WNBA Dimes

## WNBA Dimes: September 16, 2025

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the WNBA’s first-round playoff series continued with two pivotal Game 2 matchups: the No. 3 Atlanta Dream at No. 6 Indiana Fever at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces at No. 7 Seattle Storm at 9:30 p.m. ET. Both series were knotted at 1–1 following dramatic outcomes in Game 1, setting the stage for winner-take-all Game 3 tilts. The Dream sought to clinch their series on the road in Indianapolis, while the Aces aimed to eliminate the Storm in Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. These matchups underscored contrasting narratives: Indiana’s home resurgence against a re-energized Fever roster and Seattle’s bid to snap a multi-year playoff victory drought against the juggernaut Aces ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2025-wnba-playoffs-schedule-scores-tv-channel-live-stream-bracket-with-first-round-underway/amp/?utm_source=openai)).

## Scores and Recaps

### Indiana Fever 77, Atlanta Dream 60

In Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever emphatically responded to their 80–68 Game 1 loss by throttling the Dream 77–60. Indiana’s balanced attack was spearheaded by Kelsey Mitchell’s 19 points, while Lexie Hull’s corner buzzer-beater capped a decisive 19–7 third-quarter run that swung momentum irreversibly in favor of the Fever. Head coach Stephanie White lauded her team’s “We all we got. We all we need” mantra as the squad delivered suffocating defense and opportunistic offense. Bench standouts Aerial Powers contributed seven rebounds, and rookie Brianna Turner added key defensive stops down the stretch. The victory marked Indiana’s first home postseason win since 2015 and forced a winner-take-all Game 3 back in Atlanta ([sbnation.com](https://www.sbnation.com/womens-sports/1080666/indiana-fever-atlanta-dream-recap-wnba-playoffs-box-score-stats-kelsey-mitchell-aliyah-boston?utm_source=openai)).

### Seattle Storm 86, Las Vegas Aces 83

In a nail-biter at Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm snapped the Aces’ franchise-record 17-game win streak by edging Las Vegas 86–83. Skylar Diggins delivered a statement performance with a game-high 26 points and nailed the decisive jumper from the free-throw line with 4.2 seconds remaining. Nneka Ogwumike added 24 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring Seattle’s resurgence after trailing by nine late in the fourth. Dominique Malonga chipped in an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Erica Wheeler scored 11 off the bench. The loss was Las Vegas’s first since August 2; Jackie Young led the Aces with 25 points, while MVP candidate A’ja Wilson posted a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double. The win tied the series at 1–1 and sets up a decisive Game 3 back in Las Vegas ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820317?utm_source=openai)).

## Player Highlights and Statistics

Tuesday’s action showcased standout individual efforts across both venues. For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell’s efficient 19-point outing (7-for-17 FG, 1-for-6 3PT, 8-for-8 FT) and Lexie Hull’s playoff-bruiser mentality were critical in establishing a 17-point margin. In Seattle, Diggins shot 10-for-18 overall and 6-for-7 from the line, while Ogwumike controlled the glass with 12 defensive rebounds. The Aces’ stat sheet featured Wilson’s 13 boards (1 offensive) and Young’s 5 assists, though the duo could not contain Seattle’s late surge. Overall, both games reflected the growing depth of postseason rosters, with bench contributors like Powers, Turner, Malonga, and Wheeler making impacts that may influence rotational decisions in the decisive Game 3s ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/boxscore/_/gameId/401820317?utm_source=openai)).

## Awards and Honors

In league-wide news on September 16, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers was officially named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Bueckers, the No. 1 overall draft pick and former UConn star, led all rookies with averages of 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game across 36 starts, shooting 47.4% from the field. She made history as the first rookie to post at least 15 points and five assists per contest, highlighted by a franchise-record 44-point explosion on August 20 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics was the only player to draw votes besides Bueckers, finishing runner-up with two votes; Citron averaged 14.9 points on 47.0/44.5/87.2 shooting splits ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/wings-paige-bueckers-claims-rookie-year-honors--flm-2025-09-16/?utm_source=openai)).

## League News and Broadcast Notes

The WNBA’s momentum extends off the court: ESPN networks reported delivering the most-watched WNBA regular season ever, with an average of 1.3 million viewers across 25 games—up six percent from last year. Eight of the top 10 most-watched games aired on ESPN channels, including a record 2.7 million viewers for Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever on ABC. Digital platforms also thrived; “WNBA Countdown” averaged 549,000 viewers, up seven percent, while Hoop Streams and “The Wrap-Up” saw 15-percent year-over-year growth in viewership and a 61-percent increase in average watch time. As the postseason unfolds, ESPN will exclusively televise the 2025 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google, further elevating the league’s profile ([espnpressroom.com](https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/09/espn-networks-deliver-most-watched-wnba-regular-season-ever/?utm_source=openai)).