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Tag: Basketball

  • Ball Is Life! Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Maya Moore, The Redeem Team and More Join Hoops Hall Of Fame

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    The 2025 Basketball of Fame inductees brought tearful speeches, funny memories and the game’s most elite talent to the stage.

    Among the honorees on the night were some of the game’s most notable names, like Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, and the superstars who made up the 2008 Olympic gold medal team dubbed “The Redeem Team,” including the late Kobe Bryant, who received his second induction.

    Celebrating his more than 20 years in the NBA, Anthony paid tribute to his mother, father, children, and players who came before him. He received his iconic orange jacket from his son, Kiyan, who will also follow in his footsteps at Syracuse University this year. Anthony, who many believe has deserved more flowers throughout his career, racked up a bevy of awards during his reign on the court, including 10 All-Star appearances, a scoring championship and a national championship with his alma mater, Syracuse. He also helped to bring three gold medals to the USA.

    Melo took home double honors on the night as the 2008 USA Basketball Men’s National Team was inducted for their impactful journey to bring a gold medal back to the States. Lebron James and Chris Paul became the only two players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while still being active on a roster in basketball history.

    Redeem Team Recognized With Late Kobe Bryant

    Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd, and others took the time to also pay respect to the late Kobe Bryant. Bryant’s presence and impact on “The Redeem Team” were widely discussed even prior to his untimely passing in 2020, but was further driven home in the Netflix film that documented the players’ return to the top of the podium.

    James took time to speak on how Kobe’s addition to the team motivated the younger players to raise their game to meet his, saying,

    “We wanted to impress him and prove that we could play at his level. He was the missing link we needed in order to regain dominance with Team USA.”

    Bryant’s one time teammate and NBA center, Dwight Howard, also received honors on the night. Over the span of 18 seasons, Howard notched 8 All Star appearances, three Defensive Player Of The Year awards, took home a Dunk Contest win and became a NBA champion. The 2004 No.1 draft pick, who would earn the nickname of “Superman” for his impressive skill above the rim, is one of the last true centers in league history. Howard was also a double honoree on the night as he, too, was part of the 2008 Olympic team. He was inducted into the hall by legendary centers Shaquille O’Neal and Patrick Ewing as well as Dominique Wilkins and Robert Parish.

    Maya Moore Receives Her Flowers As WNBA Powerhouse

    Though the men’s 2025 class was full of legends, the biggest GOAT of them all was WNBA legend Maya Moore. The 12-time champion took her rightful place among basketball’s best and brightest, boasting more accolades than every other inductee on the night. Her impressive career in both college and the pros is undoubtedly the stuff of legend.

    Moore famously left basketball in her prime to become a social justice advocate for those wrongfully convicted of crimes. She used her speech to encourage the next generation of players to inspire outside of basketball and to foster community everywhere they go.

    “Figure out what motivates you every day you get out of bed,” Moore said. “I want to challenge you up-and-comers every day to seek out joy and connection.”

    Moore was joined by WNBA greats Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, marking the first time that three women’s players were enshrined on the same night.

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  • Chicago Sky Teammate Issues Pointed Response to Angel Reese’s Message

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    Chicago Sky star Angel Reese made quite a few controversial comments recently about her WNBA future. She went as far as to hint that if the Sky do not make the moves that she wants to see, she would consider leaving the team.

    Reese, who is in her second WNBA season, ruffled a lot of feathers with those comments. While she has played a big role for the Sky, a second-year player making those kinds of statements usually isn’t taken very well.

    One of her controversial comments had to do with veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot.

    Read more: LeBron James Sends Message to Fever’s Caitlin Clark After Season-Ending News

    Vandersloot, who has missed most of the 2025 WNBA season due to a torn ACL, is working her way back from the injury. However, Reese decided to speak out about how Chicago couldn’t rely on her to come back from the injury due to her age.

    Kamilla Cardoso #10, Kia Nurse #11, Courtney Vandersloot #22, Ariel Atkins #7 and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky huddle against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May…


    Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

    “We can’t rely on Courtney to come back at the age that she’s at,” Reese said. “I know she’ll be a great asset for us, but we can’t rely on that. We need someone probably a little younger with some experience, somebody who’s been playing the game and is willing to compete for a championship and has done it before.”

    It didn’t take long for Vandersloot to response to those comments. She issued a very clear and pointed statement about her plans to come back stronger than ever.

    “Oh absolutely,” Vandersloot said. “Contrary to what people say or think, my age is absolutely not a factor. I am coming back. I’m gonna come back better than ever.”

    At 36 years old, Vandersloot has still been playing at a high level. In the seven games she played this season, she averaged 10.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, while shooting 43.9 percent.

    Read more: Angel Reese Sounds Off on Viral Report of Sky Frustration

    Obviously, her response showed that she didn’t appreciate Reese’s comments. It doesn’t mean that there’s an issue between the two players, but it made things clear that the second-year star might have gone too far with some of her message.

    All of that being said, it will be interesting to see what the fallout of Reese’s comments ends up being. Will the Sky be able to work things out and keep her around long-term? Is a split between the two parties coming?

    No one knows, but it’s clear that Reese’s teammates didn’t exactly love her public statement.

    For more on the Chicago Sky and for news on the entire WNBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Moore, Fowles to join former Lynx Whalen, Augustus in Hall of Fame

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    Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles were cornerstones of the Minnesota Lynx when the franchise won four WNBA titles in seven years.

    So were Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus.

    Now Moore and Fowles will join their former teammates in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend when they are enshrined as part of the 2025 class, along with Sue Bird. Whalen was inducted in 2022 and Augustus entered the Hall of Fame in 2024.

    It’s the first time that four players from the same WNBA team will be in the Hall of Fame. The Boston Celtics hold the record with nine players from their 1962-63 NBA championship team in the Hall.

