Atlanta Dream Defeat Los Angeles Sparks 78-71 as Angel Reese Breaks Two WNBA Rebounding Records

Cecilia Zandalasini scored 18 as the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Minnesota Lynx 80-66 for their first franchise win over Minnesota.

Shakira Austin scored a career-high 31 points as the Washington Mystics rallied past Portland 105-100 to clinch their first playoff berth since 2023.

The Chicago Sky had already come painfully close to beating the New York Liberty twice this season. On Tuesday night, Natasha Cloud made sure the third meeting ended differently. Cloud erupted for a career-high 35 points , adding nine rebounds and six assists as the Sky defeated the New York Liberty 93-86 in Chicago. Kamilla Cardoso added 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Sky survived New York's fourth-quarter comeback and improved to 14-22 . Chicago had lost its first two meetings with New York this season by exactly one point each. This time, even after surrendering a 13-point advantage and briefly falling behind late, the Sky found an answer. Cloud provided it. Natasha Cloud Takes Over Against the Liberty Cloud delivered the best scoring performance of her career when Chicago needed it most. She finished 13-for-21 from the field , connected on four of eight three-point attempts and made five of six free throws. Her final line of 35 points, nine rebounds and six assists reflected much more than a hot shooting night. She was involved throughout Chicago's offense and ultimately became its closer. Cloud had already scored 16 points with four three-pointers in the first half , helping Chicago establish control before halftime. But her biggest baskets came after New York had erased that advantage. Chicago Builds a Double-Digit Halftime Lead The Sky began creating separation during the second quarter. Cloud knocked down a three-pointer, and Courtney Vandersloot followed with one from a similar area as Chicago put together a 9-0 run . By halftime, the Sky had established an 11-point advantage . Chicago's offense wasn't dependent solely on Cloud. Azura Stevens had already provided an early spark, scoring 10 points in the opening quarter , while the Sky found opportunities cutting toward the basket and from the perimeter. The lead eventually grew to 13 points during the third quarter. Against a Liberty team with enough offensive talent to erase deficits quickly, however, 13 was not enough to put the game away. Jonquel Jones Leaves With an Ankle Injury New York suffered an important setback early in the game. Jonquel Jones appeared to injure her left ankle with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter while battling for position inside. She did not return. The supplied sources do not provide a diagnosis or timetable for Jones, so the severity of the injury was not immediately established. Her absence left the Liberty without an important interior presence for most of the night. New York still managed to mount a major comeback. Rebecca Allen Sparks New York's Rally The Liberty began cutting into Chicago's lead during the third quarter. Rebecca Allen scored all 14 of her points after halftime , including three three-pointers during the third period. Her perimeter shooting helped reduce what had been a 13-point Chicago advantage to five. Sabrina Ionescu also began making an impact. Ionescu intercepted a pass and converted at the other end as New York continued building momentum. She eventually finished with 18 points and 12 assists , recording a double-double while helping organize the Liberty's comeback. Chicago still carried an eight-point advantage into the fourth. New York wasn't finished. Breanna Stewart Helps Bring the Liberty Back Breanna Stewart led New York with 22 points and played a major role in the fourth-quarter rally. As Chicago's advantage disappeared, Stewart connected from three-point range to bring the Liberty within one. New York then created another opportunity defensively. Stewart came up with a steal, and the possession eventually ended with Marine Johannes hitting a three-pointer with 2:09 remaining . For the first time since New York had led 24-23 , the Liberty were back in front. The score was 84-83 . After trailing by as many as 13, New York had completed the comeback. Now Chicago needed to respond. Natasha Cloud Answers Immediately Cloud did not allow New York's lead to last. With 1:17 remaining , she reached her preferred area around the free-throw line and connected on a jumper. The basket gave Chicago an 86-84 advantage and pushed Cloud beyond her previous career high of 31 points. It was exactly the type of possession Chicago had failed to consistently produce in its previous close losses to New York. The Sky needed a basket. Their leading scorer created one. New York then missed a three-pointer, giving Chicago an opportunity to extend the lead. Kamilla Cardoso Delivers the Dagger Cloud had already done the scoring damage herself. This time, she created for someone else. With less than a minute remaining, Cloud found Kamilla Cardoso inside. Cardoso converted in the lane with 39.9 seconds remaining , increasing Chicago's advantage and putting New York in a much more difficult position. Cardoso finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds , giving Chicago an important double-double alongside Cloud's career night. Her late basket was especially significant because the Liberty had spent most of the second half fighting their way back into the game. Once New York finally grabbed the lead, Chicago immediately took it away. Cardoso helped make sure the Liberty never reclaimed it. Cloud Closes the Game at