Latest news with #AlannaSmith
Los Angeles Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
After fast start, Sparks fall to league-leading Lynx at home
For nearly four magical minutes in the first quarter, an upset of the WNBA's best team seemed scarily possible. What seemed scarier, perhaps, was that the team doing the damage spent most of the season fighting to crawl out of the league's cellar. For those 3:59 minutes, the Sparks rattled off 16 unanswered points as Arena transformed into both a basketball spectacle and animated musical. The children in nearly every section of the Sparks' home smacked their thundersticks like war drums as tiny voices belted out lyrics to SpongeBob SquarePants, Moana and Frozen. It was a mini-Disneyland inside the Sparks' building on Kids Day, the entire bowl pulsing with shrieks, slaps and sugar highs. For a fleeting stretch, it felt like an exhilarating return to the mid-2010s. Yet just as quickly as the magic appeared, it vanished. So suddenly, and so drastically, the newest 'happiest place on earth' lost its shimmer, replaced by cross-court turnovers, limited looks at the rim and the deflation of momentum as the Lynx (18-3) steamrolled to a 91-82 victory over the Sparks (6-14) on Thursday afternoon. What had been a 16-0 run through 3:59 minutes of play to build an 18-7 lead in the first quarter turned out to be the only bright spot amid an otherwise sore 36 minutes. Not just for the players, but for the children with their thundersticks that had less and less reason make noise. After Lynx guard Alanna Smith propelled her team to an early 7-2 advantage with a three-pointer and a layup — exhibiting the pace and precision of a team that's lost only three games all season — the momentum became all purple and yellow. Spurred on by a three-point barrage from guards Kelsey Plum and Julie Allemand as well as forward Rickea Jackson, the Sparks racked up 16 straight points — keeping All-Star captain Napheesa Collier and her Lynx teammates silent through the process. But the lopsided scoreboard would have a short lifespan. What looked like a cushion turned into a trap. After the 16-0 run, the Sparks eased up and the Lynx pounced, trimming their deficit to four by the end of the first quarter as sloppiness and defensive lapses by L.A. mounted. The Lynx erased 'deficit' from their dictionary — and just about everything from the Sparks' playbook. Fueled by nine L.A. turnovers in the second quarter, Minnesota made 11 baskets — nearly as many as the Sparks had shot attempts for a 50-40 halftime lead. The Lynx outscored the Sparks 30-19 in the third quarter to take a commanding 80-59 lead that proved insurmountable.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Shares Strong Comments on WNBA Veteran After Loss to Fever
Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Shares Strong Comments on WNBA Veteran After Loss to Fever originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Lynx looked to win their second straight WNBA Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday when they faced the Indiana Fever in the final game of the competition. Advertisement When Caitlin Clark was ruled out due to a strained quad, it looked like Minnesota had been handed a major advantage. Sure enough, it took a 13-point lead in the second quarter and held the Fever to seven points in the second quarter. But afterward, the Lynx came apart, scoring just 32 points after halftime and losing, 74-59. Alanna Smith led them in scoring with 15 points and tried to keep them in the mix. Coach Cheryl Reeve praised Smith for her heart and resolve. 'She embraces what we do to her. She explained it to me once this way that 'Aussies always get up'… there's not a competitive spirit that's maybe greater than Lans, and you know, she'll take her hits, and she'll get up. Aussies always get up. Lans an allstar' Smith, who is in her second season with the Lynx, has given them some defensive toughness in the frontcourt, as well as some 3-point shooting. Advertisement She was named to the All-Defensive Second Team last year, and she has become a fantastic shot-blocker over the last couple of years. In 2023, as a member of the Chicago Sky, she got some votes for the Most Improved Player award. Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) gets rave reviews from coach Cheryl Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Minnesota came to the doorstep of the WNBA championship last season, only to fall in the deciding game of the finals to the New York Liberty. Right now, it has the best record in the league at 14-2, and it leads everyone in both offensive and defensive rating. Minnesota will remain home and host the Washington Mystics, Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky in the coming days, which will allow it to fatten up its record even more. Advertisement Related: Dick Vitale Had Animated Response to Unexpected Caitlin Clark News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
2025 Pacific Mini Games: Cook Islands flag bearers journey
