The Aces closed out the regular season with a 103-75 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday to extend their win streak to 16, tying the Phoenix Mercury (2014) for the second longest streak in WNBA history. If that wasn’t enough, the Aces also set a WNBA record for the most 3-pointers made in a game with 22. The win helped the Aces capture the No. 2 seed, setting up a first-round matchup with the No. 7 Seattle Storm.

The win punctuates a remarkable turnaround for the Aces, who looked like a shell of themselves to start the season with a 5-7 record. But A’ja Wilson led them back to the championship contention with another MVP caliber season, leading the league in points per game (23.4) and blocks (2.3). Can the Aces win the franchise’s third WNBA title in four years? They’ll have to go through a feisty Storm that won’t be an easy out.

10 BEST PLAYERS: Ranking stars entering WNBA playoffs from ‘unicorn’ to top-tier

Veteran Nneka Ogwumike is the Storm’s leading scorer, averaging 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Gabby Williams, who leads the league in steals with 99, and Ezi Magbegorin, who leads the league in blocks with 96, anchor the fourth-best defense in the WNBA.

Las Vegas and Seattle tied in the regular-season series, 2-2. Who will take Game 1? Here’s everything you need to know about the Valkyries-Lynx game on Sunday:

Halftime: Aces 45, Storm 25

A’ja Wilson led all players with 16 points and five rebounds for the Aces in the first half. She shot five of 10 from the field in 18 minutes of play.

NaLyssa Smith scored eight points and six rebounds against the Storm. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle with nine points and six rebounds. She shot four of nine from the field in 17 minutes of play.

1Q: Aces 22, Storm 12

A’ja Wilson had eight points and three rebounds in the first quarter to lead the Aces.

Nneka Ogwumike told the ESPN broadcast what it will take for the Storm to stop Wilson throughout the night.

‘You just have to make things difficult,’ Wilson said. ‘Guarding her with team defense is what’s effective for us.’

Ogwumike had five points and two rebounds to lead the Storm.

Aces built early lead

The Aces scored the first four points of the game at home against the Storm. Las Vegas leads Seattle 15-5 with 4:43 left in the first quarter.

Skylar Diggins was spotted running back to the locker room after a substitution.

Storm’s starting lineup vs. Aces

Guard Skylar Diggins, guard Brittney Sykes, forward Gabby Williams, forward Nneka Ogwumike and center Ezi Magbegor will make up the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces.

Aces’ starting lineup vs. Storm

Forward NaLyssa Smith,  guard Jackie Young, guard Chelsea Gray, forward Kierstan Bell and center A’ja Wilson will start for the Aces in Game 1 against the Storm tonight.

What time is Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces?

The Minnesota Lynx host the Golden State Valkyries at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

How to watch Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces: TV, stream

Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Aces vs. Storm WNBA Playoffs schedule

Game 1: Storm at Aces, 10 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Aces at Storm, 9:30 ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Storm at Aces, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants squared off in NFL Week 2. The game turned into an instant classic.

The Cowboys and Giants combined for a whopping 41 points during a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw five lead changes. The game went to overtime and nearly ended in a tie before Dallas won 40-37 thanks to a last-second Brandon Aubrey field goal.

Just how crazy was the end of the Cowboys vs. Giants game? Below is a look at the highlights that swung the action over the last 11 minutes of action in regulation and overtime.

Russell Wilson’s moonball TD to Malik Nabers

Many counted the Giants out after the Cowboys scored a go-ahead touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in regulation. However, just 27 seconds later, New York managed to find its way into the end-zone to retake the lead.

How did the Giants do it? Wilson unleashed a deep pass to Nabers, dropping it perfectly into the 22-year-old’s arms in stride for the 48-yard touchdown.

Nabers managed to make the catch despite being grabbed by the facemask just before the ball arrived. The play, and the ensuing extra point, gave the Giants a 3-point lead with 25 seconds left in regulation.

Brandon Aubrey’s game-tying 64-yard field goal

Dallas was able to erase New York’s lead just as quickly as the Giants had erased theirs. Dak Prescott and Co. managed to gain 25 yards, most of which came on an 18-yard completion to Jake Ferguson, to put Aubrey on the outer edge of his field goal range.

