Latest news with #WNBADefensivePlayeroftheYear
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Undefeated Lynx face major test in visit to Phoenix
The Minnesota Lynx aim to continue their unbeaten start when they visit the Phoenix Mercury Friday night. Minnesota is beginning a stretch in which four of five games are on the road with the only home game coming against these Mercury on Tuesday. Napheesa Collier, the WNBA MVP runner-up last season, is off to a superb start and leads the WNBA with a 26.8 scoring average. Collier, who won WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors a year ago, also is contributing 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. While she scored a season-low 16 points on Tuesday, Collier collected 10 boards as the Lynx recorded an 82-77 home win over the Seattle Storm. Courtney Williams led the way with 23 points for her second 20-point outing of the season. Yet Minnesota was most happy about seeing sharpshooter Kayla McBride back on the floor. The four-time All-Star missed the first four games due to personal reasons but she was on target in her return, making 3 of 6 from 3-point range while scoring 15 points. "I was just grateful, being out there," said the 32-year-old McBride. "I'm fortunate for this group. From the moment I came back, it's been nothing but love and support. I'm just lucky. That's what you saw out there, I felt safe." McBride ranks ninth in WNBA history with 622 career 3-pointers. She made a career-best 105 last season. Phoenix is playing the finale of a three-game homestand after beating the Washington Mystics 68-62 on Sunday and the Chicago Sky 94-89 on Tuesday. Five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas is fitting in well during her first season in Phoenix after 11 with the Connecticut Sun, averaging 15.2 points, 8.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals. "I think if you watched me over the years, I've always had confidence in my teammates, each and every day," Thomas said. "We're in the gym working together. I'm always about the easy shot and when they're open, I'm going to find them." Thomas had a season-high 15 assists against the Sky to move into 12th place in WNBA history with 1,503 helpers. Satou Sabally scored 20 points against Chicago to reach that mark for the third time this season. She is averaging 19.8 points per game. Phoenix rookie Kitija Laksa added a season-high 18 points against the Sky. Field Level Media
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
WNBA legend Candace Parker's legacy soars high as the Chicago Sky decides to retire her jersey and raise it to the rafters
Candace Parker. Image byCandace Parker's WNBA career arc is one for the books, as she played for and led teams like the Chicago Sky, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Las Vegas Aces to championship titles. Honoring her legacy, on Wednesday, May 28, the Chicago Sky decided to retire her jersey and raise it to the rafters on August 25, 2025. The date has been fixed ahead of their match against the Las Vegas Aces, with whom Parker played the final match of her career. Candace Parker despite a short tenure of 2 years with the Chicago Sky led the team to its glorious championship victory in 2021 On April 28, 2024, Candace Parker, after spending the final days of her career with Las Vegas Aces and winning the championship trophy in 2023, announced her retirement via a post on Instagram. Despite the short tenure with the Chicago Sky and the Aces, Parker left a rather lasting impression. The Sky will be facing the Aces on August 25 at the Wintrust Arena, and on the same day, as an honor to the legendary player, the Sky will be raising Parker's jersey number 3 to the rafters alongside the team's 2021 championship banner. On an emotional note, Parker, via a press release statement by the team, stated, 'Growing up in Naperville, playing on courts around here with my brothers, and watching Chicago teams like the Bulls, who became synonymous with winning, I never imagined one day my jersey would hang in the rafters of my hometown team. Coming home to Chicago and helping bring the city its first WNBA championship here—it was personal. I'm beyond grateful to the city, the fans, and everyone who's been part of my journey. Chicago raised me, and this will always be home. The announcement stirred some major throwback moments for the fans of the athlete, who have adored her legacy and performance in the court throughout her career. One of the fans wrote, 'Still remember seeing Parker dunk' Another one wrote, 'Well-deserved honor for Candace Parker, Sky legend forever' 'Congratulations @Candace_Parker well deserved' Also read: Oklahoma City Thunder are about to deliver Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a whole bank, says NBA veteran Parker's number 3 jersey of the Los Angeles Sparks will also be retired this season on June 29 during the team's match against the Sky. During her tenure with the Sparks, the player secured multiple honors like WNBA Finals MVP, WNBA MVP, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and five-time WNBA All-Star. Even though her tenure with the Sky was just for two years, her effective game play garnered accolades for the team. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brittney Griner Sends Clear Message on Making Major WNBA Change