    “That’s one of the things that the legacy of our team, our culture at Minnesota, was we were committed to each other,” Moore said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We had a core that stayed together longer than any other I think, in the history of the league.”

    Augustus and Whalen will be at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday presenting their former teammates. Whalen is currently an assistant coach with the Lynx, who play Saturday at Golden State, but she will skip the game to be at the Hall of Fame.

    “I told Lindsay I didn’t want her to miss the ceremony,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said.

    Reeve, who is enjoying a Hall of Fame-caliber career of her own, would like better collaboration between the WNBA and the Hall so that teams could attend the ceremony and celebrate former players.

    Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson and Maya Moore celebrate after the Minnesota Lynx defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 67-65 during Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference semifinals in Minneapolis, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015.

    Ann Heisenfelt / AP


    “It’s special to be a part of and it’s not every day you get a Hall of Fame nod, to not be a part of it is brutal,” she said.

    Reeve was the architect of the championship run during which her team reached the Finals six times in that seven-year stretch.

    “Four of the dynasty are in, it’s one of the best runs we’ve ever seen maybe second only to the Comets who won four in four years,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said of the Lynx quartet. “Looking at WNBA championship teams, they are the only ones with four in. It brings home again how incredible those Minnesota Lynx teams were in an era when you couldn’t build super teams. They built that the old fashion way, Maya was in the draft, Seimone was in the draft, Whalen was a trade, Syl was a trade.”

    The dynasty started its run when the Lynx drafted Moore with the first pick in 2011 and won the title that season. They were champions again two years later with Moore winning Finals MVP honors.

    After falling short in 2014 of reaching the WNBA Finals for the only time in that span, Minnesota added Fowles in a mid-season 2015 trade.

    The 6-foot-6 Fowles made an immediate impact, earning MVP honors in the Finals that season and then again two years later when the franchise won the last of its four championships. A loss to Los Angeles in a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA Finals a year earlier fueled that final title.

    “It definitely left a bittersweet taste in your mouth. I mean, credit to L.A,” Fowles said. “When you don’t achieve that goal and you are just one step away, getting a rebound, blocked shot, a putback whatever the situation may be. It definitely gives you that hunger to make you want to go back and chase that dream all over again.”

    Fowles, who retired in 2022 as the WNBA’s career rebound leader, went on to be the league’s MVP and Finals MVP in 2017. She also has been the connecter to the current Lynx group that fell just short in the WNBA Finals last season and currently has the best record in the league and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

    “When I got there in 2015 they showed me the ropes and I thought it was very important that the next generation also understood,” Fowles said. “These are the things that we do here, and you can change it up a little bit, but these are your core values of what we stand for. This group definitely gave into that.”

    Fowles is proud of the current team and how they’ve continued “the Lynx way” that Whalen, Augustus, Moore help start.

    Now the four will forever be enshrined together in the Hall of Fame.

    NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is Dec. 2, 2024.

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  • Why Laver Cup conflict looms over potential Valkyries postseason home game

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    SAN FRANCISCO — If the Valkyries reach the postseason in their inaugural year, one of the biggest questions will be where they will actually play. 

    A scheduling conflict with the Laver Cup — an international tennis tournament that includes stars Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz as well as legend Andre Agassi as a coach — presents Chase Center’s biggest hurdle in trying to accommodate a Valkyries playoff game. 

    In all likelihood, the Valkyries will not get a Top 4 seed in order to host two games in the first round, meaning their possible lone postseason game will take place either on Sept. 16 or 17. 

    The Laver Cup runs from Sept. 19-21, but setting up the state-of-the-art tennis court and allowing players time to practice before the tournament starts is the biggest challenge. The event was booked before the Valkyries became a franchise. 

    Golden State officials said an update on a decision on where the team will play will be coming in the next few days. 

    “We are finalizing details regarding our potential playoff venue and will share a comprehensive update with fans and season ticket holders in the coming days,” the Valkyries said in a statement sent to this news organization on Thursday. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the logistics of the possibility of a historic inaugural playoff run and pre-existing scheduling conflict at Chase Center.”

    A Golden State Valkyries fan wears a winged helmet while sitting courtside in the fourth quarter of their WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Washington Mystics 99-62. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

    The Valkyries’ issues with scheduling their playoff game hasn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the league. 

    “You want to think that you’re past it,” Stewart told SFGATE on Monday. “We want to think that we’re, like, better than this. Listen, sometimes it’s out of the control of everyone involved. But it’s just … You don’t see it happening with the NBA.”

    The Valkyries will have other venues to consider should Chase Center not be available. 

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    Nathan Canilao

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  • Furious Chicago Sky Players Plan to Confront Angel Reese: Report

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    Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has always been one to tell it like it is.

    So it should come as no surprise that during an interview with the Chicago Tribune early Wednesday morning, the 23-year-old forward may have said some things that ruffled some feathers — most notably calling out first-year head coach Tyler Marsh for not playing a dynamic style of basketball and not coaching players hard enough, and general manager Jeff Pagliocca for not building a championship-caliber team.

    “Starting at the top — we’ve got to find an identity of what we’re going to be next year and then roll with the punches of what we can get,” Reese said of the team’s current culture.

    “We need great players, and I don’t know what that will attract that,” she continued. “… But the priority is being able to convince (free agents) that this is an organization that is going in the right direction. Honestly, it would be a leap of faith for a great, great player to come here and show that this is something that they want to be a part of and we can bring that championship mentality.”

    More Basketball: Angel Reese Warns Chicago Sky to Fix the Roster or She’ll Leave

    Reese also seemingly took a shot at 36-year-old teammate Courtney Vandersloot, who she boldly called out for being too old while simultaneously calling for the Sky front office to replace her with a younger player hungry to win a title.

    “We need someone probably a little younger with some experience, somebody who’s been playing the game and is willing to compete for a championship and has done it before,” Reese declared.

