Aussies in WNBA: LJ honoured, Penny still sidelined
The Los Angeles Sparks are well and truly in running for a championship title this year, boasting an impressive 20-3 record. Minnesota are loudly making their own path to the championship, with an almost impressive 19-4 record. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury are also making their own late surges to success, proving the high level of talent and close level of ability across the WNBA.
It's currently the final week of play before a month-long break due to the Olympics, with the final games to be played on Friday, 22 July with the season resuming on Friday, 26 August.
Players of the Week
Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
The tall, versatile forward has been on the verge of winning the honours all season, and has finally been named after a huge 35 point and 11 rebound game. Her performance included making the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second remaining to give the Sky a 91-88 road victory against Seattle.
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/755092501824929792
Nneka Ogwumike improved her brilliant MVP-like season this week, and was rightfully announced as the Western Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season.
Ogwumike made 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks in the Sparks' road victory over the Sky, then backed it up with 22 points and 10 rebounds against the Connecticut Sun. She then finished her week with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the Sparks surprise loss to the Atlanta Dream.
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/754775300664360960
Aussie Update
Penny Taylor is still sitting on the sidelines for the Mercury, whilst Erin Phillips' minutes have gone right down in playing behind Skylar Diggins but also possibly a preventative and protective measure ahead of the Rio Olympics. However Phillips still managed to pick up 6 points in the Wings' loss to Chicago Sky earlier in the week.
Rebecca Allen has been holding her spot steady for the Liberty, registering a solid 19 minutes in their tough loss to the Lynx.
The rest of our Aussies have quietened right down, and hopefully can get some quality preparation into themselves whilst the Olympic break occurs to be ready and firing after.
Storm retires LJ jersey
The Seattle Storm this week retired the #15 jersey of Australian legend Lauren Jackson in a massive tribute to her success and her legacy to not just the Storm, but the entire WNBA and women's basketball worldwide.
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/754178206672969729
https://twitter.com/laurenej15/status/754194863294341120