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! Brooke here, bringing you another dunk-worthy episode of "WNBA Dimes." Let's dive right into Tuesday's thrilling semifinals. We had two very different narratives: an epic comeback in Minneapolis and a home court domination in Las Vegas. Buckle up, it's game time!
First up, the Minnesota Lynx hosted the Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx came out swinging, building a massive 20-point lead with some impressive shooting and that buzzing home crowd energy. But just when you thought it was all locked up, the Mercury decided to put on a show!
Phoenix delivered one of the most stunning comebacks in WNBA playoff history, rallying back from that 20-point hole to win 89-83 in overtime. Talk about suspense! Sami Whitcomb knocked down a jaw-dropping three-pointer off the glass to tie it up in the final seconds of regulation. And in overtime, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally took charge, sealing the victory and tying the series 1-1.
Key players like Satou Sabally, who dropped 24 points and sparked the rally with 11 in the fourth quarter, and Alyssa Thomas, with 19 points and 13 assists, orchestrated that second-half spectacle. Not to be outdone, Sami Whitcomb added crucial plays off the bench. As for the Lynx, Napheesa Collier led with 25 points, showing real leadership on the court despite the tough loss.
Now, let's pivot to Sin City, where the Las Vegas Aces enjoyed a decisive bounce-back win against the Indiana Fever, finishing at 90-68. After a surprising Game 1 loss, the Aces were all business from the start. They outscored the Fever in every quarter and showcased why they're such a feared team. A’ja Wilson reclaimed her MVP form, posting 25 points and a career-high 5 steals.
The Aces capitalized on Indiana’s struggles, including 22 turnovers, which shifted the momentum to their favor. NaLyssa Smith added 18 points against her former team, showing no mercy. Meanwhile, the Fever's Odyssey Sims put up a commendable 18 points, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
With both series tied at one game apiece, the stage is set for more basketball drama. Phoenix heads back home, buoyed by their historical resilience, and the Aces travel to face the Fever in Indiana. Expect high-energy matchups and strategic brilliance as the teams look to seize the upper hand.
And a quick shoutout to all the fans out there — WNBA viewership is climbing higher than ever, marking the second-highest first-round audience in league history. So, make sure you're tuned in, because these playoffs are delivering all the thrills!
That's it for today's Cookie O'Clock! Thanks for hanging out with me on "WNBA Dimes." Until next time, keep those cookies warm and your basketball hearts warmer. See you on the court!
## Semifinals Round 2 Recaps
Tuesday’s doubleheader in the WNBA semifinals delivered contrasting narratives: a historic comeback in Minneapolis and a dominant home victory in Las Vegas. In Game 2 of the (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (4) Phoenix Mercury series, the Mercury erased a 20-point deficit to win 89-83 in overtime, knotting the best-of-five at 1-1. Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, the Las Vegas Aces rebounded from their Game 1 loss to rout the Indiana Fever 90-68, also leveling their series at 1-1 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46030946/wnba-playoffs-schedule-2025-games-first-round-semifinals-finals-scores-results-news-highlights)).
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### Phoenix Mercury 89, Minnesota Lynx 83 (OT)
• Date/Time: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2025, 10:09 pm ET
• Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN (atten. 15,432)
• Series: Tied 1-1 (Game 3 Friday, 9:30 pm ET on ESPN2)
Minnesota jumped out to a commanding 47-27 lead at halftime, buoyed by clutch shooting and home-court energy. The Lynx extended the cushion to 20 points in the third quarter before Phoenix mounted one of the most remarkable rallies in playoff history—only the second 20-point comeback on the road in WNBA postseason play. Sami Whitcomb’s off-the-glass three with 4 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, where veteran Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally sealed the upset ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46360487/wnba-playoffs-2025-semifinals-game-2-analysis-highlights-news-scores?utm_source=openai)).