    Whether Reese’s teammates read the Chicago Tribune report firsthand or were told about by someone else, it’s clear they’re aware of the disparaging remarks Reese made about the team.

    Angel Reese #5 and head coach Tyler Marsh of the Chicago Sky look on against the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

    Michael Reaves/Getty Images

    More Basketball: Candace Parker Makes Feelings About Sky’s Angel Reese Perfectly Clear

    In fact, Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported on Wednesday night that the team is expected to call a meeting in which they plan to personally air their grievances with what Reese said.

    “Multiple league sources told FOS the entire team has seen Reese’s comments and that teammates are unhappy with the direct attacks,” Costabile wrote. “A team meeting is planned at which players are expected to address Reese directly.”

    Marsh even told reporters after Wednesday’s 88-64 win over the Connecticut Sun—a game that Reese recorded 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals—that the matter “is being addressed in-house.”

    More Basketball: Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Gives Grim Update on When He’ll Play Again

    Reese appeared apologetic after the game, seemingly taking accountability for her remarks and clarifying it wasn’t her intention to throw anyone under the bus.

    “I probably am frustrated with myself right now,” Reese stated, via Bleacher Report. “… I really didn’t mean to intentionally put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year.

    “They busted their [expletive] just like I busted my [expletive], they’ve showed up for me through thick and thin…so I would apologize to my teammates, which I already have about the article, how it was misconstrued with what was said and I just have to be better with my language.”

    More Basketball: Lakers’ LeBron James Dethroned by Luka Doncic in ‘NBA2K’ Ratings Twist

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  • Valkyries keep defending champion Liberty in check, extend win streak to four

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    SAN FRANCISCO — The Valkyries looked as connected as they have all year on Tuesday night. 

    Playing the star-studded New York Liberty, Golden State made all the right plays, hit all the necessary shots and kept the visiting team’s high-powered offense in check.  

    The result: The expansion team played perhaps its best game of the season, defeating the defending champion Liberty 66-58 in front of its 20th consecutive sellout crowd of the season. 

    “I think when we’re communicating and we’re executing the game plan, I think, like I said, we’re pretty dangerous,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “Credit to our players for believing, trusting and executing.”

    Temi Fágbénlé led the Valkyries with 16 points and five rebounds. Janelle Salaun had 10 points. Kate Martin came off the bench and scored 11 points.

    Monique Billings made her return to the lineup after missing the last 14 games with a right ankle sprain. She played 20 minutes, scored five points and grabbed three rebounds.

    Guard Natasha Cloud was a bright spot for the Liberty, leading New York with 19 points. Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu missed Friday’s game with a toe injury. 

    The Valkyries held the Liberty to 31.6% shooting and didn’t allow the Liberty to get to the line consistently in the first half, holding the visiting team to two free throw attempts. Breanna Stewart saw only four of her 15 shots go through the basket, but got most of her points at the free throw line. 

    “We stayed very connected throughout the whole game, through the ups and downs, through the runs. That’s the main thing,” Fágbénlé said. “Communicating throughout the whole game really helped us, and sticking with the schemes.”

    With the win, the Valkyries now have a one-game lead over the Indiana Fever for the sixth seed. A Los Angeles Sparks loss against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday and a Valkyries win over the Dallas Wings on Thursday would clinch a playoff spot for Golden State. The Valkyries are also a game and a half behind the Liberty for the fifth seed.

    Golden State fell behind by four points after the first quarter, but an offensive explosion in the second period gave the Valkyries a comfortable halftime lead. 

    Martin scored all 11 of her points in the second quarter, hitting 3-of-6 of her 3-point attempts to lead the Valkyries in the first half. 

    The Valkyries held the Liberty to 32.3% shooting through the first two quarters and led 40-26 going into the intermission. 

    New York’s eight second-quarter points is tied for the fewest points a Valkyries’ opponent has scored all season. 

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Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) celebrates her 3-point basket against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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Golden State ballooned its lead to 24 early in the third period, but the Liberty finished the quarter strong by forcing seven Valkyries turnovers. The home team went into the final 10 minutes of play with a 12-point lead. 

But much like they have done during this home stand, the Valkyries didn’t let up in the fourth quarter.

Golden State’s inside-out attack paced its offense against a more athletic Liberty defense. On the other end, the Valkyries got timely stops and didn’t allow New York’s trio of post players consisting of Stewart, Emma Meesseman and last year’s Finals MVP Jonquel Jones to get going.

During this home stand, the Valkyries have beaten teams by average of 19 points.

The Valkyries will play their final two home games on Thursday and Saturday, starting with a matchup with the Dallas Wings followed by the regular season finale against the Minnesota Lynx two days later. 

Originally Published:

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Nathan Canilao

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  • Dwight Howard had a career like few others. The Basketball Hall of Fame took notice

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    All Dwight Howard urges his doubters to do is this: look at the numbers. They tell the story, he insists. He averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Only 13 other players in the history of the NBA have posted those for a career.

    They all made the Hall of Fame.

    “So, why not me?” Howard asked.

    He doesn’t have to ask that question anymore.

    Howard — who is still upset, and some would say rightly so, for being left off the NBA’s 75th anniversary team that was unveiled nearly four years ago — wasn’t snubbed for the top individual honor that can be bestowed upon a player. He goes into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, the capper to a career where he was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time rebounding champion, a two-time blocked shots champion and the only player to win defensive player of the year in three consecutive seasons.

    “I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve had longevity, and I’ve been able to play as long as I’ve been able play and stay as healthy as I have,” Howard said. “And I want people to say that one thing about me is that I was always going to put my best foot forward, 100% effort. They can say, ‘No matter what it is, he’s going to put in everything he has.’”

    Howard is one of two dual-enshrinees this weekend; he and Carmelo Anthony are both going into the Hall of Fame for their individual achievements and again as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team dubbed the “Redeem Team” after winning gold at the Beijing Games that summer.

