Tag: Natasha Howard

Photo Courtesy of Susan Lesch

2019 WNBA Playoffs: Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm Preview

The second round of the WNBA Playoffs start today with a single elimination game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm. The Sparks earned the third seed giving them a first round bye while the sixth seeded Storm had to defeat the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. The Storm were in control the whole game against the Lynx winning 84-74. But today’s matchup flips the script for the Storm who come into this game as the underdog.

Not only is Seattle the lower seed, but they lost the regular season series to L.A. (3-1) and their most recent matchup, just ten days ago, saw L.A. win 102-68. In that game, Candace Parker had 20 points accompanied with nine rebounds for the Sparks alongside her teammate, Nneka Ogwumike who had a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. The Sparks have won three straight games and are tied with the Connecticut Sun for the best home record in the WNBA with a record of 15-2.

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The Storm will have their hands full when they walk into the Spark’s home court later today, but they are hoping their players can step up like they did last game against the Lynx. Seattle’s leading scorer, Natasha Howard, was limited to just two points on Wednesday and would typically be cause for concern, however they had other players shooting lights out on the court. Jordin Canada had a career-high 26 points. She has the task of filling the role of Sue Bird, who is out with injury, and Canada will need another career-best night to help the Storm advance. Jewell Lloyd also carried some of the offensive load putting up 22 points.

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The lone win for the Storm over the Sparks had Parker and N. Ogwumike combined for only 12 points while Howard and Lloyd combined for 43 points. Shutting down Parker and N. Ogwumike would be the easy answer to saying how the Storm could pull out the win today, but denying two former MVPs twice in a season seems a bit out of reach.

The game cannot be talked about purely with offense. The Storm have this year’s Defensive Player of the Year in Howard and the Sparks have the 2017 and 2018 Defensive Player of the Year in Alana Beard. Who may very well find themselves guarding one another throughout the game, but also called upon to take on the other offensive powers on the opposing teams.

Regardless of who is guarding who be ready for an aggressive back and forth game. The Sparks have the advantage in this game to advance to the next round, but if the Storm can recreate their June 21 game against the Sparks they may just come away with the upset.

You can match this game today at 3 pm ET on ESPN 2.

Photo Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

2019 WNBA Playoffs: Minnesota Lynx vs Seattle Storm Preview

The second WNBA Postseason matchup showcases the Minnesota Lynx and the Seattle Storm. This is a single elimination game, meaning win or go home tonight.

On paper this will be a tight game. Seattle is the sixth seed and Minnesota is the seventh seed, both have 18-16 overall records with 7-10 road records and 11-6 home records. For tonight’s contest the Storm will be hosting the Lynx with the Storm winning both of their home games against the Lynx this season and a 3-1 overall series lead.

These two teams are the most recent WNBA Champions, Minnesota in 2017 and Seattle in 2018. However, both of these teams are missing key pieces from their championship wins. The Lynx are without Maya Moore, who decided to sit out the 2019 WNBA season and Lindsay Whalen who has retired from professional basketball. On the other side, the Storm are without Breanna Stewart, 2018 MVP, and Sue Bird, both due to injury. But these teams have dealt with that all year and will not use missing players as an excuse in the postseason.

Instead they will be relying on their other top players to carry each team into the second round. Minnesota still has veteran leader, Sylvia Fowles, who has 13.6 points per game with 8.9 rebounds per game. The Lynx has also seen heavy contribution from Odyssey Sims who is averaging 14.5 points per game along with 5.4 assists per game. But perhaps the most intriguing player to watch for Minnesota is possible Rookie of the Year, Napheesa Collier, who has stepped up this year notching 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

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For Seattle, they have All-Star and recently announced Defensive Player of the Year, Natasha Howard, who will be busy all game guarding Fowles. She also produces on the offensive side of the ball with 18.1 points per game. A player who has stepped up this season has been Jewell Lloyd. She gives the Storm an average of 12.3 points per game.

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The Storm do come into the game with the slight edge over the Lynx given their head-to-head record and the home court advantage. But the WNBA makes the first round interesting and throws away series records for a single elimination game.

You can watch this game at 10 pm ET on ESPN 2 which immediately follows the Phoenix Mercury vs Chicago Sky game.

Photo Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

WNBA MVP Power Ranking

As the WNBA season continues, some players have had noteworthy seasons. These players have played well and have helped their teams succeed. Typically, when a player has such an impactful season, fans and media alike agree that the player is having an MVP caliber season.

The WNBA MVP is the most prestigious (individual player) award of the league. A player receives the award when they have an impactful season. They play well, and their team usually does the same.

Last year, Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm won the MVP award. She won after a great season where she averaged 21.8 points (a career-high), 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals (another career-high). She also won Finals MVP and a WNBA championship in the same year.

This year, the award could go to another deserving player. A player who like Stewart, impacts their team. Here are five potential MVP candidates and where they currently stand against other candidates.

1.) Elena Delle Donne

Delle Donne is no stranger to the MVP award. She won the award in 2015 after averaging 23.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and two blocks. Her averages in each category are her career-best. Delle Donne’s performance led to the Chicago Sky finishing second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-13. Unfortunately, the Sky lost in the first round of the playoffs.