Aubrey managed to put the ball through the uprights from 64 yards as time expired in regulation to force overtime.

Aubrey is regarded as one of the league’s best kickers from long-distance and entered Sunday’s game having made 25 of his 28 career attempts from 50-plus yards out.

Russell Wilson throws deep-ball interception

Wilson’s deep ball giveth, but it also taketh away. Giants fans got a taste of that in overtime, when the veteran quarterback decided to launch another deep pass in the direction of Nabers.

This time, Wilson threw the ball too far to the inside. That allowed safety Donovan Wilson to easily go up and catch the pass, while Nabers came flying in to make the tackle.

Wilson’s pass was a long one, so it had the same impact as a punt. However, with so little time remaining in overtime, the interception all but guaranteed the Giants wouldn’t have a chance to get the ball back unless they could quickly force a three-and-out.

Dak Prescott scrambles to set up Cowboys field goal

Prescott missed more than half of the 2024 NFL season after tearing his hamstring off the bone. The 32-year-old showed against the Giants that he still has mobility despite the injury.

With just 37 seconds left in overtime, Prescott saw a running lane open in the middle of New York’s defense. He took advantage of it, scrambling for 14 yards and putting Dallas well within Aubrey’s field goal range.

The Cowboys decided not to run another offensive play after Prescott’s all-important run. Instead, they took a timeout with four seconds left and decided to let Aubrey try to win the game.

Brandon Aubrey seals Cowboys win with 46-yard field goal

Aubrey made a game-tying field goal as time expired in regulation. He did the same at the end of overtime, guaranteeing the Cowboys and Giants would avoid the tie.

Aubrey’s game-winning attempt was from 46 yards, making it easier than his 64-yarder at the end of regulation.

Aubrey’s make gave Brian Schottenheimer his first win as Dallas’ coach and allowed the Cowboys to extend their winning streak over the Giants to nine games.

The Cowboys are signing veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, owner and general manager Jerry Jones told reporters following his team’s 40-37 thrilling overtime victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.

Clowney, 32, was released by the Carolina Panthers in May, one season before his two-year deal with the team expired. He visited the Cowboys last week, ESPN reported. As a team, Dallas has four sacks through two games (three against New York).

Dallas traded Micah Parsons, perhaps the league’s best player at getting after the quarterback, one week before the season started amid a lingering contract dispute.

Clowney has 58 career sacks and was drafted first overall in 2014 by the Houston Texans. He’s spent the past six seasons with five teams, the most productive being his 9.5-sack campaign with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

Another week of wild finishes and a few surprises shuffled the US LBM Coaches Poll. But once again, the changes didn’t reach the top.

The teams ranked No. 1 through No. 7 hold their positions, though some had an easier time this week than others. Ohio State remains in the top spot, receiving 62 of 67 first-place votes this week. Penn State stays at No. 2 with three No.-1 nods. No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 LSU claim a first-place vote each. Oregon, Miami (Fla.) and Texas also hold steady.

Illinois climbs a notch to No. 8, a season-high ranking for the Fighting Illini on the eve of a key Big Ten clash with No. 17 Indiana. Florida State vaults three places to No. 9. Texas A&M makes the week’s biggest move, climbing seven positions to No. 10 on the heels of its last-minute victory at Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish, meanwhile, tumble from No. 8 to No. 21 as last season’s playoff runners-up are still seeking their first win of the campaign.

It was a rough weekend for the Palmetto State, as both Clemson and South Carolina went down to defeat. The Gamecocks, at least, stay in the poll at No. 24 after losing at home to Vanderbilt. The Commodores, thanks to that victory, make their season poll debut at No. 23.

Clemson falls out of the rankings after being handed its second loss of the young season by Georgia Tech, which also moves into the poll at No. 19. Also joining the rankings are No. 22 Missouri, after lurking just outside the Top 25 last week, and No. 25 Auburn, which edges out Brigham Young by just two poll points. South Florida and Arizona State also drop out.

(This story was updated to change a video.)

The Deshaun Foster experiment at UCLA is over.

