This is perhaps the most anticipated post-season of WNBA The story began on Sunday, and while the top four seeds took home the win, the day was full of stories.
Some stars struggled, others thrived, and one managed to do both in the same game.
Here’s a recap of Game 1 of each series in the first round of this season’s WNBA playoffs.
A’ja Wilson recovers from slow start, Aces open third straight series with win
For much of their match against the Seattle Stormit looked like the The Aces of Las Vegas were about to begin their third consecutive trip in the worst possible way.
At the end of the first quarter, Becky Hammon’s team trailed 18-9, with A’ja Wilson making just one of her eight shots. By halftime, Las Vegas had cut Seattle’s lead to four points thanks to 12 points from the excellent Tiffany Hayes, but Wilson was still struggling with just four points.
However, Wilson rebounded after the break to return to the kind of form that saw her unanimously named the 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player earlier in the day, matching the three MVP awards won by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.
Suddenly, the 28-year-old was on fire, scoring 15 points in the third quarter, including a crucial three-pointer, as the Aces cut Seattle’s lead to one point entering the fourth quarter.
Vegas then went on a rampage, forcing the Storm to miss all 13 shots and score just two points in the final 10 minutes of the game. Kelsey Plum gave the Aces the lead with 7:08 left, and the team never looked back, outscoring Seattle 14-2. Wilson, quiet for much of the game, finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
“We just got to work,” Wilson said “We understood the mission and we knew what it was going to entail. We saw in the first half that it wasn’t going to be easy. This is the playoffs. This is not a regular-season game,” the Seattle Times said.
“They kind of punched us in the face in the first half, but in the second half, we figured it out. We figured out that we were doing well on defense, we have to get to work. There’s no doubt about it. That’s where we can fuel our offense. We started to focus more. We got more physical. (Coach) Becky (Hammon) yelled at us in the locker room. Obviously, that woke us up and we took it personally.”
Another win for the Aces in Tuesday’s Game 2 would see them advance to the semifinals, one step closer to a third straight championship — a feat only the Houston Comets have accomplished in the league’s first four years.
Suns’ Alyssa Thomas posts triple-double to beat Caitlin Clark, Fever
With all the pre-match attention and hype Caitlin ClarkIn her playoff debut, it was Alyssa Thomas who caught the eye in the Connecticut Sun’s 93-69 upset victory over the Indiana Fever.
The forward finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, recording the 15th triple-double of her career and fourth in the playoffs. Thomas also recorded a triple-double against Indiana in this year’s regular-season opener.
“We did what we were supposed to do. I’ve been waiting all season for the playoffs, that’s what I’m playing for,” the five-time WNBA All-Star said, according to AP. “This is just the beginning for us, we’re ready to go.”
Marina Mabrey and DeWanna Bonner also stood out, with the former scoring more points than any other player coming off the bench in WNBA playoff history with 27.
Despite her 22 goals, Bonner was full of praise for Thomas. “She puts us in situations where we need to be in the big moments,” she said, according to AP. “The way she reads the game and sees the field … It’s an advantage to have a player who can pass the ball, run the play, defend and literally play for 40 minutes. Our team can’t do without her.”
“We wouldn’t be in this situation every year. It’s his time, every year.”
It was a playoff debut to forget for Clark, as the Fever suffered their The biggest playoff loss in franchise historyAfter being unanimously named the WNBA’s AP Rookie of the Year earlier in the day, Clark was held to 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.
“We didn’t play well, we didn’t play at the level we are capable of,” Clark saidaccording to AP. “We didn’t shoot the ball like we were capable of. We are capable of winning this game.”
In its first playoff appearance since 2016 — when it was coached by current Connecticut head coach Stephanie White — Indiana started well, taking a 36-34 lead with 3:45 remaining in the first half.
But the Sun showed their quality from that point on, ending the half on a 12-2 run that put Bonner at 16 points at halftime. The Fever never recovered, and now Indiana must win Game 2 on Wednesday to keep its playoff game alive.
Leonie Fiebich and Napheesa Collier star in Liberty and Lynx
Freshman Leonie Fiebich justified Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s decision to start her, scoring a game-high 21 points to help New York to an 83-69 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
After benching guard Courtney Vandersloot in an effort to add more height to Liberty’s roster, Brondello was pleased with the German’s impact.
“Leo had a very good game. We have praised his contributions throughout the season,” Brondello saidaccording to the New York Post. “It’s a given, but she’s always ready. It doesn’t matter if she’s starting or coming off the bench, she’s always ready.”
Fiebich’s contribution was complemented, unsurprisingly, by Breanna Stewart – who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks – and Sabrina Ionescu, who added 17 points.
Elsewhere, Napheesa Collier had 38 points for the Minnesota Lynx in their 102-95 win over the Phoenix Mercury.
While all eyes were on Diana Taurasi ahead of her potential retirement, it was Collier – who just finished second to Wilson in the MVP voting – who stole the show, with four assists and six rebounds to go along with her career-high point total.
Natasha Cloud led the way for the Mercury, recording 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Taurasi added 21 points.
Complete WNBA Playoffs Results
The first round series is played as the best of three games. Winners in bold.
Away and home (match 1)
Atlanta Dream 69-83 New York Liberty
Phoenix Mercury 95-102 Minnesota Lynx
Indiana Fever 69-93 The Connecticut Sun
Seattle Storm 67-78 The Aces of Las Vegas
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