26th WNBA Mystery Man - Ace: Can injury recovery cause problems for the defending champion?
The mysterious man with a complete roster has the level of the league's top four, but injuries have always been their biggest enemy, especially the main player Donne, who has been difficult to play a healthy full season since 2020, which affects the team's record. Donne played 1 game in 2020, 3 in 2021, 25 in 2022 and 16 this season, and is currently on the injury list due to a hip strain, averaging 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and still maintains an All-Star level when playing healthy.
Both Atkins and Austin returned to the starting line-up from injury, playing 20 minutes, and after a few games of adaptation, should be able to play more of a playoff game. Crowder, who previously supported the team independently, fell ill and entered the injury list, and the club was more concerned about letting her rest, and Crowder played 30 games, averaging 12.9 points and 5.7 assists per game.
At present, the Mysterious Man is 15-18 in the league 7th place, 2.5 wins ahead of 9th place Sky, it is not difficult to get a playoff ticket, they have a home win rate of 58.8%, in the case of untidy personnel, more to fight their home court to ensure a stable record.
The Aces beat the Sky 94-87 in their last game to win two straight and finish 30-4 in the league and get a playoff ticket early. Four All-Stars Aja Wilson (22.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game), Plume (18.9 points per game), Jackie Young (18.3 points per game), and Chelsea Gray (15.2 points and 7.3 assists per game) are all at a high level, but role players are not enough to play, Clark, Bell, and George are all players below the passing line. Veteran Candace Parker has played only 18 games before he hangs up for an ankle injury. If Parker misses the playoffs, the road to defending the Ace title will be tough, and Liberty's recruitment this year poses a big threat to them.
There has been one meeting this season, with the Aces beating the Mysterious Man 113-89 at home on August 12, with Aja Wilson scoring 40 points and 12 rebounds, Plume and Chelsea Gray both scoring 19 points and 10 assists, Mysterios scoring double-doubles with five on the team and Crowder scoring 21 points.
This ace away let 10.5 points, the mysterious man's injury problem weakened, the main force began to return, their home combat effectiveness is not bad, and the ace only 4 All-Stars can play, win can be, the defensive intensity is far less than the home when playing, the meaning of winning and losing index, go to the home is appropriate. Views: Mysterious Man (subject to 10.5)