The Bruins fired their second-year coach on Sunday, Sept. 14, two days after they took a 35-10 drubbing of New Mexico at home to start the season with three consecutive losses, two of which came against Group of Five opponents.

UCLA will owe Foster approximately $6 million in a buyout for terminating his contract without cause. Special assistant Tim Skipper will serve as the interim coach for UCLA.

‘Serving as the head coach at UCLA, my beloved alma mater, has been the honor of a lifetime,’ Foster said in a statement. ‘While I am deeply disappointed that we were unable to achieve the success that our players, fans, and university deserve, I am grateful for the opportunity to have led this program.’

It’s a move that was expected with the disastrous start to the season for Foster. After he went a middling 5-7 in his first season as UCLA played its first campaign in the Big Ten, Foster’s team was expected to be drastically improved with the arrival of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Instead, the Bruins have struggled mightily. They were blown out by Utah in the season opener by 33 points and then lost to UNLV in Week 2. In Week 3, UCLA played New Mexico at home in what was viewed as the easiest game on its schedule, but the Lobos dominated the Bruins with a 25-point victory to push UCLA to 0-3 for the first time since 2019.

In three games, UCLA hasn’t led at all and averaged 16.5 points per game, tied for 115th in FBS out of 133 teams, and the 36.5 points allowed per games is ranked 120th. Its offense is ranked 101st in the country and defense is 111th.

The Bruins have been struggling to maintain relevance in a crowded Big Ten, including against crosstown rival Southern California. Attendance at the Rose Bowl has dropped more than 50% in the past decade, averaging 35,032 and 31,163 people in its two games this season, leaving much of the stadium empty and covered in tarps.

UCLA hired Foster in February 2024 after Chip Kelly abruptly left the program to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. A former running back for UCLA and longtime assistant, Foster’s hiring was a surprise given he had never been a head coach before, but the team had success at the running back position while he coached the position unit.

‘I want to extend my sincere appreciation to DeShaun for his contributions to UCLA Football over the course of many years, first as a Hall of Fame student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and finally as head coach,’ said UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond. ‘He was named to this role at a challenging time of year, on the cusp of a move to a new conference, and he embraced it, putting his heart into moving the program forward. His legacy and love for this university are firmly established. He is a Bruin for life.’

Foster ends his tenure 5-10 in two seasons as coach, and the Bruins will be looking for their third head coach in four seasons.

UCLA said it will Jarmond, associate athletic director Erin Adkins and “a committee composed of accomplished sports and business executives and UCLA greats” will conduct an immediate search for a new coach.

(This story was updated with more information and to add a video.)

Virginia Tech has fired fourth-year coach Brent Pry, fewer than 24 hours after an embarrassing 45-26 loss to Old Dominion dropped the Hokies to 0-3 on the young season.

Pry, 55, is the second coach to be fired in the Bowl Subdivision after UCLA parted with DeShaun Foster. Once rare, such early-season firings have become more prevalent in the past decade.

Saturday’s loss was the last straw for a tenure that briefly showed promise heading into last season but ends at 16-24 overall and 10-13 in the ACC.

Old Dominion led Virginia Tech 28-0 at halftime and cruised to an easy victory. This was the Hokies’ second loss to the Monarchs under Pry.

That loss came on the heels of a 24-11 defeat to No. 10 South Carolina and coach Shane Beamer, the son of longtime Virginia Tech coach and Hall of Famer Frank Beamer. Last week, the Hokies were beaten 44-20 by Vanderbilt.

Tech went 3-8 in 2022, Pry’s first season, and then improved to 7-6 and 5-3 in the ACC in 2023. That team ended the year with a win against rival Virginia to earn a postseason bid and then a win against Tulane in the Military Bowl.

With nearly every starter set to return, last year’s team earned Top 25 consideration but flopped to a 6-7 record and an eighth-place finish in the ACC.

Expectations were lower this summer. The Hokies were picked 11th in the preseason media poll, though were one of just five teams to earn at least one first-place vote. But the ugliness of the 0-3 start will have Tech looking for its third head coach since Frank Beamer retired after the 2015 season.

Pry was previously the defensive coordinator at Penn State. He is a longtime assistant under current Nittany Lions coach James Franklin.

