WNBA Playoffs

The WNBA semifinals tipped off with a bang, and if Game 1 is any indication, we're in for a wild ride. The marquee matchup between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces lived up to the hype, with plenty of star power and some major revenge energy in the air.

Breanna Stewart Leads Liberty Over Aces

Remember last year when the Las Vegas Aces won the title and decided to throw a little shade at Breanna Stewart during their parade? Yeah, well, Stewart didn’t forget either. They poked the bear, and on Sunday, that bear woke up angry.

Stewart absolutely cooked the Aces in Game 1, dropping a cool 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting, adding five boards for good measure. It was a performance that reminded everyone why she's one of the all-time greats. And for those keeping track, New York came out with an 83-73 win, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

It wasn’t just Stewart though, Sabrina Ionescu added 21 points, including some clutch 3-pointers that flipped the momentum.

The Liberty are officially rolling, and Game 2 in Brooklyn on Tuesday promises to be another thriller.

Alyssa Thomas Comes Up Big for the Sun

Over in the other semifinal series, things got scrappy, just the way the Connecticut Sun like it. They edged out the Minnesota Lynx 73-70 in their series opener. Alyssa Thomas nearly notched a triple-double, putting up 17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals.

It was exactly the type of physical, low-scoring contest everyone expected from these two teams. The Sun thrive in that environment, and they proved it by outlasting the Lynx down the stretch. With Connecticut now holding a 1-0 series lead, Game 2 is sure to be another scrappy affair as the Lynx look to bounce back.

Caitlin Clark Named 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year

Caitlin Clark has been named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, according to reports. And to be honest, who didn’t see this coming? The Indiana Fever guard has been lighting it up all season, making her mark in a big way. Clark, who came into the league with sky-high expectations after a legendary college run at Iowa, somehow exceeded them.

Her rookie season started with some bumps, but once she found her rhythm? It was game over. By mid-season, Clark was already one of the best guards in the league, and post-Olympics, she went next level. She led the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and even cracked the MVP conversation, finishing fourth behind A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart.

Clark finished the season averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. She also set about a million records (OK, maybe not that many, but you get it). Most assists in a season, single-game assist record, rookie scoring record, and the first rookie to drop not one but two triple-doubles? Yeah, she’s a beast.

Napheesa Collier Earns Defensive Player of the Year Honors

Defensive star and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was named the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, joining Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles as the only players in franchise history to earn the honor. And honestly, it’s well-deserved.

Collier was a defensive juggernaut this season. She ranked second in the league with 1.9 steals per game and seventh with 1.4 blocks per game. Plus, her presence on the floor was a literal game-changer, when Collier was on the court, the Lynx had a stifling 92.2 defensive rating. Off the court? Things ballooned to 99.1.

Thanks to her leadership, the Lynx finished second in defensive rating and locked down the No. 2 seed in the playoffs after a monster post-Olympics run. Safe to say, defense wins championships, and Collier is out here proving it.

Cheryl Reeve Wins Both Coach and Executive of the Year

Cheryl Reeve, head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Lynx, just did what only one person before her has ever done, win both Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year in the same season.

Reeve, now the most decorated coach in WNBA history with four Coach of the Year awards, has been leading the Lynx since 2010, and she just keeps adding to her legacy. This season, she built a juggernaut. Her smart offseason moves, including adding key players like Alanna Smith and Natisha Hiedeman, set the stage for a dominant campaign.

Under her guidance, the Lynx roared to a 14-4 start and then went 13-2 after the Olympics, racking up a franchise-best 30 wins. Now, they’re sitting pretty as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. It’s safe to say Cheryl Reeve is the mastermind behind this incredible Lynx season.

Knicks Land Karl-Anthony Towns in a Blockbuster Trade

In a pre-training camp blockbuster, the Knicks traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves for none other than Karl-Anthony Towns.

This deal also involved Charlotte to make the finances work, with Minnesota grabbing a 2025 first-round pick (top-13 protected, via Detroit). But the headline here is that the Knicks just got one of the top offensive centers in the league.

This shakes things up for sure. Say goodbye to the Villanova Knicks reunion before it even started, but hey, you can’t complain when you’re adding KAT. Sure, Coach Thibs might lose some hair over Towns’ defense, but when a guy can light it up from downtown and handle business in the paint, you take the buckets and figure out the defense later.

Minnesota didn’t walk away empty-handed either. Adding Randle next to Gobert gives the Timberwolves a formidable frontcourt. Plus, picking up DiVincenzo brings solid guard depth. But let’s be real, this trade was about clearing cap space for the Wolves. This move helps them avoid becoming the NBA’s most expensive team thanks to that pesky CBA second tax apron. Randle’s future in Minnesota is TBD, but for now, let’s see how this fresh new lineup gels.

A.J. Griffin Takes a Leap of Faith

In a bit of a curveball, former Hawks first-rounder A.J. Griffin has officially stepped away from basketball...to follow a higher calling. After being waived by the Houston Rockets and receiving a $250k buyout, Griffin confirmed he’s “giving up basketball to follow Jesus” and is now on a path to become a minister.

Talk about a career change! Drafted 16th overall just two years ago, the 21-year-old Griffin had some promise, but apparently, this was all part of a bigger plan. Wishing him all the best as he trades slam dunks for sermons.

Grand Theft Alvarado Secures the Bag

You know him, you love him—Jose Alvarado is back for more in New Orleans. The Pelicans have locked up their defensive menace to a two-year, $9 million extension. This deal even includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, so Alvarado's future in the Big Easy is looking bright, at least for one more season.

Undrafted in 2021, Alvarado has defied expectations, becoming one of the league’s top turnover creators. Last season, he even hit a career-best 38% from beyond the arc. He might not be the tallest guy on the floor, but he’s got the heart and hustle to make up for it. This team-friendly deal is a huge win for the Pelicans, who’ll keep reaping the benefits of Alvarado's sneaky skills.

Bucks’ Khris Middleton Still Not Cleared for Full Action

Milwaukee Bucks fans, you might want to hold your breath. Khris Middleton, coming off surgery on both ankles, is not yet cleared for 5-on-5 action as training camp kicks off. That’s…not the best news when your championship window is narrowing.

Middleton struggled with injuries last season, averaging 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in limited action. The Bucks are being cautious with their star forward, and honestly, they have to be. At 33, Middleton is crucial to the Bucks’ hopes this season. They need him back in All-Star form if they want to contend for a title under Doc Rivers’ system. Let’s just hope he’s good to go sooner rather than later.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team