What happened: Nyadiew Puoch knocked down a 22-foot three-point jumper with 1:27 left in the opening quarter, finished off an assist from Kamiah Smalls. The make moved the score to 19-12.

Why it matters: Early three-point production is a swing factor in WNBA possessions, and a seven-point cushion late in the first quarter forces the trailing side to adjust its defensive scheme. Connection between Smalls and Puoch as a setup pair is worth tracking for rotation usage and second-unit chemistry going forward.

What to watch: Watch whether Puoch stays on the floor into the second quarter and whether Smalls continues to operate as the primary distributor when the bench unit checks in.

Sources

  • @ESPN