We Want WNBA 3

May 5

Atlanta 87, Washington 80

Above: Monique Billings

Forward Monique Billings came off of the bench to score 13 points on 5-7 shooting in 13 minutes of action, guiding the Atlanta Dream in a win over the host Washington Mystics. Billings shared the team lead in scoring with Odyssey Sims who produced her 13 points in 18 minutes. Billings also led the Mystics with seven rebounds. Entering her fourth season with the Dream, after a collegiate career at UCLA, Billings averaged a career best 8.5 points and 8.5 rebounds during the 2020 season.

Below: Odyssey Sims

Sims, a 5-8 guard out of Baylor is entering her eighth season, first with Atlanta. She had her best season as a rookie with the now defunct Tulsa Shock when she averaged 16.7 points per game. Over her career she has averaged 12.8 points and 3.9 assists in seasons with Dallas, Los Angeles and Minnesota. She also led Atlanta in steals during the preseason game with three swipes.

Below: Cheyenne Parker

Another new member of the Dream, forward Cheyenne Parker scored 10 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked one shot in 16 minutes of play.

Below: Tina Charles

Washington was led in scoring by veteran center Tina Charles. The 6-4 star player posted 18 points in 20 minutes. The Mystics also got a double-double from Jillian Alleyne who had 10 points and 12 rebounds off of the bench.

May 8

Connecticut Sun 89, Dallas Wings 76

Above: Brionna Jones

The visiting Connecticut Sun beat the Dallas Wings in a 13-point win. The Sun were up 21 points as Dallas outscored them 27-19 to make the score more respectable. Fifth year forward Brionna Jones led Connecticut with 22 points on 9-14 shooting. She also had nine rebounds and one block. Last season was Jones' best year as she averaged 11.2 points. Prior to 2020, she'd never averaged more than nine minutes and 3.5 points per game. Last year she played a career high 26 minutes per game. Connecticut rookie, DiJonai Carrington hit two of her five attempts from three, while posting 16 points.

Below: DiJonai Carrington

Dallas was led by fifth year small forward Allisha Gray's 19 points and nine boards. Charli Collier, the first pick of the WNBA Draft, posted 10 points and 10 boards for Dallas. She struggled offensively shooting 3-13.

Below: Allisha Gray

May 9 and May 11

Indiana and Chicago split two games

On May 9, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky played their first game of the preseason in Indianapolis. The Fever were victorious in the opener in an 82-65 route. Rookie Chelsey Perry played 14 minutes and nailed three-of-four three pointers to share the team lead with 16 points. She did so as a reserve just as Tiffany Mitchell did making six of her eight shot attempts in her 16-point effort. Indiana dominated on the boards outrebounding Chicago 49-31.

Below: Tiffany Mitchell

Teaira McCowan, a 6-7 center who is entering her third season had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Another rookie pitched in as Unique Thompson grabbed seven rebounds for the Fever.

Below: Teiara McCowan

Chicago was led by Kahleah Copper's 14 points in 19 minutes of play.

On May 11, both teams travelled to Chicago where the Sky won 83-70. Chicago's Candace Parker made her debut for her hometown team after one of the most decorated careers in WNBA history with the Los Angeles Sparks. Parker posted 12 points on 5-13 shooting and a team best six rebounds. The Sky were led in scoring by Astou Ndour-Fall's 13 points. She had five rebounds as well.

Below: Astou Ndour-Fall

In this contest Chicago held the rebounding edge 40-28. Indiana was led in scoring by small forward Victoria Vivians' 15-point performance. She was the only Indiana player to score 10 or more points. Indiana's first round pick Kysre Gondrezick made her pre-season debut scoring two points, with three assists and a steal. She only shot the ball two times in 16 minutes of action.

Below: Victoria Vivians