A Needed Breakthrough Against a Rival The Las Vegas Aces finally found success against one of their toughest rivals, defeating the New York Liberty 83-77 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Wednesday night. The win was particularly significant as it snapped a long regular-season losing streak to New York, giving the Aces their first such victory since 2023. The contest was as competitive as expected between two championship-caliber teams. With thirteen lead changes, nine ties, and neither side ever leading by more than seven points, momentum swung back and forth for much of the night. But in the final minutes, Las Vegas executed more effectively on both ends of the floor to secure its fifth straight win and strengthen its playoff positioning. Loyd Sparks Offense Off the Bench Jewell Loyd delivered one of the night’s most decisive performances. Coming off the bench, she scored 21 points while hitting five shots from beyond the arc. This marked the 26th time in her career she has reached at least five three-pointers in a game, placing her among the league’s most prolific perimeter shooters. Loyd’s timely shooting was most impactful late in the third quarter. After the Liberty built a seven-point lead, the Aces stormed back with consecutive long-range makes. Jackie Young added a crucial four-point play to put Las Vegas in front 59-58. That sequence gave the Aces their first lead since early in the first half and energized the home crowd. Wilson Dominates the Paint A’ja Wilson continued her run of dominance, finishing with 17 points and 16 rebounds for her 15th double-double of the season. She controlled the paint on both ends of the court, anchoring the defense while drawing fouls and converting free throws down the stretch. Wilson’s efficiency at the foul line proved vital. She made all 11 of her attempts, marking the eighth time in her career she has been perfect from the line with at least ten attempts. That consistency under pressure helped seal the victory in the closing minutes. Balanced Contributions From Aces’ Core Beyond Loyd and Wilson, Las Vegas leaned on its core group of playmakers. Jackie Young tallied 15 points, including a buzzer-beater to close the third quarter, while Chelsea Gray contributed 13 points and orchestrated the offense with poise. The Aces also showcased their depth. Even without Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who missed the game on maternity leave, the rotation provided enough energy and defensive stops to outlast New York in crunch time. Liberty Struggle in Closing Minutes For New York, the defeat underscored lingering struggles in tight finishes. Emma Meesseman led the Liberty with 24 points and 10 rebounds, producing her second consecutive 20-plus-point outing. Sabrina Ionescu added 18 points and Jonquel Jones chipped in 11, but the Liberty offense stalled when it mattered most. In the fourth quarter, New York missed eight straight shots during a critical stretch. While Meesseman and Ionescu combined for all of the team’s 14 points in the period, the lack of balance hurt their chances of reclaiming the lead. New York also played shorthanded once again. Breanna Stewart remained sidelined with a knee injury, and Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally were also unavailable. Though Kennedy Burke returned from a calf injury to add eight points in limited minutes, the Liberty lacked the depth to counter Las Vegas’ second-half push. Key Numbers Tell the Story The Aces relied heavily on their ability to generate second opportunities and convert at the line. They outrebounded the Liberty 39-30 and grabbed 17 points off 11 New York turnovers. Most importantly, they went 23 of 28 at the free-throw line, while the Liberty attempted just 16 free throws.  Despite shooting only 38.5 percent from the field overall, Las Vegas overcame its inefficiency by hitting timely three-pointers and dominating the possession battle. New York, by comparison, shot 43.8 percent but faltered late, managing just 4 of 16 from the field in the decisive fourth quarter. Looking Ahead With the win, Las Vegas improved to 19-14, keeping pace in a crowded playoff race. The victory also extended their home sellout streak to 42 consecutive games, the longest in league history. The Liberty, now 21-12, continue their road trip with a crucial matchup against Minnesota. Having lost two of their last three contests against top-tier competition, New York will need to regroup quickly to maintain its spot near the top of the standings. For the Aces, the momentum from five straight wins and a breakthrough against New York could be the turning point in their season. Their ability to combine star power with bench scoring makes them a formidable opponent as the postseason approaches.