the Free-Throw Line New York's comeback effectively ended at the foul line. Cloud went 4-for-4 on free throws during the final 20 seconds , preventing the Liberty from creating another realistic opportunity to take control. Stewart scored with 7.1 seconds remaining , but by then Chicago had already established the separation it needed. The Liberty had gone from taking an 84-83 lead with 2:09 remaining to being held without another point until the final seconds. Chicago had finally finished the job. A Different Ending for the Sky The context made the victory especially meaningful. Chicago had lost both previous meetings with New York this season by one point . Tuesday appeared capable of producing another painful finish. The Sky led by 13. The Liberty rallied. New York took the lead with slightly more than two minutes remaining. Instead of allowing another close game against the Liberty to slip away, Chicago executed. Cloud made the go-ahead jumper. Cardoso scored inside. Cloud converted the late free throws. This time, Chicago was the team making the decisive plays. Sabrina Ionescu's Double-Double Isn't Enough Ionescu's 18 points and 12 assists gave New York an important combination of scoring and playmaking. Together with Stewart's 22 points and Allen's second-half shooting, it gave the Liberty enough offense to erase the double-digit deficit. But New York could not finish the comeback. After Johannes' three-pointer created the 84-83 advantage, the Liberty failed to score on their next several possessions. Against a player having the type of night Cloud was having, those empty trips became decisive. Chicago Gets the Close Win It Had Been Missing The 93-86 victory was defined by Chicago's response after losing control of its lead. Cloud's 35 points will understandably receive most of the attention, but the closing sequence demonstrated why the performance mattered beyond the career-high number. She scored when New York had finally taken the lead. She found Cardoso for another critical basket. Then she made four consecutive free throws to close the game. Chicago didn't simply beat New York because Cloud scored 35. The Sky won because their best player delivered at the exact moment the game threatened to become another narrow loss to the Liberty. New York fell to 22-15 , while Chicago improved to 14-22 . The Liberty next host Indiana on Saturday, and the Sky remain home to face Golden State on Friday. For Chicago, Tuesday's result provided a satisfying reversal. Two one-point losses had defined the season series. In the third meeting, Cloud made sure the Sky finally got their win. 

The Las Vegas Aces entered Thursday night looking for a response after consecutive losses. By the second half, they had turned a one-point game into a rout. Jackie Young scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds in only three quarters , A'ja Wilson added 20 points, and the Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 101-78 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas used a dominant third-quarter run to take control, improved to 25-13 , and extended its winning streak over Connecticut to 11 consecutive games. The final 23-point margin hardly reflected how competitive the first half had been. Connecticut trailed by only one point at halftime before Las Vegas dramatically changed the game with its defense, rebounding and transition opportunities. Jackie Young Leads the Aces With 24 Points Young was at the center of the Aces' offensive success. She finished with a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds , accomplishing all of it without playing during the fourth quarter because Las Vegas had already built such a commanding advantage. Her performance was not limited to scoring. Young attacked Connecticut's defense while remaining active on the glass and helping Las Vegas turn a close matchup into a comfortable victory. The photographs included with the supplied material reinforce her central role in the game. On page 3 , Young is shown reacting after scoring, while page 7 captures her making a no-look pass against Connecticut's defense. By the time the fourth quarter began, her work was essentially finished. Las Vegas no longer needed its leading scorer on the floor. Connecticut Keeps It Close Through the First Half The Sun did not initially resemble a team headed toward a 23-point defeat. Connecticut remained within striking distance throughout the opening half and entered the locker room trailing just 48-47 . Olivia Nelson-Ododa was particularly effective early, scoring 12 of her 14 points before halftime . Her production gave Connecticut enough offense to stay with a Las Vegas lineup featuring Young, Wilson and several other proven scorers. At halftime, there was little separation between the teams. That changed almost immediately after the break. A 16-0 Run Breaks the Game Open Las Vegas completely altered the matchup during the third quarter. The Aces unleashed a 16-0 run , turning a competitive game into one controlled by the home team. Connecticut suddenly struggled to generate the same offensive rhythm it had maintained during the first half, while Las Vegas began converting defensive pressure into scoring opportunities. The Aces did not simply improve offensively. They began controlling virtually every part of the game. By the time Connecticut found an answer, Las Vegas had created the type of cushion that allowed Young to spend the entire fourth quarter on the bench. A'ja Wilson Adds 20 Points Young led the scoring, but A'ja Wilson provided another strong performance with 20 points . Wilson's presence gave Connecticut another major problem to solve. The images included in the source material show her involvement throughout the night. Page 6 features Wilson taking the court before the game, while page 18 shows her looking for an open teammate while defended by Nelson-Ododa. With Young creating from the perimeter and Wilson operating as another primary scoring threat, Connecticut's defense eventually became overwhelmed. Las Vegas didn't need Wilson to produce a huge individual scoring total. Twenty points were more than enough. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Gives Las Vegas a Major Bench Boost One of the biggest differences came from the Aces' supporting cast. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench , narrowly missing a double-double. Her production gave Las Vegas another reliable scoring option beyond Young and Wilson. The source material also includes an action photograph on page 12 showing Parker-Tyus reacting after making a three-pointer against Connecticut. When a team already featuring Young and Wilson receives 18 points from a reserve, the margin for error becomes extremely small for its opponent. Connecticut discovered that quickly in the second half. Las Vegas Dominates the Rebounding Battle The Aces controlled the glass almost as decisively as they controlled the scoreboard. Las Vegas outrebounded Connecticut 40-23 . That 17-rebound advantage limited Connecticut's second opportunities while helping the Aces secure possessions and push the ball in the other direction. Parker-Tyus accounted for nine rebounds herself, while Young added seven. For Connecticut, the inability to compete consistently on the glass made recovering from the third-quarter run even more difficult. Missed shots frequently became the end of possessions. Against Las Vegas, that was costly. Connecticut's 19 Turnovers Become 28 Aces Points The Sun's other major problem was ball security. Connecticut committed 19 turnovers , and Las Vegas converted those mistakes into 28 points . That number helps explain how dramatically the game changed. The Aces were not simply forcing turnovers. They were turning those takeaways into immediate offensive production. One of the photographs in the supplied document illustrates that defensive pressure. On page 9 , Stephanie Talbot is shown stealing the ball from Nelson-Ododa during the matchup. Against an Aces team capable of scoring quickly, empty possessions were particularly damaging. Connecticut gave Las Vegas too many of them. Aces Continue Pulling Away in the Fourth The third-quarter surge put Las Vegas in control. The beginning of the fourth removed any realistic possibility of a Connecticut comeback. Las Vegas opened the final period with a 12-2 run , stretching its advantage to 87-65 . At that point, Young remained on the bench. The Aces no longer needed to rely heavily on their starters because the supporting rotation continued producing. The source material includes several images of that depth in action, including Chelsea Gray scoring on page 10 and Mai Yamamoto celebrating a three-pointer on page 15 . Las Vegas had transformed a 48-47 halftime advantage into a 22-point lead early in the fourth. That was the game. Jewell Loyd Reaches Another WNBA Milestone The victory also included a career milestone for Jewell Loyd . Loyd moved into eighth place on the WNBA's all-time list for made three-pointers , reaching 728 career threes . It was another accomplishment within a game where Las Vegas received contributions throughout its lineup. Young led the scoring. Wilson supplied 20. Parker-Tyus nearly recorded a double-double. And Loyd continued climbing the league's historical three-point rankings. Connecticut Receives Balanced Scoring but Not Enough Nelson-Ododa finished as Connecticut's leading scorer with 14 points , but most of that production came before halftime. Kennedy Burke and Leila Lacan scored 11 points each , while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 10 . The Sun had enough balanced production to remain competitive early. They didn't have enough to match Las Vegas once the Aces raised their level after halftime. The turnovers and rebounding deficit magnified the difference. Connecticut simply wasn't getting enough opportunities to keep pace. Las Vegas Extends Its Dominance Over Connecticut The victory continued a remarkably one-sided stretch in the matchup. Las Vegas has now defeated Connecticut 11 consecutive times . Thursday's game also demonstrated how quickly the Aces can change a matchup. For 20 minutes, Connecticut stayed with them. The Sun entered halftime down only 48-47. Then Las Vegas produced a 16-0 third-quarter run, followed it with a 12-2 burst to begin the fourth, and finished with 101 points . The Aces also snapped their own two-game losing streak in the process. Aces Get the Response They Needed Las Vegas didn't merely end its losing streak. The Aces produced the type of second-half performance that demonstrated how dangerous they can become once their defense begins creating offense. They won the rebounding battle by 17. They scored 28 points off Connecticut's 19 turnovers. Young scored 24 without playing in the fourth quarter. Wilson added 20. Parker-Tyus supplied 18 off the bench. The result was a 101-78 victory that looked nothing like the one-point game that existed at halftime. Connecticut will next travel to face Los Angeles, while Las Vegas heads to Toronto. For the Aces, Thursday provided exactly the response they were looking for. A close first half became a dominant second. And by the end of the night, Las Vegas had another triple-digit victory and its 11th consecutive win over the Sun .

