WNBA Player News

On a night when no Mystics starter scored more than ten points, Olsen stepped up to provide solid value off the bench. The rookie guard’s point total was a season-high, and she did so on 70 percent shooting from the field. Interestingly, Olsen only played 17 minutes after logging 24 and 38 in the two games prior. While Jade Melbourne’s return from a mouth injury was a factor, the Mystics were without Sug Sutton (leg) on Thursday. Washington won’t play again until July 8, so there’s no need for fantasy managers to add Olsen following her performance against the Lynx.

For the first time in WNBA history, two players have shared the award that annually goes to the league’s best defender. Wilson, who also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, averaged 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2.3 blocked shots per game. As for Smith, who averaged 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, this is the first time she’s won this award. Smith and Wilson each received 29 votes, with Seattle’s Gabby Williams finishing third. Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier rounded out the top five. While Smith and the Lynx have already advanced to the semifinals of the WNBA Playoffs, Wilson and the Aces need a win over Seattle on Thursday to do the same.

Although Iliana Rupert earned the start after Temi Fágbénlé (knee) was a late scratch on Wednesday, it was Billings who had the greatest impact in the frontcourt for Golden State on Wednesday. She led the team in scoring and was steady on the offensive end throughout. Billings and Rupert ultimately alternated fourth-quarter minutes in the loss and had their own key baskets down the stretch, including Billings’ putback layup with under two minutes remaining to give the Valkyries their final lead of the game. Despite coming up short, Billings ends her season strongly, tallying her third-highest scoring output of the year.

Salaün followed up a solid Game 1 performance with another strong effort on Wednesday. She shot efficiently in her limited looks and utilized her accuracy both inside and outside the arc to finish as one of the Valkyries’ leading scorers. Yet, a zero-point fourth quarter on zero shot attempts prevented the rookie forward from even greater impact, and perhaps from providing the Valkyries a much-needed boost, as they scored only 11 fourth-quarter points and blew a double-digit lead in the final period. Still, Salaün finished a productive rookie season with a solid final performance. She’ll have upside in fantasy leagues entering Year 2.

In the Valkyries’ first-ever home playoff game, the 2025 Most Improved Player recipient put on a well-rounded performance in front of the home crowd. Burton struggled late with her shooting, but shot more efficiently overall than she did in Game 1. Additionally, she remained effective as a rebounder and had a greatly impactful role as a facilitator, ultimately finishing one assist shy of a double-double. Burton also thrived on the defensive end — here, she tallied a game-high in steals and combined for five stocks. Her production ultimately wasn’t enough to keep Golden State’s season alive, but the future for both Burton and the Valkyries appears to be high after a successful season.

Collier followed up a strong Game 1 performance with another on Wednesday. The MVP-hopeful provided similarly strong shooting efficiency while contributing as a passer and tallying a team-high in rebounds. On top of her overall production, Collier’s biggest moment perhaps came in the closing minutes of the game, where she hit a long two-point jumper in the corner to give the Lynx a lead that they wouldn’t surrender the rest of the way. As Collier did in this opening-round series against Golden State, she’ll look to lead Minnesota to another series win in the second round against either New York or Phoenix.

McBride came alive on the offensive end in the second half to leave her with a productive final stat line. The veteran scored six key points in the fourth quarter to help the Lynx continuously trim into the Valkyries’ double-digit lead. Minnesota eventually caught Golden State and took a late lead over the No. 8 seed before McBride got to flex her muscles on the defensive end, successfully defending Cecilia Zandalasini’s game-winning two-point jumpshot attempt to give the Lynx the win and a spot in the second round of the playoffs. Minnesota will await the winner of Friday’s Game 3 matchup between the Liberty and Mercury.

Carrington only logged 14 minutes on Wednesday, but was sure to make the most of her limited action on the floor. In her minutes, she shot the ball well from deep and used her production there to finish as one of four Lynx players to score in double figures — her two three-pointers in the fourth quarter were particularly important in the Lynx’s double-digit comeback. Carrington had an impressive couple of games in this opening-round series after missing Minnesota’s four final regular-season games with a shoulder injury. She’ll remain an important piece coming off Minnesota’s bench in the second round against either the Liberty or Mercury.

Fagbénlé was a late scratch on Wednesday, as she was ruled out just before Wednesday’s Game 2 tipoff, and was replaced in the Valkyries’ opening lineup by Iliana Rupert. Fagbénlé had tallied 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the Game 1 loss — her absence will leave Golden State’s frontcourt noticeably thinner. Expect Rupert and Monique Billings to see more minutes than usual in Fagbénlé’s absence.

Bonner brought a ton of value off the bench on Wednesday, notching a team-high in rebounds while using efficient shooting to finish as one of five Mercury players to score in double figures. The veteran forward’s contributions on the offensive end were subtle throughout the night, not scoring more than four points in either of the game’s first three quarters. A six-point final frame from Bonner helped the Mercury stay in control the rest of the way and cruise to a series-tying victory. Bonner’s veteran experience will likely be needed on Friday as the Mercury looks to secure a Game 3 win and advance to the second round.

Thomas followed a well-rounded opening game of the series with another on Wednesday. The do-it-all forward finished in a tie with Satou Sabally for the team’s leader in points, while leading the Mercury in assists and making an impact on the glass. Thomas utilized an up-tempo style, particularly in the second quarter, to get the Mercury’s offense going in transition. She ended up playing only 26 minutes in the game and none in the fourth quarter, due to Phoenix’s large second-half lead, which resulted in a 26-point win. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Mercury presumably will lean heavily on their MVP-hopeful to perform at the level necessary to advance the team to the second round.