This year, Delle Donne, who now plays for the Washington Mystics, averages 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. She ranks fourth in scoring and fourth in rebounds. Delle Donne was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 28.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two games. The Mystics went undefeated this weekend as they beat the Fever on Friday and the Dream on Sunday. Delle Donne scored 28 points in both games and had a double-double in the overtime win over the Fever. She grabbed 15 rebounds to go along with her 28 points.

Delle Donne played great over the weekend, as she returned to the Mystics on Friday. She missed three games with a broken nose. She wore a face mask and put on a show.

The Mystics are second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-6. They are on a two-game winning streak as Delle Donne returned to action. They lost three-straight games when she was out. Now, they are back on the right track. This shows how important Delle Donne is to the Mystics and why she is an MVP candidate.

2.) Natasha Howard

Another player to consider is Natasha Howard. Howard averages 18.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks. She is averaging a career-high in points and rebounds and made significant improvements in both categories. Her points per game averages has improved by 5.2 points and her rebounds average increased by 1.8. Last season was her career-best in several categories, but she is surpassing those averages this year.

Howard was named the Western Conference Player of the Week as the Seattle Storm went 2-0 this week. She averaged 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks.

Howard has 33 points as the Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 90-79. Then, she had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a close win over the Las Vegas Aces.

The talented forward ranks third in the league in points and sixth in rebounds. She is playing well despite a situation off the court. Her performance has helped the Storm remain second in the Western Conference with a record 12-8. They are on a four-game winning streak and could extend their streak as they play the Aces. Howard’s performance this season has helped them tremendously.

3.) Jonquel Jones

Jones is playing well for the Connecticut Sun as they sit on top of the Eastern Conference. She averages 15.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Her stats have improved from her previous season.

Jones has played well as the Sun are on a three-game winning streak.

In their games last week, Jones finished the games with 26 points and 12 points respectively. The forward/center is impacting her team and will likely continue to do so for the rest of the season.

4.) A’ja Wilson

The 2018 Rookie of the Year continues to shine as she leads the Aces through their season. Wilson averages 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds this season. She ranks ninth in points and seventh in blocks this season.

In their last two games, the Aces went 1-1. They lost to the Storm on Friday but beat the Lynx on Sunday. Wilson played in Friday’s game but left early due to an ankle injury. Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer says that Wilson could be out for weeks. Wilson has played well for the Aces as they are first in the Western Conference with a record of 12-6.

Wilson’s injury will affect the Aces (and her MVP chances), but she should be considered.

5.) DeWanna Bonner

Bonner is a veteran that is still going strong. She started her career in 2009 with the Phoenix Mercury and has been with the team since then. This season, Bonner averages 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds. She ranks second in scoring and eighth in rebounds.

In their two games last week, Bonner had 10 points in the first game and 14 in the second. The Mercury won both games (one home and one away) against the Dallas Wings

Bonner has played well for the Mercury, and she plays a crucial part in their success. The veteran deserves recognition as an MVP candidate.

This year’s MVP race features several deserving candidates. Next week’s rankings could change, but as of now, these are the MVP candidates and where they currently stand.


Photo Courtesy Dlz28

Natasha Howard Continues Playing as WNBA Looks Into Domestic Violence Allegations

On Sunday, the Seattle Storm defeated the New York Liberty 78-69. The Storm secured their victory with contributions from a few players, one of them being forward Natasha Howard.


Howard scored 14 points in 25 minutes as the Storm won by nine points. However, Howard’s game comes after allegations made on social media.

Howard’s wife went on Twitter and made allegations towards Howard. She posted videos saying that Howard threatened and abused her and screenshots of conversations. The screenshots were conversations with Howard, Howard’s agent as well as Seattle Storm General Manager Alisha Valavanis. The allegations were all over social media and caught the attention of the WNBA.


When the allegations surfaced, both the Storm and the WNBA made statements regarding the allegations. Valavanis said that the team is aware of the allegations and is in communication with the league.

The organization is aware of the recent allegations against Natasha. We are in communication with the league and looking into them,” the team said in a statement from Brummel and CEO/general manager Alisha Valavanis.


When asked if Howard would play in Sunday’s game, Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel made a statement regarding the situation.


Natasha will play in the game tonight,” Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel said in a statement. “We are in continued communication with the [WNBA], and their investigation is now in process.”

The WNBA said the league plans to gather additional information. Alex Coffey of the Athletic sent out a tweet of a WNBA spokesperson’s statement.


Howard’s allegations are the second domestic violence incident the WNBA has encountered this season. Los Angeles Sparks guard Riquna Williams was arrested in April after attacking her then-girlfriend at a Florida home. Williams had her hearing postponed and is with the Sparks this season. She averages 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Howard averages 17.6 points and 8.5 rebounds this season. Recently, she became a starter at the All-Star Game for the first time in her career this season.

As of now, no legal charges have been filed against Howard.

The WNBA had previous experience with domestic violence in 2015. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner and Dallas Wings forward Glory Johnson were arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct back then. The WNBA responded by suspending both players seven games after Griner pled guilty to disorderly conduct charges. As the league learns more about the situation, there is a chance they do the same for Howard. Until then, Howard will continue to play.