Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever showing emotion during the game vs. the Atlanta Dream. 

Atlanta Dream v Indiana Fever - Game Two

Odyssey Sims #1 of the Indiana Fever attempts a lay up vs. the Atlanta Dream. 

The t-shirt that the Indiana Fever is giving away at the stadium during Round 1 Game 2.

Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever attempts a shot vs. the Atlanta Dream.

Rhyne Howard #10 of the Atlanta Dream attempts a shot vs. the Indiana Fever.

Jordin Canada #3 of the Atlanta Dream attempts a shot vs. the Indiana Fever.

Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream attempts a shot vs. the Indiana Fever.

Naz Hillmon #00 of the Atlanta Dream attempts a shot vs. the Indiana Fever.

Erica Wheeler #17 of the Seattle Storm showing emotion after Game 2 vs. the Las Vegas Aces.

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm - Game Two

Ezi Magbegor #13 of the Seattle Storm looking to pass vs. the Las Vegas Aces.

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm showing emotion after Game 2 vs. the Las Vegas Aces.

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces blocks a shot vs. the Seattle Storm.

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces pauses for a moment before the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. 

2025 Playoffs

<div>
		<h2>Gallery Block</h2>
	</div>

WNBA_Playoffs_2025_Google_white

Awards

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2025 – Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson have been named the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Players of the Year, the WNBA announced today. This is the first Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for Smith, and the third for Wilson (2022, 2023).
Smith and Wilson received 29 votes each from a national panel of 72 sportswriters and broadcasters. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams finished in second place with nine votes, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was third with three votes, and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was fourth with two votes.
This marks the first time in league history that the award has been shared by multiple players.
Smith, in her seventh WNBA season, started all 42 games she appeared in for Minnesota and averaged 26.6 minutes per game. A 2024 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, Smith was instrumental in leading the Lynx to the No. 1 seed in the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google.
Anchoring the league’s top-ranked defense, Smith powered Minnesota to a league-best 97.5 defensive rating. She finished second overall in combined steals and blocks (135), ranked third in both blocks per game (1.9) and total blocks (80), and tied for 10th in total steals (55).
Drafted eighth overall in 2019, Smith has developed into a defensive cornerstone for the Lynx, helping lead the team to the semifinals following a 2-0 series victory against the Golden State Valkyries in the first round.
Wilson, in her eighth season, started all 40 games she appeared in for Las Vegas while averaging 31.2 minutes per game. She helped the Aces secure the No. 2 seed in the WNBA Playoffs following a 16-game win streak to close the regular season. A three-time All-Defensive First Team honoree, Wilson now adds a third Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award to her decorated trophy case.
Wilson led the WNBA in blocks per game (2.3), total rebounds (407), defensive rebounds (316), and combined steals and blocks (156). She also ranked second in total blocks (92) and rebounds per game (10.2). Demonstrating her all-around defensive impact, Wilson ranked third in total steals (64) and fourth in steals per game (1.6).
Already one of the most dominant two-way players in league history, Wilson also delivered on the offensive end in 2025, leading the WNBA in total points (937), points per game (23.4), field goals made (332), and free throws made (248).
Behind the efforts of Smith and Wilson, Minnesota and Las Vegas have earned the top two seeds in the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google.
In honor of being named the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Players of the Year, Smith and Wilson will each receive $5,150 and a trophy designed to commemorate the achievement.
Below are the voting results for the 2025 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and a list of past recipients.
2025 KIA WNBA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTING RESULTS
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 144px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Player</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Team</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Votes</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Alanna Smith</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Minnesota Lynx</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">29</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">A’ja Wilson</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Las Vegas Aces</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">29</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Gabby Williams</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Seattle Storm</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Alyssa Thomas</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Phoenix Mercury</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">3</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Napheesa Collier</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">Minnesota Lynx</td>
<td style="width: 33.3333%;height: 24px">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
KIA WNBA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
1997 – Teresa Weatherspoon, New York
1998 – Teresa Weatherspoon, New York
1999 – Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento
2000 – Sheryl Swoopes, Houston
2001 – Debbie Black, Miami
2002 – Sheryl Swoopes, Houston
2003 – Sheryl Swoopes, Houston
2004 – Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles
2005 – Tamika Catchings, Indiana
2006 – Tamika Catchings, Indiana
2007 – Lauren Jackson, Seattle
2008 – Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles
2009 – Tamika Catchings, Indiana
2010 – Tamika Catchings, Indiana
2011 – Sylvia Fowles, Chicago
2012 – Tamika Catchings, Indiana
2013 – Sylvia Fowles, Chicago
2014 – Brittney Griner, Phoenix
2015 – Brittney Griner, Phoenix
2016 – Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota
2017 – Alana Beard, Los Angeles
2018 – Alana Beard, Los Angeles
2019 – Natasha Howard, Seattle
2020 – Candace Parker, Los Angeles
2021 – Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota
2022 – A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas
2023 – A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas
2024 – Napheesa Collier, Minnesota
2025 – Alanna Smith, Minnesota (Co-Winner)
2025 – A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas (Co-Winner)
&nbsp;
About Kia America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World&#8217;s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the &#8220;Official Automotive Partner&#8221; of the WNBA and NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*. 
For media information, including photography, visit <a href="http://www.kiamedia.com">www.kiamedia.com</a>. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert__;!!PMETyfE!LQ_AWgu_xS8m2ZdpIVOeFIM6CjzB7GXan16p-xQBBSMFDqSqBaxovepbT109Px9yCDy8QlykRUjGqeA$">www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert</a> 
* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

smith-wilson-2025-dpoy

Minnesota Lynx's Alanna Smith and Las Vegas Aces’ A'ja Wilson Named 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Players of the Year

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.

2025-playoffs-lynx-valkyries-game-2-recap

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

NEW YORK (AP) — Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each scored 15 points to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the New York Liberty 86-60 in Game 2 on Wednesday night, evening the best-of-three playoff series.
The decisive Game 3 will be Friday night in Phoenix.
Sabally was coming off one of the worst shooting games of her career when she was 2 for 17 in Game 1, but said in practice Tuesday that she was confident she’d bounce back. Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner each had 14.
New York had a huge emotional lift before the game with Breanna Stewart able to play <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/stewart-liberty-playoffs-f3d6a6763f340f31b6eb32f9482cb911" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">after spraining the MCL</a> in her left knee in overtime of Game 1 on Sunday. She was in her customary starting spot, but was mostly ineffective with just six points in 20 minutes. The boost from Stewart playing didn’t last long.
After the 75-69 Game 1 loss, Phoenix players felt they missed a lot of shots they normally hit. Those shots were falling on Wednesday night.
<div class="FreeStar Advertisement" data-module="">
<div id="wbves9zn13k" class="fs-feed-ad" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" data-google-query-id="CJryhvim4Y8DFU-HgwgdZzIGow">Phoenix led by 14 at the half and scored the first six points of the third quarter to take a 20-point lead. The Mercury held the Liberty without a basket in the third until Emma Meesseman scored with 1:35 left in the period. New York missed its first 12 shots before that.</div>
<div data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" data-google-query-id="CJryhvim4Y8DFU-HgwgdZzIGow">
Meesseman had 11 points to lead the Liberty, who only got 32 points out of their starting group.
Phoenix took control of the game in the second quarter behind Sabally and Thomas. The Mercury led 36-30 before going on a 13-0 run to extend the advantage to 19 with just under 3 minutes left in the half.
New York got within 51-37 at the half as Natasha Cloud hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 1.8 seconds left that brought the sellout crowd which included Spike Lee, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sue Bird to its feet.
The Liberty could have been a bit closer, but they struggled from the foul line in the first half. Sabrina Ionescu, who shot 93% from the foul line during the regular season, missed her first four free throws before finally hitting one.
</div>
</div>