Sun Find a Way to Close Out The Connecticut Sun secured a hard-fought 71–62 win over the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena, snapping a five-game losing streak and regaining some much-needed momentum. Despite a rough season that has tested their depth and consistency, the Sun delivered when it mattered most, leaning on a combination of rookie contributions, veteran leadership, and late-game composure. Leila Lacan paced the Sun with 17 points, marking her first time as the team’s leading scorer this year. Tina Charles added 15 points, most of which came in the second half, while Marina Mabrey chipped in 10 points alongside steady playmaking. The win improved Connecticut’s record to 6–26, while Chicago slipped to 8–24 after dropping 11 of their last 12 games . Early Battle in the Paint The game opened with both teams trading baskets inside, with Chicago holding a narrow 10–6 lead at the first timeout. Kamilla Cardoso imposed her presence early, scoring efficiently and cleaning up the glass. She would go on to lead all scorers with 24 points and nearly posted a double-double with nine rebounds. Connecticut responded by tightening its defense and moving the ball more effectively. Lacan set the tone with seven first-quarter points, helping the Sun close the opening frame on a 15–8 run for a 21–18 lead . Second Quarter Sparks Tensions Momentum shifted further in the second quarter as Connecticut’s defense held Chicago to just 10 points, their lowest-scoring second period of the season. A 13–5 Sun run pushed the lead to 40–26 before halftime, with rookies and bench players contributing to the surge. The quarter, however, was overshadowed by a heated altercation involving Bria Hartley of Connecticut and Rebecca Allen of Chicago. After jostling for position, Hartley shoved Allen to the ground, leading to Allen pulling her jersey. Ariel Atkins entered the fray in defense of her teammate, escalating the confrontation. Officials reviewed the incident and ejected all three players, leaving both rosters shorthanded the rest of the way . Sun Build, Then Nearly Collapse Connecticut continued to build on its momentum in the third quarter, stretching its lead to as many as 21 points. Charles carried much of the load in that stretch, scoring 11 of her 15 points in the second half. By the end of the third, the Sun were ahead 60–45 and appeared poised to cruise to victory . But Chicago had other plans. The Sky opened the fourth quarter on an 11–0 run, cutting the deficit to single digits for the first time since early in the second quarter. Elizabeth Williams anchored the comeback effort with a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Cardoso continued to score in the paint. With just under three minutes remaining, the Sky trimmed the margin to 67–62, putting pressure back on Connecticut . Connecticut Closes the Door Facing another potential collapse, the Sun regained their composure. A timely three-pointer from Charles broke a prolonged scoring drought, and rookie Saniya Rivers provided a critical spark off the bench. Rivers finished with eight points, six assists, three steals, and two blocks, becoming just the eighth rookie in WNBA history to post that versatile stat line. Lacan then added a key layup to seal the game, ensuring the Sun would not squander their lead a second time . Bench Contributions and Defensive Edge One of the most important factors in the win was Connecticut’s bench play. Rivers and Olivia Nelson-Ododa combined for 16 points, while Nelson-Ododa also tied a career high with three steals. In total, the bench contributed 20 points, a notable boost for a team that has struggled with depth. Defensively, the Sun forced 21 Chicago turnovers while committing only six themselves. This disparity gave Connecticut extra possessions and minimized second-chance opportunities for the Sky. Although the Sun struggled from three-point range (just 23.5%), their ability to capitalize on turnovers and get to the free-throw line compensated for the poor outside shooting . Looking Ahead The win was a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for Connecticut. It marked their fifth home victory of the year and showcased the potential of their young roster. For Lacan, stepping into a leading role reflects the growth the Sun hope to build on in the final stretch of the season. For Chicago, the loss highlighted ongoing struggles with depth and consistency, particularly with Angel Reese sidelined due to a back injury. Cardoso and Williams provided strong performances, but the lack of bench production left the Sky vulnerable in the closing minutes. Both teams remain outside of playoff contention, but the spirited contest demonstrated resilience and fight despite their records. The Sun will next host the Indiana Fever, while the Sky aim to regroup before their rematch against Connecticut later this month .

