Basketball never stops. Daytime EuroBasket, night-time WNBA, and a playoff push that’s getting tighter by the night. Here’s what happened on a busy night across the league.
Night results
– Minnesota Lynx routed the Connecticut Sun, with five players finishing with more than 15 points. Alanna Smith and DiJonai Carrington each had 18, Napheesa Collier 17, and Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride each 15. It was the Lynx’s 31st win of the season, a franchise record.
– Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury also paced their wins, prevailing over the Chicago Sky and the New York Liberty respectively. Gabby Williams filled the stat sheet for Seattle with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, while Marine Johannes struggled for Phoenix, held to 4 points as Kahleah Copper and the Liberty’s defense pressed.
– The night’s marquee clash played out in the Bay Area, where the Valkyries delivered a massive blowout of the Washington Mystics. French teammates stole the show: Carla Leite poured in 19 points and 6 assists in 19 minutes on 100 percent shooting from the floor, and Janelle Salaün added 20 points and 6 rebounds, using a varied offensive arsenal and strong physical play to seal the win. The duo’s performance gave the Valkyries a vivid blue-blanc-rouge highlight reel.
– Among the other French players in action, Iliana Ruport contributed for Golden State with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Leïla Lacan had a rough night with 6 points and 5 assists for Sun, while Migna Touré offered a bright spark with 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 2-for-2 from long range—the strongest scoring night she has posted since joining Connecticut.
Playoff push and tonight’s outlook
With playoffs looming, every game matters. The Sparks, sitting ninth, will look to climb the standings and cling to postseason hopes as they face Washington. They’re chasing the Valkyries, who also play tonight against the Fever in what’s become a tight fight for 6th through 9th place. The landscape remains crowded, and every result tonight reshapes the race.
Key takeaways
– The Lynx’s franchise-record win showcases depth and balanced scoring as they head toward the postseason.
– The Valkyries’ French duo delivered a standout performance, signaling a potential turning point for the team and for French players continuing to make an impact in the league.
– The playoff picture remains highly compressed, with several teams in contention for the final spots, making every remaining game a must-watch.
Summary
A night of explosive offense and standout performances across the league underscored how tight the playoff race has become. The Lynx set a franchise benchmark with a dominant win; Valkyries’ French stars lit up the floor; and teams at the edge of the postseason landscape are trading wins and losses in a sprint to the finish.
Positive note
If you’re following the race for the final playoff spots, the coming days look exciting as top contenders tighten up their rotations and young talents continue to rise to the occasion.