2025-playoffs-mercury-liberty-game-2-recap

Game Recap: Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty (First Round, Game 2)

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2025 – Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has been named the 2025 State Street Investment Management SPY WNBA Coach of the Year, the WNBA announced today. She has earned the honor in her first season as a WNBA head coach.
Nakase received 53 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko finished in second place with 15 votes. Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve tied for third place with two votes each.
With Nakase leading the way, Golden State set the WNBA record for victories by an expansion team in its first season with 23. The Valkyries (23-21) also became the first team to qualify for the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google in its inaugural season.
After a 2-5 start to the season, Golden State won seven of its next nine games. That 7-2 stretch led to Nakase being honored as the WNBA Coach of the Month for June. As the Valkyries competed for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the season, Nakase guided them to winning streaks of four games from Aug. 9-15 and five games from Aug. 24 – Sept. 4.
Under Nakase, the Valkyries held opponents to league lows of 76.3 points per game and 40.5% shooting from the field. On offense, Golden State made a WNBA-high 9.7 three-pointers per game. Among Valkyries players, guard Veronica Burton won the 2025 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player Award and forward Kayla Thornton was selected to the AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game for the first time.
Nakase was hired as the Valkyries’ head coach in October 2024 after serving three seasons as an Aces assistant coach. She helped Las Vegas win back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Before her stint with the Aces, Nakase spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing her tenure as an assistant coach.
Below are the voting results for the 2025 State Street Investment Management SPY WNBA Coach of the Year Award and a list of past recipients.
VOTING RESULTS: 2025 STATE STREET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SPY WNBA COACH OF THE YEAR
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 120px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Coach (Team)</td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Votes</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Natalie Nakase (Golden State)</td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">53</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Karl Smesko (Atlanta)</td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">15</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Becky Hammon (Las Vegas)</td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota)</td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
STATE STREET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SPY WNBA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
1997 – Van Chancellor, Houston
1998 – Van Chancellor, Houston
1999 – Van Chancellor, Houston
2000 – Michael Cooper, Los Angeles
2001 – Dan Hughes, Cleveland
2002 – Marianne Stanley, Washington
2003 – Bill Laimbeer, Detroit
2004 – Suzie McConnell-Serio, Minnesota
2005 – John Whisenant, Sacramento
2006 – Mike Thibault, Connecticut
2007 – Dan Hughes, San Antonio
2008 – Mike Thibault, Connecticut
2009 – Marynell Meadors, Atlanta
2010 – Brian Agler, Seattle
2011 – Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota
2012 – Carol Ross, Los Angeles
2013 – Mike Thibault, Washington
2014 – Sandy Brondello, Phoenix
2015 – Bill Laimbeer, New York
2016 – Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota
2017 – Curt Miller, Connecticut
2018 – Nicki Collen, Atlanta
2019 – James Wade, Chicago
2020 – Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota
2021 – Curt Miller, Connecticut
2022 – Becky Hammon, Las Vegas
2023 – Stephanie White, Connecticut
2024 – Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota
2025 – Natalie Nakase, Golden State
&nbsp;
About State Street Investment Management 
At State Street Investment Management, we have been helping to deliver better outcomes to institutions, financial intermediaries, and investors for nearly half a century. Starting with our early innovations in indexing and ETFs, our rigorous approach continues to be driven by market-tested expertise and a relentless commitment to those we serve. With over $5 trillion in assets managed*, clients in over 60 countries, and a global network of strategic partners, we use our scale to create a comprehensive and cost-effective suite of investment solutions that help investors get wherever they want to go. State Street Investment Management is the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT).
*This figure is presented as of June 30, 2025 and includes ETF AUM of $1,689.83 billion USD of which approximately $116.05 billion USD in gold assets with respect to SPDR products for which State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (SSGA FD) acts solely as the marketing agent. SSGA FD and State Street Investment Management are affiliated. Please note all AUM is unaudited.

nakase-2025-coty

Golden State Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase Wins 2025 State Street Investment Management SPY WNBA Coach of the Year Award