    Also entering the Hall this weekend: women’s basketball greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, longtime NBA referee Dan Crawford and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan – a winner of two NCAA titles when he coached at Florida.

    “It’s a great class,” USA Basketball men’s national team director Sean Ford said.

    Howard is 10th on the NBA’s all-time rebounding list, 13th on the list of blocked shots. He’s one of four players with three DPOY awards, behind only four-time winners Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert. And he got his lone NBA ring in 2020, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in the bubble finals.

    Only one other player — Elvin Hayes — finished his NBA career averaging as many points, rebounds and blocked shots as Howard did. Blocks didn’t become an official stat until 1973, but regardless, the numbers showed Howard was a lock for the hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, to call.

    “It was absolutely ridiculous that he didn’t make Top 75,” Stan Van Gundy, Howard’s longtime coach in Orlando, said when that 75th anniversary team was released.

    Howard and Van Gundy didn’t always agree. On this point, they’re in lockstep.

    “I was wondering if I was ever going to get into the Hall of Fame after the Top 75 thing, because it just seemed like, as far as my basketball play, I haven’t really received that much respect from my years in the league,” Howard said. “It was a little difficult. But then once I got the call, I was like, ‘Wow, this is here.’”

    The 75th anniversary team snub might come up in the speech that Howard is planning to deliver this weekend. If this speech goes like the one he gave earlier this year when he was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame — he spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Magic, hardly missing a game after they took him No. 1 overall in the 2004 draft — expect some laughs and some tears. Howard doesn’t mind showing his emotions.

    The Hall didn’t make him wait, either. Howard was voted in during his first year of eligibility.

    “It’s happening. It’s me being in the Hall of Fame, being inducted in the Hall of Fame as player and then being inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Olympian,” Howard said. “It’s just like a double whammy, but in a good way.”

    ___

    AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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  • Minnesota Lynx beat Dallas Wings 96-71; Hiedeman scores career-high 20 points

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    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Sept. 1, 2025



    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Sept. 1, 2025

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    Napheesa Collier scored 25 points, Natisha Hiedeman added 20 points and a career-high 10 assists for her first double-double, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Dallas Wings 96-71 on Monday night.

    Courtney Williams added 15 points and nine assists for the Lynx (32-8), who already wrapped up the No. 1 overall seed for the playoffs. Bridget Carleton had 12 points.

    Paige Bueckers scored 17 points for the last-place Wings (9-33). Maddy Siegrist, Amy Okonkwo and Diamond Miller each added 12.

    Collier and Williams both shot 7 for 10 as the Lynx made 55% (36 for 65) but Collier was 4 for 4 from 3-point range. Hiedeman was 4 for 5 behind the arc and Carleton 4 for 8 as the Lynx went 14 for 24 (58%). They also had 29 assists.

    Dallas was 3 for 15 from long range and shot 39% overall.

    Minnesota rested Kayla McBride, and DiJonai Carrington stepped into the starting lineup but did not play in the second half with a shoulder issue.

    Collier had 11 points in the first quarter when the Lynx scored the last two baskets to take a 25-21 lead.

    Dallas tied the score at 32 on Bueckers’ jumper with four minutes left in the second quarter but Williams, Carleton and Hiedeman hit consecutive 3s for the Lynx. After Siegrist scored inside for the Wings, Collier hit a 3 for a 44-34 lead just inside the two minute mark. It was 48-41 at the break.

    Hiedeman had 10 points in the third quarter with her late 3 making it 71-59 entering the fourth.

    Minnesota dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wings 25-12.

    The Lynx start a three-game road trip at Las Vegas on Thursday when the Wings are at Golden State.

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  • Rupert hits five 3s for career-high 21 points, Valkyries beat Fever 75-63

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    Iliana Rupert scored a career-high 21 points and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Indiana Fever 75-63 on Sunday night to move closer to a playoff berth in their first season.

    The Valkyries (21-18) shot 7 for 8 on 3-pointers in the first quarter and led by 20 before finishing 12 for 19 behind the arc — five from Rupert — and trimmed their magic number to three with five games remaining. They are 2 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles and bunched with the Fever (21-19) and Seattle (22-19) for playoff seeding.

    Janelle Salaun and Kate Martin both added 10 points for Golden State and Veronica Burton had 13 assists.

    Reserve Aerial Powers scored 17 points to lead the Fever, who are still without reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell had 14 points and Natasha Howard 13 but Aliyah Boston was held to four, almost 12 below her average.

    The game had a long delay in the opening minutes because of technical difficulties with the shot clocks, which went out with the Fever on top 3-2. After it was determined to play with temporary shot clocks on the baseline, ending a 20-minute delay, the Valkyries took off, making four consecutive 3s.

    By the end of the quarter the Valkyries had a 25-14 lead and a franchise record for 3s in a quarter.

    They quickly pushed the lead to 20 but the Fever recovered from the foul line and trailed 44-32 at the half.

    Indiana pulled to 55-50 with 7 1/2 minutes to play when the Valkyries began hitting 3s again. Golden State was 8 of 12 in the fourth quarter and Indiana was 5 of 15.

    Fever visit Phoenix on Tuesday, and Valkyries host New York.

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  • Clock issues can’t stop Valkyries in win over Caitlin Clark-less Fever

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    SAN FRANCISCO — Chase Center turned into a glorified night club on Sunday night. 

    After electrical issues caused multiple shot clocks to malfunction, and choppy officiating gave way to numerous review stoppages, the fan cam inside the arena was put to work. 

    The basketball game almost seemed like background noise as fans were asked to dance to a mix of Bay Area classics and new age pop music with each game stoppage. Both the Valkyries and the visiting Indiana Fever were both visibly frustrated by the start-stop nature of Sunday’s game that took two hours and 38 minutes to complete.

    But what mattered most is that the Valkyries gave the sold out crowd of 18,064 something to dance for after the game ended.

    Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) scores a 3-point basket against Indiana Fever’s Aerial Powers (23) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

    The Valkyries won their third straight game, beating the injury-plagued Indiana Fever 75-63 behind a hot shooting start. The 158-minute game was the longest contest that ended in regulation since the Chicago Sky played the Dallas Wings in a two-hour, 41-minute game on Aug. 6, 2023, per Elias Sports Bureau. Sunday’s game had five clock stoppages in the first half. 

    The Valkyries attributed the clock malfunctions to a power outage that occurred at Chase Center on Sunday morning. 

    Iliana Rupert posted a career-high 21 points and hit 5-of-8 shots from the 3-point line. Rookie Janelle Salaün had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Veronica Burton finished with eight points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.

    “I think it was the first time in all of our lives that we had so much stuff (go on), but it’s not stuff that you can control,” Rupert said after the game. “We really just tried to stay together.  The fans obviously helped a lot because you can lose energy really quickly, and they were pushing us.”

    A broken shot clock above a basket during the Golden State Valkyries game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
    A broken shot clock above a basket during the Golden State Valkyries game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

    The Fever were without superstar Caitlin Clark, who missed her 18th straight game with a left groin injury. Former Valkyries guard Aerial Powers scored 17 points off the bench and Kelsey Mitchell had 14 points in the loss. 

    The Valkyries held the Fever’s other star, Aliyah Boston, to just four points.

    “We really tried to be physical with her and try to make the night hard,” Rupert said. “I think we did that really well. So yeah, I’m happy of the work because it was really a team effort to stop her.”

    After two different clock stoppages forced a 25-minute delay in the first quarter, the Valkyries went on a run. Golden State hit seven of its eight 3-pointers and took a 25-14 lead after the first 10 minutes. 

    More stoppages allowed Indiana to get back within striking distance, but Golden State kept the high-paced offense at bay. 

    The Valkyries led by as much as 20 in the first half behind a 75% shooting quarter from beyond the arc. Rupert and Salaün accounted for 21 of the Valkyries’ 44 first-half points, and the home team led 44-32 after two quarters. 

    With all the stoppages, the first half lasted a whopping 92 minutes but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the breaks in action helped the Valkyries regroup. 

    Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (35) talks to Golden State Valkyries' Temi Fagbenle (14) during their game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
    Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (35) talks to Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle (14) during their game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

    “We did get to talk about defensively, continuing to focus on our game plan and our execution in terms of the defense and what was hurting us,” Nakase said. “We just tried to make it an advantage as best we can.”

    Indiana made headway in the third quarter, cutting the Valkyries’ lead to seven going into the final 10 minutes. 

    Powers cut the Golden State advantage to just five with a layup at the 7:37 mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Fever a much-needed momentum swing.

    But just as Indiana was on the verge of cutting the lead to a single possession, Powers fouled Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin on a 3-pointer right in front of Indiana’s bench and the second-year guard swished the shot to erupt the Chase Center crowd.

    Golden State Valkyries' Kate Martin (20) heads to the basket against Indiana Fever's Lexie Hull (10) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
    Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) heads to the basket against Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

    Martin finished with 10 points.

    Originally Published:

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  • Knicks Insider Has Major Update on Contract Extension for $60 Million Big

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    A New York Knicks insider has supplied a huge update on a potential contract extension for a valued Knicks big man.

    New York finds itself with a massive shot at glory ahead of it in 2025-26.

    Achilles tendon ruptures to three then-Eastern Conference All-Stars have cracked open a championship window for recent perpetual also-rans like the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

    Both star-studded squads have finished with impressive records and won playoff series in recent seasons, but neither has broken through to an NBA Finals berth with its current core.

    More news: NBA Insider Provides Ominous Season Prediction for Lakers Superstar LeBron James

    That could change in 2026, with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (now with the Portland Trail Blazers) all sidelined for quite possibly the entire season.

    Last season, New York finished with a 51-31 record and made its first East Finals in 25 years. Still, it wasn’t good enough for owner James Dolan, who fired head coach Tom Thibodeau in the summer.

    The Knicks brought in two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown to bring them to the next level. Team president Leon Rose also inked a pair of talented vets, power forward Guerschon Yabusele and guard Jordan Clarkson, to bolster his bench.

    Led by All-NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, New York boasts one of the most talented top sixes in the East. All-Defensive forward OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges help man the perimeter, while some question remains about whether Brown should start guard Josh Hart or center Mitchell Robinson — both of whom started at different points during the playoffs — next year.

    APRIL 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Jalen Brunson #11 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks react against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round…


    Getty Images/Sarah Stier

    Robinson, 27, is in the final season of a four-year, $60 million contract, and is now eligible for a veteran contract extension with New York.

    The 7-footer has been a constant injury risk for most of his career. Since his third pro season, 2020-21, Robinson has missed 40 or more games three separate times.

    More news: Do Bulls Already Have Franchise Cornerstone on Roster? Insider Weighs In

    Last year, Robinson missed all but 64 bouts while recovering from an ankle surgery. In his 17 healthy regular season contests (three starts), Robinson averaged 5.1 points on 66.1 percent shooting from the floor and 68.4 percent shooting from the free throw line, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 steals and 0.8 assists in 17.1 minutes per.

    But he was a critical contributor during the playoffs, his mobility and rim protection helped shore up the club’s big man defense while Towns handled most of the offense.

    James L. Edwards III of The Athletic opines that, warts and all, Robinson is a keeper for a Knicks team hoping to contend.

    “The oft-injured big man was one of the most dominant players in the postseason, and he’s currently eligible for an extension,” writes Edwards. “The version of Robinson we most recently watched is an All-Defense candidate. He would be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.”

    More news: Clippers Star Exits EuroBasket Game with Concerning Injury

    In fairness, you need to play for a few more than 17 games to earn that kind of hardware.

