New York shocks Minnesota in Game 1 upset

The Phoenix Mercury dancers ended the season with a bang — and a ring.

New York shocks Minnesota in Game 1 upset

No. 8 New York has come alive, humbling No. 1 Minnesota 91-75 on Sunday to claim the WNBA playoffs’ sole Game 1 upset.

• Liberty forward Breanna Stewart led with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, as New York held the Lynx to just 31 second-half points.

• “She’s a walking mismatch, so we're able to just look for her,” guard Sabrina Ionescu said of her teammate. “Whatever they take away, we have a counter.” (Watch full highlights)

Do-or-die: After nearly 35 weeks at No. 1, Minnesota now faces a must-win on the road, as the best-of-three first-round series heads to Brooklyn tomorrow.

• “We’ve been a terrific road team, and this is the time to be a terrific road team,” said head coach Cheryl Reeve. (See full report)

Up next: New York hosts Minnesota on Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET (USA).

A’ja Wilson lifts Aces over Fever

No. 3 Las Vegas remains the team to beat, as the reigning WNBA champion firmly defeated No. 6 Indiana 102-85 to tip off its repeat bid in style.

• Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson ran the floor, racking up record-setting 38 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field.

• “She turns into a decision-maker, or a finisher, when they put two on the ball,” said coach Becky Hammon. “She needs to just touch the ball, because she’s going to make the right play.” (Watch full highlights)

Do-or-die: After pushing the Aces to a Game 5 semifinal decider last year, the Fever will need to rekindle that same spirit to survive Tuesday’s home clash.

• “Oftentimes, you have to be humbled,” said coach Stephanie White. “We just didn’t have that same sort of urgency in the details.” (See full report)

Up next: Indiana hosts Las Vegas on Tuesday at 6:30 PM ET (Prime).

Atlanta holds off Washington

No. 4 Atlanta showed off on Sunday, as the defense-savvy Dream held off No. 5 Washington 92-77 behind a strong second-half showing.

• Down five points at the half, Atlanta turned things around behind guard Rhyne Howard and forward DeWanna Bonner’s last-game scoring spree.

• “Making sure that we’re playing our defense for a full 40 minutes is gonna be key, because you want to take their confidence early,” Howard said. (Watch full highlights)

Do-or-die: The young Mystics now have their work cut out for them, likely leaning on second-year duo Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron in Wednesday’s Game 2.

• “We’re disappointed about the loss, but I’m excited to take this first step forward with Kiki and Sonia and our whole group,” said coach Sydney Johnson. (See full report)

Up next: Washington hosts Atlanta on Wednesday at 7 PM ET (ESPN).

Lisa Leslie lit up LA last weekend, as JWS and State Farm honored the WNBA legend’s Crytpo.com Arena statue unveiling with a live Between the Lines taping.

• WNBA greats Teresa Weatherspoon, DeLisha Milton-Jones, and host Chiney Ogwumike join Lisa on stage, revisiting the Sparks’ glory days and reflecting on the competitive fire that fueled the storied franchise’s success.

• Expect both heartfelt tributes and plenty of trash talk as the pro women’s basketball pioneers toast Lisa’s legacy and the WNBA’s 30th anniversary.

Tune in: Catch Between the Lines with Lisa Leslie presented by State Farm on YouTube.

Golden State shuts down Dallas

No. 2 Golden State can’t miss, setting a new franchise scoring record in Sunday’s 104-80 Game 1 takedown of No. 7 Dallas.

• The Valkyries set the tone with a 37-point second quarter, while holding Wings triple-double threat Jessica Shepard scoreless on the night.

• “What was great about tonight was watching every single person contribute and seeing everyone get going,” said guard Gabby Williams. (Watch full highlights)

Do-or-die: Dallas will look for a reset ahead of Wednesday’s Game 2, searching for defensive answers after struggling to contain the perimeter.

• “A 37-point quarter is insane work, so it was just not sticking to our game plan, not locking in defensively,” said guard Paige Bueckers. (See full report)

Tune in: Dallas hosts Golden State on Wednesday at 9 PM ET (ESPN).

Jess Fishlock makes Reign history

Jess Fishlock still has it, as the 39-year-old notched a brace in No. 8 Seattle’s 2-0 win over No. 14 Boston on Friday — breaking the Reign’s all-time scoring record.

• With her 52nd career goal, the Welsh forward took Seattle’s torch from retired icon Megan Rapinoe just months before her own planned retirement.

• “I can’t wait to text her, and tell her that unfortunately I broke her record,” Fishlock joked. (Watch full highlights)

Big picture: The win kept the Reign in playoff contention, with just four points separating Nos. 5-9 in the NWSL standings — and only four regular-season matches to go.

• No. 6 Angel City made the weekend’s biggest splash, launching up the table after upsetting No. 3 Washington 1-0 on Saturday. (See full recap)

Lauren Coughlin sets LPGA record birdie streak

LPGA vet Lauren Coughlin hit a hot streak, becoming the first golfer to start a round with nine consecutive birdies at the 2026 NW Arkansas Championship.

• Coughlin had never shot more than six straight birdies prior to Saturday, as she capped first-round play with a career-best score of 61.

• “Everything just seemed to be going exactly how far I wanted it to, right at the hole and I was putting really good putts on it as well,” she said. (Watch full highlights)

Big picture: Staring down Annika Sorenstam’s single-round scoring record of 59, Coughlin struggled to keep up momentum — hitting just one additional birdie to finish the tournament tied for 12th.

• Japan’s Yuna Nishimura ran the leaderboard, finishing at 21-under par to lift her first-ever LPGA trophy in Sunday’s wire-to-wire victory. (See full report)

Quote of the day

Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray
joking with Aces teammate A’ja Wilson after a missed free throw kept her from notching a career-high playoff points total on Sunday.