SEATTLE (AP) — Skylar Diggins scored 26 points, <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://x.com/WNBA/status/1968159141480038799" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">including a jumper in the lane with 4.2 seconds left</a>, Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Seattle Storm forced a deciding Game 3 with an 86-83 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night.
Seattle won its first playoff game since 2022. The Storm will play at Las Vegas on Thursday for a spot in the WNBA semifinals.
Las Vegas had closed the season on a 16-game winning streak, before winning <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/storm-aces-score-353ae7c6fa564e01b909fe0a268aa271" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Game 1 on Sunday</a>.
The Storm trailed 79-70 before closing on a 16-4 run.
Dominique Malonga was fouled while making a layup in transition with 31 seconds left and she made the free throw to give Seattle its first lead, 84-83, since it was 37-36. Chelsea Gray had a turnover at the other end trying to find Jackie Young in the lane.
Ogwumike took an inbounds pass with 27.7 seconds left and held the ball near midcourt until giving it to Diggins with about 14 to go. Diggins drove into the lane and sank a shot near the free-throw line for a three-point lead.
Las Vegas had a chance to tie it at the buzzer but Jewell Loyd’s 3-pointer hit off the right side of the rim.
Malonga finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Erica Wheeler also scored 11 for Seattle.
Young led Las Vegas with 25 points. A’ja Wilson had 21 points and 13 rebounds for <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://x.com/ESPNInsights/status/1968152679244243219" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">her 22nd playoff double-double.</a>
Ogwumike scored 11 points in the first quarter, Diggins added 15 points in the second and Seattle was within 45-44 at the break after closing on a 7-0 run. <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://x.com/WNBA/status/1968140563984912522" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Diggins sank a 3-pointer with 51.4 seconds left</a> following her steal, and she added two free throws at 32.3.
Diggins had just 12 points in Seattle’s loss on Sunday in the series opener, and Ogwumike had 11.

2025-playoffs-aces-storm-game-2-recap

Game Recap: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm (First Round, Game 2)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 19 points and made four 3-pointers while Aliyah Boston added 15 points to lead the Indiana Fever past third-seeded Atlanta Dream 77-60 on Tuesday night <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/fever-dream-score-6a664d6cab4085f57ca52f816867bcbd" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">to extend their best-of-three series.</a>
Game 3 will be Thursday in Atlanta, which hasn’t won a playoff series since 2016. Indiana’s last series win came in 2015.
Natasha Howard added 12 points and five rebounds. Mitchell also had four assists and Boston finished with five rebounds and three assists.
Te-Hina Paopao scored 11 points off the bench to lead the Dream, and Rhyne Howard added 10. The Dream fell 25 points short of their regular-season per game average. Allisha Gray added nine points and seven rebounds despite playing through foul trouble and clashing briefly with two fans in the front row midway through the fourth quarter. Both fans were escorted out of the arena by security.
The Fever hosted their first playoff game since 2016 and fed off the energy of another sellout crowd to earn their first postseason win since Oct. 11, 2015, when they beat the Minnesota Lynx 75-69.
It was a stark turnaround from Game 1.
As both teams battled serious foul trouble, Atlanta couldn’t get the stops it needed — and the Fever took full advantage with its first wire-to-wire playoff win since 2002.
Injury-riddled Indiana started fast, using a 10-2 spurt midway through the first half to take a 30-19 lead, only to see Atlanta cut the halftime deficit to 35-29 courtesy of Gray’s 3-pointer to close the second quarter — the Dream’s first 3 of the game.
Atlanta continued to rally early in the second half, closing to 40-37 midway through the third quarter.
But behind the tandem of Mitchell and Boston, Indiana answered with seven straight points, closed the quarter on another 7-0 run and opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 spurt to make it 67-44. The blowout allowed Mitchell and Boston to get some extra rest down the stretch.

Photo Gallery: 2025 WNBA Playoffs, First Round (9/16/2025)

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