Veteran center Brittney Griner has accomplished a lot in her basketball career. But in 2025, the 34-year-old center will play for a WNBA team other than the Phoenix Mercury for the first time. Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream in February. On Wednesday, she made her preseason debut with the club, posting an impressive stat line in just 19 minutes. Advertisement Following that debut, Griner addressed changing teams in an Instagram post Thursday. "This life was all a DREAM!" Griner wrote as a caption to a hype video. "Turn me up ATL." Griner also included several emojis at the beginning and end of the caption. Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner© Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Griner scored 16 points with seven baskets on 11 shots versus the Washington Mystics in preseason action Wednesday. The center also had 10 rebounds, three assists and a block. "BG turned up the heat in her first run with the Dream!" the WNBA X account posted after Griner's debut. "From dominating in the paint to knocking down threes, she did it all!" Griner joined the Dream after 12 years with the Mercury. While playing 11 seasons in Phoenix, she made the WNBA All-Star team nine times. Advertisement The center won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice in back-to-back seasons during 2014 and 2015. Griner also helped lead the Mercury to the WNBA championship in 2014. Last season, Griner earned an All-Star nomination with 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. The Dream have one more preseason game before the 2025 regular season opens. Atlanta will begin the regular season against the Mystics on Friday, May 16. Griner will make her Dream regular season home debut on Thursday, May 22. Related: WNBA Sends Strong Message on Brittney Griner
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Napheesa Collier Makes Request to Paige Bueckers Before Lynx-Wings
The 2025 WNBA season has finally arrived, and former UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers is set to make her regular-season debut. On Friday, Bueckers and the Dallas Wings will take on Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center in Arlington, TX. Advertisement During the Wings' two preseason games, Bueckers looked every part of a No. 1 overall pick, averaging 12.5 points on 66.7% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. But she has a tough task on opening night, facing the defending runners-up and their All-WNBA forward. In the 2024 season, Collier averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists, earning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors along the way. Paige BueckersVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Hours before Friday night's game, Collier spoke during the Lynx's media availability. The four-time All-Star had high praise for Bueckers before revealing her text message to the rookie. Advertisement "I'm really happy for Paige," Collier said. "I really, really like Paige, her family, the way she plays. Like, she's just a great person and player, so I'm really happy for her. I texted her, 'Good luck tonight. Don't do too much against us. Wait till your next game.' But yeah, I'm excited for her." Collier was then asked what she admires about Bueckers. "First of all, her work ethic," Collier added. "And then I think just the way she is already a three-way player. Mid-range is probably the hardest to master, and she's really good in the mid-range. But especially as a point guard, being able to score at all levels and then her vision. Really impressive for someone who hasn't played professionally yet." Bueckers showed off her "three-way" talent in four seasons with UConn, averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.1 steals in her college career. Advertisement She will look to bring the same level of play to the WNBA, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Wings host the Lynx. Related: Stephanie White Issues Sophie Cunningham Injury Update Before Fever-Sky
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Sends Strong Message on Brittney Griner
Veteran center Brittney Griner made her Atlanta Dream preseason debut Wednesday against the Washington Mystics. It's hard imagining it going any better. While playing just 19 minutes, Griner scored 16 points while shooting 7 of 11. Griner sunk her two 3-point attempts and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Advertisement For good measure, she added three assists and a block. After the performance, the official WNBA X (formerly Twitter) account sent Griner major props for the way she played in her Dream preseason debut. "BG turned up the heat in her first run with the Dream!" the WNBA account posted. "From dominating in the paint to knocking down threes, she did it all!" Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner© Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With Griner on the court, the Dream outscored the Mystics by 21 points. The Dream won the preseason matchup 80-70. Griner is 34 years old, but if Wednesday's game is any indication, she will be a force for the Dream this season. The Dream announced on Feb. 1 the team signed Griner in free agency. The nine-time All-Star spent the first 12 years of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury. Advertisement Last season, Griner averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year also averaged 1.5 blocks per contest. The Dream will host the Indiana Fever in another preseason matchup Saturday. Atlanta will open the regular season on the road against the Mystics on Friday, May 16. Griner will play her first home regular season game with the Dream on Thursday, May 22. Griner and the Dream will visit her former home and the Mercury for the first time on July 23. Related: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Is Turning Heads After Dream Debut
