WNBA awards watch: Breaking down the frontrunners, dark horses for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more
Most teams still have more than 10 games left to play, so this is a very early look, and a lot can change in the next few weeks. But here are the frontrunners, contenders and dark horses of each race right now:
Sixth Woman of the Year
To be eligible for this award, a player needs to have come off the bench for more games than she started. Considering the many injuries affecting the league, some of the best candidates have started some games this season.
Frontrunner: Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx
One half of the 'Stud Budz' crew has been a spark off the bench for Minnesota, as the Lynx have put together an incredible regular season that saw the team clinch a playoff spot this week. Hiedeman has been a key part of that, leading all bench players in points and assists.
Contender: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream
While she started five games when Brittney Griner was injured, Hillmon has spent most of the season giving Atlanta valuable depth. Among bench players, she is just behind Hiedeman in scoring, and Minnesota's Jessica Shepard in rebounds.
Dark horse: Dana Evans, Las Vegas Aces
The Aces haven't had a picture-perfect season, but Evans has been a bright spot. She's third in points and second in assists among bench players, and has been a source of consistency for Las Vegas.
Most Improved Player
Is there anything better than seeing a player who has always had the skills put everything together and elevate her game? It makes MIP one of the more fun award races to follow.
Frontrunner: Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries
In 2016, Thornton was cut from the San Antonio Stars (now Las Vegas Aces) and didn't play in the WNBA that season. Nine years later, after stops in Dallas and New York, where she showed steady growth, Thornton came into her own as one of the stars of the Golden State Valkyries. She made her first All-Star Game, averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, her season ended on July 16 with a knee injury, but she still is deserving of the award.
Contender: Brittney Sykes, Seattle Storm/Washington Mystics
Sykes, known as 'Slim,' has always been a star on defense, but she's added significantly to her offensive game in 2025. She's averaging 20.5 points per game — a five-point jump over last season — and now in Seattle after a trade deadline move, has the chance to help the Storm try to right the ship and make a playoff run.
Dark horse: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream
Yep, Hillmon is on the list twice. She's improved in every statistical category, and in particular, has added an outside shot to her game. Hillmon attempted a total of 3 three-pointers last season. This season? She's made 39 of 118 attempts (33%), and has given the Dream some versatility on the court.
Rookie of the Year
This is one category where the frontrunner, contender and dark-horse distinctions aren't as important, because all three women were All-Stars in their first season, and have a decent shot at winning the ROY.
Frontrunner: Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
As the No. 1 draft pick and a superstar for UConn in its NCAA championship run, Bueckers had giant expectations on her shoulders. She has managed to handle everything that's expected of her while playing like a star in her first season in the league, despite missing games for a concussion and back injuries. Bueckers has 18.4 points and 5.4 assists per game, easily tops among all rookies.
Contender: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Drafted fourth in the 2025 draft out of USC, Iriafen has made an immediate impact on the league. She is pulling 8.3 rebounds per game — ranked fifth in the W — and adding 12.5 points per game. Her play, coupled with Sonia Citron's, made a huge turnaround in the Mystics' fortunes this season.
Dark horse: Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Drafted just before Iriafen, Citron had the experience during her time at Notre Dame to be ready for the WNBA. She immediately showed she was ready for the big time. She's scoring 14.8 points per game and has brought her quick 3-point shot with her to the WNBA, including this year's All-Star 3-point contest.
Defensive Player of the Year
For the DPOY, players need more than big statistics. They need to show a kind of intimidation to their opponents — almost an air of 'I dare you.'
Frontrunner: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson has won this award twice, and her defense this season means she could make it a trifecta. She leads the league in blocks per game — her blocks are of the soul-snatching variety — and is second in rebounds per game.
Contender: Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas is so good at every aspect of the game, but it's her defense that makes her so fun to watch on the court. She has 9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, but what she's really good at is suffocating opponents so they can't even attempt a shot.
