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Posts tagged as “WNBA”

Ionescu, Plum, and Mitchell Among Stars “Cored” for 2026 WNBA

Alexa Philippou, writing for ESPN;

Ten of 15 WNBA teams have extended core qualifying offers to players since free agency started Monday.

Players who have been “cored” — akin to being given the NFL’s franchise tag — include Sabrina Ionescu, by the New York Liberty; Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx); Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever); Kelsey Plum, (Los Angeles Sparks); and Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings).

The core designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights to a player and comes with a baseline contract of a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax ($1.4 million in 2026), though the player can negotiate different terms.

Here’s the full list of cored players, via @alexaphilippou

  • Atlanta: Allisha Gray
  • Chicago: Ariel Atkins
  • Dallas: Arike Ogunbowale
  • Indiana: Kelsey Mitchell
  • LA: Kelsey Plum
  • Minnesota: Napheesa Collier
  • NY: Sabrina Ionescu
  • Portland: Bridget Carleton
  • Seattle: Ezi Magbegor
  • Toronto: Marina Mabrey

Sky traded Angel Reese to Atlanta for Two (2) 1st-round Draft Picks

We’re just in day-one of the 2026 WNBA Free Agency and the Chicago Sky just made a blockbuster trade by sending Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two (2) first-round draft picks in 2027 and ’28. Aside from Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream will also receive 2028 second-round swap rights.


This was announced Monday, opening day of 2026 WNBA Free Agency.

This is Angel Reese’s reaction to the trade.

Atlanta now has a frontcourt that consists of Angel Reese, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Brittney Griner.

WNBA officially sets 2026 Free Agency Schedule

WNBA;

The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association agreed today that free agency will open tomorrow, April 6, with the start of the Designation Period, the WNBA announced today.

The Negotiation Period will begin on Wednesday, April 8 and continue for three days. Teams and players will first be able to sign new contracts beginning on Saturday, April 11.

This is a free-for-all period for teams and free agents alike. It could make or break a team, depending on how the front office performs during this free agency window.

Full list of players selected in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft

The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft took place on April 3, 2026, for the league’s two newest franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Each team selected 11 players from the unprotected lists of the existing 13 WNBA teams. Notably, both teams reached agreements with the Chicago Sky to bypass their roster in exchange for draft picks.

Portland Fire Selections
The Fire held the No. 1 overall pick and focused on a mix of versatile forwards and young international talent.

Player Position Former Team
Bridget Carleton Forward Minnesota Lynx
Carla Leite Guard Golden State Valkyries
Emily Engstler Forward Washington Mystics
Haley Jones Forward/Guard Atlanta Dream
Nika Mühl Guard Seattle Storm
Sarah Ashlee Barker Forward Los Angeles Sparks
Nyadiew Puoch Forward Connecticut Sun
Sug Sutton Guard Phoenix Mercury
Maya Caldwell Guard Atlanta Dream
Luisa Geiselsöder Center Dallas Wings
Chloe Bibby Forward Las Vegas Aces

Toronto Tempo Selections
The Tempo focused heavily on veteran leadership, shooting, and international experience for their inaugural roster.

Player Position Former Team
Julie Allemand Guard Los Angeles Sparks
Marina Mabrey Guard Connecticut Sun
Nyara Sabally Center New York Liberty
María Conde Forward Golden State Valkyries
Kristy Wallace Guard Indiana Fever
Nikolina Milić Forward Minnesota Lynx
Aaliyah Nye Guard/Forward Las Vegas Aces
Kitija Laksa Guard Dallas Wings
Maria Kliundikova Center Phoenix Mercury
Adja Kane Forward New York Liberty
Maria Vadeeva Center Los Angeles Sparks

After the expansion draft, both Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will still get draft new player from the WNBA Draft which will be on the 13th of April. In the WNBA Draft, Toronto Tempo will be the No. 6, while the Portland Fire after choosing to pick first in the expansion draft will be No. 7.