Pry is owed just over $6.8 million under a contract that had been set to run through Dec. 1, 2027, according to contract information obtained by USA TODAY.

If Pry accepts “another coaching, teaching, faculty, or staff position of any kind associated or dealing with athletics at any high school, college, or professional level during the stated term of the Contract,” the buyout is offset by the amount of that income.

Pry’s buyout is due to be paid in equal quarterly installments, each January, April, July and October.

PHOENIX — The first-round series between the defending champion New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury was billed as one of the best matchups in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. Game 1 lived up to the hype. 

The No. 5 seed Liberty defeated the No. 4 seed Mercury 76-69 in overtime on Sunday at PHX Arena to take a 1-0 lead in the series and steal back homecourt advantage. The series shifts to Brooklyn for Game 2 on Wednesday. 

It was a devastating blow to the Mercury, who had the opportunity to win the game in regulation. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas drove to the basket for a go-ahead layup with 2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but the ball spun out of the rim. 

The Mercury never appeared to shake off the “what if” heading into overtime and the Liberty went on a 7-0 run in the extra period. The Mercury were ultimately outscored 11-4 in the overtime period. Entering Sunday, the Mercury were 23-1 this season when tied or leading after the third quarter.

Natasha Cloud finished with a game-high 23 points, six rebound and five assists in the win. Breanna Stewart finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. 

Kahleah Cooper finished with 15 points, two rebounds and one assist for the Mercury in the losing effort. MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas added 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Liberty-Mercury game on Sunday:

End of Q4: Mercury 65, Liberty 65

We are headed to overtime! Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas had an opportunity to take the lead with a go-ahead layup with 2 seconds remaining in regulation, but the ball spun out of the rim.

Kahleah Copper has a team-high 15 points for the Mercury, while Thomas added 12. Natasha Cloud has a game-high 19 points for the Liberty.

End of Q3: Mercury 57, Liberty 55

Phoenix’s Kathryn Westbeldknocked down a 3-pointer with 18.7 seconds remaining to give the Mercury a 57-55 lead to close the third quarter. Kahleah Copper has a team-high 11 points and four personal fouls, while Alyssa Thomas has 10 points and six assists. The Mercury are 23-1 this season when tied or leading after the third quarter.

Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart each have 14 points for the Liberty. Stewart surpassed Lindsay Whalen (953) for sixth place on the all-time playoffs points list with 963 points and counting.

Mercury star in foul trouble

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper picked up her fourth personal foul with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter. She remained in the game, where she has a team-high 11 points, one rebound and one assist. No other Mercury player has scored double digits yet.

Halftime: Liberty 44, Mercury 43

The Liberty have a one-point advantage over the Mercury heading into halftime following a closely contested first half that has featured nine lead chances and seven ties.

Three of the Liberty’s starters have reached double digits, led by a game-high 13 points from Natasha Cloud. Sabrina Ionesco and Breanna Stewart each added 11 points. The Liberty have used their size and controlled the boards through the first half, grabbing 21 rebounds (four offensive) to the Mercury’s 13 rebounds. New York is shooting 48.6% from the field and 5-of-16 from 3.

Kahleah Copper is the only Mercury player in double digits with 11 points. Satou Sabally added seven points and four rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas is more than halfway to a double-double with eight points and six assists. The Mercury are shooting 43.6% from the field and 4-of-12 from the 3-point line, including Monique Akoa Makani’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the second quarter.

Phoenix Suns stars in the building

The star-studded crowd at PHX Arena includes several Phoenix Suns players, including Dillon Brooks, who was seated courtside for Sunday’s matchup.

Sabrina Ionescu heating up

The Liberty are starting to heat up from the 3-point line. Sabrina Ionescu knocked down two 3-pointers in a matter of 43 seconds in the second quarter, giving New York a 23-21 lead over Phoenix. Ionescu has eight points, three assists and two rebounds, while the Liberty are 4-of-13 from the 3-point line.

End of Q1: Liberty 17, Mercury 13

The Liberty led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and have a four-point advantage over the Mercury entering the second quarter. Jonquel Jones and Natasha Cloud each have five points. Breanna Stewart added four points. The Liberty are collectively shooting 36.8% from the field and 2-of-9 from 3.

