Sabrina Ionescu made her WNBA debut, Breanna Stewart looked healthy, the Los Angeles Sparks announced their title intentions, and more.
The WNBA kicked off its 24th season on Saturday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida with three action-packed games. The day saw the returns of Seattle Storm stars Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird from injury, the rookie debut of Sabrina Ionescu, and plenty of players show out for their new teams after a historically busy free agency period for the league. Here’s what we learned from the opening day’s slate of games.1. The WNBA kept its promise to support Black lives.@Layshiac and @breannastewart address the 2020 #WNBA season being dedicated to Breonna Taylor and the Black Lives Matter Movement. pic.twitter.com/BNWrErjeWP WNBA (@WNBA) July 25, 2020 Earlier this month, the WNBA announced that it would dedicate this season to furthering the Black Lives Matter movement and fighting for justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT who was killed by Louisville police officers. Some of the planned initiatives include having the words “Black Lives Matter” painted on the courts, placards with Taylor’s name on the backs of players’ jerseys, and a player-led Social Justice Council. Ahead of the opening game between the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm, players Layshia Clarendon and Breanna Stewart took mics into their hands and spoke about the importance of getting justice for Taylor before both teams held a 26-second moment of silence to remember her life. The players helped initiate the league’s conversation about social justice and it is really heartening that the WNBA is working with them on ways to keep the momentum going. As a league composed of 80 percent Black players and the first American basketball league to return to play, the WNBA is in such a unique and important position and the women of the league have been using their platforms admirably. As President of the Players’ Association Nneka Ogwumike said postgame, “Our movement has found its moment.
