Three things we learned from Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs

What she said.

Top WNBA playoff seeds cruise past Game 1

Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA playoffs is in the books, tipping off with a bang on Sunday as the top two seeds put up more than 100 points each in blowout wins.

• No. 1 Minnesota opened the round with a 101-72 drubbing of No. 8 Golden State, fueled by MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier’s 20 points plus guard Natisha Hiedeman’s 18 off the bench. (Watch full highlights)

• No. 2 Las Vegas’s 102-77 victory over Seattle capped Sunday’s slate, with reigning MVP A’ja Wilson’s 29 points leading the way alongside double-digit performances from guards Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans off the bench. (Watch full highlights)

Tensions flare: The lower seeds walked away less unscathed, as Valkyries boss and Coach of the Year favorite Natalie Nakase picked up a technical foul for arguing a call in the game’s second half.

• “I want a fair fight. I really do. I want a clean fight, but I love the fact that both teams are playing their hearts out,” she said afterwards, coming down on the night’s officiating. “They're fighting. But I would like it to be fair.”

• “I understand it, but it’s the playoffs,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said in response. “Obviously, we fouled a lot at the end. But I didn’t think that was a factor in the game.”

Up next: Minnesota and Las Vegas are now one win away from advancing, as the Aces look to sweep the Storm tomorrow at 9:30 PM ET before the Lynx try to silence the Valkyries on Wednesday at 10 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Breanna Stewart’s exit looms over Liberty’s comeback win

No. 5 New York secured Sunday’s sole upset, topping No. 4 Phoenix 76-69 in overtime after a tightly contended Game 1 battle.

• Liberty guard Natasha Cloud dropped 23 points on her former team, while Mercury star Alyssa Thomas neared yet another triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

• “I’m proud of the way we stuck together, we weathered the runs they went on, and ultimately found a way to win,” New York’s Sabrina Ionescu said postgame. (Watch full highlights)

Injury trouble: The newly healthy Liberty will hope for full availability in Game 2, after forward Breanna Stewart went down with a knock to the knee following an 18-point performance.

• “We’re just hoping that she will be okay,” New York head coach Sandy Brondello said, confirming that Stewart asked to be subbed out in overtime after coming down hard on her left knee.

• Stewart recently returned from missing 13 games with a right knee bone bruise, as injury concerns threaten the reigning WNBA champs.

Up next: The Liberty now return to New York, looking to knock the Mercury out of contention on Wednesday at 8 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Atlanta adds to dream season with Game 1 win

No. 3 Atlanta won their first WNBA playoff game since 2018 on Sunday, downing No. 6 Indiana 80-68 to further their case for this season’s dark horse.

• The Dream’s starters shouldered the scoring, punctuated by 20-point performances from forward Rhyne Howard and guard Allisha Gray, while the Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell put up 27 to give her injury-laden team a chance.

• “This is [this roster’s] first home game, period, in the playoffs,” Howard reminded reporters after the win. “So for us to even have accomplished that much to have the home-court advantage, we knew we had to make it a good one.” (Watch full highlights)

Pushing ahead: Atlanta hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since the 2016, but after a dream regular season, a long-awaited return could be in sight.

• This year’s team won a franchise-record 30 games under first-year head coach Karl Smesko, while also leading the league in rebounds per game.

• “This wasn’t going to be a year that we were going to be satisfied with everybody telling us, ‘Wow, you really improved over last year,’” said Smesko. “That’s not what we're trying to do. We’re trying to be the best team in the league.”

Up next: Short-staffed Indiana will look to stop Atlanta’s momentum tomorrow at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN), when Game 2 takes over Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Fever’s first home playoff game since 2016.

Jaedyn Shaw makes goal-scoring Gotham debut

Jaedyn Shaw hit the ground running, as Gotham’s million-dollar signing scored against her former club in Friday’s 2-0 win over San Diego — helping to boost the Bats to No. 3 in the NWSL standings.

• “This year has been really difficult,” an emotional Shaw said after the game. “I’m so grateful for this team and the opportunities I’ve gotten this year… I’m extremely grateful for this moment.” (Watch full highlights)

Focus forward: Shaw will look to put the past behind her as Gotham extends their climb up the table, having risen from No. 8 to No. 3 behind a four-game unbeaten streak that spans three wins.

• Gotham forward Esthér is also excelling, retaking the Golden Boot race lead with her 13th tally of the season against the Wave.

• “Even in the most difficult moments, they’ve stayed united, kept pushing together, and kept working hard. That’s been our key,” said head coach Juan Carlos Amoros after the match.

Sam Kerr scores in Chelsea return as Alyssa Thompson debuts

Chelsea star Sam Kerr made headlines on Sunday, scoring her 100th goal for the reigning WSL champions in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa — her first competitive match in 634 days.

• “I feel like it’s nice to finally be out there and have people stop talking about an injury,” Kerr said postgame, referring to the 2024 ACL tear that kept her sidelined for more than 18 months. “Now they can start talking about goals.”

• “For me, she’s an idol,” Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor added. “It’s a lot of positives, a lot of confidence for her, for the team.”

Also starring: Blockbuster new signing Alyssa Thompson also made her Chelsea debut, with the USWNT rising star taking the pitch as a halftime substitute.

Charley Hull wins Queen City in LPGA breakthrough

England’s Charley Hull won her first LPGA title since 2022 this weekend, as the world No. 10 overcame multiple health issues to take Cincinnati’s Queen City Championship.

• “I’m actually a bit injured at the minute,” Hull said after edging out No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul to lift the trophy. “I tore the ligament completely in half on my foot in a car park the week after the British Open.”

• “When I fell down, when I did my ankle, I got the MRI, and I’ve got some cysts growing [in my back] from where I tore the muscle, but I’ve got a very healthy spine,” she continued. “It’s just managing it and stuff. I think I’ve been slapped with every injury at the minute.”

Big picture: Hull’s victory furthered a hyper-competitive 2025 LPGA season, adding her name to a list of tournament winners without a single repeat champion.

Quote of the day

Racing Louisville FC
posting to social media after midfielder Savannah DeMelo collapsed on the field in the first half of Sunday’s match against the Seattle Reign.