AP Recap

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left on the way to 24 points, and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night and move on in the WNBA playoffs.
Collier shot 10 for 16 and followed up her 20-point performance in Game 1 with a 14-point second half to bring her team back — and give the Lynx another chance to keep chasing that championship they just missed last year.
The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation, and Cecilia Zandalasini couldn’t convert a jumper.
Kayla McBride made a go-ahead scoop shot for Minnesota with 2:48 to go after DiJonai Carrington connected on a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:18 remaining to pull Minnesota within 70-69. McBride wound up with 18 points.
Veronica Burton had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals as the expansion Valkyries nearly extended their special season. Monique Billings scored 15 points off the bench.
Carrington banked in a 3-pointer with 8:30 left that got the Lynx within 63-56 and McBride’s jumper made it a five-point game at the 7:19 mark before Golden State called timeout. The Valkyries immediately committed a shot-clock violation and McBride scored again.
The Valkyries, cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of 18,543, were in control for much of the game — unlike their 101-72 Game 1 defeat Sunday.
Billings rebounded her own miss just before the third-quarter buzzer, scored and converted a three-point play to put Golden State ahead 63-49 going into the final 10 minutes. But Minnesota kept creeping back.
After the final buzzer, fans chanted “GSV!” to celebrate a season in which <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/valkyries-playoffs-expansion-team-74b0020aa69c724036e4294d8eed93fc" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Golden State made WNBA history</a> by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season.
And the Valkyries were unfazed playing in an unfamiliar venue for their first postseason home game. That “Balhalla” home-court advantage had to relocate nearly 50 miles south to the NHL San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion team.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was one of the biggest supporters, sitting courtside with owner Joe Lacob and Warriors President Brandon Schneider.
Golden State lost all four regular-season meetings, three by double figures, so this one will both sting and show these women how close they are. Starting center Temi Fagbenle was a late scratch Wednesday because of right knee pain.
Valkyries <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/natalie-nakase-valkyries-coach-of-year-998e958098170761eaa0307fddd93d0b" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">coach Natalie Nakase was recognized</a> before the game as WNBA Coach of the Year and Burton the league’s most improved player.

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Game Recap: Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries (First Round, Game 2)

First Round Game Recap

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Game Recap: Lynx vs. Valkyries (9/17/25)

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Minnesota Lynx Top Plays vs. Dallas Wings

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Game Recap: Lynx vs. Sun (8/30/25)

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DiJonai Carrington with 18 Points vs. Connecticut Sun

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Minnesota Lynx Top Plays vs. Connecticut Sun

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Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx - Game Highlights

