WNBA Basketball, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards

Cambage has 43 points, Wings clinch final WNBA playoff spot - 7 hours ago

Elizabeth Cambage (6'8''-C-91) had 43 points and 13 rebounds and the Dallas Wings beat the Las Vegas Aces 107-102 on Friday night to clinch the final WNBA playoff spot and end a nine-game losing streak. It ended a turbulent stretch for Dallas, giving interim coach Taj McWilliams-Franklin her first victory. The Wings hadn't won since July 19, leading to the firing of coach Fred Williams on Sunday. Skylar Diggins (5'9''-G-90, college: Notre Dame) drove the lane and made a contested layup to... [read more]

Kayla
McBride

Kayla McBride ignites Aces victory, tie for No. 8 - 2 days ago

Aces guard Kayla McBride (5'11''-G-92, college: Notre Dame) unproductively slogged through the first three quarters against the New York Liberty on Wednesday night, prompting a personal challenge from coach Bill Laimbeer before the start of the fourth. 'Are you ready to play?' McBride recalled Laimbeer asking. 'Are you ready to go back in the game and actually do something?' She certainly was. McBride scored all 15 of her points in the final quarter to help the Aces seal an 85-72 home victory over the pesky Liberty, and tie the Dallas Wings for the WNBA's eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining. Both teams are 14-18, and Las Vegas plays at Dallas on Friday. The Wings won the first two meetings and hold the tiebreaker, but the Aces control their destiny and will make the playoffs if they win out - regardless of how Dallas concludes its season. 'I told (the players) at the start of the season, that at the end of the season, we wanted to be the team that no one wanted to play,' Laimbeer said. 'I think we've accomplished that goal, and I think that teams don't want to play us. We're at the point now where we have a chance.' That's right. The same Aces that lost seven of their first eight games this season still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. The same Aces that lost their first five games in August still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. 'We're trying to prove something,' McBride said. 'We're not San Antonio. We're not the losing team we've been the last couple years. We're trying to prove that to the whole league.' The Aces opened the game with a 22-3 run behind flurries of baskets from A'Ja Wilson (6'5''-F-96, college: S.Carolina) and Kelsey Plum (5'8''-G-94, college: Washington). Naturally, they relaxed in the second and third quarters, allowing the Liberty (7-25) to pull within nine points despite the absence of star center Tina Charles (6'4''-C-88, college: Connecticut), who sat out with back spasms. McBride, admittedly tired and sluggish early, ignited the Aces in the fourth with a trio of early baskets, and all but clinched the win with a 3-pointer and layup in the final 100 seconds. New York called timeout, McBride screamed in triumph and the season-high 7,159 in attendance roared in support of their potential playoff team. 'We just don't give up,' McBride said. 'We have this chip on our shoulder and we feed off of it, and that's what's continued our success. Obviously, we have a long way to go. There are a lot more experienced teams in the league. But that's what we're feeding off of right now.' The Aces depart for Dallas on Thursday and will have a day to prepare for the Wings, who have lost nine consecutive games and fired coach Fred Williams on Sunday. They're just as desperate as Las Vegas. Survive and advance. 'Starting off at 1-7, I don't think people even thought of us even having a chance at the playoffs,' Wilson said after scoring a game-high 19 points. 'Now look at us. We're right there.'
Courtesy of: reviewjournal.com

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Renee
Montgomery

Dream's Renee Montgomery hits 8 3s to tie WNBA record - 5 days ago

Renee Montgomery (5'7''-PG-86, college: Connecticut, agency: LBM Management) hit eight 3-pointers to match to WNBA regular-season record and scored a season-high 30 points to help the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 86-77 on Sunday for their sixth straight victory. Diana Taurasi (6'0''-SG-82, college: Connecticut), Riquna Williams (5'7''-PG-90, college: Miami, FL, agency: BeoBasket) and Shekinna Stricklen (6'2''-G/F-90, college: Tennessee) also have hit eight 3-pointers in a game.... [read more]