WNBA

Looking to end the worst start in franchise history, the Connecticut Sun again seek their first win in the "wubble" Thursday when they face the Dallas Wings. Last year's WNBA runners-up, the Sun are 0-5 for the first time in history dating back to when the franchise entered the league in 1999 as the Orlando Miracle. While Connecticut did retool in the offseason, the absence of Jonquel Jones has loomed large despite the best efforts of offseason acquisition DeWanna Bonner.

WNBA players urged people to vote against Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler, a Republican U.S. senator running to keep her seat in Georgia. Loeffler, who spoke out publicly against the league's social justice plans and sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert objecting to the initiatives to honor the Black Lives Matter movement once the season began last month, is facing opposition from Raphael Warnock. Players from the Atlanta team, as well as players from the Seattle Storm, Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury, wore ''Vote Warnock'' on T-shirts before their games on Tuesday.

Kelly Loeffler, a U.S. Senator and WNBA owner, is playing political games with the players in the league. They've responded the right way: Don't get mad. Vote.

Sabrina Ionescu is headed to New York to see an ankle and foot specialist the team announced Wednesday. The No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft was diagnosed with a Grade 3 left ankle sprain after getting hurt in the second quarter against Atlanta last Friday. A Grade 3 sprain is the most severe and usually requires months to heal fully as it's a full tear of the ankle ligament.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and hit three of Seattle's 11 3-pointers as the Storm beat the Connecticut Sun 87-74 on Tuesday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Diana Taurasi scored 16 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, had six rebounds and six assists and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Atlanta Dream 81-74 on Tuesday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Azura Stevens had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Courtney Vandersloot added 14 points and 10 assists, and the Chicago Sky beat the Dallas Wings 82-79 on Tuesday night.

Looking to run their winning streak to three games, the Minnesota Lynx look to keep the winless New York Liberty reeling Wednesday when they meet in the bubble in Bradenton, Fla. The Lynx are seeking their second consecutive 4-1 start and completed a sweep of the Connecticut Sun on Saturday with a 78-69 victory. Sylvia Fowles had 21 points and 13 rebounds, while rookie Crystal Dangerfield contributed 11 of her season-high 17 points in the third quarter to help Minnesota overturn an eight-point halftime deficit.

It is a rematch of a WNBA semifinal playoff series but with considerably less starpower Wednesday when the defending champion Washington Mystics face the Las Vegas Aces in Bradenton, Fla. The Mystics defeated the Aces in four games in last year's series, which showed the first glimpses of just how good forward Emma Meesseman could be. The Belgian totaled 57 points in leading Washington to victories in the first two games, a coming out party that culminated with the Mystics winning the title and her claiming WNBA Finals MVP honors.

WNBA teams are scoring at a breakneck pace through the first week of the season with six teams reaching the 100-point mark through the first 24 games. Only once did a team cross the century mark in the same time frame last year. Teams have scored more than 90 nine additional times this year.

Looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Fever face a major challenge against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Playing without star Erica Wheeler and 2020 third overall draft pick Lauren Cox, who are both in medical protocols, and most recently veteran forward Natalie Achonwa (hamstring), things could be a lot worse for Indiana (2-2), which has been rather competitive early on inside the "Wubble." On Sunday, Kelsey Mitchell had 23 points and Candice Dupree scored 21 as the Fever overcame an early 10-0 hole to score the next 13 points and never trail again in a 93-77 win over Atlanta.

The Chicago Sky have been playing the part of potential championship contenders in the early going of the WNBA season. The challenge Tuesday night is avoiding a letdown as they face the Dallas Wings. The Sky (3-1), who have taken a "win-or-bust" mentality to the wubble in Orlando, burnished their credentials with an 88-86 victory over defending WNBA champion Washington on Saturday.

Sue Bird will be sidelined for a bit as she recovers from a bone bruise in her left knee. Seattle's star guard felt the injury during the team's win over Minnesota last week. Bird missed the Storm's most recent game to rest the knee.

The quest for that elusive first 2020 victory for the Connecticut Sun continues. With the Seattle Storm standing in the way of accomplishing that feat, things don't expect to be easy for the Sun on Tuesday night at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Connecticut (0-4) knew it would be rather difficult to achieve consistent success with star forward Jonquel Jones opting out of the season.