    “What team wouldn’t hold onto a player like that? Well, the Knicks know Robinson better than anyone, and he’s been unable to stay on the court due to various injuries. I’ve gotten the sense that New York would be willing to sign Robinson to a team-friendly extension that covers them in the event he continues to get hurt,” writes Edwards. “On the flip side, I’m sure Robinson points to his performances in the postseason and believes he can get one more nice deal from the Knicks or someone else if he’s able to stay healthy in a contract year.”

    For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Storm rally past Lynx 93-79; Skylar Diggins scores 19 of her 23 points after halftime

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    Minnesota grieves following Catholic school mass shooting, and more headlines



    Minnesota grieves following Catholic school mass shooting, and more headlines

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    Skylar Diggins scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half, Nneka Ogwumike had 12 points and nine rebounds, and the Seattle Storm rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Minnesota Lynx 93-79 on Thursday night.

    Seattle, which trailed 39-18 midway through the second quarter, tied its second-largest comeback win in franchise history.

    Kayla McBridehad 20 points with five 3-pointers to lead Minnesota (30-8), which lost for just the second time in 20 home games this season. A win would have secured the Lynx home court advantage for the entire playoffs.

    Seattle closed the third quarter on a 25-6 run over a six-minute span to take a 67-63 lead, capped by 3-pointer by Diggins with 0.6 seconds left.

    The Storm scored 34 points in the frame — after scoring just 33 points in the entire first half. Seattle was 12 of 19 from the field in the third, including 7 of 11 from 3-point range.

    Seattle Storm v Minnesota Lynx

    Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to pass against Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm in the third quarter at Target Center on August 28, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Storm defeated the Lynx 93-79. 

    David Berding / Getty Images


    Seattle made four of its 16 3-pointers in the fourth.

    Gabby Williams added 16 points for Seattle (21-19). Dominique Malonga and Erica Wheeler each added 13.

    Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams each scored 18 points of Minnesota. Williams also had 10 assists.

    Minnesota outscored Seattle 25-12 in the first and then started the second on a 6-0 run for a 19-point lead. The Lynx led 46-33 at halftime behind 28 combined points from Williams and McBride. Five of Seattle’s 11 field goals in the first half were from 3-point range.

    Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was called for a technical foul at the end of the third after Diggins appeared to be shouting at the Lynx bench following her 3-pointer.

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  • Georgia stuns defending champion Spain 83-69 at EuroBasket

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    LIMASSOL, Cyprus — Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 19 points to lead Georgia to a 83-69 upset victory over defending champion Spain at EuroBasket Thursday.

    Mamukelashvili added seven rebounds and six assists as Georgia outrebounded Spain 46-29. Spain shot poorly in a disjointed performance — only making 6 of 13 free throws — but still only trailed 61-58 in the fourth quarter when Georgia went on an 11-2 run to take a decisive lead.

    American-born guard Kamar Baldwin had 12 points for Georgia, including a 3-pointer in the final seconds.

    Juancho Hernangomez led Spain with 13 points in the Group C game at Spyros Kyprianou Arena.

    “They deserved to win. They played way better. They played more physically than us,” Hernangomez said. “We played really, really bad … so let’s get better for the next game.”

    Israel beat Iceland 83-71 in Katowice, Poland, leading throughout following a 10-0 run in the first quarter. Roman Sorkin scored 31 points for Israel in the Group D opener.

    ___

    AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

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  • Indiana Fever’s Chances of Making Playoffs Revealed By ESPN

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    It has been a wild 2025 WNBA season for the Indiana Fever.

    To start off the year, the Fever were widely expected to be one of the top championship contenders in the league. Caitlin Clark was also expected to be one of the top MVP candidates in the WNBA.

    While the expectations were high and the hype was even higher, the season has not unfolded as expected. Due to a plethora of injuries, especially to Clark, Indiana is fighting to scrap its way into the playoffs.

    Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever celebrates with teammates while playing the Dallas Wings during a pre season game at College Park Center on May 03, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

    Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

    At this point in the season, there are just seven games left for the Fever. They currently hold the No. 8 spot in the WNBA, which would give them the final position in the playoff picture.

    Read more: Fever Superstar Caitlin Clark Gets Bad News Before Storm Matchup

    That is a good thing, for now, but they are far from being guaranteed that spot.

    Indiana is just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks for that playoff spot. The Washington Mystics are just 3.5 games behind the Fever.

    With that being said, ESPN has now revealed Indiana’s chances of earning a spot in the postseason. They have those chances placed at 88 percent.

    Right now, the Fever hold a 19-18 record. Out of those 37 games they have played, Clark has only appeared in 13 of them. She has been out a long time now due to a groin injury, but Indiana is holding out hope that she could return before the end of the year.

    Clark isn’t the only player that has dealt with injuries. Currently, the Fever have three players out for the season due to injury. Those players are Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald.

    Stephanie White and Indiana simply haven’t been able to catch a break. Between the injury issues and some tough breaks in games, it’s been a long year.

    Read more: Sky Coach Tyler Marsh Declares Angel Reese Bound for Historic WNBA Career

    Despite how many ups and downs have come along this season, the Fever still have a shot to get into the playoffs. If they can do that and Clark can get back to full health, they still could make some noise in the postseason.

    It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds. For now, ESPN is giving them a good chance to work their way into the playoff field.

    Make sure to follow Newsweek Sports for all Indiana Fever and WNBA news and updates.

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  • Caitlin Clark becomes a Nike signature athlete with shoe coming out next year

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    NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark is Nike’s newest signature athlete, expanding the athletic wear company’s partnership with the WNBA star.

    Nike on Monday revealed a new logo of interlocking Cs to represent the Indiana Fever player. Clark’s first signature shoe and apparel collection will debut next year. Her logo collection will launch on Oct. 1, with a T-shirt in the Fever’s colors — yellow and navy blue — coming out a month earlier.

