C.J. Stroud's Trade Value Reinforces Texans' Commitment to Their Franchise Quarterback

The Los Angeles Sparks looked headed toward a difficult home loss after falling behind by as many as 17 points against the Washington Mystics. Then the second half changed everything. Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points, Rae Burrell delivered 12 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, and the Sparks rallied for an 88-82 victory over Washington at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles turned defensive pressure into offense, erased an 11-point halftime deficit and closed the game with a decisive 13-2 run. For Washington, the loss spoiled strong performances from Sonia Citron, Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen while ending a three-game road winning streak. Mystics Take Control Before Halftime The teams were evenly matched early, finishing the opening quarter tied after both offenses shot efficiently. Washington began creating separation in the second. Austin attacked inside, while Iriafen scored seven points during the period. Los Angeles struggled to maintain its offensive rhythm and at one point had made only two of nine shots during the quarter. The Mystics eventually stretched their advantage into double figures and led by as many as 17. Los Angeles managed an 8-2 run late in the half, but Washington still entered the locker room with a 51-40 advantage . The Mystics appeared firmly in control. Nneka Ogwumike Starts the Sparks’ Comeback Los Angeles needed an immediate response after halftime. Ogwumike provided it. She scored the Sparks' first four points of the third quarter, helping Los Angeles establish the energy it had been missing before the break. Erica Wheeler followed with a three-pointer, and Monique Akoa Makani continued contributing as the Sparks opened the half on a 16-6 run . Suddenly, Washington's comfortable advantage was nearly gone. With 4:59 remaining in the third, Los Angeles had pulled within 57-56 . The Sparks had transformed the game in just over seven minutes. Washington Keeps a Narrow Lead Entering the Fourth The Mystics did not immediately collapse. Austin answered some of Ogwumike's scoring, and Georgia Amoore connected on two three-pointers during the third quarter. Washington managed to take a three-point advantage into the fourth. But the game had changed. The Sparks were defending with greater pressure, moving the basketball more effectively and creating opportunities before Washington could organize defensively. Los Angeles ultimately recorded 28 assists on 36 made field goals , a reflection of how effectively the Sparks shared the ball. That offensive rhythm became increasingly important during the final period. Rae Burrell Takes Over in the Fourth Quarter Burrell had only three points entering the fourth. She finished with 15. Her 12 fourth-quarter points became the defining individual performance of the comeback. The game was tied with approximately five and a half minutes remaining before Los Angeles began to separate. Burrell's biggest sequence arrived late. With 2:54 remaining , she connected on a three-pointer to extend the Sparks' advantage. Washington attempted to answer by going inside to Austin, but Cameron Brink blocked the shot. Los Angeles immediately attacked in transition. Burrell finished the possession with a layup, completing the Sparks' 13-2 run and putting Los Angeles ahead 85-78 . In two possessions, Burrell had delivered five points while Brink supplied the defensive play connecting them. Washington never recovered. Cameron Brink Makes an Impact Off the Bench Brink provided much more than the late block. She finished with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks off the bench , giving Los Angeles another productive interior option. Her defensive stop against Austin came at the perfect moment. Washington had an opportunity to respond after Burrell's three-pointer and potentially reduce the deficit. Brink instead denied the shot, and Burrell's transition basket pushed the lead to seven. That sequence represented everything that worked for Los Angeles during its comeback: defense creating offense, quick decision-making and execution in transition. Washington Turnovers Become a Major Problem The Mystics' biggest issue was ball security. Washington committed 17 turnovers , and Los Angeles converted those mistakes into an enormous 31 points . In a game decided by six points, that difference proved devastating. The Sparks repeatedly created offense without needing to attack Washington's set defense. Los Angeles also held a 50-34 advantage in points in the paint , giving the Sparks another significant edge despite Washington receiving productive performances from its frontcourt. The Mystics generated enough offense to win. They simply gave Los Angeles too many additional opportunities. Sonia Citron Scores 22 for Washington Sonia Citron led Washington with 22 points and made four three-pointers. Citron was involved immediately, scoring the Mystics' first five points of the game. She remained Washington's most consistent perimeter scorer and tried to keep the Mystics alive late, connecting on a jumper that reduced Los Angeles' advantage to five. Burrell answered again to restore an eight-point Sparks lead and effectively end Washington's comeback hopes. Citron's performance gave Washington a strong scoring option, but the Mystics could not generate enough stops during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch. Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen Post Double-Doubles Washington also received significant production inside. Austin finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds , while Iriafen recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds . For Iriafen, it was her 20th double-double of the season , another notable achievement during an impressive campaign. The two combined for 31 points and 20 rebounds. But their production could not erase Washington's turnover problems or Los Angeles' second-half surge. Iriafen had helped Washington take control during the second quarter. By the fourth, the Sparks were dictating the pace. Ogwumike Provides the Foundation for Los Angeles While Burrell became the late-game star, Ogwumike kept the Sparks within reach long enough for the comeback to happen. She finished with a team-high 24 points after scoring eight in the opening quarter and reaching 13 before halftime. When Los Angeles needed an immediate response to start the second half, Ogwumike scored four straight. Her production gave the Sparks stability throughout the night. Burrell provided the finish. Together, they accounted for 39 points and helped Los Angeles overcome a game that appeared to be moving firmly in Washington's direction. Sparks Outscore Washington 48-31 After Halftime The difference between the two halves was dramatic. Washington controlled the second quarter and carried an 11-point advantage into halftime. Los Angeles then outscored the Mystics 48-31 over the final two quarters , including 23-14 in the fourth . The Sparks improved defensively, attacked the paint and punished Washington's mistakes. Their ball movement also remained sharp. Wheeler finished with eight assists, while Akoa Makani contributed 10 points and four assists off the bench. Burrell added three assists and two steals to her 15 points. It became a complete second-half turnaround rather than simply one player's hot shooting. Mystics Feel the Effects of a Back-to-Back Washington entered the game under challenging circumstances. The Mystics were playing on consecutive nights for the first time this season after defeating Phoenix 80-73 on Thursday. Amoore had been the hero of that victory, scoring a career-high 25 points with 16 in the fourth quarter. Against Los Angeles, she finished with nine points on 3-for-8 shooting . Washington still built a significant first-half advantage despite the schedule. The problem was sustaining it. As Los Angeles increased its defensive pressure after halftime, the Mystics struggled to protect the basketball and prevent the Sparks from attacking in transition. Sparks Finish a Memorable Comeback Los Angeles improved to 14-25 with the 88-82 victory, while Washington fell to 24-16 and had its three-game road winning streak snapped. The Sparks next travel to Seattle, while Washington enters the FIBA Women's World Cup break before returning against Chicago on September 17. For Los Angeles, the result was about more than Burrell's fourth-quarter scoring. The Sparks trailed by as many as 17. They were down 11 at halftime. Then they changed the game with defensive pressure, ball movement and aggressive interior offense. Ogwumike kept them close enough to respond. Brink supplied one of the biggest defensive plays. Burrell took over when the outcome was still undecided. By the final buzzer, the Sparks had transformed a 17-point deficit into an 88-82 victory .