Following a slow start, the Phoenix Mercury appear to have turned things around - at least for the moment. Opening losses to Los Angeles and Indiana left Phoenix (2-2) in a rather precarious situation inside the "Wubble," especially within the confines of this compacted WNBA season where a premium is essentially placed on every contest. The Mercury and their supporters took an even deeper breath with Sunday's 96-67 win over short-handed New York.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- A'ja Wilson scored 19 points to lead five Las Vegas players in double figures and the Aces beat the Dallas Wings 79-70 on Sunday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Kelsey Mitchell was 4 of 5 from 3-point range and finished with 23 points, Candice Dupree added 21 and the Indiana Fever erased an early double-digit deficit to beat the Atlanta Dream 93-77 on Sunday.

Bria Hartley scored a career-high 27 points and the Phoenix Mercury beat the New York Liberty 96-67 on Sunday. Hartley, who signed with the Mercury as a free agent after spending the last three seasons with the Liberty, was 10 of 18 shooting. Diana Taurasi had 18 points, nine assists, three steals and two blocks and Brittney Griner added 16 points for Phoenix (2-2).

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Breanna Stewart had 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals and the Seattle Storm never trailed in their 81-75 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Gabby Williams and Cheyenne Parker each scored 16 points, Courtney Vandersloot had a late steal, and the Chicago Sky beat the Washington Mystics 88-86 on Saturday night.

Consistency has eluded both the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever in the early part of play in the WNBA "wubble" ahead of their Sunday showdown in Orlando. The Dream (2-1) have bracketed a 30-point loss to the Las Vegas Aces with victories over Dallas and New York, posting an 84-78 triumph over the Liberty on Friday. Betnijah Laney scored a career-high 30 points and rookie Chennedy Carter added 17, including a key basket in the fourth quarter when Atlanta was clinging to a two-point advantage after leading by as many as 14.

For all the talk about Sabrina Ionescu, her Oregon teammate appears to have settled in quickly with the Dallas Wings. Satou Sabally looks to build on the best game of her young career Sunday when the Wings try to push their winning streak to three at the expense of the Las Vegas Aces. Sabally was the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft behind Ionescu after averaging 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists with the Ducks.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Sylvia Fowles had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Napheesa Collier added 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Connecticut Sun 78-69 on Saturday.

The New York Liberty were unable to win with budding star Sabrina Ionescu on the floor thus far during the WNBA season. After Ionescu sprained her ankle in just the third game of her WNBA career this week, the winless Liberty move forward against a Phoenix Mercury club that finally earned its first win of 2020, Sunday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Ionescu wasted no time showing why she was the No. 1 overall pick in April's WNBA Draft.

New York Liberty rookie Sabrina Ionescu has a Grade 3 left ankle sprain according to the team. Ionescu, the top overall pick in the draft, injured her ankle in the second quarter against Atlanta and did not return to action in the Liberty's 84-78 loss to the Dream on Friday night. A Grade 3 sprain is the most severe and usually requires months to heal fully as it's a full tear of the ankle ligament.

Diana Taurasi had 22 points and 10 assists, Skylar Diggins-Smith also scored 22 points, and the Phoenix Mercury never trailed in a 102-95 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night. Brittney Griner had 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals, Bria Hartley scored 15 points and Sophie Cunningham 11 for Phoenix (1-2).

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Satou Sabally had season highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds and made critical plays down the stretch as the Dallas Wings overcame a 14-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Indiana Fever 76-73 on Friday night.

New York top draft pick Sabrina Ionescu injured her ankle in the second quarter against Atlanta and did not return to action in the Liberty's 84-78 loss to the Dream on Friday night. Ionescu, the No. 1 pick in April's draft, was bringing the ball up court and rolled her left ankle when she got tangled up with Atlanta's Betnijah Laney with about five minutes left in the opening half. According to NBA TV, Ionescu sprained her ankle and underwent X-rays.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Betnijah Laney scored a career-high 30 points and the Atlanta Dream beat New York 84-78 Friday night, in a game in which the Liberty lost top draft pick Sabrina Ionescu to an ankle injury in the second quarter.

If the defending WNBA champion Washington Mystics are missing Elena Delle Donne, it sure is not being reflected in their play. Looking to run their record to 4-0, the Mystics face the Chicago Sky in the Orlando "wubble" on Saturday night. Much was made about who the Mystics would be missing in their title defense in this unprecedented season.

For the first time within the confines of the "Wubble," the Seattle Storm must find a way to bounce back from a setback. The Storm aim to rebound from their first 2020 defeat, Saturday night against the Los Angeles Sparks at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. With Breanna Stewart (17.0 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game) and Sue Bird (10.7 ppg) healthy, Seattle (2-1) has reason to feel good about its chances during this unique 2020 WNBA season.

