The 2024 Olympics in Paris provided a much-needed break for some WNBA players and an opportunity to represent their country for others. With Team USA securing the gold medal and returning home, it is time for the WNBA season to resume.
This is fantastic news for fans of women’s basketball who can’t get enough of watching their favorite players on the court. However, for some players, it means limited time for rest.
Players who participated in the Olympics may feel the lack of a break when the season kicks back up. Let’s take a look at four teams that could be most affected by an Olympic hangover.
The Washington Mystics had players representing different countries at the 2024 Olympics. While they didn’t have any players on Team USA, Jade Melbourne played for Australia, Julie Vanloo for Belgium, and Aaliyah Edwards for Canada.
All three players are key contributors for the Mystics, with Vanloo and Edwards averaging over 20 minutes per game this season. The advantage they have is their youth, with Edwards and Melbourne being 22 and 21 years old respectively, making it easier for them to handle the workload.
However, the Mystics may still experience an Olympic hangover as they face back-to-back games against the Minnesota Lynx. Playing strong teams in quick succession can be challenging, especially when some players didn’t get much rest during the Olympic break.
