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Copper has career-high 38, Cunningham hits clutch 3s as Mercury top Dream 88-85
The Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 10:51 p.m. | Save Story
Kahleah Copper scored a career-high 38 points and combined with Sophie Cunningham for the last 16 points as the Phoenix Mercury recovered after losing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to beat the Atlanta Dream 88-85. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus had 11 points and Allisha Gray 10 in the fourth quarter as the Dream, down 70-60 with 8:43 to play, charged back to lead 81-74 at the 4:11 mark. Cunningham answered with a 3-pointer and Copper's four free throws pulled the Mercury within 83-81 with 1 1/2 minutes to play. Copper found Cunningham on the left side for a 3-pointer and the lead with 1:11 to play. Gray finished with 22 points for the Dream.
P.J. Washington's free throws finish rally as Mavs beat Thunder 117-116 to reach West finals
Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 10:40 p.m. | Save Story
P.J. Washington Jr. made two free throws before an intentional miss with 2.5 seconds left, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to a 117-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dallas moved on to the Western Conference finals for the second time in three seasons. Washington was fouled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a 3-point attempt after Chet Holmgren put the Thunder in front 116-115 with a dunk. The Thunder could only get a desperation shot from well past half court after Washington's missed free throw following two makes for a one-point lead. Dallas trailed by 17 in the second half. Luka Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points.
Sky use balanced attack, dominate fourth quarter to beat Wings 84-73 for season-opening split
The Associated Press | Posted May 18 - 8:37 p.m. | Save Story
Diamond DeShields led a balanced attack with 16 points and the Chicago Sky dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the Dallas Wings 83-74 to split the season-opening series. Chicago outscored Dallas 28-11 in the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit, getting contributions from a number of players while Arike Ogunbowale had nine of the 11 Wings' points. Marina Mabrey, who had all 14 of her points in the second half, got the Sky going with a 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Elizabeth Williams had back-to-back baskets before Angel Reese had a three-point play for a 67-65 Chicago lead with 6:29 to play. Reese finished a 14-0 run that made it 72-65 with 4 1/2 minutes left. Ogunbowale finished with 35 points for Dallas.
Young, Wilson post double-doubles to lead Aces over Sparks 89-82
The Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 5:34 p.m. | Save Story
Jackie Young and A'ja Wilson both scored 22 points and finished with double-doubles to power the Las Vegas Aces to an 89-82 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Young sank 8 of 18 shots, including 4 of 9 from 3-point range, and added 11 assists and six rebounds for two-time defending champion Las Vegas (2-0). Wilson hit 9 of 20 shots with a 3-pointer, grabbed 10 rebounds and added three steals. Dearica Hamby finished with 29 points to lead Los Angeles (0-2). Hamby hit 12 of 16 shots from the floor and 5 of 11 from the free-throw line. She added nine rebounds and three steals.
Hart, Anunoby listed as questionable to play for Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 against the Pacers
The Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 4:58 p.m. | Save Story
Starting forwards Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are both listed as questionable to play for the New York Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks have been without Anunoby since he strained his left hamstring in Game 2. He scored a career playoff-high 28 points that night as New York took a 2-0 lead. The Knicks are 26-5 with Anunoby in the lineup this season. Hart left Game 6 in the fourth quarter with an abdominal strain after he was clearly in discomfort multiple times during the game.
NBA features two Game 7s Sunday between teams that have experienced both ends of blowouts
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 4:37 p.m. | Save Story
There are two Game 7s in the NBA on Sunday. The Indiana Pacers play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. Out East, neither team has won a road game so far. But in the West, the Nuggets won twice in Minneapolis and the Timberwolves won twice in Denver. All four teams playing on Sunday have experienced both ends of blowouts in their respective series. But Michael Malone, coach of the reigning NBA champion Nuggets, fully expects a nail-biter on Sunday.
