Once every four years this thing called the Olympics comes around (it’s kind of a big deal), and the WNBA season must go on a month-long hiatus. 

But the break can serve as a blessing in disguise for women’s basketball fans worldwide, as it allows the WNBA’s best to showcase their talents on an international stage. Granted, many WNBA stars play overseas in the offseason, but this time, everyone will be watching. 

Tina Charles, Seimone Augustus and Candace Parker will be teaming up in London in less than two weeks, but when the WNBA season resumes, they will no longer be comrades as each will battle to lead her respective team to a ring.

Throughout the first “half” of the season, four teams have cemented themselves as members of the league’s elite. Here are their stories: 

Minnesota Lynx (15-4)

Last season, second-year head coach Cheryl Reeves led the Lynx to their first franchise championship, as well as the team’s first over-.500 season since 2004. One championship must not have been enough, as the Lynx appear hungry for another. Minnesota jumped out to a 13-1 start. Although the Lynx promptly dropped three consecutive games (it was the first time Minnesota had even lost two consecutive games in more than 12 months), they bring a two-game winning steak and an impressive record of 15-4 into the break. The Lynx boast the best road record in the league, winning of eight of nine away from Target Center. Guard Seimone Augustus leads the team in scoring, and second-year pro Maya Moore has been consistent all season, scoring in double figures in all but three games.

The Lynx are shooting the best field-goal percentage in the league (48.6 percent), while holding opponents to a league-worst 39.5 percentage (league-best for the Lynx defense, that is). The FG percentage advantage? +9.1 percent. Additionally, Minnesota shoots the best from long-range and ranks third-best in three-point defense. These factors, among others, help to explain why Minnesota owns a league-best +11.3 points per game differential (the Silver Stars rank a distant second with +7.3 ppg).

Record Against Sun: 1-1

Record Against Silver Stars: 1-1

Record Against Sparks: 1-1

Connecticut Sun (15-4)

While the Lynx lead the West, the Connecticut Sun sit atop the Eastern Conference with an identical record of 15-4. Fittingly, the Sun’s leading scorer attended the University of Connecticut. In fact, three of the Sun’s top four scorers played for Geno Auriemma at UConn. If Connecticut residents weren’t enjoying keeping these players around town already, they have been treated to an amazing start. 6-foot-4 center Tina Charles is her usual dominant self, but surprisingly guard Kara Lawson is turning in a career year at the age of 31. Heading into the break, the Sun have won 9 of their last 11 contests. 

Record Against Lynx: 1-1

Record Against Silver Stars: 1-0

Record Against Sparks: 0-1

San Antonio Silver Stars (13-5)

The Silver Stars know this very well: “It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.” San Antonio lost four of its first six games and was 3-6 as recently as June 22. Remember that date. The Silver Stars haven’t lost since, rattling off nine straight victories including two over the Sparks and one against the Lynx. Over the unbeatable stretch, forward Sophia Young has made 63.2 percent of her shots, while averaging 17.7 points per game. Young’s partner in crime, Becky Hammon, will be competing for Russia for the second consecutive Olympics. In Beijing, she led the Russians to a bronze medal. 

Record Against Lynx: 1-1

Record Against Sun: 0-1

Record Against Sparks: 3-0

Los Angeles Sparks (15-6)

In Carol Ross’ first season as a WNBA head coach, the Sparks are on pace for their first winning season since 2009. Candace Parker’s versatility allows the fifth-year pro to grab rebounds, drain threes and block shots, each at an impressive rate. The former Lady Vol is a double-double machine, as she is one of only three players with more than 5 double-doubles this season. Parker has recorded 13 double-doubles through 20 games, while Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) leads the WNBA with 14. To her credit, Charles has recorded 12.

Point guard Kristi Toliver’s 17.4 points per game are easily the best of her young career and rookie Nneka Ogwumike is rapidly improving. In Ogwumike’s last game, she tied a WNBA record with 12 offensive rebounds against the Fever. The rookie from Stanford finished the game with 22 points and 20 rebounds, easily the best game of her one-year pro career. Defensive-minded veteran Alana Beard has bounced back from two full seasons of injuries to contribute to coach Ross’ club. Even 37-year-old DeLisha Milton-Jones is averaging 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds through 21 games. 

The Sparks have played 21 games, the most of any WNBA team (five teams place second with 19 games played). Such a number could actually work to the Sparks’ advantage, because the post-Olympics schedule will be condensed as it is. With off days at a premium, I’m sure the Sparks won’t mind playing two fewer games after the Olympics.  

Record Against Lynx: 1-1

Record Against Sun: 1-0

Record Against Silver Stars: 0-3

 

 

Aaron can be reached via email or Twitter.