The Indiana Fever handed the Las Vegas Aces their biggest loss of the season on July 13. However, just a game before their 109-75 blowout loss, they had dominated the Phoenix Mercury, beating them 106-58, and Justine Pissott, whom the Fever had let go instead of upgrading her developmental contract, had a historic debut in that game. Despite the more recent loss, WNBA analysts couldn’t help but discuss how impressed she was with Pissott.
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“Nineteen points in 10 minutes? That’s insane. That is a drill, that’s drill work. It’s like no one else is on the court—just put up these threes real quick. Five three-pointers in her WNBA debut. She didn’t do that against the Indiana Fever, we understand. But that was an unbelievable performance,” Zena Keita said on the No Offseason podcast.
Pissott’s 19 points and a rebound with 5 threes stunned the Phoenix Mercury and earned her the record for most three-pointers by a WNBA debutant. After an electrifying debut, Justine Pissott struggled against the Fever. She had 2 points, a rebound, and a block in 14 minutes while going 1-5 from the field and 0-3 from the three-point line. However, fellow analyst Sanrina Merchant also gave the rookie credit where it was due.
“Even if it didn’t show up in the second game, Becky put her in during the second quarter. To earn your coach’s trust that quickly is really commendable,” Merchant said. “I also loved A’ja sitting next to her in the postgame press conference, pouring so much love and confidence into her. And, of course, the Toy Story backpack, water bottle, and lunchbox she got to show off.”
Head coach Hammon was also impressed with Pissott’s debut performance on July 12. “Obviously you guys know I love shooters, and she can shoot that thang,” Hammon said. Hammon praised Pissott’s “basketball reads” beyond just shooting after her debut.
Wilson welcomed the rookie with a special backpack filled with essentials, like she has made a habit of doing.
“Justine has a water bottle, a lunch box, a whole lot. So fairly quickly, when I get my rookies, I gotta show them that kind of love. You got to be cute.” Pissott then enthusiastically showed off the Toy Story-themed backpack during the postgame interview. “It’s a cute one,” she said.
So, even though it’s been less than a week, it seems Pissott is gelling with the Aces quickly. She is finding her place in the rotation. There will be ups and downs, but with a coach like Becky Hammon developing her, the analysts believe she has started on the right foot.