DeWanna Bonner was a spark plug off the bench for the Mercury and scored four points in five minutes, including a transition layup with 1:12 remaining in the first quarter after swiping the ball from Cloud. Kahleah Copper added four points. The Mercury are shooting 31.6% from the field and only 1-of-8 from three.

What time is New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury?

The Minnesota Lynx host the Golden State Valkyries at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

New York Liberty starting lineup

Head coach: Sandy Brondello

9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington

New York Liberty finally get healthy, just in time for WNBA playoffs

CHICAGO — Another title, or at least a third consecutive trip to the WNBA Finals, seemed to be a given as the New York Liberty opened the season with nine straight wins, most of them decisive. And then the injuries piled up.

Jonquel Jones missed almost two weeks with a sprained ankle. And then another month when she aggravated the injury. Breanna Stewart missed a month with a bone bruise. Natasha Cloud missed a game after breaking her nose. Sabrina Ionescu just returned Tuesday after missing four games with a toe injury. Nyara Sabally has played only 17 games this season because of knee issues. Leonie Fiebich avoided time on the DL, but she missed almost a month while playing for Germany at EuroBasket.

How to watch New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury: TV, stream

Time: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)
Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Mercury vs. Liberty WNBA Playoffs schedule

Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, 2 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Atlanta Falcons are traveling to Minnesota to face the Vikings in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.

The matchup marks the second time in as many seasons the Falcons are playing the Vikings. While the major story of last year’s meeting was Kirk Cousins playing against his former team, the narrative has shifted to a younger pair of quarterbacks in 2025.

This time, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Vikings signal-caller J.J. McCarthy are set to go head-to-head for the first time of their NFL careers. It will mark the first meeting between the two 2024 first-round picks since they squared off in the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game for Washington (Penix) and Michigan (McCarthy).

Penix will look to gain a measure of revenge against McCarthy, whose Wolverines defeated Penix’s Huskies 34-13 in the championship.

But where will Cousins be during Sunday’s game? Here’s what to know about the quarterback’s role with the Falcons for his age-37 season.

Is Kirk Cousins still on the Falcons?

Yes, Cousins is still on the Falcons. The 37-year-old has simply been relegated to backup duty behind Penix during the duo’s second seasons in Atlanta.

Despite losing his starting job, Cousins remains in Atlanta after signing a four-year, $180 million contract with the team as a free agent in 2024. The veteran requested a trade away from the Falcons, but Atlanta decided to keep him after being unable to find what it believed to be a suitable trade package for the four-time Pro Bowler.

As a result, Cousins remains with the Falcons as the NFL’s highest-paid backup quarterback.

Why isn’t Kirk Cousins starting?

Cousins lost his starting job at the end of the 2024 NFL season. He was benched for the final three games of the season amid a five-game stretch during which he completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,180 yards, one touchdown and nine interceptions while leading Atlanta to just a 1-4 record.

‘After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,’ Falcons coach Raheem Morris said in a statement at the time. ‘This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.’

Penix completed 58.1% of his passes for 775 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions across the three games. The Falcons evidently liked what they saw from the rookie in the small sample size, as Atlanta announced it planned to move forward with the Washington product as its starter.

That relegated Cousins to the backup role, where he has remained after the Falcons decided to hold onto him through the offseason.

Kirk Cousins stats 2024

Cousins got off to a hot start in his first season with the Falcons – he threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – but cooled as the campaign progressed.

Below is a look at Cousins’ stats from his first season in Atlanta:

Starts: 14
Record: 7-7
Completion %: 66.9%
Passing yards: 3,508
Passing TDs: 18
INTs: 16
Yards/attempt: 7.7
Passer rating: 88.6
QBR: 47.0
PFF Grade: 74.3 (23rd of 44 QBs with 150-plus dropbacks)

Cousins’ passer rating of 88.6 was his lowest in a single season since 2014, when he started just five games for Washington. It ranked 22 among 36 qualified quarterbacks but was just slightly below the NFL’s league-average of 92.3 for the season.