    “Nike’s signature roster features all-time greats, and I am incredibly proud to join some of the best athletes in the world,” Clark said in a statement. “I’m excited to share a first look at what we’ve started to create together.”

    Clark has missed 24 games during an injury-plagued second season, including the last 15 with a right groin strain. She has not played or practiced since July 15.

    She did, however, participate in Indiana’s pregame shootaround Sunday at Minnesota. Last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year is averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 13 games.

    Clark has had a huge impact in women’s basketball ratings and attendance over the last few years, dating from her time setting the NCAA all-time scoring record at Iowa.

    In June, Nike released a pair of Kobe Bryant’s signature sneakers in the colors of the Fever. The shoes sold out nearly as soon as they were offered.

    Clark becomes the third WNBA player to get a signature deal with Nike, following A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu. Wilson’s shoe and apparel are coming out this year.

    ___

    AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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  • Fever Superstar Caitlin Clark Gets Bad News Before Storm Matchup

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    Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have suffered through a rough 2025 WNBA season. At the beginning of the year, they were expected to be a championship contender. That has not been the case.

    With just seven games remaining in the season, the Fever hold a 19-18 record. As for Clark, she has only been able to play in 13 of those games.

    Even though Indiana is still the No. 8 ranked team in the WNBA, recent days have not been kind to the team. Over their last eight games, the Fever have gone just 2-6. They have been sliding down in the standings during that time period.

    Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Storm in the game at Climate Pledge Arena on May 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

    Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

    Lately, Clark has been missing time due to a groin injury. Unfortunately, that is not going to change when Indiana takes on the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

    Read more: Caitlin Clark Debuts Official Logo Ahead of Signature Shoe, Apparel Drop

    As shared by Tony East of Forbes, the Fever have ruled Clark out for that game. In addition, Indiana will be without Chloe Bibby as well and the other three players who are dealing with season-ending injuries.

    While there is still hope that she will return at some point this season, there has been no timetable offered. The Fever are simply having to wait and see when she’s ready to return to the court.

    All season long, Clark has been banged up and dealing with injuries. Even when she has played, she has come up well short of being the MVP candidate that many thought she would be.

    Throughout the 13 games she has played, Clark has averaged just 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, five rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while also shooting 36.7 percent from the floor and 27.9 percent from three-point range.

    Despite all of the bad that has been going on for the superstar guard, Clark had some big news drop on Monday. Clark is officially a Nike athlete and her new logo has been revealed.

    Read more: WNBA CBA Agreement Receives Brutal Update

    Hopefully, her 2025 season is not lost. She may not be playing against the Storm, but there are still six other games after that one on the schedule.

    If Clark is able to return, perhaps the Fever could sneak into the playoff picture. Should they be able to make that happen and Clark is at full health, Indiana could still be a team that makes some noise in the postseason.

    Make sure to follow Newsweek Sports for all Indiana Fever and WNBA news and updates.

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  • Kaila Charles finds redemption with Valkyries in career night vs. Wings

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    Twice this year, the Dallas Wings told Kaila Charles she wasn’t good enough to keep a roster spot. 

    Her WNBA journey looked about finished for the 2025 season until the Valkyries gave her an opportunity just after the All-Star break after a plethora of injuries left the expansion team shorthanded. Now, the Valkyries can’t imagine a rotation without her. 

    Following three hardship contracts, the Valkyries guaranteed the 27-year-old shooting guard’s contract for the rest of the season. 

    On Sunday, she had her best game of the season as she locked up former teammate and rookie of the year candidate Paige Bueckers while tying a career-high 16 points in a 90-81 win over the Wings. 

    “I think it was a full circle moment,” Charles said after Sunday’s win. “I started the season here, and to be cut was sad, but it also gave me the opportunity to get film and get picked up by the (Valkyries). So even though it didn’t work out here like I wanted to, it gave me another opportunity where I fit in a little bit more.

    “So it just shows that everything happens for a reason, and I’m really glad that I was able to win with my team and do well and help them.”

    Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) loses control of the ball against Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero) 

    When the Valkyries first signed Charles on Aug. 1, the former University of Maryland standout was tasked with learning a new system and teammates on a team that’s in the midst of trying to make a playoff push. 

    On the morning she joined the team, Charles boarded a plane to Chicago and had a few hours to learn the Valkyries’ playbook before a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Sky. The Valkyries coaching staff quickly briefed Charles before the game and the shooting guard was immediately in the rotation that night. 

    That night against, Charles played 17 minutes, scored five points, grabbed five rebounds and closed the fourth quarter in her first game with the team. 

    “Sometimes it’s on the fly,” assistant coach Landon Tatum told this news organization in a recent interview about how they fit players like Charles into their rotation the day of a game. “We know this person can do this really well. So, let’s see if this works. I wouldn’t necessarily say we know ahead of time going into games this is going to for sure work, but I think because we do a solid job of knowing what players do well, we can kind of plug and play specific people with certain people.” 

    Since then, Charles has been a rotation regular. She’s played in every game and been a valuable piece off the bench for Nakase as a defensive stopper and consistent catch-and-shoot player. 

    In her first start with the Valkyries on Sunday, Charles was tasked with guarding Bueckers, who came into the game with a streak of 30 consecutive double-digit scoring games. 

    Charles shadowed Bueckers for every minute she was in the game. Her active hands bothered the rookie star and her quick feet kept Bueckers away from the basket. 

    Charles held Bueckers scoreless in the first half and eventually limited her to just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting. 

    “Credit to Kaila for coming and doing what she does,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “Locking people up, and also on the offensive end, just being confident in her shot making. She makes quick decisions, taking it hard to the basket. Credit to Kaila because she’s really only had two practices with us.”

    With the injuries the Valkyries have, Charles’ role will only get larger in the coming weeks as the Valkyries try to secure a playoff spot. 