The Dallas Wings needed a breakthrough. Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard delivered it. Ogunbowale erupted for a season-high 32 points , Shepard produced a career-high 26 , and the Wings defeated the Indiana Fever 91-85 Thursday night in Dallas. The victory ended Indiana's five-game winning streak and gave the Wings a much-needed result after winning only three of their previous 11 games. The matchup featured Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, but neither former No. 1 overall pick controlled the night offensively. Instead, Dallas leaned on Ogunbowale and Shepard before creating the separation it needed in the second half. Indiana still had a historic performance of its own. Kelsey Mitchell scored 37 points and established a new WNBA record with her 21st consecutive 20-point game. Dallas Wings Answer Indiana's Strong Start Indiana entered the game with momentum and initially looked ready to extend its winning streak. Mitchell scored nine points in the opening quarter , helping the Fever build a four-point advantage. But Dallas remained close enough to prevent Indiana from establishing control. Mitchell continued attacking during the second quarter, scoring another 12 points and reaching halftime with 21. Dallas kept answering. By halftime, the teams were tied 42-42 , setting up a second half in which the Wings would finally begin creating separation. Arike Ogunbowale Delivers Her Best Scoring Night of the Season Ogunbowale provided the offensive production Dallas needed. The Wings guard scored a season-high 32 points , giving Dallas a reliable scorer on a night when Bueckers struggled to find her usual efficiency. That production was particularly valuable given the circumstances. Dallas entered Thursday having won just three times in 11 games since completing a six-game winning streak earlier in the season. The Wings needed someone capable of consistently generating offense against an Indiana team that had won five straight. Ogunbowale became that player. Rather than allowing the game to become defined solely by the Clark-Bueckers matchup, she made herself the centerpiece of Dallas' attack. Jessica Shepard Produces a Career Night Ogunbowale wasn't carrying Dallas alone. Jessica Shepard scored a career-high 26 points , while adding eight rebounds and four assists . Her versatility created another problem for Indiana. Shepard could finish possessions herself, contribute on the glass and keep the offense moving as a passer. Her production became especially important as Dallas began taking control during the second half. Ogunbowale and Shepard combined for 58 of the Wings' 91 points . On a night when Bueckers scored only 13, Dallas needed that kind of production elsewhere. The Wings got it. Kelsey Mitchell Makes WNBA History Indiana may have lost the game, but Mitchell produced the night's biggest individual milestone. She scored 37 points , tying her season high and finishing only one point shy of her career best. Mitchell made four three-pointers and converted all 15 of her free-throw attempts . More importantly, she reached at least 20 points for the 21st consecutive game . That established a new WNBA record, breaking the previous mark Mitchell had shared with A'ja Wilson. Mitchell secured the record before halftime. With only seconds remaining in the second quarter, she converted a layup to reach 21 points. The achievement was only one of several milestones. Her 37 points increased her season total to 912 , surpassing her own Fever single-season scoring record of 890 points from 2025. She also became the fourth player in league history to score at least 900 points in a season . Mitchell's 139th career 20-point game also moved her past Tamika Catchings for the most such performances in Fever history. The image on page 3 of the supplied material appropriately centers Mitchell, reflecting how significant her record-setting performance was even in defeat. Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers Both Struggle From the Field The matchup naturally attracted attention because it featured Clark and Bueckers. Six days earlier, both guards had scored 29 points when Indiana defeated Dallas 98-87. The rematch unfolded very differently. Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists , while Bueckers recorded 13 points and eight assists . Together, they shot only 9-for-31 from the field . Neither player needed to dominate for the game to remain compelling. Bueckers continued creating for teammates despite her shooting struggles, while Clark came within one assist of a double-double. The difference was that Dallas received enough scoring elsewhere to overcome Bueckers' quiet night. Indiana could not say the same about Clark. Awak Kuier Protects the Rim Dallas also received an enormous defensive contribution from Awak Kuier . Kuier finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven blocks . Five of those blocks came before halftime, already matching her previous career best from 2021. Her rim protection gave the Wings something their scoring numbers alone could not provide: a way to disrupt Indiana around the basket. With Mitchell scoring relentlessly from the perimeter and free-throw line, Dallas needed defensive contributions elsewhere. Kuier provided them. Wings Take Control After Halftime The game was tied at 42 entering the second half. Dallas then produced its best sustained stretch. The Wings outscored Indiana 24-19 in the third quarter , taking a 66-61 advantage into the fourth. Instead of allowing Indiana to immediately erase the deficit, Dallas expanded it. With Bueckers beginning the fourth quarter on the bench, Shepard and Alysha Clark helped the Wings maintain their momentum. Odyssey Sims later converted two free throws, and when Bueckers returned, she knocked down a jumper that gave Dallas its first 10-point advantage at 74-64 . For a Wings team that had struggled to turn competitive performances into victories, the sequence mattered. Dallas created separation and then protected it. Makayla Timpson Records Her First Double-Double Indiana received another encouraging performance from Makayla Timpson . The rookie finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds , recording the first double-double of her WNBA career. Her work on the glass gave Indiana additional possessions and provided some interior support on a night when much of the offensive burden fell on Mitchell. It wasn't enough to complete the comeback, but it represented another positive development for the Fever's rotation. Fever Miss Their First Chance at a Franchise Wins Record Indiana entered Thursday with 24 victories , matching its franchise record from the previous season. A win in Dallas would have established a new single-season high. Instead, the Fever remained at 24-13 after having their five-game winning streak snapped. Indiana still has opportunities to establish the record, but Dallas prevented the celebration from happening on its home floor. The Fever were scheduled to continue their road trip with games against New York and Chicago. Dallas Responds Without Azzi Fudd The victory also came immediately after difficult personnel news for the Wings. According to the supplied material, Dallas had announced that Azzi Fudd would miss the remainder of the season to undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. Losing the No. 1 overall pick created another challenge for a Dallas team already trying to regain momentum. Against Indiana, the Wings responded with one of their stronger performances. Ogunbowale delivered a season high. Shepard established a career high. Kuier established a career high in blocks. And Dallas beat a Fever team that had entered the night riding five consecutive victories. Dallas Gets the Win It Needed The 91-85 final score tells only part of the story. Dallas won despite Bueckers having an inefficient shooting night. The Wings survived Mitchell's 37-point explosion. They held Clark to 10 points, protected the rim behind Kuier and received 58 combined points from Ogunbowale and Shepard. For Indiana, Mitchell's historic night provided plenty to celebrate individually, but the Fever couldn't turn her scoring performance into their sixth consecutive victory. For Dallas, this was exactly the kind of result the Wings needed. They didn't require Bueckers to score 30. They needed other players to take control. Ogunbowale and Shepard did precisely that, powering the Wings to a 91-85 victory over the Fever and giving Dallas an important win during a difficult stretch of its season.