Cousins’ 16 interceptions were a career-worst and tied Baker Mayfield for the NFL lead.

Falcons QB depth chart

The Falcons have three quarterbacks in their organization, but just two on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the unit’s pecking order:

Michael Penix Jr.
Kirk Cousins
Easton Stick (practice squad)

The Falcons also have Feleipe Franks – who played quarterback during his college career at Florida and Arkansas before signing as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta in 2021 – on their roster at tight end. The 27-year-old has only thrown one career pass, which was intercepted.

PHOENIX — The New York Liberty’s title defense starts now.

The No. 5 seed Liberty tipoff the 2025 WNBA playoffs with a first-round matchup against the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury Sunday, and unlike New York’s 2024 championship run that ended with the team claiming its first title in franchise history, the Liberty won’t have home-court advantage this postseason.

New York has a losing record on the road this season (10-12), including a pair of losses to the Mercury, who made 18 3-pointers in a win over the Liberty on June 25 at PHX Arena. (The Mercury are 15-7 at home.) The Liberty have navigated a string of injuries to their superstar trio of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu, but New York’s Big 3 are available heading into the postseason.

‘Experience is the thing that you fall back on when the going gets tough and things aren’t going your way. It’s what brings the team back together, because you have a sense of awareness of what’s coming,’ said Stewart, who had 24 points to close the season against the Chicago Sky on Sept. 11. ‘The playoffs are an emotional roller-coaster, emotionally and physically. So to have that experience… is really important going forward.’

The Liberty will be tasked with slowing down MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, who set a single-season record with eight triple-doubles this season. Her eight triple-doubles surpassed the previous record (six) she set in 2023 in Connecticut. No other player in WNBA history has more than four in a career.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Liberty-Mercury game on Sunday:

End of Q3: Mercury 57, Liberty 55

Phoenix’s Kathryn Westbeldknocked down a 3-pointer with 18.7 seconds remaining to give the Mercury a 57-55 lead to close the third quarter. Kahleah Copper has a team-high 11 points and four personal fouls, while Alyssa Thomas has 10 points and six assists. The Mercury are 23-1 this season when tied or leading after the third quarter.

Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart each have 14 points for the Liberty. Stewart surpassed Lindsay Whalen (953) for sixth place on the all-time playoffs points list with 963 points and counting.

Mercury star in foul trouble

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper picked up her fourth personal foul with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter. She remained in the game, where she has a team-high 11 points, one rebound and one assist. No other Mercury player has scored double digits yet.

Halftime: Liberty 44, Mercury 43

The Liberty have a one-point advantage over the Mercury heading into halftime following a closely contested first half that has featured nine lead chances and seven ties.

Three of the Liberty’s starters have reached double digits, led by a game-high 13 points from Natasha Cloud. Sabrina Ionesco and Breanna Stewart each added 11 points. The Liberty have used their size and controlled the boards through the first half, grabbing 21 rebounds (four offensive) to the Mercury’s 13 rebounds. New York is shooting 48.6% from the field and 5-of-16 from 3.

Kahleah Copper is the only Mercury player in double digits with 11 points. Satou Sabally added seven points and four rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas is more than halfway to a double-double with eight points and six assists. The Mercury are shooting 43.6% from the field and 4-of-12 from the 3-point line, including Monique Akoa Makani’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the second quarter.

Phoenix Suns stars in the building

The star-studded crowd at PHX Arena includes several Phoenix Suns players, including Dillon Brooks, who was seated courtside for Sunday’s matchup.

Sabrina Ionescu heating up

The Liberty are starting to heat up from the 3-point line. Sabrina Ionescu knocked down two 3-pointers in a matter of 43 seconds in the second quarter, giving New York a 23-21 lead over Phoenix. Ionescu has eight points, three assists and two rebounds, while the Liberty are 4-of-13 from the 3-point line.

End of Q1: Liberty 17, Mercury 13

The Liberty led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and have a four-point advantage over the Mercury entering the second quarter. Jonquel Jones and Natasha Cloud each have five points. Breanna Stewart added four points. The Liberty are collectively shooting 36.8% from the field and 2-of-9 from 3.

