WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome back to "WNBA Dimes," your go-to for all things hoops and high-flying action. I'm Brooke, your host, bringing you the latest from the world of basketball with a sprinkle of sass and a dash of wit. Let's dive into some thrilling Game 3 recaps, shall we?
First up, the Indiana Fever pulled off an incredible upset, edging out the Atlanta Dream 87-85. It's been a long time coming for the Fever, securing their first playoff series win since 2015. Talk about a Cinderella story! Aliyah Boston was the hero of the night, delivering a clutch layup with just 7.4 seconds on the clock. She finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Lexie Hull wasn't about to let Atlanta have the last word, sealing the win with a crucial steal. Kelsey Mitchell was on fire, leading with 24 points, while Odyssey Sims added her flair with 16 points and eight assists. Despite the Dream's efforts, led by Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada, they just couldn't keep the Fever at bay. What a night!
Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, the Las Vegas Aces narrowly defeated the Seattle Storm 74-73. A nail-biter indeed! A’ja Wilson was unstoppable, scoring a playoff career-high of 38 points, 25 of which came in the second half. But the real magic moment? Jackie Young swooping in for a hustling putback that sealed the deal for the Aces after Wilson's missed shot. The Aces are on their seventh straight semifinal appearance, and they're not stopping! Seattle put up a valiant fight, with Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins keeping things tight, but their season ended with Erica Wheeler's last-second attempt just rimmed out.
Phoenix Mercury fans, I haven’t forgotten you! The Mercury blazed past the defending champion New York Liberty, forcing a decisive Game 3 with an 86-60 victory. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas were in sync, both scoring 15 points. Thomas also added seven assists and five rebounds, earning her coach's praise as a “savant.” The Mercury were on fire, especially in transition with 20 fast-break points. The Liberty, despite Breanna Stewart's brave showing with an MCL sprain, couldn't find their rhythm.
Time for some player spotlight! The WNBA announced Co-Defensive Players of the Year: A’ja Wilson and Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith. Wilson's a powerhouse, leading the league in blocks and steals while averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. This marks her third title—she's making collecting awards look easy! Smith's first win highlights her elite skills, helping the Lynx to the top record at 34-10. These ladies are redefining defense, and it's a joy to watch.
Looking ahead, buckle up for the semifinals! In the West, Minnesota hosts the Los Angeles Sparks, while Phoenix faces Tulsa. Over in the East, New York takes on Washington, and Chicago welcomes Indiana. All games will be best-of-five, and the competition promises to be fiercer than ever. Who's ready for more action?
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of "WNBA Dimes." Whether it's upsets, defensive masterclasses, or nail-biting finishes, this postseason is packed with excitement. Keep those sneakers laced, and remember, it's always Cookie O'Clock somewhere. Catch you next time!
## WNBA Dimes: September 18, 2025
### Thrilling Game 3 Recaps
**Fever Shock Dream 87-85 to Clinch Semifinals Berth**
In a dramatic end to the first-round series, the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever edged out the No. 3 Atlanta Dream 87-85 on Thursday night in College Park, Ga., securing their first playoff series win since 2015 and advancing to the WNBA semifinals for the first time this decade. After trading leads throughout the fourth quarter, Aliyah Boston delivered the go-ahead layup with 7.4 seconds remaining, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Lexie Hull sealed the victory by stealing the inbound pass and thwarting Atlanta’s final attempt at a buzzer-beater ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820320?utm_source=openai)).
Kelsey Mitchell paced the Fever with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while Odyssey Sims chipped in 16 points and eight assists. Indiana overcame the absence of injured star Caitlin Clark, riding a 7-0 run over the final two minutes to complete the upset. Despite Allisha Gray’s 19-point, 12-rebound double-double and Jordin Canada’s 18 points and 10 assists, Atlanta fell just short, marking their deepest postseason exit since 2016 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820320?utm_source=openai)).
**Aces Hold Off Storm 74-73 in Decisive Game 3**
On the West Coast, the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces survived a late Seattle Storm surge, prevailing 74-73 at Michelob ULTRA Arena to clinch their seventh consecutive semifinal appearance. A’ja Wilson poured in a playoff career-high 38 points, including 25 in the second half, and hauled in 10 rebounds. However, it was Jackie Young’s hustle play—a putback with 12.4 seconds left—that ultimately decided the contest after Wilson missed a potential go-ahead jumper ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820321?utm_source=openai)).
Las Vegas shot 45.9% overall (28-of-61) but struggled from deep (3-of-12), while the Storm connected on 7-of-18 threes. Chelsea Gray added 12 points and eight assists for the Aces. For Seattle, Nneka Ogwumike tallied 16 points and Skylar Diggins chipped in 13, but Erica Wheeler’s last-second attempt rimmed out, ending the Storm’s season. The tight finish underscored the parity and intensity of the new best-of-three playoff format ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820321?utm_source=openai)).
### Phoenix Mercury Force Decisive Game 3
The Phoenix Mercury leveled their series against the defending champion New York Liberty with a commanding 86-60 victory on Wednesday night in Brooklyn. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each scored 15 points, with Thomas also contributing seven assists and five rebounds to earn praise as a “savant” by coach Nate Tibbetts. Phoenix led by as many as 20 points, shooting 47.9% from the floor and dominating in transition with 20 fast-break points ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820318?utm_source=openai)).
Supporting efforts included Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner with 14 points apiece, while Emma Meesseman added 11. New York struggled, shooting just 30.2% and committing 15 turnovers, despite Breanna Stewart suiting up on a sprained MCL. The Liberty will look to bounce back in Friday’s elimination Game 3 in Phoenix ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820318?utm_source=openai)).
### Co-Defensive Players of the Year Honored
In league-wide news, the WNBA announced its Co-Defensive Players of the Year on Thursday, with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson and Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith each receiving 29 of 72 media votes. Wilson led all players with 92 blocks and 64 steals, averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, and anchored a league-best scoring defense en route to a 16-game winning streak to close the regular season. Smith ranked third in blocks (80) and tied for 10th in steals (55), helping the Lynx finish with the WNBA’s top record at 34-10 ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/alanna-smith-aja-wilson-share-defensive-player-year-honors--flm-2025-09-18/?utm_source=openai)).
This marks Wilson’s third Defensive Player of the Year award (2022, 2023, 2025) and Smith’s first. Both players’ elite rim protection and perimeter versatility were credited with shifting the defensive identity of their teams, and they will each receive a commemorative trophy and prize money for their achievements ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/alanna-smith-aja-wilson-share-defensive-player-year-honors--flm-2025-09-18/?utm_source=openai)).
### Looking Ahead: Semifinals Schedule
With the first round complete, the WNBA announced the conference semifinal schedules on Thursday. In the Western Conference, top-seeded Minnesota will host the Los Angeles Sparks for Game 1 on Friday, September 18 at 9:00 PM ET on NBA TV, while Phoenix will face Tulsa for their opener on Saturday, September 19 at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN2. In the East, New York and Washington open their best-of-five series Friday at 7:00 PM ET on NBA TV, and Chicago will welcome Indiana on Saturday at 7:00 PM ET on NBA TV ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-playoff-schedule-and-times-announced?utm_source=openai)).
All semifinal games will be best-of-five, with full broadcast details available on WNBA.com. As the playoffs intensify, storylines abound—from Indiana’s Cinderella run to Las Vegas’s bid for a fourth championship—underscoring a thrilling postseason that promises high stakes and elite competition ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-playoff-schedule-and-times-announced?utm_source=openai)).
More Episodes from WNBA Dimes
WNBA Dimes
October 15, 2025
WNBA Dimes
October 14, 2025