The Las Vegas Aces entered Friday night without NaLyssa Smith, but their two biggest stars made sure her absence did not derail their late-season momentum. A'ja Wilson scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds , while Jackie Young added 23 points and eight assists without a turnover as Las Vegas defeated the Toronto Tempo 93-73 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Aces improved to 27-13 and maintained their one-game advantage over Indiana for third place in the WNBA playoff race. Las Vegas never trailed after the opening minutes. A hot first quarter created early separation, Wilson took control before halftime, and the Aces kept Toronto at a comfortable distance throughout the second half. Jackie Young Gives Las Vegas the Early Advantage The game featured three ties during the opening minutes before Young changed its direction. With the score tied at eight, Young connected from three-point range to put Las Vegas ahead. The Aces never trailed again. Young scored 12 points in the first quarter , helping Las Vegas build a 27-17 advantage . The Aces shot 50% from the field during the period and made six of their 12 three-point attempts . Toronto compounded the problem by committing 10 first-quarter turnovers, which Las Vegas converted into 10 points. That combination of perimeter shooting and defensive pressure allowed the Aces to establish control quickly. A'ja Wilson Takes Over Before Halftime Young controlled the opening period. Wilson dominated the second. The reigning MVP scored 10 of Las Vegas' final 14 points before halftime , helping the Aces turn their early advantage into a commanding 56-39 lead . Wilson had 14 points by halftime while shooting 4-for-4 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. She eventually finished with a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds . Toronto never found a consistent answer for her combination of interior scoring, physicality and ability to earn trips to the foul line. Aces Capitalize on Toronto's Early Mistakes Turnovers created a major early difference. Toronto repeatedly gave Las Vegas additional possessions during the first quarter, while the Aces protected the basketball at the other end. Las Vegas finished the game with only seven turnovers , compared with 16 for Toronto . More importantly, the Aces surrendered only two points off those mistakes, their lowest total of the season. Las Vegas scored 18 points off Toronto turnovers . That 16-point difference in points off turnovers accounted for much of the final margin. The Aces also recorded 10 steals , tying their third-highest total of the season. Jackie Young Finishes With Eight Assists and No Turnovers Young's impact extended far beyond her 23 points. She distributed a game-high eight assists without committing a turnover , giving Las Vegas an exceptionally efficient performance from one of its primary creators. It was Young's 21st game of the season with at least 20 points . She also continued climbing the WNBA's career assist rankings. Young finished the night with 1,287 career assists, moving past Kelsey Plum and into 26th place on the league's all-time list. Against Toronto, her decision-making was particularly valuable. Young created opportunities for teammates without giving the Tempo chances to attack in transition. Las Vegas Plays Its First Game Without NaLyssa Smith Friday marked the Aces' first game since losing NaLyssa Smith for the remainder of the season . Smith suffered a left leg injury during Las Vegas' 88-78 victory over Toronto the previous Sunday. Her absence creates a significant challenge for the Aces as the postseason approaches, particularly around the basket. Las Vegas responded well in its first test without her. The Aces outrebounded Toronto 38-37 and collected 10 offensive rebounds , reaching double digits on the offensive glass for the 12th time this season. One game cannot establish how Las Vegas will replace Smith throughout a playoff run, but Friday provided an encouraging start. Toronto Makes a Third-Quarter Push The Tempo did not completely disappear after falling behind by 17 at halftime. Toronto scored the first basket of the third quarter before Las Vegas responded with six consecutive points to create a 62-41 advantage . The Tempo then produced their best run of the night. An 8-0 Toronto surge reduced the deficit to 13 and briefly gave the visitors an opportunity to make the game competitive again. Las Vegas went scoreless for approximately three minutes during that stretch. Then Chelsea Gray converted an and-one , ending the drought and stabilizing the Aces. Toronto never got closer. Chelsea Gray Contributes on Both Ends Gray finished with 11 points, four assists and four steals . Her scoring total was modest compared with Wilson and Young, but her defensive activity contributed