DeWanna Bonner was a spark plug off the bench for the Mercury and scored four points in five minutes, including a transition layup with 1:12 remaining in the first quarter after swiping the ball from Cloud. Kahleah Copper added four points. The Mercury are shooting 31.6% from the field and only 1-of-8 from three.

What time is New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury?

The Minnesota Lynx host the Golden State Valkyries at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

New York Liberty starting lineup

Head coach: Sandy Brondello

9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington

New York Liberty finally get healthy, just in time for WNBA playoffs

CHICAGO — Another title, or at least a third consecutive trip to the WNBA Finals, seemed to be a given as the New York Liberty opened the season with nine straight wins, most of them decisive. And then the injuries piled up.

Jonquel Jones missed almost two weeks with a sprained ankle. And then another month when she aggravated the injury. Breanna Stewart missed a month with a bone bruise. Natasha Cloud missed a game after breaking her nose. Sabrina Ionescu just returned Tuesday after missing four games with a toe injury. Nyara Sabally has played only 17 games this season because of knee issues. Leonie Fiebich avoided time on the DL, but she missed almost a month while playing for Germany at EuroBasket.

How to watch New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury: TV, stream

Time: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)
Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Mercury vs. Liberty WNBA Playoffs schedule

Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, 2 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)

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The Atlanta Dream’s quest to turn the best regular season in franchise history into their first WNBA championship is off and running after an initial hitch. The Dream fell behind early but recovered nicely en route to a gritty 80-68 win over the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of their WNBA first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon. It was the Dream’s first playoff win since 2018.

The Dream tandem of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard each had 20 points and helped spearhead a defensive effort that kept the Fever in check after they jumped out to a 15-6 lead in the first quarter. Naz Hillmon added 16 points and 9 rebounds as Atlanta’s depth proved too much for an injury-riddled Indiana roster during the second half at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 27 points and Aliyah Boston finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, but Indiana did not have enough firepower to keep up with Atlanta in Game 1.

Here’s everything you missed from the Fever-Dream game on Sunday:

Player of the game

Allisha Gray didn’t have the most efficient shooting performance, but she filled up the stat sheet in Game 1 and demonstrated why she put together a career year this season. The Dream were 17 points better than the Fever when Gray was on the floor Sunday as she finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals while igniting Atlanta’s suffocating defense.

Why the Dream won

This wasn’t a scintillating offensive display by two of the WNBA’s highest-scoring teams. Instead, Atlanta wore down the injury-riddled Fever with its defense and depth, keeping them well below their season averages. The Dream held Indiana under 35% shooting from the floor. Aside from Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever were a combined 13 of 45 shooting. Atlanta, meanwhile, had four players finish in double figures and nine players contribute at least one field goal. It seems like a replicable formula when the series heads to Indiana.

Why the Fever lost

Given Indiana’s injury situation, its options are already limited in this series. Turnovers, foul issues and poor 3-point shooting were problems the Fever couldn’t overcome in Game 1. They went 2 for 15 from beyond the arc and watched Aliyah Boston miss a key juncture of the fourth quarter with foul trouble. Mitchell and Boston formed an effective tandem when on the floor and Indiana will need to lean on them even more to keep their season alive. It’d also help if they stopped worrying about the refs. They wound up shooting more free throws than Atlanta in Game 1.

X-factor: Fever guard Lexie Hull

The Fever need another offensive option besides Mitchell and Boston, and Hull is the best remaining candidate to provide a boost. She was 3 for 13 from the floor in Game 1 and missed several good looks from 3-point range. Hit a couple of those back home in Indiana and perhaps the momentum of this series could turn.

When is Game 2?

The Indiana Fever host the Atlanta Dream at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Indiana Fever’s frustration with fouls boils over

The Atlanta Dream have opened up a double-digit lead to start the fourth quarter of Game 1 and the Indiana Fever’s problems with the officials are exacerbating the problem. After Fever star Aliyah Boston picked up her fifth foul, a no call on Atlanta infuriated the Fever bench and led to coach Stephanie White picking up a technical foul. The next possession, guard Odyssey Sims got whistled for a technical foul.

