WNBA Dimes

## WNBA Dimes: September 17, 2025

### Game Recaps

**Phoenix Mercury 86, New York Liberty 60**
In Game 2 of the first-round playoff series at Barclays Center, the Phoenix Mercury evened the best-of-three series at 1-1 with a commanding 86-60 victory over the New York Liberty. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each poured in 15 points, while role players Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner chipped in 14 apiece to fuel Phoenix’s 26-7 run to close the third quarter. The Mercury dominated in transition, outscoring New York 28-12 on fast breaks, and controlled the paint with a 42-30 rebounding edge.
- Phoenix shot 47.9% (33-of-69) from the field and hit 8 of 24 three-point attempts.
- New York struggled mightily, going 5-for-31 in the second and third quarters, committing 15 turnovers that led to 25 Mercury points, and shooting 27.8% overall (20-of-72).
- Breanna Stewart returned from a sprained MCL but was limited to six points on 3-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes. Sabrina Ionescu managed nine points but went 3-for-13 from the floor; Emma Meesseman led the Liberty with 11 points.

With the series now tied 1-1, Game 3 shifts back to Phoenix on Friday, September 19, where the winner advances to face the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/boxscore/WNBA_20250917_PHO%40NYL/?utm_source=openai)).

**Minnesota Lynx 75, Golden State Valkyries 74**
Later Wednesday, the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx completed a swift first-round sweep by rallying from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to edge the eighth-seeded Golden State Valkyries 75-74 at the SAP Center in San Jose. Napheesa Collier led the comeback with 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting, drilling the go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 remaining.
- After falling behind 53-36 early in the fourth, Minnesota outscored Golden State 39-21 over the final period.
- Collier also hauled in seven rebounds and dished three assists; Kayla McBride added 12 points, including a key scoop shot for the lead with 2:48 to play.
- The Valkyries saw four starters in double figures, led by Veronica Burton (14 points) and Cecilia Zandalasini (14), but managed only 11 points in the final frame. A last-second jumper by Zandalasini rimmed out, sealing Golden State’s elimination.

Minnesota advances to the semifinals, marking the Lynx’s 16th semifinal appearance in franchise history, while Golden State’s historic inaugural season concludes with a 23-21 record—the best-ever debut by an expansion team ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/boxscore/WNBA_20250917_MIN%40GS/?utm_source=openai)).

### Player and Injury Notes

- **Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty**: Despite a sprained MCL sustained in Game 1, Stewart passed MRI tests and suited up for Game 2. Her limited 20-minute outing yielded six points, six rebounds and one block as she tested the knee through live action. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello indicated Stewart will be evaluated daily before Game 3 in Phoenix ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/libertys-breanna-stewart-knee-play-game-2-vs-mercury--flm-2025-09-17/?utm_source=openai)).
- **Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx**: Collier’s 24-point eruption in Game 2 thrust her back into MVP conversations. Through two playoff games she’s averaging 22.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, shooting 58% from the field. Her late-game heroics continue a season in which she led Minnesota in scoring (23.5 ppg) and anchored the league’s top defense ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46298914/lynx-mount-17-point-rally-top-valkyries-make-wnba-semifinals?utm_source=openai)).

### Awards and League News

**WNBA Coach of the Year**
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase earned the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year award after guiding the expansion franchise to a 23-21 record and its first playoff berth. Nakase captured 53 of 72 votes from a national panel, becoming the first Asian-American to win the honor and the first coach to lead an expansion team to the postseason in its inaugural season. Under her defense-centric system, the Valkyries allowed a league-low 76.3 points per game and ranked first in opponent shooting percentage and three-pointers made per game ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/valkyries-natalie-nakase-named-wnba-coach-year--flm-2025-09-17/?utm_source=openai)).

**Most Improved Player**
Golden State guard Veronica Burton was named the 2025 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player after a breakout campaign in which she averaged career highs of 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals over 44 games. Burton garnered 68 of 72 votes, becoming the first player in league history to increase her per-game averages by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists in consecutive seasons. Her historic performance included a 24-point, 14-assist outing with zero turnovers on August 19 vs. Phoenix ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/burton-2025-mip?utm_source=openai)).

**Rookie of the Year**
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers secured the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year award, earning 70 of 72 votes after averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 36 starts. Bueckers led all rookies in total points (692) and assists (194), shot 47.4% from the field and 88.8% from the free-throw line, and finished third all-time among rookies in single-season scoring and assists ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/bueckers-2025-roty?utm_source=openai)).

### What’s Next

- **New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury, Game 3**: Friday, September 19 in Phoenix. Liberty must win to avoid elimination; Mercury look to close the series and advance.
- **Minnesota Lynx**: Await semifinal opponent. With home-court advantage secured, the Lynx will prepare to host the winner of the Dream–Fever series beginning Sunday.

Stay tuned to WNBA Dimes for continued coverage of playoff developments, player spotlights and league news.