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Unveils the 15-Woman Roster for April Training Camp

USA Basketball just announced the 15 players who will participate in a training camp set for April 1-3 in Phoenix.

  1. A’ja Wilson
  2. Azura Stevens
  3. Brittney Sykes
  4. Cameron Brink
  5. JuJu Watkins
  6. Kayla Thornton
  7. Mikayla Blakes
  8. Monique Billings
  9. Napheesa Collier
  10. Paige Bueckers
  11. Rae Burrell
  12. Rickea Jackson
  13. Sabrina Ionescu
  14. Stefanie Dolson
  15. Veronica Burton

2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) will lead training camp and will be assisted by court coaches Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt University), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).

USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird is set to evaluate the current roster pool ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. This assessment will include players from the recent qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico as the U.S. prepares to pursue its fifth consecutive gold medal from September 4–13.

More Cailin Clark Content from FIBA

Watch the evolution of Caitlin Clark from age 19 to 24. From her early days as a young scorer to becoming a complete floor general, her growth is undeniable.

These highlights show how her shooting, playmaking, and control of the game have reached another level.

At 19, she was already special… but at 24, she’s a superstar. Her range, vision, and confidence have transformed her into one of the best players in the game.

FIBA previously released a 10-mins highlight reel if Caitlin Clark.

WNBA and the Players Association have verbally agreed to a new CBA  

Alexa Philippou, writing for ESPN;

Under the new CBA, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania, the salary cap will start at $7 million (up from $1.5 million in 2025) with the supermax starting at $1.4 million (was $249,244 in 2025). The average salary will be around $600,000 ($120,000 in 2025), with the minimum salary surpassing $300,000 ($66,079 in 2025), sources said.

Sources said the average revenue share would be nearly 20% across the length of the deal.

The fact that the new average salary exceeds the supermax of the previous CBA proves that this deal is truly transformational.

This is what WNBA posted about the new CBA.

And from WNBPA;

FIBA released a 10-minute Caitlin Clark highlight reel

Watch the BEST of Caitlin Clark in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments. From deep threes to elite playmaking, Clark controlled the game like a true floor general, showcasing her full offensive arsenal. This marks her first senior FIBA competition, and she’s already making a massive impact.

FIBA also named her as the MVP of the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.

Caitlin Clark Named MVP at FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament

Despite starting only in just one game, WNBA Star Caitlin Clark is named as the MVP of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.

via FIBA;

She posted the best average efficiency for her team (14.6), was the second-best scorer for the USA with 11.6 points (52.9 percent shooting), and recorded a tournament-best 6.4 assists.

You can visit Caitlin Clark’s FIBA Player Profile for more stats.

U.S. Women’s National Team edges pesky Spain to finish 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers undefeated (84 -70)

The U.S. Women’s National Team officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIBA World Cup with an exclamation point, grinding out a hard-fought 84–70 victory over a resilient Spain. The win over the “pesky” Spaniards in their final qualifying match, the Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 5–0 record, proving they remain the gold standard of women’s international basketball.

From the opening tip, Spain’s signature defensive pressure disrupted the U.S. rhythm, leading to eight lead changes and 3 times that both team tied. Spain was led by the interior duo of Megan Gustafson and Raquel Carrera, who each dropped 15 points to keep the contest within striking distance. However, the depth of the U.S. roster eventually wore down the Spanish frontline, building a 12 point lead by the end of the first half and a 14-point margin at the start of the 4th qtr.

The momentum shifted permanently in the third quarter thanks to the explosive play of Kahleah Copper, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Her ability to attack the rim blew the game open, while veteran Kelsey Plum provided much-needed stability with 18 points, including a critical 11–0 solo run that silenced the Spanish bench.

Defensively, Dearica Hamby was the anchor, contributing 14 points and a game-high three steals that fueled the American transition game. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark—who was ultimately named Tournament MVP—controlled the tempo with seven assists and a highlight-reel block, ensuring the U.S. maintained its composure during Spain’s final fourth-quarter push.

With this undefeated cycle complete, the U.S. now shifts its focus toward the World Cup in Berlin this September. The team’s coach Nate Tibbetts’ squad heads into the main event not just as favorites, but as a battle-tested unit that has proven it can handle the heat when the stakes are highest.

Checkout the game highlights below:

U.S. Women’s National Team remains undefeated as it overpowers New Zealand in 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifier(101 -46)

The USA Women’s National Team stayed undefeated in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after a commanding win over New Zealand in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The victory keeps the U.S. at the top of Group A as they prepare for the World Cup in Berlin this September.

The Americans took control early with a fast-paced offense. Star guards Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers led the scoring, while Angel Reese controlled the boards with dominant rebounding. New Zealand’s Ella Toefaeono and Bec Pizzey played hard in the paint, but they couldn’t overcome the United States’ aggressive defensive pressure.

Coach Kara Lawson relied on her entire roster, showing that the U.S. bench is just as strong as the starters. Although the U.S. had already earned a spot in the World Cup by winning Olympic gold in 2024, this game proved their younger players are ready for the international stage. For New Zealand, the matchup provided valuable experience against the world’s best team.

U.S. Women’s National Team will face Spain on the 17th March, for their final game for the qualifier, while New Zealand will look to bounce back against the Puerto Ricans.

U.S. Women’s National Team routs Italy’s National Team to remain undefeated at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its dominant run at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico, defeating Italy 93–59. Despite Italy’s undefeated start to the tournament, they were no match for the Americans’ clinical shooting and suffocating defensive pressure.

The U.S. shot a staggering 52.4% from beyond the arc, Kahleah Copper lead the Americans with 15 points and Chelsea Gray’s masterful playmaking (8 assists). Young stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers wowed the crowd in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points each to seal the victory.

Defensively, the Americans held Italy to just 37.3% shooting, neutralizing threats like Cecilia Zandalasini. While the U.S. has already secured a World Cup berth as AmeriCup champions, this 3–0 start in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reinforces their status as global dominance in Women’s basketball. Italy (2–1) now looks to rebound against Spain to secure their spot in Berlin, while the Women’s USA Team will face New Zealand.

You can watch the game high lights below;

USA Women’s National Team dismantles Senegal in their first game of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The USA Women’s National Team dominated Senegal with a 110-46 victory to open the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rhyne Howard led with 21 points, while Caitlin Clark impressed in her senior debut with 17 points and 12 assists, securing Kara Lawson’s first win as head coach.

This is basically the 1992 Dream Team. It’s not a matter of whether they’ll win, but by how much. Their next opponent is Puerto Rico, who will have home-court advantage, but I believe it will be much like the Senegal game. The real test will be their last three games: Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.

Here are some of the game highlights;

USA Basketball Announces Official Roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament this March in Puerto Rico

USA Basketball has officially announced the roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament which will be held in Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.

Here’s the list of the 12 player roster;

  1. Aliyah Boston
  2. Paige Bueckers
  3. Sonia Citron
  4. Caitlin Clark
  5. Kahleah Copper
  6. Chelsea Gray
  7. Dearica Hamby
  8. Rhyne Howard
  9. Kiki Iriafen
  10. Kelsey Plum
  11. Angel Reese
  12. Jackie Young

The roster is a mix of Olympic champions and rising stars, led by 2024 gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, alongside 3×3 bronze winners Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard. While veteran Aliyah Boston makes her anticipated return, the roster also features the official senior national team debuts of Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen, and Angel Reese.

Three-time Olympic and World champion Breanna Stewart will also join the team in Miami for a pre-competition training camp, set for March 7-8.

The coaching staff will be lead by 2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) with assistant coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever). The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.

The U.S. Women’s team play games against Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.

Game Schedule

  • March 11: vs. Senegal
  • March 12: vs. Puerto Rico
  • March 14: vs. Italy
  • March 15: vs. New Zealand
  • March 17: vs. Spain

Fever’s Caitlin Clark Joins NBC’s “Basketball Night in America”

Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark is taking her “logo threes” energy to the broadcast booth. NBC announced that Clark will join the Basketball Night in America team as a special contributor for two (2) NBA games; February 1st and March 29th, at the Madison Square Garden, New York City.