The WNBA is investigating whether Vegas tourism authority can sponsor Aces players for $100K each
Mark Anderson, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 4:22 p.m. | Save Story
The WNBA is investigating whether the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's $100,000 annual sponsorship to Aces player for this season and next is legal. The sponsorship does not violate the WNBA's salary cap because the Las Vegas authority did not orchestrate it with the club. But other teams are likely to raise questions about the fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violates the spirit of the cap rules. Authority CEO Steve Hill says the sponsorship was done "the right way." He says the team had nothing to do with it.
Stewart helps New York top Indiana again 91-80 despite strong game from Caitlin Clark
Doug Feinberg, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 3:51 p.m. | Save Story
Breanna Stewart scored 24 points to lead a balanced New York offense as the Liberty beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 91-80 in front of a sellout crowd. It was the second consecutive meeting between the teams who finished off a home and home set. Indiana lost on Thursday by 36 points, but was more competitive Saturday thanks to a strong effort by Clark. She finished with 22 points. It was the most in her young pro career. She also had eight assists, six rebounds and eight turnovers.
Clark helps Liberty become 1st WNBA team to have $2M+ in 1-game ticket revenue, AP source says
Doug Feinberg, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 2:37 p.m. | Save Story
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark helped bring in record ticket revenue for the New York Liberty in her first game in the Big Apple. The Liberty had more than $2 million in ticket revenue for the game, a WNBA record, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to talk about the team's revenue. The game was sold out and tickets were hot on the secondary market. Clark's first three games with the Fever have been huge for attendance.
Napheesa Collier scores 29 to help the Lynx beat the Storm 102-93 in double overtime
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 10:49 p.m. | Save Story
Napheesa Collier had 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and six steals, Kayla McBride added 19 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 102-93 in double overtime on Friday night. Minnesota led 78-67 with 3:22 left in regulation before Seattle scored the next 11 points. McBride missed two free throws with 24.1 seconds left in regulation and she fouled Jewell Loyd on a 3-point attempt at the other end. Loyd made all three free throws to tie it at 78-all. Collier made the first of two free throws to tie it at 88-all with 2.7 seconds left in the first overtime. But she missed the second free throw. Collier and McBride each made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to start the second overtime.
Siakam helps Pacers beat Knicks 116-103 in Game 6 to send Eastern Conference semifinals to the limit
Michael Marot, Associated Press | Updated May 17 - 10:27 p.m. | Save Story
Pascal Siakam scored 25 points and Myles Turner added 17 points to help the Indiana Pacers turned the tables on New York with a 116-103 victory to even the Eastern Conference semifinal at 3-3. The decisive Game 7 will be played Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Indiana outhustled the Knicks after getting dominated on the glass in Game 5 and the difference was obvious as Indiana never trailed in the second half. Jalen Brunson again led the severely short-handed Knicks with 31 points on 11 of 26 shooting. Josh Hart did not finish the game because of abdominal soreness after playing nearly 31 minutes.
Josh Hart leaves Game 6 versus Pacers with what Knicks say is abdominal soreness
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 9:01 p.m. | Save Story
Josh Hart left in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Indiana on Friday night with what the New York Knicks said was abdominal soreness. Hart was seen holding his midsection multiple times during the game and asked to be taken out. Hart played just 31 minutes before becoming the latest injury for a team decimated by them. With All-Star Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic all sidelined, Hart has been one of the Knicks' most dependable players. He logged all 48 minutes three times in the postseason and came into the game leading all players in total minutes played, and trailing only MVP Nikola Jokic in total rebounds.