The Washington Mystics continue to make their home court one of the toughest places to win in the WNBA. Behind double-doubles from Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin , Washington defeated the Toronto Tempo 93-82 Wednesday night, extending its home winning streak to eight games. Iriafen led the Mystics with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Austin added 11 points and 10 boards as Washington dominated the glass and created the separation it needed during a decisive second quarter. The victory improved Washington to 21-14 and kept the Mystics moving in the right direction as the postseason approaches. For Toronto, the loss carried much heavier consequences. The expansion Tempo fell to 10-25, suffered their 12th consecutive defeat and were eliminated from playoff contention in their inaugural season. Kiki Iriafen Controls the Game Inside Iriafen was at the center of Washington's success. The forward scored a game-high 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting while collecting 13 rebounds. It was her 15th double-double of the season , another example of the consistent interior production she has provided for the Mystics. Her impact was especially important because Washington established one of its clearest advantages on the glass. The Mystics outrebounded Toronto 43-27 , repeatedly preventing the Tempo from extending possessions while creating additional opportunities for themselves. According to the supplied coverage, Washington also held a commanding 23-7 advantage in second-chance points . In an 11-point game, those extra possessions mattered. Shakira Austin Adds Another Double-Double Iriafen wasn't controlling the interior alone. Shakira Austin finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds , recording her 16th double-double of the season . The combination of Austin and Iriafen gave Washington 23 rebounds between them, nearly matching Toronto's entire team total of 27. Their production also allowed the Mystics to continue attacking close to the basket. Washington finished with 38 points in the paint , narrowly missing what would have been a 12th consecutive game with at least 40. That interior consistency has become an important part of Washington's identity. A 12-0 Run Changes the Game Toronto remained competitive during the opening quarter. The second quarter was completely different. Washington opened the period with a 12-0 run while Toronto missed its first five shots. The surge gave the Mystics a 37-24 advantage and immediately placed the short-handed Tempo in a difficult position. Washington ultimately won the second quarter 22-9 and carried a 47-33 lead into halftime . Toronto's nine points represented a franchise low for scoring in a single quarter, according to the supplied coverage. For a team already playing without several important contributors, overcoming a 14-point halftime deficit became an enormous challenge. Michaela Onyenwere Stretches the Floor While Iriafen and Austin controlled the interior, Michaela Onyenwere punished Toronto from the perimeter. Onyenwere finished with 14 points and four three-pointers . Her most important stretch came midway through the third quarter. Onyenwere connected on threes during consecutive possessions, extending Washington's advantage to 60-42 . The back-to-back shots helped prevent Toronto from generating the type of immediate second-half run it needed to seriously threaten the Mystics' lead. That combination made Washington difficult to defend. Collapse toward Iriafen and Austin, and the Mystics could attack from the perimeter. Stay attached to the shooters, and Washington's frontcourt had room to operate inside. Sonia Citron Keeps the Offense Moving Sonia Citron provided another productive all-around performance. Citron finished with 13 points and six assists , giving Washington another creator capable of generating offense without dominating the basketball. Her playmaking helped the Mystics maintain their balance. Washington didn't need a 30-point scorer to defeat Toronto. Instead, the Mystics received production from multiple areas of the rotation while consistently creating high-value opportunities around the basket and off second chances. That balance allowed Washington to maintain control even when Toronto attempted to respond. Toronto Entered Severely Short-Handed The Tempo faced a difficult assignment before the game even started. Toronto was playing the second game of a back-to-back after facing Indiana the previous night, and several major contributors were unavailable. The supplied sources identify Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes and Nyara Sabally among Toronto's top scorers who did not play. Additional coverage in the uploaded document reports that Maria Conde was also sidelined, leaving the Tempo without four important players. Washington took advantage of those absences, particularly around the basket. But Toronto still received encouraging production from some of its younger players. Kiki Rice Produces a Career Night Kiki Rice gave Toronto one of its brightest performances despite the loss. The rookie led the Tempo with a career-high 19 points , according to the supplied coverage. Aneesah Morrow added 13 points and eight rebounds , helping Toronto remain competitive after Washington's dominant second quarter. For a team entering the developmental portion of its inaugural season, those individual performances still matter. Toronto's postseason hopes are gone, but