The remaining teams in the playoffs have proved their dominance from the eight eliminated teams in the league. Each team has its own identity that when they play in their true form, success is what lies ahead.
But even with MVPs, legends, or even a superstar rookie, these teams need an X-factor that could elevate their game to the next level. They are not necessarily the ones who score the most or gets the most assists. X-factors are the ones who get the job done where and when she is needed.
Here are the X-factor for each team in the WNBA 2020 Playoffs:
Dearica Hamby – Las Vegas Aces
PALMETTO, FL- AUGUST 22: Dearica Hamby #5 of the Las Vegas Aces smiles during the game against the Seattle Storm on August 22, 2020, at Feld Entertainment Center in Palmetto, Florida. Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via GettyImages)
Back-to-back Sixth Woman of the Year.
Perhaps she is the most underrated bench player in the league right now. I will say this, Dearica Hamby is a starter in any other team in the WNBA this season. However, playing for the Aces means playing for a championship. This team is a very loaded squad especially with the MVP A’ja Wilson as their core player. Hence, Hamby still plays behind Wilson but has proven her worth in every single game she plays.
Hamby plays such an integral role in their rotation. Even coming off the bench, every minute she is on the floor, Aces gets the most out of her. She averages 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
Her X-factor role was largely noticeable in their first game in the best-of-five series against the Connecticut Sun. Hamby was limited to only two field goals producing only four points. This was a game that they lost by 15 points. With her not getting the ball enough, it shows how Aces could struggle and rely solely on Wilson. Thus, with Hamby getting more plays and getting more touches on the ball, it could be their chance to play in the Finals.
Alysha Clark – Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm v Minnesota Lynx PALMETTO, FL – SEPTEMBER 6: Alysha Clark #32 of the Seattle Storm plays defense against the Minnesota Lynx on September 6, 2020, at Feld Entertainment Center in Palmetto, Florida. Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
If you don’t think her put-back shot to beat the buzzer in their game against the Minnesota Lynx last Tuesday is not enough reason to put her as Storm’s x-factor, I guess you need to watch it again.
Alysha Clark has proven time and time again that she is the glue to this mighty Storm team. She did it back in their championship run in 2018 and still doing it today. Her presence on the floor is so crucial that she is top five for both Defensive and Offensive Win Shares this season.
The key element to Clark’s game is her knowledge on both ends of the floor. The best game that displayed her mastery is their game against Las Vegas to end the regular season when both Sue Bird and Breanna sat out due to injury. She scored 16 points in the first half as the Storm did not have their number one scoring option, nor their veteran playmaker. In the second half, she turned her focus to defense that limited Kayla McBride to only four points in the half.
What she brings on both ends of the floor is the x-factor that Seattle needs every single game. Will they win another championship? They are well on the way. Clark’s game can take them there for sure.
Damiris Dantas – Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx v Seattle Storm -Game One PALMETTO, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Damiris Dantas #12 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots the ball against the Seattle Storm in Game One of the Semifinals of the 2020 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2020, at Feld Entertainment Center in Palmetto, Florida. Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The six-year veteran from Brazil surely came out to play for the Minnesota Lynx this season. After coming to Minnesota just a year ago, Damiris Dantas immediately impacted the team in her game style. The 6’3 forward can post up as good as she can sink a three-pointer. Her ability to shoot the three at 43.3% makes her the best three-point shooter for the Lynx.
After Sylvia Fowles went out from the starting line up she had to step up big time for her team. Dantas is a very capable scorer as she displayed in their game against the Chicago Sky scoring her career-high 28 points.
She displayed her x-factor element in their playoffs game eliminating the Phoenix Mercury in the second round. Dantas took the scoring leadership for her team with 22 points. The way she compliments the big plays of Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield is what makes her the x-factor for the team. When she plays well, Lynx is in a better position to get wins.
Briann January – Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces – Game Two PALMETTO, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Briann January #20 of the Connecticut Sun handles the ball against the Las Vegas Aces in Game Two of the Semifinals of the 2020 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2020, at Feld Entertainment Center in Palmetto, Florida. Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Briann January just makes the Connecticut Sun better as a team. The 11-year veteran came to Connecticut in the offseason after the Sun had a championship run. She is a six-time All-Defensive team in the league, which is exactly what she brings to her new team. Her mastery in defense got the Sun to a whole new level of playing.
January came to the wubble late as she tested positive for COVID-19, missing their first eight games. Sun had a disappointing record of 3-5 when she finally joined the team. January gave them a boost as she averaged 5 points and 4 assists in the regular season. However, it was the playoffs January that really made her the x-factor for the Sun.
In the playoffs, she is averaging 10.2 points while shooting threes at over 40% efficiency. January had to step up big in their first game against the Las Vegas Aces for the semifinals round. Alyssa Thomas, the second-leading scorer for the Sun, went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter. Hence, it was January who racked up the points in order to help DeWanna Bonner. Although they lost the game, she had 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. With Thomas Questionable for tonight, January will be the x-factor for the WNBA 2020 Playoffs.
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