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WNBA Newsletter -- September 9, 2009

September 9, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


A Shocking Climb Up the Standings

With the season in its final stages, the Detroit Shock has begun to play the way they expected to entering the season. The Shock has won seven of its last eight to shoot up the Eastern Conference standings into third place. With a win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday, the Shock pushed its record over .500 for the first time this season. At 16-15, Detroit is 1.5 games up on Chicago,Washington and Connecticut, who are all currently tied for fourth place.

Over the last eight games, Detroit has averaged 86.9 points, nearly 10 points more than their season average, while allowing 80.1 points - a +6.8 point differential. For the season, the Shock has posted a -0.23 point differential.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this streak is that the defending champions have have played the last four games without Katie Smith due to lower back pain. Two-time Player of the Week Deanna Nolan has picked up the slack by averaging 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the last eight games. Rookie Shavonte Zellous has pitched in with 12.5 points over that stretch. The team has stepped up its defense, as well. Detroit is averaging 10.6 steals and 3.7 blocks in the last six games, which is an improvement on the previous season averages of 7.8 and 2.7, respectively.

Western Conference Playoff Pictures Comes into Focus

The Western Conference took another step toward finalizing its playoff matchups on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Sparks clinched the third postseason berth. The San Antonio Silver Stars have the inside track on the final spot in the West by virtue of a half-game lead on the Minnesota. San Antonio also holds the tiebreaker over the Lynx.

Aside from the Sparks, the current playoff picture looks similar to last week's. Indiana and Phoenix crystallized their first place status by clinching their respective conference championships and guaranteeing homecourt advantage in the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, should they advance. Seattle has also secured home court advantage for the Western Conference Semifinals.

On the other end of the playoff spectrum, New York and Sacramento were both eliminated from playoff contention.

WNBA on ESPN2 Closes Out 2009 Season on Sunday

The final regular season WNBA game on ESPN2 will feature two Western Conference playoff teams, the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. ET. This season will mark the first time since 2000 that these two original WNBA franchises both made the playoffs. In 2000, the Sparks swept the Mercury out of the Western Conference Semifinals, 2-0. Sunday's game will be the last regular season game for Lisa Leslie, one of the league's four players remaining from the inaugural season. Diana Taurasi will have one last chance to secure her second consecutive Peak Performer scoring award. She currently leads the league with 20.3 points per game. Likewise, Candace Parker will similarly look to put a lid on her second consecutive rebounding title. She leads the WNBA with 9.4 rebounds per game.

Los Angeles Sparks to Honor Lisa Leslie

The Los Angeles Sparks will wish Lisa Leslie farewell at her final regular season home game on Sept. 11, 2009. Fans will receive special t-shirts, cheer cards and ballerbands commemorating Leslie's career and her impact on the WNBA. The Sparks will also show video tributes from Leslie's friends, family, teammates and coaches throughout the game. Leslie will take part in a special on-court presentation before the game. More

Diana Taurasi Breaks Lauren Jackson's Scoring Record

Diana Taurasi broke Lauren Jackson's record for the fastest player to 4,000 career points on Saturday against the Atlanta Dream. Taurasi accomplished the feat in her 197th career game while Jackson took 209 games to score 4,000 points. Her record-breaking performance came a few weeks after Jackson broke the record for the fastest and youngest player to 5,000 career points. Becky Hammon, Taj McWilliams and Tamika Catchings recently achieved the 4,000-point milestone as well. To date, 13 players have scored 4,000 career points.

MVP Candidates Make Closing Arguments

Katie Douglas, Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Tamika Catchings, Becky Hammon, Deanna Nolan and other WNBA players who fashion themselves as the 2009 WNBA MVP have five more days to make their case to the voters. Heading into the final weekend, Taurasi and Pondexter are one and two among the league scoring leaders. Douglas and Catchings have led the Fever to a five-win improvement, as of Wednesday, from last year's 17-17 record. Hammon has tangoed with Pondexter and Taurasi for the scoring lead all season and is second in the league in assists. Meanwhile, Nolan has pulled the Shock into third place in the Eastern Conference after a slow start.

Around the WNBA

* Deanna Nolan of the Detroit Shock and Vickie Johnson of the San Antonio Silver Stars were named WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week. Nolan is the fourth player this year to win consecutive awards while Johnson earns the first Player of the Week award of her 13-year career.

* Angel McCoughtry was named adidas Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month.

* In beating New York on Tuesday, Indiana set a franchise record for single-season wins (22).

* Tamika Catchings recorded her 90th steal of the season against the Mystics. This season is the fourth time she has collected as many steals. Teresa Weatherspoon is the only other player to accumulate 90 steals in a season.

* San Antonio set a franchise record for assists with 30 against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.

* Vickie Johnson tied a career high for points with 27 against the Sparks.

* Candace Parker recorded her league-leading 13th double-double against San Antonio on Tuesday.

* Atlanta set a franchise record for assists with 32 against the Monarchs. Erika de Souza set a career high for points in the game with 27.

* Sylvia Fowles scored 13 points, collected four rebounds and blocked two shots in her first game back after injuring her ankle.

* Connecticut played in its sixth overtime game this season, extending its franchise record.

* Phoenix beat Indiana on the road for its third win at Indiana in franchise history.

* The Mercury scored 106 points against the Fever marking the third time in team history Indiana has allowed 100 or more points. * Nicky Anosike set Minnesota franchise records with her seventh double-double of the season and the 12th of her career.

Today's Quotes LISA LESLIE on her career aspirations when she was a child: "Just watching the news and just watching [weathercasters] report, they were always dolled up. Their hair was always nice, with makeup on. I was 7 (in 1979), and for whatever reason, I decided that's what I wanted to do." San Antonio Express-News, Sept. 5, 2009

DONNA ORENDER on meeting a group of Marines after the Mystics-Storm game: "It was after the game as I was visiting the locker rooms that I got to meet these wonderful Marines up close and personal. They were so excited to meet the players and we were so excited to salute them. It's not often that you get a group of Marines in the locker room." WNBA.com, Sept. 8, 2009

RICK MAHORN on Deanna Nolan playing every minute of back-to-back games: "That is just what she does. She can play 40 minutes at that level, and not even look like she's broken a sweat." Associated Press, Sept. 6, 2009

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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