WNBA Sends Strong Message on Top-Five Pick vs. Fever
WNBA Sends Strong Message on Top-Five Pick vs. Fever originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Washington Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen has been one of the top rookies in the WNBA in the 2025 season. As the No. 4 pick of the recent draft, she has lived up to the expectation of being a top talent. On Tuesday, Iriafen and the Mystics faced the Indiana Fever for the second time in a single week.
Advertisement
Though the Mystics were ultimately defeated, at times during the game, they took advantage of the Fever not having their best player on the floor. All-Star guard Caitlin Clark has been ruled out of the action due to a quad injury. She has missed her third straight game of the new campaign because of her injury.
Without Clark, Iriafen dominated inside the paint for the WNBA Commissioner's Cup game.
Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner falls back while guarding Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen on Tuesday.Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The NBA recognized the dominant game the former USC star had. Late in the first quarter, she asserted her presence inside and wasn't afraid to score against DeWanna Bonner, one of the top defenders in the WNBA.
Advertisement
"Kiki Iriafen is OWNING the paint 🎨" the league posted on X.
At the end of the fourth quarter, Iriafen had 20 points and nine rebounds (both offensive and defensive) on 9-for-11 shooting from the field.
Before the contest against the Fever, the rookie forward had played all seven games of the season. Iriafen has averaged 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in her first year as a professional basketball player.
The Mystics took on the New York Liberty before their second matchup against the Fever. Iriafen had 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in Washington's 85-63 defeat against the defending champions.
Advertisement
Related: Indiana Fever Star Gets Technical Foul Against Mystics
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 7
WNBA games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for June 7 Show Caption Hide Caption WNBA Draft prospects play start bench cut with Taurasi, Ionescu, Clark Watch 2025 WNBA Draft prospects decide who to start, bench, or cut among Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark. Here is the full WNBA schedule for June 7 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable basketball schedule to filter by team or conference. USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women's sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more all season WNBA schedule today All times Eastern Watch WNBA games all season long with Fubo (free trial). WNBA scores and results See scores, results for all the games listed above See WNBA scores, results from June 6
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to Sports: Dodgers must figure out their injured pitcher problem
The Dodgers now have 15 pitchers on the injured list. This team, with all of its talent, is going nowhere without frontline pitching. Andrew Friedman realized this when he emptied Fort Knox during the offseason. But, like previous seasons, they are dropping like flies, with shoulder and forearm issues. Other MLB teams don't seem to have these issues, at least not to this degree. At what point do we begin to look at the training staff, starting with pitching coach Mark Prior? What is it that he's asking (and teaching) these guys to do with their arms, to get that extra 'something' out of them? Too often that extra something becomes nothing at all. Rodger HowardWestlake Village The underperforming, injury-plagued — and very well-paid — Dodger pitching staff illustrates the true financial advantage of big-market teams willing and able to spend. Yes, the Dodgers can afford to sign and pay frontline players, but, just as important, they can also afford to set aside or simply eat the contracts of those expensive players if they become hurt or ineffective, and replace them with additional highly (over)paid players. It's almost a lock that, if their staff isn't healthier and more reliable come August, the Dodgers will probably trade for pitching help and take on even more salary. Small-market teams such as the Reds, Guardians and Pirates can't sign many top-tier players in the first place, let alone replace them if they don't pan out. John MerrymanRedondo Beach Instead of spending hundreds of millions on pitchers to sit on the injury list for the majority of every year, I recommend the Dodgers instead allocate those funds to put nine All-Star offensive players in the lineup. Then just do what the team always winds up doing anyway — rely on inexpensive, lower-tier and journeyman pitchers for the season. Jerry LeibowitzCulver City It's about time that the Dodgers separate from Clayton Kershaw. Yes he has been with them forever, and was very good. But that was then, not now. The Dodgers separated from Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes, long-term team members, now it's time to do the same with Kershaw. Deborah R. IshidaBeverly Hills Dear Clayton, It's time to say goodbye. Injuries have taken their toll. Don't ruin what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career by performing at a level that is a shadow of yourself. It's been a great run, but you are hurting the team. Announce that you're leaving so the fans can give you the send-off you deserve. Please don't hang around and make us watch you continue to pad the worst stats of your career. Geno ApicellaPlacentia At 37 and having pitched more than 3,000 innings, there's no doubt Clayton Kershaw still has the smarts if not the scintillating fastball of days gone by to help the Dodgers race toward another World Series appearance. Manager Dave Roberts says he trusts him to keep taking the mound, and so do I. Like the headline reads, 'History says don't count out Kershaw.' Marty ZwebenPalos Verdes Estates While we all lament and understand the need to move on from fan favorites, thank goodness the Dodgers resisted the urge to go the youth route with Max Muncy. And it's not his glasses. Have you seen his swing of late? Probably not — it's too fast for the naked eye. Robert GaryWestlake Village Look, I get it. Ohtani is great. Amazing. Remarkable. Fill-in-the-blank with any superlative. But it seems like every week Dylan Hernández writes the exact same column, praising Ohtani for his greatness and saying how important he is to the Dodgers. And it was the same when he was on the Angels. Everyone knows that. I'd like to see Dylan mix it up with his critique and commentary a bit more. Greg WagnerHuntington Beach It looks like 'Plaschkeitis' has spread to another LAT sportswriter. In his report of the Dodgers' 18-2 win over the Yankees, Jack Harris writes, 'It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one.' It was also just one game, and 24 hours later, the Dodgers lost to the Yankees. Try to hold it down fellas; you're giving everybody whiplash. Ralph MartinezArcadia An easier path to the playoffs is no reason to cancel the most storied intersectional rivalry in sports. If USC cannot defeat Notre Dame, USC does not belong in the playoffs. Recruit and coach a team to beat them. Don't look for a way to claim success by running away from them. Jay McConnellLos Angeles USC football coach Lincoln Riley makes excuses why his team can't or won't play Notre Dame. I think the truth is he's scared to play Notre Dame because he feels overmatched. USC lost to Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, and Riley can't handle another loss. Neil SnowManhattan Beach There are two subjects I hope never to read about again in The Times' Sports section: 1. The 2017 Houston Astros.* 2. Trevor Bauer. Jim LawsonSanta Barbara Got an unused night light? Send it to Mookie Betts. Mike EbertsLos Feliz The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Email: sports@
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky: Time, TV channel, streaming
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky: Time, TV channel, streaming After a seven-day hiatus, the Indiana Fever (3-4) return to action tonight as they travel to the United Center in Chicago, Ill., for a clash vs. Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky (2-4). In addition to missing injured star point guard Caitlin Clark and potentially shooting guard Sophie Cunningham for tonight's game, the Fever could also be without head coach Stephanie White, who was absent from Friday's team practice due to personal reasons. In the event White is unable to attend tonight's game, assistant coach Austin Kelly will serve as interim head coach, and Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January will serve as his assistants. Watch Indiana Fever vs Chicago Sky Outside of Clark, the team's highest-scoring option has been guard Kelsey Mitchell, who averages 17.4 points per game on 40.2% from the floor, including 34.2% from 3-point territory and 69.7% from the free-throw line through seven games played. As the two rival franchises, separated by 183 miles, tip off in the second of five meetings this season, here's how fans can tune in. What channel is the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky game on today? Time, TV schedule Local TV: CBS Start Time: 7 p.m. CT Where to watch Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky on livestream Stream: The game can be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial to first-time customers. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