When team Cook Islands walks out during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, it will be led by two locals who put sport and community at the forefront. The flag bearers leading this year's team are Brendon Heath and Alanna Smith. "We're incredibly proud to have two of our most experienced and respected athletes named as flag bearers," said Robert Graham, President of the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation. "Both Brendon and Alanna have contributed so much over the years and continue to lead by example. This is a proud moment for our volleyball family." For Mr Heath, this mini games marks an emotional milestone. Less than a fortnight ago he lost his mother, Suzanne Tungane Kainuku Heath, who peacefully passed away in Nelson after battling a long illness. "Mum has been my biggest motivation to represent this country," he said. "She was the reason I moved to Rarotonga." Born and raised in New Zealand, Mr Heath hadn't grown up closely connected to his Cook Islands roots. "I came to reconnect. I planned to stay for a year and have been there 17 years now." The 2025 Pacific Mini Games will be an especially emotional one for Brendon. ( Source: Supplied ) As captain of the men's beach volleyball team, Mr Heath steps into the games with a wealth of experience. He said this tournament is a tribute to his mother and a symbol of the legacy he hopes to leave for his three children, who continue to inspire him. "It's a huge honour and a proud moment for myself and my family," he says. "I feel like I've had a life of sports my kids have never seen. I hope I make them proud." For Alanna Smith, it's about caring for something bigger. Crowned Miss Cook Islands in 2017, she also represented the country at Miss World. She's a familiar figure on the national stage, not just as a beauty queen, but as an accomplished athlete who has represented the Cook Islands in netball. Now she's returning to beach volleyball — her second international appearance in the sport, having previously played in 2011. Alanna is a familiar figure on the national stage, not just as a beauty queen, but as an accomplished athlete who has represented the Cook Islands in netball. ( Source: Supplied ) Beyond athletic pursuits, Ms Smith is the director of Te Ipukarea Society, a prominent environmental NGO advocating for projects around climate resilience, and raising awareness on issues like deep-sea mining. For Smith, sport and environmental advocacy are interconnected. "Sport and the environment might seem worlds apart, but both are about caring for something bigger, about stewardship. "Whether I'm on the court or working on conservation, I see it all as part of the same mission." Mark Short, the Chef de Mission, emphasised that their selection was unanimous and heartfelt. "Brendon and Alanna represent the very best of the Cook Islands. They're inspiring leaders with compelling personal stories who demonstrate unwavering dedication to their sport and community. "Their selection as flag-bearers recognises not just their achievements, but the mana they carry as individuals."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Austin scores 19, Mystics finish strong to hand Lynx second loss 68-64
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shakira Austin scored 19 points and the Washington Mystics scored the last six points of the game to hand the Minnesota Lynx, without All-Star Napheesa Collier, their second loss, 68-64 on Tuesday night. Austin's putback tied the game at 64 with 32 seconds left. After a timeout to advance the ball, Bridget Carleton's inbounds pass went off Courtney Williams' hands and Sug Sutton scooped up the loose ball and raced in for the winning basket. Sonia Citron secured the win with two free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining. Advertisement Washington didn't make a basket after the 5:12 mark, when Kiki Iriafen's short jumper on the baseline gave Washington a 62-61 lead until Austin's tying basket. Sutton scored 12 points for the Mystics (7-8) and Kiki Iriafen added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Citron finished 3 of 13 from the field for nine points, ending her streak of double-figure games to start her career at 14. Alanna Smith scored a career-high 26 points for Minnesota (12-2) Jessica Shepard had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Collier missed her second straight game with a lower back injury. The Lynx, one of the top 3-point shooting teams, went 3 of 18 behind the arc and were just 17 of 25 from the line, going 6 of 12 after their last field goal, which game with 8:48 to play. They also had 19 turnovers the Mystics turned into 26 points. ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Austin scores 19, Mystics finish strong to hand Lynx second loss 68-64
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shakira Austin scored 19 points and the Washington Mystics scored the last six points of the game to hand the Minnesota Lynx, without All-Star Napheesa Collier, their second loss, 68-64 on Tuesday night. Austin's putback tied the game at 64 with 32 seconds left. After a timeout to advance the ball, Bridget Carleton's inbounds pass went off Courtney Williams' hands and Sug Sutton scooped up the loose ball and raced in for the winning basket. Sonia Citron secured the win with two free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining. Washington didn't make a basket after the 5:12 mark, when Kiki Iriafen's short jumper on the baseline gave Washington a 62-61 lead until Austin's tying basket. Sutton scored 12 points for the Mystics (7-8) and Kiki Iriafen added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Citron finished 3 of 13 from the field for nine points, ending her streak of double-figure games to start her career at 14. Alanna Smith scored a career-high 26 points for Minnesota (12-2) Jessica Shepard had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Collier missed her second straight game with a lower back injury. The Lynx, one of the top 3-point shooting teams, went 3 of 18 behind the arc and were just 17 of 25 from the line, going 6 of 12 after their last field goal, which game with 8:48 to play. They also had 19 turnovers the Mystics turned into 26 points. ___ AP WNBA:
