Aussies in WNBA: Phillips and Taylor find form
The 2016 WNBA season has commenced, with four Australians taking to the court alongside one head coach. We take a look at the opening games of the season to see how the Aussies have started out with their teams.
Erin PHILLIPS | Dallas Wings
Opals go-to guard Erin Phillips has suited up for the Dallas Wings for the first time, after recent stints with Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever.
Whilst Dallas are sitting at 2-2, they would be pleased with Phillips’ ability to step up and control plays in the absence of Skylar Diggins who is recovering from an ACL injury.
Phillips dominated in Dallas' most recent game, knocking down three 3-pointers and finishing with 16 points to help her side defeat the Washington Mystics on the road.
Phillips also impressed in the first game of the season for Dallas, where she got 10 points on the board as they went down to Phillips' old side Indiana by 28 points. She also scored the first ever bucket for the Wings!
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/731618662503698432
Penny TAYLOR | Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix veteran Penny Taylor has again suited up for the Mercury this season, and has stuck true to her brilliant form averaging 9.5 points and 21.5 minutes and a 1-3 start to their season.
Taylor sets the pace for her team, and was quite instrumental in their win over Seattle Storm in the opening round with 15 points. Taylor scored 13 points in the second quarter alone and helped her team overcome an early deficit, and inspired her teammates to get a win on the board.
Taylor's dynamic ability to take the ball to the rim and also her ability to defensively match up against the most versatile of players makes her one of the WNBA's most impressive players.
Whilst Phoenix won’t be too happy with their start to the season, with Taylor setting the pace alongside Taurasi they are sure to make a huge statement this year.
PENNY T FOR 3! Mercury up 11-6 against the Lynx on @espn! #MercAtLynxpic.twitter.com/8rF1cfbVhg
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 14, 2016
Abby BISHOP | Seattle Storm
With Abby Bishop recovering from an injury that’s had her sidelined for much of the Opals preparation camps recently, the tall forward is finding her rhythm again with the Seattle Storm.
Her most instrumental game was the Storm’s win over Phoenix in their second game of the season, with Bishop getting 10 points on the board in 22 minutes.
With Bishop averaging 15 minutes per game, it's great to see her getting quality games under her belt after a concerning injury involving blood clots.
Jenna O'HEA | Seattle Storm
The Storm, proving to be fond of the Aussie’s style of play, also have Australian Jenna O’Hea on their roster. O’Hea is yet to play however, as she is currently on route to Seattle from France after her side Montpellier won the France Championship earlier this month.
Le chassé-croisé continue entre le @BasketLMA et @BourgesBasket ! Quel match ! #PlayoffsLFBpic.twitter.com/jhRgEk8OW4
— Ma Chaine Sport (@machainesport) May 15, 2016
With O'Hea cementing her place in the WNBA well in recent years, she will be full of confidence and ready to make a big impact for Seattle.
With a lot of Australia's own opting out of the WNBA season ahead of the Rio Olympics, it's good to see these four getting games into them and providing sparks and matching up impressively for their teams.