Lynx Extend Winning Streak The Minnesota Lynx secured a crucial road win on Tuesday night, defeating the Washington Mystics 80–76 in a game defined by tight defense, rebounding battles, and clutch scoring. The victory extended Minnesota’s winning streak to three games, moving them further up the Western Conference standings as the playoff picture tightens. Minnesota relied on a balanced offensive attack and aggressive play in the paint to overcome Washington’s strong start. Kayla McBride led the charge with a team-high 21 points, while Napheesa Collier contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. The Lynx also benefited from strong bench production, which proved decisive in the closing minutes. Mystics Open Strong Washington began the game with energy, using quick ball movement and perimeter shooting to jump out to an early lead. Ariel Atkins scored eight first-quarter points, while Shakira Austin controlled the paint on both ends, pulling down key rebounds and altering shots. The Mystics’ defense forced the Lynx into several early turnovers, and their transition offense translated those mistakes into points. By the end of the first quarter, Washington held a narrow lead, but Minnesota’s defense began to tighten. The Lynx closed the gap in the second quarter, attacking the rim more aggressively and drawing fouls to slow the Mystics’ momentum. Minnesota Gains Control in the Second Half The third quarter proved pivotal for the Lynx, as they turned a slim halftime deficit into a five-point lead heading into the fourth. Collier’s all-around play fueled the surge, while McBride and Bridget Carleton hit timely shots from beyond the arc to stretch Washington’s defense. Defensively, Minnesota limited the Mystics to just 16 points in the third quarter. They forced difficult mid-range attempts and shut down Washington’s pick-and-roll offense, making it harder for Atkins and Natasha Cloud to create clean looks. Clutch Moments Seal the Win The final period featured multiple lead changes as both teams traded baskets and defensive stops. Washington pulled within one point with under two minutes remaining, but the Lynx responded with back-to-back scores from Carleton and McBride. Minnesota’s free-throw shooting proved critical down the stretch, as they converted six attempts in the final minute to maintain control. The Lynx closed the game on a 7–2 run, stifling Washington’s last possessions with disciplined defense. Key Performers McBride’s scoring efficiency stood out, as she shot over 50% from the field and provided steady offense in critical moments. Collier once again displayed her versatility, impacting the game with her scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. For Washington, Atkins led all scorers with 23 points, while Austin posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Cloud contributed 12 points and six assists, but the Mystics’ overall shooting dipped in the second half, particularly from long range. Bench Contributions Make the Difference One of the deciding factors in the game was Minnesota’s bench production. Carleton’s 10 points and key three-pointer in the fourth quarter provided a spark, while Dorka Juhász added six rebounds and solid defensive work against Washington’s frontcourt. By contrast, the Mystics’ bench was limited to single-digit scoring, which put added pressure on their starters to generate offense throughout the contest. Defensive Discipline While neither team shot exceptionally well from deep, Minnesota’s ability to contest shots without fouling played a big role in the win. The Lynx limited the Mystics to just 12 free-throw attempts, compared to their own 21, which helped offset Washington’s early hot shooting. The Lynx also dominated the turnover battle, forcing 14 Mystics miscues while committing just nine themselves. Those extra possessions proved vital in a game where both teams had stretches of cold shooting. Playoff Implications The win moves Minnesota closer to securing a top playoff seed, as they continue to find ways to close out tight games on the road. The Lynx’s ability to balance inside scoring with perimeter threats gives them flexibility heading into the final weeks of the regular season. For Washington, the loss was a setback in their push for a higher playoff position. While the Mystics remain competitive, they will need to improve their late-game execution and bench scoring to avoid falling behind in the standings. Looking Ahead The Lynx return home for their next matchup, where they will aim to continue their winning streak and solidify their place among the conference’s top contenders. Collier’s leadership and McBride’s scoring touch remain central to their success, while the bench’s continued contributions will be essential against stronger opponents. The Mystics will look to regroup quickly, focusing on maintaining their first-half energy for the full 40 minutes. Their ability to get consistent production beyond Atkins and Austin will be critical as they fight to maintain their playoff positioning. With both teams eyeing the postseason, Tuesday night’s close, physical contest was a preview of the intensity and precision required to advance deep into the playoffs.