The Sun score 15 straight points in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Mystics 84-77
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 8:07 p.m. | Save Story
DeWanna Bonner had 22 points and six of Connecticut's 14 steals, DiJonai Carrington added 21 points and the Sun used a big fourth quarter to beat the Washington Mystics 84-77. Connecticut has won 10 of the last 11 regular-season meetings with Washington. Connecticut trailed 62-56 with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter before scoring the next 15 points to take a 71-62 lead. The Sun finished with 32 points in quarter after scoring just 36 in the first half. Julie Vanloo, a 31-year-old rookie, completed a three-point play with 1:50 left to get Washington within 75-72 but Tyasha Harris answered with a basket and free throw at the other end. Bonner grabbed an offensive rebound and made a shot in the paint with 27.1 seconds left for an 82-75 lead.
Budenholzer reminisces on Arizona past, but quickly turns to future leading the Phoenix Suns
David Brandt, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 3:01 p.m. | Save Story
Mike Budenholzer was introduced as coach of the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The 54-year-old is savoring his chance to lead the team he grew up following. Budenholzer is from Holbrook, a small Arizona town about three hours northeast of Phoenix. Budenholzer spoke in front of a few dozen family and friends, including his 94-year-old dad Vince, who he called "the original coach Bud." The two-time NBA coach of the year will be charged with getting more out of the team's All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as the franchise continues its chase for a championship.
Las Vegas Aces sell out a WNBA-record 15 of 20 home games
Mark Anderson, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 1:11 p.m. | Save Story
The Las Vegas Aces have sold out 15 of their 20 home games. It's the most in WNBA history. Las Vegas in March became the first team to sell out its allotment of season tickets. The only games where individual tickets remain at Michelob Ultra Arena are Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury, Aug. 30 against the Atlanta Dream, Sept. 15 against the Connecticut Sun and Sept. 19 against the Dallas Wings. Tickets also remain for the Sept. 3 game against the Chicago Sky at T-Mobile Arena. The Aces are chasing a third consecutive championship.
Dallas Wings' Natasha Howard will miss up to 6 weeks after breaking foot in season opener
Dallas, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 9:45 a.m. | Save Story
Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard is expected to miss up to six weeks after breaking her foot in a season-opening victory on Wednesday. Howard's injury left the Wings with only eight healthy players. That enabled the Wings to sign free agent Monique Billings to a salary-cap hardship contract. Billings' hardship contract must be terminated once the Wings have 10 other players available. The 32-year-old Howard had 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists Wednesday in Dallas' 87-79 win over the Chicago Sky. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 16.5 points and 8 rebounds for the Wings last season.
Murray's elbow is hurting after early injury and 4-for-18 shooting night in Game 6 flop by Nuggets
Dave Campbell, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 12:24 a.m. | Save Story
Jamal Murray failed to make a fadeaway on Denver's first possession and then tried a floater that spun around the rim and spit out in portending fashion. Neither of those misses hurt the normally smooth-shooting Nuggets point guard like what came next for him on defense in Minnesota in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. Murray hurt his right elbow trying to move around a high screen by Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert early in the first quarter of the 110-75 loss in Game 6. He finished 4 for 18 from the floor for 10 points.
Timberwolves force Game 7 by blowing out Nuggets 115-70 behind 27 points from Anthony Edwards
Dave Campbell, Associated Press | Updated May 16 - 11:38 p.m. | Save Story
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points to pull the Minnesota Timberwolves out of their mid-series slump and deliver a flawless 115-70 victory over the Denver Nuggets to force a Game 7 in this roller-coaster playoff matchup. Jaden McDaniels pitched in 21 points and lockdown defense, and Mike Conley had 13 points in his return from injury. Big men Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid combined for 38 rebounds and a relentless effort to keep NBA MVP Nikola Jokic to a relatively quiet 22 points. The decisive game for a spot in the Western Conference finals is in Denver on Sunday.
Breanna Stewart ruins Caitlin Clark's home debut by leading Liberty past Fever 102-66
Michael Marot, Associated Press | Updated May 16 - 9:02 p.m. | Save Story
none after the first quarter. But the Liberty pulled away with a 12-0 second-quarter run and never let the Fever get within single-digits in front of a sellout crowd of 17,274.