With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, every game takes on added importance when it comes to reaching the postseason and securing playoff position.
We continue our series of players to watch with another mix of superstars and x-factors that will help determine their team’s fate.
Stats, rankings and standings through games played on Aug. 28, 2025
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<h2>1. Minnesota: Alanna Smith &amp; DiJonai Carrington</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202614" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230504475.jpg" alt="Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the game against the New York Liberty" width="960" height="640" />
Despite Thursday’s loss to Seattle, the Lynx remain on track to lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. Napheesa Collier’s return from an ankle injury is huge, as is the play of fellow All-Stars Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams (who we highlighted last week). Two more key players on this deep squad are starting center Alanna Smith and newcomer DiJonai Carrington off the bench. Both were All-Defensive Team selections last season (Smith alongside Collier in Minny, while Carrington was in Connecticut) and have helped the Lynx to a league’s best 97.7 defensive rating. Smith joins Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson as the only players averaging 2+ blocks and 1+ steals this season.
<h2>2. Las Vegas: A’ja Wilson</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202612" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2232442140.jpg" alt="A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after their 81-75 win over the Atlanta Dream" width="960" height="647" />
The reigning MVP is making a run for her fourth such honor with a post All-Star tear that has coincided with Vegas’ 12-game win streak to race up the standings. Wilson and the Aces are off until next Thursday when they host the Lynx in a clash of the top two teams in the standings and the top two scorers in the league. Wilson is averaging 26.8 points with six 30+ point games during Las Vegas’ win streak, boosting her season average to 23.4 ppg, just 0.2 ppg  behind Collier in the race for the scoring title. Wilson also ranks second in rebounding (10.1), first in blocks (2.2) and eighth in steals (1.6). 
<h2>3. Atlanta: Allisha Gray</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202615" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230332656.jpg" alt="Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream shoots a free throw during the game against the Las Vegas Aces" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230332656.jpg 5763w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230332656-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230332656-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
No player in the WNBA has played more total minutes this season than Gray’s 1,337. The ironwoman has appeared in all 38 of Atlanta’s games (after playing all 40 last season). Only two players have splashed more 3-pointers than Gray’s 92 as the 3-time All-Star is averaging a career-best 2.4 triples per game on 38.8% shooting – her highest mark in three seasons with the Dream and second-highest in her nine-year career. She’s on pace to set career-best marks in points (18.7), rebounds (5.4) and assists (3.6) and has Atlanta in contention for a top-four playoff berth.
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<h2>4. Phoenix: Kahleah Copper &amp; Satou Sabally</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202616" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2220323852.jpg" alt="Satou Sabally #0 of the Phoenix Mercury goes around a screen by Kahleah Copper #2" width="960" height="678" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2220323852.jpg 4013w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2220323852-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2220323852-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2220323852-1536x1085.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Copper played only five games in June after missing the first month of the season with a knee injury. She played only five games in July due to a rib injury. In August, she has played 12 games, averaging 16.7 ppg, including Thursday’s 28-point performance against Chicago. As for Sabally, who is averaging a team-high 16.7 ppg – keep an eye on her points column. When she scores over 15 points, the Mercury are 11-4 this season, compared to 9-9 when she scores 15 or less.
<h2>5. New York: Breanna Stewart</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202617" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231845933.jpg" alt="Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the game against the Washington Mystics" width="960" height="640" />
After missing a month with a bone bruise in her right knee that cost her 13 games, Stewart returned to the court this past week. With a minutes restriction keeping her under 25 minutes in her first two games back, Stewart still averaged 15.5 points and seven rebounds in a pair of New York wins. How will her knee respond to an increase in minutes and an increase in pressure once the Liberty begin their title defense in the postseason? With key members of the roster out – Sabrina Ionescu (toe), Jonquel Jones (illness), Natasha Cloud (nose) and Nyara Sabally – can Stewart and the rest of the Liberty maintain their playoff position over these closing weeks?
<h2>6. Indiana: Aliyah Boston &amp; Odyssey Sims</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202618" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230296917.jpg" alt="Aliyah Boston #7 and Odyssey Sims #1 of the Indiana Fever celebrate a basket" width="960" height="663" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230296917.jpg 8100w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230296917-1024x707.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
In Tuesday’s win, the Fever got 20+ point games from Boston, Sims and Kelsey Mitchell (who we discussed last week) as Indy avoided a three-game skid. Boston has been a constant for the Fever – a top 20 scorer, a top 10 rebounder and shot blocker – while racking up the 4th most double-doubles in the league (15). Sims, on the other hand, has had to strike fast. Working on her third 7-day contract with a Fever team ravaged by guard injuries, Sims has averaged 9.8 points, 4.2 assists and 38.5% 3-point shooting over six games, with a top-20 assist/turnover ratio (2.48), giving the Fever a veteran presence in the backcourt.
<h2>7. Seattle: Gabby Williams</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202613" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231165234.jpg" alt="Gabby Williams #5 of the Seattle Storm poses for a photo during the game against the Washington Mystics" width="960" height="640" />
