demonstrative 68-51 victory on June 3, 2022. Ogunbowale helped lead the charge with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and a game-high three triples.

Get too distracted by how effortlessly Marine Johannès can score, and you might miss out on how capable of a passer she is. Finding one of her go-to pick-and-roll partners, Johannès unleashes a difficult, one-handed bounce pass through the Washington Mystics’ defense with pinpoint precision, setting up a teammate for a wide-open score. The New York Liberty guard proved impactful in a 77-65 win on June 16, 2022, divvying up seven assists, along with four points, four rebounds, a steal and a block.

Marine Johannès

It hasn’t taken long for Tina Charles to make a major impact in her new surroundings. Less than a month after signing with the Seattle Storm, Charles displays her reputation as a rim disruptor, dropping into the low block and emphatically rejecting an Atlanta Dream shot from behind thanks to some pinpoint help defense. Charles reached a major milestone in the 82-72 victory, becoming just the fourth player in league history to score 7,000 points in her career, posting 27 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, four three-pointers, an assist and a steal on July 24, 2022.

Tina Charles

Try to throw a pass with Brittney Sykes in the area and you’re going to regret it. One of the WNBA’s most talented perimeter defenders, Sykes shows off both her IQ and instincts, deflecting a Seattle Storm pass attempt before finishing the play with a halfcourt heave that beats the buzzer. Sykes was in defense-to-offense mode throughout the Los Angeles Sparks’ 85-77 win, tallying up 15 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals on June 25, 2022.

Brittney Sykes

When two teams atop the standings square off, big moments come naturally. Locked in a tight fourth-quarter battle against the Seattle Storm, Emma Meesseman saves her best for last, putting the ball on the floor to get to the basket, pump fakes a defender out of her shoes and then finishes the play with a slick reverse layup. Meesseman’s conversion with just over a minute left was the difference maker, leading the Chicago Sky to its fifth straight victory and clinching a playoff berth in the process. Meeseman filled the box score with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a steal in the 78-74 triumph on July 20, 2022.

Emma Meesseman

A deep, productive bench is a critical advantage for any team, especially double-overtime. Not afraid to get to work in the extra frame, Minnesota Lynx reserve Jessica Shepard puts her strength on display, catching a pass in the post and beating her defender one-on-one with a pretty spin move while absorbing contact for an and-one. Shepard was a key to victory for her squad, chipping in 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 118-107 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on July 12, 2022.

Jessica Shepard

The bigger the moment, the more likely Natasha Cloud will rise to the occasion. With the halftime buzzer imminent, Cloud wastes no time getting to work, inbounding the ball to a teammate before immediately receiving a handoff behind the arc, taking one dribble and firing from deep just in the nick of time to tie the score heading into the locker room. Cloud was also clutch late, sinking a pair of fourth-quarter free throws with less than 25 seconds remaining to help the Washington Mystics prevail over the Atlanta Dream. The Mystics backcourt stalwart posted 16 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal in Washington’s 78-73 victory on May 20, 2022.

Natasha Cloud

In her five seasons, Kelsey Mitchell has quickly become one of the league’s most prolific scorers because she knows a multitude of ways to get buckets. The Washington Mystics defense was her latest victim, as Mitchell takes a pass off a pick-and-roll and, using slick handles, slices her way through three defenders in the lane before finishing with an underhand layup. The Indiana Fever guard was in the zone, scoring a team-high 26 points with four assists, three triples and a steal on May 31, 2022.

Kelsey Mitchell

The key to second-chance points hinges on determination, hustle and grit. Just ask Ariel Atkins, who catches a high pass behind the arc before driving into the lane with her left hand. Atkins has her layup attempt blocked at the rim by a Phoenix Mercury defender, but staying with the play, the Washington Mystics guard grabs her own miss and scores a hard-earned and-one layup. It was a successful day at the office for Atkins, who contributed 14 points, two rebounds, an assist and a trio of three-pointers on July 14, 2022.

Ariel Atkins

When a team is cold from outside, it pays to have a frontcourt star capable of taking over down low. On a night when her New York Liberty missed 25 three-pointers, Natasha Howard sensed a golden opportunity to step up.After catching a pass over the top, between three Washington Mystics defenders, Howard finesses her way around everyone for a tough finish off the glass. The Liberty outscored Washington by 20 in the paint thanks to Howard’s 27-point, nine-rebound effort in the 77-65 win on June 16, 2022.

Natasha Howard

Strong, quick footwork separates good frontcourt players from truly special ones. Nneka Ogwumike shows she belongs with the latter, catching a teammate’s pass on the low block before getting her defender out of position with a flawless spin move, resulting in a hard-earned lay-in off the glass. The Los Angeles Sparks forward was her usual dominant self, scoring a team-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds, two steals and an assist in a 99-94 win against the Phoenix Mercury on May 25, 2022.

Nneka Ogwumike

Of all the attributes Brionna Jones has in her bag of tricks, her timing may be the crown jewel. The Connecticut Sun forward saved her team from double overtime thanks to exceptional help defense, dropping into the lane to cover for a fallen-down teammate and swatting an opponent’s shot at the rim 1.9 seconds before the buzzer. The two-time All-Star’s second rejection of the game — along with four rebounds and three steals — preserved a 74-72 overtime win over the Washington Mystics on July 3, 2022.

Brionna Jones

Matched up against a juggernaut opponent, it pays to get off to a hot start. Not afraid to attack early, Atlanta Dream guard Tiffany Hayes puts the ball on the floor against the Las Vegas Aces, muscles into the lane to confront three defenders, then puts up an off-balance runner that somehow finds the basket for an acrobatic and-one. Hayes scored 11 of her season-high 31 points in the first quarter — along with three rebounds, four triples, a steal and an assist — building a 17-point lead en route to a 92-76 road win on July 19, 2022.

Game Recognize Game: Sue Bird

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