the remaining schedule provides an opportunity to evaluate which young players can become meaningful parts of the franchise's future. Rebounding Separates Washington From Toronto The clearest difference between the teams was visible on the glass. Washington's 43-27 rebounding advantage created a substantial possession advantage, and the Mystics turned those opportunities into a 23-7 edge in second-chance scoring . Those numbers help explain how Washington remained comfortably ahead despite Toronto scoring 82 points. The Mystics weren't simply making shots. They were earning additional opportunities whenever shots didn't fall. Iriafen and Austin were responsible for much of that advantage, and their ability to control rebounds prevented Toronto from consistently turning defensive stops into transition opportunities. Eight Straight Home Wins for the Mystics Wednesday's victory extended Washington's home winning streak to eight consecutive games . That consistency becomes increasingly valuable as the regular season enters its final stretch. Washington has developed a recognizable formula during its strongest performances: control the paint, dominate the glass, generate second opportunities and receive balanced scoring around its frontcourt. Against Toronto, every part of that formula appeared. The Mystics didn't need a dramatic finish because they created separation early enough to avoid one. Toronto Tempo Eliminated From Playoff Contention The loss officially ended Toronto's postseason hopes. At 10-25 , the Tempo were eliminated from playoff contention during their inaugural WNBA season and extended their losing streak to 12 games . That does not make the remaining schedule meaningless. For an expansion franchise, the final games can become an extended evaluation period. Players such as Rice and Morrow can receive meaningful opportunities while the organization gathers information for its second season. But Wednesday demonstrated the challenge Toronto faces when its roster is depleted. Washington's size, rebounding and depth proved too much to overcome. Washington Keeps Building Toward the Postseason The Mystics will face a significantly different challenge next when they remain home to play the Minnesota Lynx , while Toronto returns home to face Portland. Minnesota will provide Washington with an opportunity to measure its recent progress against one of the WNBA's strongest teams. The Mystics enter that matchup with momentum. They have won eight consecutive games at home. Iriafen and Austin continue producing double-doubles. Washington's frontcourt remains difficult to handle on the glass, and the supporting cast is providing enough perimeter scoring to prevent opponents from simply packing the paint. Against Toronto, those strengths produced a 93-82 victory . For the Tempo, it officially closed the door on the playoffs. For Washington, it represented another step toward them.

The Minnesota Lynx arrived in San Francisco with the WNBA's best record and delivered another reminder of why they remain the team everyone is chasing. Minnesota defeated the Golden State Valkyries 77-66 Wednesday night at Chase Center, snapping Golden State's six-game winning streak and handing the Valkyries only their second loss in 17 games. Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride scored 20 points apiece , while Napheesa Collier added 18 points and eight rebounds as the Lynx controlled the game early and prevented Golden State from completing a second-half comeback. The victory improved Minnesota to 30-7 , extended its winning streak to five games, and continued its remarkable run against Western Conference opponents. But the night also brought concern for the Lynx after Miles left the game with a left ankle injury during the fourth quarter. Minnesota Lynx Take Control Early Golden State entered the matchup as one of the hottest teams in the league. Minnesota never allowed the Valkyries to look comfortable. Golden State shot just 4-for-17 in the first quarter , including 1-for-6 from three-point range. The offensive problems became even more severe during the second period, when the Valkyries opened just 1-for-12 from the field. Minnesota capitalized. The Lynx opened the second quarter with seven unanswered points and eventually stretched their advantage to 35-18 . By halftime, Minnesota led 41-26 . Against a Golden State team that had lost only once in its previous 16 games, the Lynx had established a 15-point advantage before the Valkyries could find any meaningful offensive rhythm. Olivia Miles Delivers Before Leaving With Ankle Injury Miles was one of the primary reasons Minnesota controlled the game. The rookie guard scored 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting , while adding seven assists and five rebounds . Her efficiency gave the Lynx a reliable offensive creator against one of the WNBA's strongest teams. Her night, however, ended prematurely. Miles injured her left ankle midway through the fourth quarter after stepping on teammate Napheesa Collier's foot. She left the floor and briefly went to the locker room before later returning to Minnesota's bench area. The supplied source does not provide a final diagnosis or timetable for her return, so the extent of the injury was not established in the immediate aftermath of the game. For Minnesota, Miles' status becomes an important storyline after an otherwise impressive road victory. Kayla McBride Helps Finish the Job With Miles unavailable