The tension between the Fever and the refs had been building as the third quarter progressed, with injured star Caitlin Clark among the most demonstrative in expressing their disapproval about calls from the sideline.

End 3Q: Dream 58, Fever 53

The Indiana Fever got back into Game 1 with a 7-0 burst to begin the third quarter as Kelsey Mitchell’s effectiveness carried over into the second half. But Atlanta almost immediately responded with its own 7-0 run, and the back-and-forth sequence set the tone as these teams head into the fourth quarter. The Dream have mostly held the Fever at bay since Indiana’s hot start to the first quarter, but the Fever aren’t going away.

Mitchell (24 points) isn’t getting enough help. Aliyah Boston has been limited to four points and 12 rebounds. Lexie Hull is 3 of 12 from the floor. Natasha Howard has only four points and five shot attempts. Indiana, however, had a nice burst to close the second quarter.

This hasn’t been the prettiest game. Atlanta’s two stars, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, are a combined 9 for 27 from the field. But the Dream are proving capable of controlling the lead during a game played in a different style than they were accustomed to during the regular season. It could be a dramatic final 10 minutes.

Halftime: Dream 40, Fever 33

Rhyne Howard returned in the final two minutes of the second quarter, easing any lingering concerns after her collision with Lexie Hull early in the period. The Dream still trailed the Fever when Howard left for the locker room, but took the lead and then widened it while she was out.

Allisha Gray leads Atlanta with 13 points, perking up with Howard out. Howard added nine points as the Dream’s superior depth began to take a toll. Atlanta has a 10-1 advantage in bench points at halftime. Kelsey Mitchell has 13 points for the Fever, who were out-scored by 10 in the second quarter. The rest of the Indiana roster was 7 for 24 from the field in the first half. The good news is Odyssey Sims did return from her injury scare just before halftime, so she should be available for the second half.

Indiana Fever injury issues continue

The Fever’s injury woes are well-documented, with Caitlin Clark leading a group of five players not playing this postseason due to season-ending injuries. The problems have been particularly bad at point guard, where the Fever have had to scramble all year. They may have to again.

Fever guard Odyssey Sims left Sunday’s Game 1 against the Atlanta Dream after appearing to suffer a foot or ankle injury while driving to the basket. Sims was only signed by the Fever last month to a hardship contract. The 11-year veteran started Sunday’s game and had six points and one assist in more than 12 minutes of action before hobbling to the bench

Rhyne Howard injury update: Dream star leaves Game 1

There’s been an interesting turn of events during Game 1 between the Fever and Dream after Fever guard Lexie Hull collided with Dream star Rhyne Howard early in the second quarter. Howard had to leave the court after the two players’ heads appeared to inadvertently hit one another as Hull was running up court following a Howard 3-point attempt.

ESPN reported medical personnel were determining whether Howard would need stitches and Howard was seen heading back to the locker room holding a towel up to her face. She has a team-high nine points thus far.

End 1Q: Fever 21, Dream 18

The Indiana Fever remain in front of the Atlanta Dream, grabbing a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell leads all scorers with nine points on the road. Rhyne Howard has seven points to pace Atlanta after it briefly trailed by nine.

Fever grabs early lead, Dream strikes back

The Indiana Fever got off to a fast start on the road behind Kelsey Mitchell (9 points), using a 9-0 run to take a 15-6 lead early on in Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series against the Atlanta Dream. The favored Dream missed eight shots in a row at one point, but Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard have begun to find their footing after the first media timeout of the afternoon. Atlanta’s deficit is down to 19-14 with less than three minutes left in the first quarter and the injury-riddled Fever are dealing with two quick fouls on guard Lexie Hull.

WNBA playoffs: Fever vs. Dream Game 1 starting lineups

What time is Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream?

The Atlanta Dream host the Indiana Fever at 3 p.m. ET (Noon, PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

How to watch Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream: TV, stream

Time: 3 p.m. ET (Noon PT)
Location: Gateway Center Arena (College Park, Georgia)
TV channel: ABC
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Dream vs. Fever WNBA Playoffs schedule

Game 1: Fever at Mercury, 3 p.m. ET Sunday (ABC)
Game 2: Mercury at Fever, 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Fever at Mercury, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

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