Dark horse: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm
Williams was named an All-Star for the first time this season, and her defense is a big reason why. No ball handler is safe when Williams is around, as she leads the league in steals with 82 (the next closest player, Dearica Hamby, has 51).
Most Valuable Player
A wonderful problem the WNBA continues to have is that so many players could contend for this award, so limiting this group to just three is always a challenge. Thomas and Wilson will likely (deservedly) show up in the top five of MVP voting, too.
Frontrunner: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
The only question about Collier winning the MVP is if missing games due to her ankle injury should penalize her, and the answer is no. The Lynx are 27-5 with a sizable lead on the rest of the league, and they're in that position in large part because of Collier. She leads the league in scoring with 23.5 points per game, plus 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks, and she does all that while fouling less than three times per game. She's a special player having a special year.
Contender: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
Going to turn this part over to Gray's teammate Hillmon, who spoke about why Gray should be an MVP contender:
'There's no fluff. There's no fake about it." Hillmon told Yahoo Sports recently. "But it's not just her scoring, like the attention that she draws so her teammates could be open. Her passing has gotten better; defensively, she's been an All-Star for our team.
The Dream's jump this season has been thanks to Gray's jump as a player, posting career-highs in points (19), rebounds (5.6) and assists (3.8). She's a major reason why the Dream have overtaken the Liberty for the second-best record in the league.
Dark horse: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Coming off a WNBA title and Olympic gold medal in 2024, Ionescu has still found ways to become even more valuable to her team in 2025. She's averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, but her contributions are about more than numbers. She's continually stepped up as the Liberty have dealt with injuries, ensuring the team has stayed near the top of the league.
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Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hays' walk-off single gives Reds 3-2 win, ends Brewers' 14-game streak
CINCINNATI (AP) — Austin Hays' single with the bases loaded in the 10th inning gave the Cincinnati Reds a 3-2 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday, ending the Brewers' franchise-record winning streak at 14 games. Milwaukee had barely pulled out the previous two games in Cincinnati for its longest streak ever within one season and the longest in the majors since the St. Louis Cardinals won 17 straight from Sept. 11 to Sept. 28, 2021. This time, Spencer Steer's sacrifice bunt in the 10th advanced designated runner TJ Friedl to third. After intentional walks to Elly De La Cruz and Will Benson loaded the bases, Hays laced a single to down the third-base line for his second career walk-off hit. Milwaukee, which overcame a seven-run deficit on Friday and rallied to win in 14 innings Saturday, nearly came back for another win. William Contreras hit his 13th home run of the season, a two-run shot off Reds closer Emilio Pagan, to put Milwaukee ahead 2-1 in the ninth. But the Reds tied it when Benson reached on a fielding error by shortstop Joey Ortiz and later scored on Jose Trevino's single. The first-place Brewers fell to 53-17 in their last 70 games. TWINS 8, TIGERS 1 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brooks Lee's first career grand slam capped a six-run third inning and Minnesota beat Detroit to avoid a four-game series sweep. Byron Buxton had a homer among his three hits and Royce Lewis also went deep for Minnesota, which won for the second time in seven games. Making his seventh career start, and first since Sept. 2, 2023 with Pittsburgh, Thomas Hatch (2-0) allowed three hits and struck out four in five innings. Lee's slam off former Twins pitcher Chris Paddack to the seats in right field — Minnesota's first slam since Carlos Correa on July 5, 2024 at Houston —made it 7-1 and highlighted a third inning that began with Buxton's 25th home run, a 388-foot shot that reached the second deck in left field. Kerry Carpenter had an RBI single for the AL Central-leading Tigers, who lost for the first time in six games. Acquired from the Twins on July 28, Paddack (4-11) allowed eight earned runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings and lost to Minnesota for the second time in three starts. The right-hander allowed four earned runs in four innings of