In Thursday’s comeback win over the Lynx, Williams put up 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes. It was the type of stuff-the-box-score performance that earned Williams the nickname “French Army Knife” from her head coach Noelle Quinn. The All-Star’s versatility can be seen in her season averages – 12.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.3 spg – marks that have only been hit by two other players in WNBA history: Tamika Catchings in 2007 and Angel McCoughtry in 2013. And neither of them averaged Williams’ 1.2 3-pointers per game.
<h2>8. Golden State: Tiffany Hayes &amp; Iliana Rupert</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202619" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230839283.jpg" alt="Tiffany Hayes #15 of the Golden State Valkyries looks on against the Atlanta Dream" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230839283.jpg 6000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2230839283-1024x682.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Already wearing a mask to protect a broken nose, Hayes went down with a knee injury during a collision with Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper last week. She’s listed as day-to-day with seven games to play. Her return will be critical as Golden State finds itself in a four-team battle for the final three spots in the playoff picture. With the Valkyries potentially making history as the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the playoffs, getting Hayes back on court, and continued production and shooting from Rupert will be key. Rupert – a 6-foot-4 center from France, is the WNBA leader in 3-point percentage (31-of-67, 46.3%), giving Golden State a proven stretch five.
<h2>9. Los Angeles: Dearica Hamby &amp; Azurá Stevens</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202620" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2215292233.jpg" alt="Azura Stevens #23, Head Coach Lynne Roberts , and Dearica Hamby #5 of the Los Angeles Sparks " width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2215292233.jpg 4946w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2215292233-1024x683.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
When looking at this year’s season leaders across seven key categories – averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, as well as field goal percentage and 3-point percentage – only seven players appear in the top 10 in at least three categories:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">5 Categories: Napheesa Collier</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">4 Categories: A&#8217;ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Dearica Hamby</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">3 Categories: Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Azurá Stevens</li>
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Two of those seven players – and the only teammates on this list – are Hamby (18,1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 57.5 FG%) and Stevens (7.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 41.0 3P%) – who have both used their diverse talents to keep the Sparks in the hunt for a playoff berth.
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<h2>10. Washington: Shakira Austin</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202621" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231845741.jpg" alt="Shakira Austin #0 of the Washington Mystics looks on during the game against the New York Liberty" width="960" height="639" />
On Sunday, Austin put up a career-best 30 points (10-15 FG, 10-10 FT) with five boards and four blocks, but her effort was thwarted by Nneka Ogwumike&#8217;s game-winning buzzer-beater for Seattle. In her fourth season after being selected 3rd overall in 2022, Austin&#8217;s scoring has risen each year, up to this season&#8217;s 12.9 ppg to go with 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. Can Austin help Washington snap its five-game losing streak and avoid playoff elimination this weekend when the Mystics visit Golden State and Los Angeles?
<h2>11. Connecticut: Tina Charles &amp; Marina Mabrey</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202622" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231542513.jpg" alt="Tina Charles #31 and Marina Mabrey #3 of the Connecticut Sun play against the Washington Mystics" width="960" height="640" />
Last week, we highlighted a pair of promising rookies for the Sun. This week, it’s time to show some love to the vets. Tina Charles enters the weekend needing 19 field goals to pass Diana Taurasi (3,341) for the most in WNBA history. Averaging 5.9 buckets per game, Charles is on pace to break the record in four games. Meanwhile, Mabrey has been key to Connecticut’s late season resurgence. The Sun are 7-9 since she returned from injury on July 24 after going 3-19 prior.
<h2>12. Chicago: Kamilla Cardoso</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202623" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231393934.jpg" alt="Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the New York Liberty" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231393934.jpg 4794w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231393934-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2231393934-1024x683.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
After discussing Angel Reese last week, it’s time to add Cardoso to the watch list. I’m particularly intrigued by watching more of Cardoso and Reese sharing the court and playing off one another. So far this season, Cardoso has assisted Reese 18 times, while Reese has returned the favor 23 times. While Chicago has been eliminated from the playoffs, the development of this front line tandem is key to the Sky’s future success.
<h2>13. Dallas: Maddy Siegrist</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-202624" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2232075735.jpg" alt="Maddy Siegrist #20 of the Dallas Wings shoots the ball against the Golden State Valkyries " width="960" height="623" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2232075735.jpg 7297w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/GettyImages-2232075735-768x498.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
With eight players listed on the injury report ahead of Friday&#8217;s game in Atlanta, Siegrist will have the opportunity to build on her already career-best numbers &#8212; 12.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks &#8212; when the Wings face the Dream. Siegrist, the third overall pick in the 2023 Draft, is averaging 15.3 points on 56.2% shooting over 10 games in August. Can she close out the month strong as the season winds down?