  • February 1 Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
  • March 29 Game: New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Clark will provide pregame analysis alongside host Maria Taylor and a legendary trio: Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.

WNBA Releases Season 30 Schedule with May 8 Tip-Off

The WNBA officially released its 2026 regular-season schedule last January 21st, marking a historic 30th-anniversary milestone for the league. Tipping off on Friday, May 8th, the season expands to 15 franchises with the highly anticipated debuts of the Toronto Tempo—Canada’s first WNBA team—and the return of Portland Fire.

Opening night will feature the Toronto Tempo hosting the Washington Mystics, while May 9 sees the Portland Fire host the Chicago Sky. That same Saturday, fans will witness a “clash of icons” as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever face Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. To honor the league’s roots, a special Anniversary Game is set for June 21, featuring a rematch of the 1997 inaugural game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Liberty.

The 44-game slate includes a mid-season pause from August 31 to September 16 for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany. All-Star Weekend will be in Chicago on July 24–25. Even though the league released the schedule, both the league and the players’ union remain in active CBA negotiations, with fans, including me, hopeful for a resolution before the May 8 tip-off. The regular season concludes September 24, leading directly into the playoffs.

Here are key dates to remember;

Event Date
WNBA Draft April 13, 2026
Season Tip-Off May 8, 2026
Commissioner’s Cup June 1 – June 17 (Finals June 30)
All-Star Weekend July 24 – 25 (Hosted by the Chicago Sky)
Regular Season Ends September 24, 2026
Playoffs Begin September 27, 2026

For Fever fans you can checkout their schedule below;

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Announces Star-Studded Roster for December Training Camp at Duke

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team just announce the 18-player roster for its upcoming training camp, scheduled for December 12-14 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The camp’s 18-player roster is a mix of championship experience and rising talent. Headlining the group are five 2024 Olympic gold medalists: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. Joined by Dearica Hamby, a bronze medalist from the 2024 3×3 Olympic competition. Other accomplished veterans include 2022 FIBA World Cup champion Brionna Jones.

The camp will also mark the senior National Team debut for ten highly anticipated young players: Lauren Betts, Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese, and JuJu Watkins. Many of these newcomers, including Aliyah Boston, already boast gold medals from various junior and youth international competitions. Kiki Iriafen will make her first appearance with USA Basketball. The roster also features numerous players with 3×3 experience, including Olympic medalists Plum and Young.

The training will be led by 2025-28 Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University). She will be supported by a veteran coaching staff featuring court coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries, 2025 WNBA COY), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury), and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever, 2023 WNBA COY).

Managing Director Sue Bird will use the camp to evaluate the athletes as the program begins preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, where the USA aims to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive gold medal.

Watch the Full Drawing of the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery

The 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery resulted in the Dallas Wings with the No.1 pick, check out how it all went down behind the scenes.

Here’s the Top 5 of the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery Results;
No. 1 – Dallas Wings
No. 2 – Minnesota Lynx
No. 3 – Seattle Storm
No. 4 – Washington Mystics
No. 5 – Chicago Sky

The last team that won the top draft pick for two consecutive years is the Indiana Fever, who drafted Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, and both players now make up the core of the Indiana Fever.

Here’s the full result of the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery, Dallas Wings wins First Overall Pick

The Dallas Wings won the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery and will have the first overall pick. This will be the second consecutive year that the Wings will take the top pick, in 2025, they took UConn star PG Paige Bueckers.

🏀 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery Results (Top 5)

Pick Team
1 Dallas Wings Won the lottery for the second consecutive year.
2 Minnesota Lynx Pick acquired via trade with the Chicago Sky.
3 Seattle Storm Pick acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Sparks.
4 Washington Mystics
5 Chicago Sky Pick acquired via a swap right with the Connecticut Sun.