to Toronto's ball-security problems. Gray also delivered the important response during the third quarter after the Tempo had created their best run. Las Vegas didn't require another 20-point scorer. With Wilson and Young combining for 50 points , Gray's playmaking, defense and timely scoring were enough. Isabelle Harrison Leads a Balanced Toronto Offense Toronto had five players reach double figures. Isabelle Harrison led the Tempo with 15 points , while Laura Juskaite scored 14 and Kia Nurse added 12 . Kiki Rice and reserve Kiana Williams each finished with 10. The balanced scoring kept Toronto from suffering an even larger defeat, but the Tempo lacked the dominant individual performance necessary to counter Wilson and Young. Toronto shot 40.3% overall and made 10 three-pointers. Las Vegas wasn't dramatically more efficient from the field, finishing at 42.7%. The Aces separated themselves in other areas. Free Throws Give the Aces Another Advantage Las Vegas repeatedly earned opportunities at the foul line. The Aces finished 19-for-21 on free throws , compared with Toronto's 9-for-13 performance. Much of that advantage developed before halftime. Toronto committed 12 first-half fouls, and Las Vegas responded by making 13 of 14 free throws . Wilson was perfect on six attempts during the opening half. Those free points helped the Aces build their 17-point halftime advantage even after their three-point shooting cooled during the second quarter. A'ja Wilson Moves Closer to Another 1,000-Point Season Wilson's 27-point performance also continued another historic scoring campaign. She increased her season total to 962 points through 37 games , leaving her 38 points away from the second 1,000-point season of her career. Wilson moved into third place on the WNBA's single-season scoring list , passing Jewell Loyd's 939 points from 2023 and Wilson's own 937-point total from 2025. The two totals ahead of her in the supplied team notes are Kelsey Mitchell's 1,001 points this season and Wilson's WNBA-record 1,021 points from 2024. Friday was also Wilson's 30th 20-point game of the season . She has now scored in double figures in 61 consecutive games. Jewell Loyd Reaches Another Career Milestone Jewell Loyd added another historical achievement for Las Vegas. Her first-quarter three-pointer moved her past Katie Douglas for sole possession of eighth place on the WNBA's career three-point list . Loyd finished the night with 729 career makes from beyond the arc. She also moved into sole possession of 29th place on the league's career steals list. The milestones were part of a night when several Aces continued climbing historical leaderboards while the team remained focused on its immediate playoff positioning. Las Vegas Protects Third Place The Aces' 93-73 victory improved them to 27-13 and kept them one game ahead of the Indiana Fever in the race for third place. Indiana defeated Connecticut 111-91 on the same night, meaning Las Vegas could not afford to give away ground. The Aces responded with a wire-to-wire performance after the opening minutes. They took the lead on Young's early three. They built a 10-point advantage by the end of the first quarter. Wilson helped stretch it to 17 by halftime. And when Toronto made its best push in the third, Las Vegas stopped the run before the game could become uncomfortable. Aces Enter the World Cup Break With Momentum Las Vegas will now step away from WNBA competition during the World Cup break. According to the supplied team recap, Wilson, Young and Gray will represent the United States , while Stephanie Talbot will play for Australia and Mai Yamamoto for Japan. The Aces are scheduled to resume WNBA action on September 17 at Seattle . They enter the break with their position in the standings intact and another convincing victory behind them. Smith's season-ending injury creates a challenge that will remain when play resumes. But Friday showed what Las Vegas still has available. Wilson remains one of the league's most dominant scorers. Young can control a game as both a scorer and facilitator. Gray continues to influence both ends. Together, they powered the Aces past Toronto 93-73 and kept Las Vegas firmly in the race for a top playoff seed.

Georgia Amoore scored a career-high 25 points, including 16 in the fourth, as the Washington Mystics rallied past the Phoenix Mercury 80-73.

Cecilia Zandalasini scored 20 points as the Golden State Valkyries shut down the New York Liberty 79-60 to complete a 3-0 season sweep.

Flau’jae Johnson scored 20 points as the Seattle Storm used a decisive second-half surge to defeat the short-handed Toronto Tempo 90-78.

Kiki Iriafen recorded her 17th double-double as the Washington Mystics defeated the Phoenix Mercury 94-84 for their 23rd win of the season.

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