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Players To Watch Over The Season’s Final Two Weeks

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Top Plays of the Day, 08/28/2025

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Top Steals of the Day, 08/19/2025

Latest

DiJonai Carrington

2024 – Connecticut – Named 2024 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player, received 28 of 67 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters &#8230; averaged career highs of 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.56 steals this season, up from 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.63 steals in 2023 … recorded a career-high 25 games with 10 or more points … paced all WNBA players in games with at least five steals (three) and ranked ninth in steals per game … helped Connecticut lead the league in fewest points allowed (73.6 points per game) and defensive rating (94.1) … Connecticut ranked third in steals per game (8.2) … started all 39 games in which she played … helped Connecticut post a 28-12 record – the most wins in franchise history – and earn the No. 3 seed in the WNBA Playoffs … surpassed 1,000 career points against the Sparks on 9/8. 
2023 – Connecticut –  Appeared in 32 regular season contests for the Sun … averaged a career-best 8.3 points, along with 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game … tallied a career-high 23 points against New York on 6/27 … tied her career-high with seven rebounds against Chicago on 6/25 … tied her career-high with four assists twice- both against Chicago on June 25 and Sept. 10 … reached 500 career-points on 7/30 against Minnesota … reached 200 career-rebounds on 7/1 against Las Vegas. 
2022 – Connecticut – Appeared in 36 regular season games, including two starts … finished the 2022 regular season with 244 points, 112 rebounds, 38 assists, 29 steals and four blocks … tallied a career-high 18 points against New York on 7/19 … grabbed a career-high seven rebounds twice- 7/24 against Minnesota and 8/9 at Los Angeles … dished out a career-high four assists against Chicago on 8/7 … recorded a career-high 32 minutes in the season opener against New York on 5/7. 
2021 – Connecticut – Played in 24 games for the Sun and started 1 (6/13 vs Seattle) … finished the year with 68 points, 47 rebounds, 12 assists, and 13 steals … scored in double-figures twice … once against Washington (5/28) and the other against New York (9/15) where she scored her season and career high 14 points … earned her season and career high in rebounds during her first start as she finished with seven. 
COLLEGE  
2020-21 – Baylor – Played in just five games due to a knee injury, and she was awarded a medical hardship … named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll … started in all five games she appeared, averaging 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest … shot 48.6 percent from the floor … hit 2-of-7 shots from beyond the 3-point arc … made 2-of-5 free-throw attempts … scored in double figures twice, with a season-high 16 points at San Francisco, 11/9, where she also grabbed a season-best eight rebounds. 
2016-2020 – Stanford – Finished four years at Stanford and amassed 912 points, 133 assists, 106 steals and 553 rebounds … two-time Pac-12 Tournament Champion (2017, 2019) … named All-Pac-12 by both the Coaches and Media (2019). 
HIGH SCHOOL – Named a Five-star recruit, and was ranked the 34th-best player in the 2016 class by ESPN HoopGurlz … named a McDonald’s and Jordan Brand Classic All-American … scored 2,000-career points for Horizon, and her senior season, she averaged 18.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game … participated in the 2016 USA Basketball U19 National Team trials … played club ball for Cal Sparks Gold … also played volleyball two seasons. 
PERSONAL – Born Jan. 8, 1998 … 2020 graduate of Stanford University where she earned two undergraduate degrees in African and African American Studies and Psychology … born in San Diego, California … daughter of Vickie and Darren Carrington … sister, Diarra, played college basketball at Daytona State and New Orleans … brother, Darren, played college football at Oregon and Utah … mother, Vickie, ran track at Northern Arizona … father, Daren, played football at Northern Arizona and went on to an 8-year NFL career after being drafted in the fifth round by the Denver Broncos in 1989. 
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Drafted No. 20 overall by the Connecticut Sun during the 2021 WNBA Draft &#8230; acquired by the Wings via trade in Feb. 2024.

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DiJonai Carrington was traded from the Dallas Wings to the Minnesota Lynx.

DiJonai Carrington signed a Contract with the Connecticut Sun.

DiJonai Carrington was traded from the Connecticut Sun to the Dallas Wings.

The Connecticut Sun extended a Restricted qualifying offer to DiJonai Carrington.