Check out the latest highlights from Dupree, Jackson, Catchings, Taurasi and more.
DUPREE AND JACKSON EARN TOP HONORS
The Nike women ballers are at it again. Chicago’s Candice Dupree and Seattle’s Lauren Jackson were named the conference players of the week for June 11 – 17.
Dupree averaged 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists for her first weekly player honors.
Dupree recorded her second double-double of the season with 24 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in a 73-66 victory over New York last Friday. Strong supporting roles were played by Stacey Dales, who scored 11 points, and rookie Armintie Price, who had 10 rebounds and six assists.
In Sunday’s game, Dupree put up 13 in the fourth quarter alone, posting a total of 28 points and leading Chicago to their first franchise win over Connecticut. Chicago already has as many wins this season as they had in all of last year. Could the playoffs be within reach? It looks that way right now.
Lauren Jackson earned her eighth weekly player honors as she averaged 22 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Jackson scored 13 of her game-high 19 points in the second half against Chicago last Tuesday, as Seattle turned a two-point deficit at the half into an 81-69 victory. Jackson also posted four rebounds, four blocks and was a perfect 5 of 5 from the line.
Jackson reached another milestone by posting her 1,500th career rebound against Indiana last Wednesday.
When Seattle faced Houston the next night she was still on fire, scoring 30 points for the third time this season to lock up the victory in style. She also added seven rebounds, two blocks and five 3s, matching her career high of 3-pointers in a single game. Betty Lenox also brought her A-game, finishing with 18 points.
Make sure to catch Jackson and Sue Bird tonight as they face off at 10PM ET against Detroit.
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CATCHINGS LEADS INDIANA TO BIG WINS
After winning last week’s player of the week award, Indiana’s Tamika Catchings shows no signs of slowing down. Catchings posted 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 90-62 win over Seattle last Wednesday for her second double-double of the year. After hitting a 3 with 3:48 left in the first quarter, Catchings became the 17th player in league history to reach 3,000 career points.
Despite Lauren Jackson’s 17 points for Seattle and rookie Katie Gearlds hitting a 3-pointer to put Seattle up 26-21, Indiana broke out to a 50-30 lead at the half and did not loosen their grip. Indiana also achieved a team record, allowing only four points in the second quarter to take home the W.
And just when you thought a Detroit loss was impossible, Tamika & Co. came onto the court last Saturday on a mission. Catchings played strong from the start, posting 26 points and 14 rebounds and hitting 14 of her season-high 16 free-throw attempts to bring Detroit down and narrow the gap between two highly competitive conference rivals.
Indiana’s 77-67 win on Saturday night didn’t just halt Detroit’s undefeated winning streak. It brought Detroit’s record to 7-1, two wins shy of tying LA’s league record of nine straight wins to start the season. In a fitting response, Detroit bounced back in their next game to beat LA, 79-73, thanks to Katie Smith’s 18 points and season-high nine rebounds, plus 15 points from last year’s finals MVP, Deanna Nolan.
Listen to the Deanna Nolan live Q&A on HOOPSTALK
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DOUBLE TROUBLE: TAURASI AND PONDEXTER
After a tough loss to winless Washington, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter bounced back to turn things around. Taurasi scored seven of her 11 fourth-quarter points in the last 3:28 of the game to finish with 21 and Pondexter led all scorers with 22 to earn a 89-78 win against Indiana.
Phoenix led 62-58 at the end of the third quarter, had only six turnovers, and outscored, outrebounded and ultimately outplayed the talented Indiana team. Tamika Catchings put in a solid effort for Indiana, with 17 points and 15 rebounds, but no one could control the incredible duo of Taurasi and Pondexter. The Indiana loss was the first loss at home, ending a four-game winning streak.
Check out Saturday’s game at 10PM ET when Dee and Cappie are faced with their next challenge: taking down 9-1 Detroit.
Listen to the Diana Taurasi live Q&A on HOOPSTALK
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AUGUSTUS REACHES 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Minnesota’s Seimone Augustus scored her 1,000th career point in the second-fewest games in league history. She finished Minnesota’s game against LA with 12 points, including the big jumper in the second quarter that put her over 1,000 in only her 46th game. Congratulations, Seimone.
The 83-58 victory over LA gave Minnesota their first back-to-back wins of the season. Five players scored in double figures, including Augustus with 12 points, Nicole Ohlde with 15 and rookie Lindsay Harding with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Although the Minnesota season was off to a rocky start, it seems to be turning around with Augustus leading the way.
Check back every week for more WNBA coverage, including our weekly HOOPSTALK show where you can speak live with the league’s best players.





