    Golden State is currently in eighth place with a half-game lead over the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks for the final playoff spot. The Valkyries are also a half game behind the sixth-place Indiana Fever and seventh-place Seattle Storm with matchups against both franchises in the coming weeks. 

    The battle to make the playoffs makes Charles’ presence, and her ability to step in when her team needs her most, all the more valuable.  

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  • The Uplift: Michael Jordan’s Home Court

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    Watch CBS News



    A group of lucky basketball players get a chance to play on Michael Jordan’s home court inside his former house. A family decides to move to a remote island and Steve Hartman explains why. Plus, more heartwarming stories.

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  • Injuries continue to pile up for Valkyries in painful loss to Mercury

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    Healthy players and wins are becoming harder and harder to come by for the Valkyries as the season enters its final phase. 

    Golden State dropped its third consecutive game when the visiting team fell to Phoenix 81-72 on Friday night. 

    Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes, who made her return after resting against Phoenix in the Bay Area on Tuesday, left the game with an injury with 7:17 to go in the third quarter. 

    Hayes collided with Mercury guard Kahleah Copper after she closed out on a pass intended for Copper. Hayes crumped to the ground and later went back to the locker room. 

    Rookie guard Carla Leite also injured her ankle in the same quarter, and although she attempted to play through it, eventually was pulled with 8:20 in the fourth quarter.

    Coach Natalie Nakase said both were in good spirits after the game.

    “She was smiling, and I’ll have to wait to see from our medical staff what the situation is,” Nakase said of Hayes, adding about Leite. “She something was sore with her foot, but she said she’s good.”

    With their veteran leader knocked out, the Valkyries tumbled back to .500 with an 18-18 record and into the last playoff spot as the No. 8 seed after losing the rematch to the Mercury, who beat Golden State in the Bay Area on Tuesday. 

    The Valkyries kept it close for a while, though. Golden State trailed 41-31 at halftime, and a burst in the third cut the deficit to 50-47 with a little over four minutes remaining in the quarter. 

    One of the few bright spots for the Valkyries was rookie wing Janelle Salaun, who was asked to take on more of a scoring role with Cecilia Zandalasini staying at home while nursing a calf injury. 

    Salaun scored 15 on a variety of drives, contested finishes and some soft mid-range jumpers. Coming off a 24-point, 14-assist masterclass on Tuesday, Veronica Burton put up a solid 11 points and eight assists for the Valkyries.

    Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with an 13-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist effort, her sixth triple-double of the season. 

    “We need to be better on defense,” Salaun said. “Sometimes, we make shots, sometimes we do not. But I think we need to be more connected on defense.”

    Golden State will play at Dallas on Sunday. ”

    Makoa Akani gets the last laugh

    After being the topic of much conversation following her soccer-esque foul on Veronica Burton, the rookie out of France showed that she was more than just a defender against Golden State.

    She made 6 of 9 shots and scored 18 points, 11 in the second quarter, spacing the floor for her more-decorated teammates in Thomas and Co. One of her fastbreak layups with two minutes remaining on the third quarter clock pushed the Phoenix lead to 62-49 and forced Nakase to call timeout. 

    As a team, the Mercury peppered the Valkyries from the perimeter and made 14 of 32 from 3-point land, compared to just 8 of 31 for Golden State.

    Long-range ineptitude, fastbreak success

    The Valkyries shot 3 of 15 from the 3-point line in the first half, forcing up shots due to their inability to break down the compact Suns defense. Instead of continuing to throw up bricks from long range, Nakase’s Valkyries appeared to place an emphasis on pushing the pace. 

    Though the team only had 14 fastbreak points according to the official box score, Golden State’s willingness to run and play in semi-transition allowed the visitors to create open looks. Salaun broke free for a couple of fastbreak layups, as did Hayes in the second quarter after a Mercury turnover. 

    Rupert returns

    Both Hayes (rest) and Rupert (concussion) were back in the starting lineup after missing Tuesday’s game at Chase Center.

    Though shutting down Thomas is impossible – after all, Thomas put up a triple double – Rupert still had her moments against the MVP candidate. 

    The center pulled off a nice block on a Thomas fastbreak midway through the second quarter, and a few minutes later, forced a miss with a vertical contest. She ended the game with nine points, five rebounds and two blocks. 

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  • Shepard notches triple-double as Minnesota Lynx beat Indiana Fever 95-90

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    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Aug. 22, 2025



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    01:50

    Kayla McBride scored 29 points, Jessica Shepard got the second triple-double in franchise history, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 95-90 on Friday night.

    The Lynx (29-7) snapped a two-game losing streak and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

    Shepard finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists on 10-for-11 shooting while playing all 40 minutes. She joined Moriah Jefferson as the only Lynx players to record triple-doubles in franchise history.

    She completed her triple in just 21:57 of action, the fastest in WNBA history. Previously, the record was set by Seattle’s Skylar Diggins on July 28, at 22:51 of play.

    McBride added five assists, and was 10 for 19 from the field. Natisha Hiedeman had 17 points in 26 minutes off the bench.

    Lynx Fever Basketball

    Minnesota Lynx’s Kayla McBride (21) is defended by Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis.

    Darron Cummings / AP


    Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points to lead Indiana (19-17), and Lexie Hull had a career-high 23.

    Shepard had a double-double at the half with 11 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Minnesota took the lead for good off Shepard’s driving layup early in the third quarter, and outscored the Fever 32-17 in the period.

    With four minutes remaining in the game, Indiana went on a 10-4 run, but their comeback came up just short.

    Shey Peddy started off her Fever career with three straight 3-pointers after joining the team on a seven-day hardship contract on Wednesday. She finished with 10 points in 16 minutes.

    Caitlin Clark missed her 14th straight game with a right groin injury.

    The teams last met in the Commissioner’s Cup championship on July 1, a 74-59 Indiana victory.

    Up next 

    Lynx host the Fever in the second game of a home-and-home on Sunday.

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