The two expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will select 6th and 7th, respectively.

The 2026 WNBA Draft class is considered to be very deep and lacks a single, clear-cut consensus No. 1 prospect right now. However, two players are most frequently listed as the top contenders for the Dallas Wings’ pick:

  1. Lauren Betts (Center, UCLA);
  • Her case for No. 1: The 6’7″ center is a dominant presence in the paint, known for her scoring ability, rebounding, and shot-blocking.
  • Fit with Wings: Dallas has a guard-heavy roster (including 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers) and desperately needs a player with Betts’ size and interior skills to balance the team.
  1. Azzi Fudd (Guard, UConn);
  • Case for No. 1: A highly talented 5’11” shooting guard with elite offensive upside and one of the cleanest jump shots in the college game. Her scoring ability translates very well to the WNBA.
  • Fit with Wings: Fudd was a college teammate (and is a “close” friend) of current Wings star Paige Bueckers. The potential to reunite the two for a dynamic backcourt is a huge factor the Wings’ new front office will consider.

Other Top Prospects
While Betts and Fudd are the favorites, other collegiate and international stars are also considered potential top-five picks:

  • Olivia Miles (Guard, TCU)
  • Flau’jae Johnson (Guard, LSU)
  • Awa Fam (Center/Forward, Spain)

Since Dallas already has their cornerstone guard in Paige Bueckers, many analysts project them to lean toward Lauren Betts to fill their biggest need for size and an interior anchor.

WNBA Announced the 2025 All-WNBA First and Second Team

The WNBA just announced this year’s First and Second Team. Most of the players that are on the First and Second Team are from playoff teams, except for Paige Bueckers, the point guard of the Dallas Wings. The Dallas Wings are one of the two worst teams in the league this year, with a 10-34 record.

2025 ALL-WNBA FIRST TEAM

Player, Team

1st Team Votes

2nd Team Votes

Total Points

Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

72 0 360

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

72 0 360

Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury

71 1 358

Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream

67 2 341

Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

58 10 320

 

2025 ALL-WNBA SECOND TEAM

Player, Team

1st Team Votes

2nd Team Votes

Total Points

Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm

1 60 185

Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

5 41 148

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

1 40 125

Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever

2 34 112

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings

2 34

112

Players were selected without regard for position. Players received five points for each First Team vote and three points for each Second Team vote.

# # #

ICYMI: Las Vegas Aces are the 2025 WNBA Champions

After being pushed to the limit by the Indiana Fever, the Las Vegas Aces, lead by A’ja Wilson, sweeps the Phoeniz Mercury, celebrating on their home court. Even though its a sweep, 3 of the 4 games was decided in the last minutes of the game, this includes Games 3, where A’ja Wilson buried a mid-range fade-away to give the Aces the lead and the win.

This will be Las Vegas’ 3rd championship in 4 years and will surely be the favorite next season.

Here are some of the Game 4 Highlights;

WNBA Tracking the Autographs Signed by Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark is arguably the most recognizable basketball star in the WNBA, and even though she’s out for the rest of the season due to a groin injury and even she’s not playing, her presence still captivates fans of all ages.

Indiana Fever defeat defeat the Las Vegas Aces behind Aliyah Boston’s monster game (90 – 83)

After losing Game 3, the Indiana Fever bounced back to defeat the Las Vegas Aces and force a winner-take-all Game 5 of the 2025 WNBA Semis.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 points, on the other hand, Aliyah Boston had a monster game of 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, along with 2 blocks and 2 steals, despite guarding A’ja Wilson for the entirety of the game. Odyssey Sims was a big factor with 18 points. Lexie Hull despite scoring only 7 points, she was the engine that powered the Fever’s defense, Hull grabbed 7 rebounds, with 4 steals and 1 block.