#### Key Performers
- Satou Sabally (PHX): 24 pts on 9-22 FG, 7 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl; scored 11 in Q4 to spark the rally ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
- Alyssa Thomas (PHX): 19 pts, 13 ast, 8 reb (2 stl); orchestrated the second-half surge and excelled in extra session ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
- Sami Whitcomb (PHX): 13 pts, including the game-tying three; added 6 ast and 2 stl off the bench ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
- Napheesa Collier (MIN): 25 pts, 8 reb; led Minnesota’s first-half dominance but could not close it out ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
- Courtney Williams (MIN): 15 pts, 9 ast; orchestrated Lynx offense early before Phoenix’s defensive adjustments ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
#### Game Flow by Quarter
- 1st Q: MIN 21-19 PHX
- 2nd Q: MIN 27-13 PHX (HALF: MIN up 48-32)
- 3rd Q: PHX 22-14 MIN (MIN leads 62-54)
- 4th Q: PHX 25-17 MIN (Tied 79-79)
- OT: PHX 10-4 MIN ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820330?utm_source=openai))
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### Las Vegas Aces 90, Indiana Fever 68
• Date/Time: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2025, 9:30 pm ET
• Location: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, NV (atten. 12,004)
• Series: Tied 1-1 (Game 3 Friday, 7:30 pm ET on ESPN2)
Rebounding from a surprising 89-73 Game 1 loss, the Aces imposed their will from the opening tip. Las Vegas outscored Indiana in every quarter en route to a 26-17 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Fever struggled with 22 turnovers and were outmuscled on the boards, snapping their early playoff momentum ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46030946/wnba-playoffs-schedule-2025-games-first-round-semifinals-finals-scores-results-news-highlights)).
#### Key Performers
- A’ja Wilson (LVA): 25 pts on 10-18 FG, 9 reb, career-high 5 stl; regained MVP-form after 6-22 outing in Game 1 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
- NaLyssa Smith (LVA): 18 pts on 7-9 FG, 6 reb; attacked former team with aggression and efficiency ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
- Jackie Young (LVA): 13 pts; provided consistent scoring off the bench ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
- Jewell Loyd (LVA): 10 pts; hit key mid-range jumpers to sustain the lead ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
- Odyssey Sims (IND): 18 pts, 7 ast; lone bright spot amid offensive doldrums ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
- Lexie Hull (IND): 15 pts; battled through back brace to spark Fever backcourt ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820331?utm_source=openai))
#### Team Comparisons
Statistic | Aces (LVA) | Fever (IND)
--- | --- | ---
Field Goals | 35-65 (53.8%) | 25-61 (41.0%)
3-PT FG | 5-12 (41.7%) | 7-20 (35.0%)
Free Throws | 15-21 (71.4%) | 11-15 (73.3%)
Total Rebounds | 38 | 38
Assists | 22 | 18
Steals | 12 | 5
Turnovers | 14 | 18 ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/boxscore/WNBA_20250923_IND%40LVA/?utm_source=openai))
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## Series Context & Looking Ahead
With both semifinal matchups now knotted at 1-1, momentum swings will be crucial as the series shifts venues for Games 3 and 4. Phoenix returns home to Footprint Center (Game 3 Friday at 9:30 pm ET, ESPN2) aiming to capitalize on its historic resilience, while the Aces head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Fever on Friday at 7:30 pm ET (ESPN2). The Fever enter their first home playoff games since 2016 still without star Caitlin Clark (toe), and will lean on veteran leadership and a raucous crowd to regain an edge ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46030946/wnba-playoffs-schedule-2025-games-first-round-semifinals-finals-scores-results-news-highlights?utm_source=openai)).
Playoff viewership continues to surge, with an average of 943,000 across broadcast and cable—the second-highest first-round audience in league history—underscoring the WNBA’s growing national profile ([the-sun.com](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15245870/wnba-playoff-viewership-soaring-indiana-fever-caitlin-clark/?utm_source=openai)). As teams adapt their rotations and adjust game plans, fans can expect another wave of dramatic shifts and standout performances in the coming days.
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