late, Minnesota still had plenty of experience on the floor. McBride finished with 20 points and delivered one of the game's defining shots during the closing stretch. Her late three-pointer helped prevent Golden State from turning its comeback attempt into a one-possession game. After making the shot at Chase Center, McBride celebrated with the familiar "night night" gesture associated with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. The moment fit the situation. Golden State had spent much of the second half trying to erase Minnesota's advantage. McBride helped make sure the comeback never reached completion. Napheesa Collier Provides Another Steady Performance While Miles and McBride shared the scoring lead, Napheesa Collier continued supplying the consistency Minnesota has come to expect. Collier recorded 18 points and eight rebounds , giving the Lynx three players with at least 18 points. That balance proved particularly important against a Valkyries team capable of creating momentum through its defense. Minnesota did not need one scorer to carry the offense. Instead, Miles attacked efficiently, McBride provided perimeter scoring, and Collier remained productive throughout the matchup. Golden State Valkyries Finally Find Life in the Fourth The Valkyries' first half made a comeback extremely difficult. Golden State started the game 5-for-27 from the field and finished the first half just 7-for-37 overall . The Valkyries were also only 2-for-14 from three-point range before halftime. Still, they did not disappear. Janelle Salaün connected on a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to reduce Minnesota's advantage to 54-44 . She followed with a free throw and later a layup that brought Golden State within 54-47 with 8:18 remaining . What had once been a 17-point Minnesota lead was suddenly down to seven. The sellout crowd had reason to believe another Valkyries comeback might be developing. Minnesota responded before it could happen. Golden State Could Not Get the Defensive Stops It Needed Golden State has built much of its success around using defense to create offense. Against Minnesota, that formula never fully developed. The Valkyries managed to reduce the deficit during the fourth quarter, but they could not consistently stop the Lynx once the game tightened. That prevented Golden State from turning its improved offense into a complete comeback. Minnesota's experienced scorers repeatedly found answers, ensuring the Valkyries could never completely erase the damage from their difficult first half. Veronica Burton Leads the Valkyries Veronica Burton provided Golden State's most productive performance with 14 points and seven assists . Leading scorer Gabby Williams , however, endured a difficult shooting night. Williams finished with 10 points on 4-for-15 shooting , including a 1-for-7 start as Golden State struggled to generate offense during the first half. The Valkyries needed more offensive production against a Minnesota team with multiple proven scorers. On Wednesday, it never arrived consistently enough. Minnesota Continues Its Dominance Over Golden State The victory extended an unusual one-sided trend between two of the league's best teams. Golden State has yet to defeat Minnesota in seven meetings , according to the supplied game recap. That history includes the Lynx sweeping the expansion Valkyries during the opening round of the 2025 playoffs. Minnesota had also defeated Golden State twice earlier in the 2026 regular season, including an 81-75 victory on June 19 and an 87-84 win on June 4 . For all of Golden State's success against the rest of the league, Minnesota remains the matchup it has been unable to solve. Valkyries' Six-Game Winning Streak Comes to an End Wednesday's loss should be viewed within the larger context of Golden State's impressive season. The Valkyries entered the night having won six consecutive games and 15 of their previous 16. They had already secured a playoff berth with a 78-70 victory over Dallas on Monday. Golden State fell to 25-10 , but one loss does not erase the momentum that carried the team into the matchup. The concern is how difficult Minnesota continues to make life for the Valkyries. Against most opponents, Golden State's defense generates enough energy to unlock its offense. Against the Lynx, the Valkyries never established that rhythm. Lynx Strengthen Their Position Atop the WNBA Minnesota's victory was its fifth straight and 15th in 16 games , pushing the league-leading Lynx to 30 victories. Minnesota also improved to 11-1 on the road against Western Conference opponents . Those numbers reinforce what Wednesday's performance demonstrated. The Lynx can win against elite opponents away from home. They can establish control early. They can withstand comeback attempts. And they have multiple players capable of delivering when a game tightens. Minnesota will next visit Washington, while Golden State travels to Chicago. The biggest question for the Lynx will be the health of Miles. But on Wednesday night, before her early exit, she helped Minnesota establish exactly the kind of advantage the WNBA's best team knows how to protect. The 77-66 victory over the Golden State Valkyries ended one of the league's hottest winning streaks and strengthened Minnesota's position atop the standings. For Golden State, it also reinforced a challenge that remains unresolved: The Valkyries have beaten nearly everyone lately.  They still haven't figured out the Lynx.