The Indiana Fever won the game even though the Aces got a big performance from 4-time MVP A’ja Wilson. She scored 31 points and 9 rebounds and was also a force on the defensive end with 4 steals and 3 blocks. Jackie Young added 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Aside from Wilson and Young, the rest of the Aces were a non-factor. The team even committed a technical foul when Head Coach Becky Hammon mistakenly called an extra timeout with 30.1 seconds left in the game. This mistake cost the Aces possession, and the Fever were able to capitalize by making the technical free throw and the two free throws by Odyssey Sims when she was fouled by Chelsea Gray, creating a 10-point margin (87−77).

Game Highlights

The series will now move back to Las Vegas for the deciding Game 5 this Tuesday, Sept 30th. The pressure will now be on the Aces, considering they are the healthy team, with the reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, and are playing at home. The Indiana Fever, at this point, are already overachieving, with 5 players out due to season-ending injuries and with 2 players who were added only a month ago, simply by pushing the Aces to the brink of elimination.

ICYMI: Aces routs Fever to even series (90 – 68)

As expected, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever (90 – 68) to even the 2025 WNBA Semifinals. After being embarrassed by the Fever in Game 1, the Aces played their own game and was able to contain Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell and limited her to just 18 points. Unlike in game 1, Aces’ A’ja Wilson also played like the MVP of the league scoring 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. Former Fever player NaLyssa Smith also had a big game with 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Game Highlights

Game 3 and 4 will now move to Indiana where Fever have been undefeated in their last 3 games including their Game 2 win in the first round against Atlanta Dream.

Fever stuns Aces to take Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Semis

The Indiana Fever continue to defy logic that they upset the Las Vegas Aces and steal game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Semifinals. It was a Kelsey Mitchell show she scored a game high of 34 points, out playing A’ja Wilson who was named this year’s MVP, her 4th MVP.

WNBA;

Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff-career high 34 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series.

After seeing their double-digit lead shrink to three points with 2:51 left in the third, the Fever closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to extend their advantage to 14 points, seizing control of the game and never looking back.

Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting with 93 points, scored 17 points in the first half, setting the tone for the Fever’s offense. The veteran guard, who finished the regular season ranked third in scoring with 20.2 points per game, shot 12 of 23 (52.2%) from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range in her first-ever semifinal game.

Watch Kelsey Mitchell Becomes First Fever Player To Record 30+ PTS In A Playoff Game since 2012!

Here are the Game 1 highlights;

ICYMI: Indiana Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-finals of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

I was out of the weekend and just catching up on everything WNBA and everyone’s favorite/hated team the Indiana Fever will advance to the semis of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs and will face the Las Vegas Aces.

Both team needed 3 games in order to advance to the next round. Indiana Fever won two in a row; one at home and a nail-bitter on the road (87 – 85). Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream was a close game, and it wasn’t decided until the final 17 seconds.

WNBA;

Despite missing Caitlin Clark among its injured players, Indiana closed on a 7-0 run to win a playoff series for the first time since 2015. The sixth-seeded Fever will play on Sunday against the winner of Thursday’s other Game 3 between Seattle and Las Vegas.

Boston was left alone under the basket for an easy layup after Brionna Jones went to the ground going for a loose ball. It gave Indiana an 86-85 lead, its first since it was 33-30 in the second quarter.

Rhyne Howard twice had trouble inbounding the ball in the final seconds, with Hull coming from behind to poke it away from Jones. Indiana got it to Odyssey Sims, who went 1 of 2 at the free-throw line to give Atlanta another shot with 1.2 left. Jones’ off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.

Here’s the Game 3 Highlights

As for the Las Vegas Aces, they needed an MVP-worthy performance from A’ja Wilson just to squeak out a win against the Seattle Storm. Wilson scored a game-high 38 points and 5 rebounds. In the series against the Storm, A’ja Wilson is averaging 29.33 points, on a 55.4% field goal. She is also averaging 8.7 rebounds with 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks.

Watch the Game 3 Highlights of the Aces versus the Storm;

The format for WNBA Semifinals will be a best of 5 games with a 2-2-1. Game 1 of the Semifinals of the 2025 WNBA will this Sunday, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.