a 6-3 loss Aug. 5. He's allowed at least eight runs three times this season. PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 9 WASHINGTON (AP) — Alec Bohm hit a three-run home run in his return from the injured list, Nick Castellanos also went deep and Philadelphia defeated Washington to earn a four-game series split. Right-hander Aaron Nola also returned from the injured list to give up six runs in 2 1/3 innings for the Phillies in his first big league appearance since May 14. NL East-leading Philadelphia had dropped four of its last five games. Paul DeJong hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning for last-place Washington, which fell to 18-36 in day games. Bohm had two hits in his first game since July 18, including a fourth-inning single that chased reliever PJ Poulin (0-1). Castellanos doubled off Orlando Ribalta, and Weston Wilson followed with a two-run single to make it 8-6. Tanner Banks (5-2) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Jhoan Duran, pitching for the first time since taking a line drive off his ankle Friday, got the last two outs for his 21st save and fifth with the Phillies. Philadelphia scored an unearned run in the first and then capitalized when José Tena's relay for a potential inning-ending double play in the second sailed out of play. The Phillies collected three consecutive singles before Bohm blasted Washington starter Mitchell Parker's last pitch into the visitors' bullpen in left. Parker allowed six runs — five earned — in 1 2/3 innings. Nola retired seven of the first eight batters he faced before the next seven reached safely. His outing ended on Tena's double to tie it. MARLINS 5, RED SOX 3 BOSTON (AP) — Dane Myers and Jakob Marsee homered in Miami's three-run ninth inning and the Marlins beat Boston to end a three-game losing streak. Myers hit the second pitch from Greg Weissert (4-4) into Boston's bullpen to tie it, and Marsee sent a pitch from Steven Matz into the seats in right. Tyler Phillips (2-1) worked a scoreless inning, and Anthony Bender got the final three outs for his fourth save. Eric Wagaman also homered for the Marlins. Boston's Wilyer Abreu had a two-run homer that popped out of the glove of right fielder Myers when he crashed into the fence. The Red Sox wasted a solid start by ace Garrett Crochet. Crochet rebounded from his worst start of the season, giving up three hits, with eight strikeouts and a walk one over seven innings. He was tagged for five runs in four innings in a loss Monday at Houston. Miami's Joey Wiemer struck out swinging three times in his major league debut. RANGERS 10, BLUE JAYS 4 TORONTO (AP) — Marcus Semien homered and scored twice in his return to the lineup and Nathan Eovaldi worked seven innings and won his seventh straight decision as Texas beat Toronto to avoid a three-game sweep. Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter each hit two-run homers, and Corey Seager added a solo shot as Texas snapped a four-game skid. Rangers first baseman Jake Burger exited after six innings because of a sore left wrist. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk hit solo home runs, but that was all the offense the Blue Jays managed against Eovaldi (11-3). The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Eovaldi is unbeaten since a May 22 road loss to the Yankees. Shawn Armstrong got four outs for his fourth save in seven chances. Back at second base after sitting out Saturday's loss because of a sore right wrist, Semien hit a two-run homer off right-hander José Berríos in the second. The homer was Semien's 15th. Seager chased Berríos with a one-out homer in the fifth, his 18th. Langford homered off Braydon Fisher in the sixth, his 17th. Carter connected off Louis Varland in the ninth, his fifth. Berríos (9-5) allowed a season-high 10 hits and matched a season-high by giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings. Guerrero's sixth-inning homer was his 21st. Kirk hit his ninth in the second. George Springer hit a two-run homer off Hoby Milner in the eighth, his 19th. BRAVES 5, GUARDIANS 4 CLEVELAND (AP) — Jurickson Profar hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning, Atlanta won its season-best fifth straight game, rallying past Cleveland to complete a three-game sweep. With one out in the sixth, Profar pulled a 3-2 slider from Nic Enright (2-1) over the wall in right field to put the Braves ahead. Atlanta trailed 4-1 after four innings. Aaron Bummer (3-2) worked two innings of scoreless relief, and Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson and Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless frame each, with Iglesias converting his 19th save. Left fielder Profar made a diving catch of a liner by Gabriel Arias for the second out in the ninth. Bo Naylor had four hits and Daniel Schneemann had a two-run triple for the Guardians, who had worked their way back into playoff contention with 11 wins in 14 games before getting swept by the Braves. CUBS 4, PIRATES 3 CHICAGO (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and Chicago beat Pittsburgh in the rubber game of the weekend series. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ each had two hits for Chicago, which had dropped four of five before a 3-1 victory Saturday. Next up is a big five-game series against major league-leading Milwaukee, beginning with a split doubleheader Monday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are eight games back of the Brewers in the NL Central. Chicago had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when Isaac Mattson (3-2) issued an intentional walk to Nico Hoerner. Swanson followed with a flyball to right, driving in Carson Kelly. Caleb Thielbar (3-3) got one out for the win, and Andrew Kittredge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save. Pittsburgh trailed 2-1 before Joey Bart lined a two-run double into the corner in left in the sixth. Ronny Simon's two-out single put runners on the corners, but Ben Brown escaped the jam when Spencer Horwitz bounced to second. Chicago tied it at 3 on Carson Kelly's bloop single in the bottom half, driving in Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs had the bases loaded with two down, but Swanson flied to right for the final out of the inning. ROYALS 6, WHITE SOX 2 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonathan India and Adam Frazier hit two-run homers, rallying Kansas City to a victory over Chicago for a series sweep. The White Sox led 2-0 before India tied it in the seventh with his 451-foot shot, tying his longest. Run-scoring singles by Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez gave the Royals a 4-2 lead in the eighth before Frazier's fifth homer of the season made it 6-2. White Sox starter Davis Martin allowed one hit in seven innings before Steven Wilson, Grant Taylor (0-3) and Jordan Leasure yielded six runs and seven hits in two innings. Lenyn Sosa hit his 16th home run of the season with one out in the first and Andrew Benintendi scored on Edgar Quero's RBI single in the sixth to make it 2-0. Lucas Erceg (5-3), the fourth Kansas City pitcher, earned the win with one scoreless inning. ORIOLES 12, ASTROS 0 HOUSTON (AP) — Jordan Westburg hit a three-run homer among four hits with a career-best five RBIs and Dean Kremer pitched seven sharp innings to give Baltimore a win over Houston. Kremer (9-9) allowed just three singles and struck out seven. Grant Wolfram and Corbin Martin finished the six-hitter. The Astros were shut out for the second time this series after Brandon Young came within four outs of a perfect game in Baltimore's 7-0 win Friday night. Westburg hit an opposite-field shot to right-center off Shawn Dubin in the fifth to make it 5-0. He added RBI singles in the seventh and eighth. His four hits matched a career high. Houston starter Cristian Javier (1-1) left with an illness after allowing one run in three innings. The Astros used five relievers before outfielder Chas McCormick threw a scoreless ninth in his second pitching appearance this week. The bases were loaded in the third when Jesús Sánchez robbed Gunnar Henderson of a grand slam with a leaping catch into the seats in right field. Jeremiah Jackson scored on the sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. Sánchez robbed another homer in the seventh with two on when he reached into the seats to snag a fly ball hit by Samuel Basallo, who was making his major league debut. Basallo, the Orioles' top prospect, drove in two runs with a single in Baltimore's five-run eighth. YANKEES 8, CARDINALS 4 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cody Bellinger drove in three runs, Paul Goldschmidt had three hits against his former team and New York beat St. Louis for a series sweep. Second baseman Thomas Saggese made two errors in the Yankees' four-run ninth. He threw wildly to first, and leadoff batter José Caballero took second and then third on a passed ball. Walks to pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge loaded the bases. Saggese let Bellinger's grounder get by him for two runs. Judge then scored on a fielder's choice. Goldschmidt, who played for St. Louis from 2019-24, hit his second double for the final run. Luke Weaver (3-3) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings. JoJo Romero (4-5) took the loss. New York tied it at 4 in the seventh when Trent Grishman drew a leadoff walk and scored on Bellinger's sacrifice fly. Camilo Doval led off the sixth with a homer to center to put St. Louis up 4-3. The Yankees grabbed a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning on run-scoring singles by Jasson Domínguez, Ryan McMahon and Caballero. St. Louis scored two unearned runs in the fourth on a two-out double to right by Saggese. Alec Burleson drove in a run in the fifth to tie it. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the seventh. It was his fifth ejection this season. Yankees coach Tanner Swanson was ejected in the fourth inning. ROCKIES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 5 DENVER (AP) — Ryan Ritter and Mickey Moniak hit two-run singles in the seventh inning and Colorado held on to beat Arizona. Major league-worst Colorado rallied late for the second consecutive game and won the final three games of four-game series. The Rockies are 35-89. Jake Woodford (0-3) gave up a leadoff single and hit the next two batters, and singles by Ritter and Moniak gave the Rockies a 5-4 lead. Braxton Fulford had an RBI double in the eighth. Anthony Molina (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning and Juan Mejia finished for his first save for Colorado. With runners on second and third in the ninth, Mejia made a leaping catch of Ketel Marte's popup and held onto the ball despite colliding with first baseman Warming Bernabel to end the game. GIANTS 7, RAYS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dominic Smith hit a three-run single and Drew Gilbert and Tyler Fitzgerald added solo homers as San Francisco beat Tampa Bay. Smith's bases-clearing double scored Rafael Devers, Heliot Ramos and Willy Adames in the sixth inning and put the Giants ahead to stay. Gilbert hit his first MLB homer in his eighth game and added an RBI single. Fitzgerald followed Gilbert's long ball in the seventh with his fourth homer of the season. San Francisco's Logan Webb (11-9) pitched seven innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot (8-10) allowed six hits and four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts. The Rays' only run came on an infield single by Yandy Diaz that scored catcher Hunter Feduccia in the eighth innng. DODGERS 5, PADRES 4 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a tiebreaking solo home run leading off the eighth inning after Los Angeles blew a four-run lead and the Dodgers beat San Diego to increase their NL West lead to two games. The Dodgers opened the three-game series trailing the Padres by a game but they swept their rivals, outscoring San Diego 14-6. The teams meet again starting Friday in San Diego. After walking and flying out twice, Betts went deep to left off reliever Robert Suarez (4-5) for his second homer in his last nine games, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. Suarez retired the next three batters. Freddie Freeman hit a two-strike, three-run homer and Andy Pages added a solo shot off Padres starter Yu Darvish in the first, staking starter Tyler Glasnow to a 4-0 lead. Swinging a bat resembling a pencil on Players' Weekend, Pages' shot came with two outs and was the sixth homer given up by Darvish — all on the road — this season. After Alex Freeland's leadoff walk in the second, the Dodgers went down in order in the third, fourth and fifth. ANGELS 11, ATHLETICS 5 WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jo Adell hit a three-run homer in the first inning and kicked off a six-run tenth with an RBI single as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Athletics to avoid a three-game sweep. Kenley Jansen (5-2) struck out two in a scoreless ninth to give him 1,268 for his career, the fourth-most strikeouts by a reliever in major league history. In the 10th, automatic runner Mike Trout advanced to third on a passed ball, Taylor Ward walked and Adell lined a single to center against Michael Kelly (2-2) to make it 6-5. Christian Moore drove in his third run of the game with a grounder and Luis Rengifo followed with a two-run triple off Ben Bowden. Bryce Teodosio added a sacrifice fly and Zach Neto capped the scoring with a 436-foot homer to left-center, his 21st. Adell's homer in the first off Jeffrey Springs was his 26th, extending his career best. Rookie Nick Kurtz hit his 25th homer in the third inning and the A's went back-to-back when Shea Langeliers hit his 26th. Lawrence Butler's 17th homer got the A's within 5-4 in the sixth, and Luis Urías tied it with a two-out RBI single. METS 7, MARINERS 3 WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Mark Vientos hit a three-run homer to the delight of hundreds of cheering 12-year-olds and sent New York to a 7-3 win over Seattle in the Major League Baseball Little League Classic. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh boosted his major league home run lead with his 47th of the season in the seventh. Little Leaguers from around the world made up the bulk of the crowd at the 2,366-seat Historic Bowman Field and some of them got to pinch-hit in a variety of roles. There were kids in the broadcast booth, playing DJ, and even public address announcer. That is, when they weren't belting out the SpongeBob lyrics or angling for selfies with Mariner Moose or Mr. Met. For the big leaguers, the annual game is a throwback of sorts to their own youth baseball days. Mets pitcher Sean Manaea traded pins. Raleigh's chest protector featured a baseball card design of teammates and coaches from when they were kids. And yes, managers for both teams held their breath as players went cardboard sledding at Lamade Stadium. The game went downhill early for the Mariners. Vientos hit a sacrifice fly off Mariners starter George Kirby (8-6) in a three-run second inning. Vientos hit his eighth homer of the year in the fifth to make it 6-1. Francisco Lindor added an RBI double later in the inning.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Alyssa Thomas has 5th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Storm 85-82
SEATTLE (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for her 16th career triple-double in the regular season, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. Thomas has five of the 10 triple-doubles in the WNBA this season and 20 of the 53 (counting regular season and playoffs) in league history. Kahleah Copper scored 17 points and Sami Whitcomb added 15 for Phoenix (20-13). Satou Sabally had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle (17-18) with 24 points and Skylar Diggins scored 14. Gabby Williams had 13 points and seven assists, and Erica Wheeler added 11 points. Ogwumike poked the ball away from Whitcomb and made a follow shot moments later to tie it at 75-all with 3:57 left in the game — the first tie since 2-2. Wheeler hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining that gave the Storm their first lead of the game. Thomas slipped a pass to Copper for a wide-open layup, Copper added a driving layup and Thomas hit a short jumper to make it 83-78 with 21 seconds to play. Diggins had two assists and moved into a tie with Becky Hammon for seventh in WNBA history with 1,708 career assists. Phoenix is 9-0 when at least five players score in double figures this season and is 17-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. Sue Bird, who helped the Storm win four championships and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists, had a statue in her likeness unveiled outside of Climate Pledge Arena before the game. The franchise's career leading scorer with 6,803 points, Bird is the first player to have a statue dedicated to her by a WNBA franchise. The Mercury play Tuesday at Golden State. The Storm travels to Chicago to play the Sky on Tuesday.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Alyssa Thomas has 5th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Storm 85-82
SEATTLE (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for her 16th career triple-double in the regular season, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. Thomas has five of the 10 triple-doubles in the WNBA this season and 20 of the 53 (counting regular season and playoffs) in league history. Kahleah Copper scored 17 points and Sami Whitcomb added 15 for Phoenix (20-13). Satou Sabally had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle (17-18) with 24 points and Skylar Diggins scored 14. Gabby Williams had 13 points and seven assists, and Erica Wheeler added 11 points. Ogwumike poked the ball away from Whitcomb and made a follow shot moments later to tie it at 75-all with 3:57 left in the game — the first tie since 2-2. Wheeler hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining that gave the Storm their first lead of the game. Thomas slipped a pass to Copper for a wide-open layup, Copper added a driving layup and Thomas hit a short jumper to make it 83-78 with 21 seconds to play. Diggins had two assists and moved into a tie with Becky Hammon for seventh in WNBA history with 1,708 career assists. Phoenix is 9-0 when at least five players score in double figures this season and is 17-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. Sue Bird, who helped the Storm win four championships and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists, had a statue in her likeness unveiled outside of Climate Pledge Arena before the game. The franchise's career leading scorer with 6,803 points, Bird is the first player to have a statue dedicated to her by a WNBA franchise. The Mercury play Tuesday at Golden State. The Storm travels to Chicago to play the Sky on Tuesday. ___ AP WNBA:
