No. 3 Las Vegas is shooting its shot, searching for a bounce-back against No. 2 Golden State tonight after opening the best-of-five Aces vs Valkyries WNBA playoffs series with a 71-60 loss.
Gabby Williams dropped 25 points in Game 1, one-upping A’ja Wilson’s 24 while holding Las Vegas to a season-low 60 points on the road.
Wilson has anchored the Aces all postseason with 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, with Jackie Young putting up 20.2 points on 46.3% shooting over her last 10.
The banged-up Aces’ lineup hangs in the balance, with guard Jewell Loyd currently listed as “doubtful” after the veteran departed Game 1 with a left leg knock.
Las Vegas carried a hefty IL on Sunday, as Loyd joined Stephanie Talbot (leg), Dana Evans (knee), and NaLyssa Smith (SEI) on the bench.
“We’re a little bit depleted right now,” coach Becky Hammon said. “At some point I wish we would get healthy, but you know, it is what it is.”
Las Vegas takes on Golden State tonight at 9:30 PM ET (NBC Sports).
No. 4 Atlanta is gearing up for Game 2, looking to take a commanding 2-0 WNBA semifinals lead over No. 8 New York tonight after scoring a 92-82 win in Game 1 of the Liberty vs Dream playoffs.
Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner combined for 48 points in the best-of-five series opener, offsetting Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu’s 27 points.
However, Atlanta will be without leading scorer Allisha Gray, ruled out with a hand injury she aggravated twice on Sunday — resulting in an early WNBA playoffs Game 1 exit.
The Dream is also making moves off the court, announcing plans to leave College Park’s 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to play full time at Atlanta’s 17,000-seat State Farm Arena next year.
The franchise has grown its season-ticket base more than 400% in five years while selling out the NBA venue eight times — including five of six regular-season games this year.
“This is an exciting next chapter,” said Dream President and COO Morgan Shaw Parker. “State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta.”
The Dream hosts the Liberty tonight at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN).
Caitlin Clark's season is over, but the crowd-size conversation she fueled this season is still going strong. The Indiana Fever guard drove record viewership for the WNBA all year with her first-round series against the Las Vegas Aces pulling in 2.1 million viewers on ABC.
Those ratings more than doubled last season's opening-round numbers. But after the Aces knocked out Clark's Fever in back-to-back postseasons, the popularity argument didn't end, it just shifted to Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream.
How Did Atlanta Dream's Playoff Crowd Compare to Caitlin Clark's Sellouts?
When the Dream hosted its WNBA playoffs game against the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena, 9,745 fans showed up. During the regular season, Clark's two visits to that same building each sold out at 17,044.
Critics stacked those numbers side by side almost immediately, accusing the league and the Dream of making the crowd seem bigger by closing off the arena's upper deck.
However, Atlanta pushed back, pointing to logistics as the reason for why the playoff battle failed to sell out. The Dream typically plays at Gateway Center Arena, which holds 3,500. The franchise only announced its postseason move to the 17,000-capacity NBA arena in late August, giving fans barely a month to buy in.
Despite the sparse crowd, Reese and the Dream cruised to a 92-82 victory against the Liberty in their first semifinals meeting on Sunday. They'll look to repeat that performance tomorrow night at home, hopefully in front of an even bigger crowd.
Sophie Cunningham's future with the Indiana Fever remains an open question heading into free agency. But, when asked whether the guard's media controversy would factor into her evaluation, Fever GM Amber Cox offered a one-word answer: "No."
What Did Fever GM Amber Cox Say About Cunningham Controversy?
Beyond that terse response, Cox made clear she values what the 30-year-old veteran brings to Indiana's locker room. She described Cunningham as "a really solid leader" and "a great connector" who balances levity with experience when the team needs it most.
Still, Cox stopped short of tipping her hand on a deal.
"She's an unrestricted free agent, so we look forward to having those conversations," the Fever GM said.
Cunningham signed a one-year deal to return to Indiana ahead of the 2026 season after previously voicing displeasure over her contract offer.
Now, with that deal expiring, the question shifts from whether Cox wants her back to what that return might look like. After a dip in production during the second half of the season, and with the potential of a Kelsey Mitchell exit looming, the Fever might want more fire power on offense.
Sophie Cunningham Weighs Options Ahead of Free Agency
Should Cunningham not stay in Indiana, she'll likely struggle to find a new WNBA franchise to call home.
The guard's anti-trans athlete sentiments have sparked rallies and protests at Fever opponent's venues. The media headlines and fan outrage means its possible Cunningham won't be receiving interest from multiple teams in the league come January.
The WNBA has delivered, as the expanding league posted significant regular-season attendance gains throughout its 30th year.
Golden State came out on top, leading the league in both average attendance (18,064) and total attendance (397,408) after selling out its entire slate of home games for the second straight year.
New York and Indiana rounded out the top three attendance grabbers, with the Fever drawing a league-high 15,116 fans on the road.
Atlanta saw the biggest year-over-year jump, growing from 4,480 to 7,000 fans per game after adding star forward Angel Reese and relocating marquee matchups to the higher-capacity State Farm Arena.
2026 expansion teams also showed out, with Toronto claiming the single-game record in a July clash with Dallas set in Montréal (20,996), while Portland’s home debut set an inaugural game record (19,335).
Overall, the WNBA drew 3.79 million fans across 330 games, marking a 20.5% leap over 2025.
Allisha Gray went down with an injury to her left hand in the first quarter of Sunday's WNBA playoffs semifinal between the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty.
How Did Allisha Gray Get Injured?
The All-Star guard came up clutching her shooting hand after hurting her pinky and ring fingers while closing out on a Sabrina Ionescu layup at State Farm Arena. Trainers taped the two fingers together in the locker room before Gray checked back into the game in the second period.
But that return didn't last long. Gray visibly struggled to grip the ball, missing badly on a three-point try before tearing off the medical tape on the court.
Then, just before halftime, Gray went down again while appearing to re-injure the same hand. She headed back to the locker room before the Dream ultimately ruled her out for the remainder of the game.
Gray's Injury Impacts Atlanta Dream's WNBA Playoffs Run
Despite losing such a key offensive player, Atlanta managed to take its WNBA playoffs opener against New York, 92-82, though head coach Karl Smesko was transparent about his fears regarding Gray's availability moving forward.
"She's been a huge reason we've been so successful this year and it was tough to see her not out there," he said postgame. "Hopefully she'll be OK.
Gray averaged 19 points per game during the regular season and is one of three All-Stars on the roster. With no timeline on her return, Atlanta looks to fill in the gaps in a pivotal Game 2 on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Kelsey Mitchell's comments about playing with Caitlin Clark added new context to the Indiana Fever's already-turbulent postseason. During Saturday's end-of-year press conference, the four-time WNBA All-Star said the spotlight on Clark creates pressure for every teammate.
"We get a lot of flak just from being on her team," Mitchell admitted. "I don't think people really understand how much we endure."
Mitchell Rejects Indiana GM's Stance on Fever Fan Controversy
Mitchell's remarks pushed back on the picture painted by Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox, who defended Fever fans against recent criticism that escalated during last week's WNBA playoffs.
Despite a Game 2 incident in which Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson got into a heated confrontation with a Fever fan in the stands, Cox claimed not a single fan violated the WNBA's code of conduct all season for Indiana.
"The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality, and they need to stop," she said.
"Our fans love this team. They're going to cheer, they're going to boo, and sometimes they might point. It's a home-court advantage for a reason, and it's the same for the Pacers. And all of that is within the code of conduct."
However, both Mitchell and former Fever player Brianna Turner seemed to disagree with Cox's statement.
"Players inside and outside the organization have repeatedly issued complaints with the Fever fanbase," Turner wrote in response. "While it's not all Indy fans, it's certainly a trend. To say the attacks have 'no basis in reality' is disingenuous."
Fever Fans Could Influence Mitchell's Free Agency Decision
Mitchell, for her part, has praised the organization while mulling her offseason move. She will enter free agency in late January, hinting she'll "be selfish" in this next phase of her career.
While she clearly cares for the franchise as a whole, the All-First Team guard wants more transparency when it comes to fan behavior and how the Fever handle it.
"I think this organization is unbelievable, man. But I think that when it comes to, like, really trying to be yourself, it hasn't always been easy," she told reporters.
"All of the stuff that comes with being a professional athlete, but specifically being an Indiana Fever basketball player, it's a lot that goes into that. And those days are hard as hell, man."
Janelle Salaün is playing her part, as the Golden State forward earned 2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year by a first-ever unanimous vote on Sunday.
Salaün averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 40 appearances off the bench. Her efforts helped the Valkyries to a No. 2 playoff seed.
Her cumulative plus-minus (+160) outpaced all reserves with a minimum of 20 appearances. She additionally set single-season bench records for points (509), 3-pointers (93), and 10-point games.
The Sixth Player of the Year award spotlights the season’s best bench player — a role the French star is embracing after starting much of last year.
“I really like this group — a great bench; we have a great second unit,” she said. “It wouldn’t be possible without you guys, so thank you.”
Sunday’s Liberty vs Dream clash brought the heat. No. 4 Atlanta clamped down on No. 8 New York 92-82 on Sunday to take an early semifinal lead at home.
Guard Jordin Canada showed off on both sides of the ball, dropping 25 points while helping the Dream score a near-record 32 points off turnovers.
“They just kind of raced it down our throats, and we need to be better,” said Liberty forward Breanna Stewart.
Atlanta could face a steeper climb on Wednesday, after top-scorer Allisha Gray exited Game 1 with a hand knock. However, the severity is unknown.
Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner picked up the slack, posting 23 points in 30 minutes to prove her value off the bench.
“She was exactly what we needed,” said coach Karl Smesko. “Not just because she’s a veteran presence and all the experience, [but] because she still plays like she did tonight.”
Atlanta hosts New York on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN).
No. 2 Golden State ran the floor in last night’s Aces vs Valkyries clash. The second-year expansion team fended off No. 3 Las Vegas 71-60 in front of a hyped Balhalla crowd, grabbing a one-game WNBA semifinals lead.
Guard Gabby Williams led with 25 points and 11 rebounds. She set the tone for a smothering Valkyries defense that held the Aces to just 29% shooting.
“We were really connected tonight,” Williams said. “And then it came down to rebounding.”
Las Vegas will look to shake off the hostile environment in Game 2, hunting a critical road win in the best-of-five series.
Outside its Big Three — A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young — the usually explosive Aces combined for just nine points on Sunday.
“The good news is, we played like ass and only lost by 10,” coach Becky Hammon wryly noted.
Golden State hosts Las Vegas on Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET (ESPN).