The San Antonio Stars are still searching for their first win of the season and now face the Seattle Storm. The Stars (0-7) are coming off a loss at the hands of Connecticut Sun. The Storm’s (4-2) last game was a loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Here are three things to watch.
Will Vickie Johnson start a three guard lineup?
Against the Sun, when Moriah Jefferson, Kayla McBride and Kelsey Plum shared the floor together, the offense still ran smoothly. The defense also did not suffer as much. So, it will be intriguing to see how coach Johnson handles all three moving forward.
Jefferson is at her best when she is facilitating in offensive sets, McBride excels in catch-and-shoot situations, and Plum operates best when she is looking for her shots.
With three players with different strengths, it makes sense to see what they can do together.
How will the Stars contain Breanna Stewart?
By her standards, Stewart has had a relatively slow start to the season. In six games, she is averaging 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. However, she is more than capable of exploding for a monster game.
Stewart is a walking mismatch for basically every team in the WNBA. Her combination of length, athleticism, and skill makes her a tough assignment for defenders. She also is a force defensively, as she averages 1.4 blocks per game.
Keeping her quiet for a majority of the game will be huge for the Stars’ chances. If she manages to get hot, it could be a long night for San Antonio.
Can San Antonio put it together for a full 40 minutes?
The Stars have struggled to play consistently for an entire game, which is a sign of youth. However, as always, maintaining a strong effort on both ends of the floor will determine the outcome.
Seattle’s offense can be explosive, especially from behind the arch. In fact, the Storm’s perimeter attack features Sami Whitcomb, the WNBA’s leader in three-point percentage. So it’s safe to say closing out on the perimeter has to be a focus. Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd are dangerous playmakers that have the ability to get hot as well.
Offensively, the Stars will have to find balance. Against Connecticut, McBride was the only player to score more than 15 points. As a whole, the team shot 40 percent from the floor and 47 percent from downtown. While those shooting numbers are solid, the rest of the team will have to increase their scoring production.