A year ago, the Connecticut Sun were on their way toward an appearance in the WNBA Finals. The Sun aim to avoid going winless in their opening four contests for the first time in three seasons on Saturday against the Minnesota Lynx at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Not having star Jonquel Jones (14.6 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game in 2019) in the "Wubble" this season certainly is a blow to Connecticut (0-3).

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- I admit I was really nervous for my first game as a pro.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Chelsea Gray had 15 points and six assists, Candace Parker scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Connecticut Sun 81-76 on Thursday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Napheesa Collier scored 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx held on to beat the Chicago Sky 83-81 on Thursday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Ariel Atkins scored 22 points and led four scorers in double figures as the Washington Mystics beat the Seattle Storm 89-71 on Thursday night.

Two games have resulted in drastically different outcomes for the Atlanta Dream, who look to get back on track Friday night against No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu and the winless New York Liberty. The Dream (1-1) have run hot and cold in their first two contests, opening their season in the bubble with a 105-95 victory over Dallas in which they shot 54.8 percent. Elizabeth Williams scored 16 points and Blake Dietrick added 13 off the bench in extended minutes.

Despite dropping their first two games of the season, the Phoenix Mercury are not ready to panic. With Brittney Griner, a healthy Diana Taurasi and the addition of All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith in tow, Phoenix (0-2) was feeling good about its chances within the "Wubble" of this 2020 season - at least from the standpoint of improving upon last year's 15-19 effort. Phoenix shot 49.3 percent from the floor and 9 of 22 from 3-point range, but allowed the Fever to make 51.4 percent of their shots and 30 points in the fourth quarter.

A strong start is imperative to every team in the WNBA. Each club looks to build on its first victory of the season Friday night when they meet at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. After missing the playoffs in 2019, Indiana and Dallas must each prove itself when it comes to being a serious postseason contender during this unique campaign.

1926 - Nineteen-year-old Gertrude Ederle of New York City becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel as she crosses the waterway in 14 hours and 31 minutes. 1958 - Glen Davis of Columbus, Ohio, sets a world record in the 400 hurdles with a time of 49.2 in a meet at Budapest, Hungary. 1966 - Muhammad Ali knocks out Brian London in the third round to retain his world heavyweight title.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- - Tiffany Mitchell scored 24 points, Teaira McCowan recorded a double-double and the Fever held off the Mercury.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Aja Wilson had 21 points with 11 rebounds and Dearica Hamby scored 20 and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Atlanta Dream 100-70 on Wednesday night.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Arike Ogunbowale led five players in double figures with 20 points and the Dallas Wings earned a 93-80 win over the New York Liberty on Wednesday night.

The Chicago Sky look to start 3-0 for the first time in six years Thursday night when they face the Minnesota Lynx. A 3-0 start could be a harbinger of good things to come for the Sky considering they reached the WNBA Finals after winning their first four games of the 2014 season. Of course, they also had superstar Elena Delle Donne, but the current iteration of this team boasts plenty of star talent as well.

Out to avoid their first 0-3 start in three years, the Connecticut Sun look for more sources of offense Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Sparks. Last year's WNBA Finals runners-up, the Sun (0-2) are in a transition of sorts, trying to build around offseason acquisition DeWanna Bonner. The pair did get some bench help as Connecticut nearly erased all of a 15-point deficit as Natasha Hiedeman had nine points, but Thomas missed a layup with 22.8 seconds left that would have cut the deficit to one.

Less than a week into this unique WNBA season, the Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics already appear to be in top form. While that could be getting ahead of oneself, it's not too early to picture Seattle and Washington again playing for a league title. With stars Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart injured last season, Seattle failed to repeat while Washington claimed the title for the first time.

Breanna Stewart had 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Seattle Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 90-66 on Tuesday night to spoil a record-breaking night by Sylvia Fowles. Fowles, who went into the game needing seven rebounds to become the WNBA's all-time leader, grabbed a missed 3-point shot by Stewart in the closing seconds of the first half to move past former teammate and current Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson into first on the career rebounds list with 3,357.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Kahleah Copper and Azura Stevens had 21 points apiece and the Chicago Sky beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-78 on Tuesday night.

Sylvia Fowles became the WNBA's all-time rebounding leader, passing former teammate Rebekkah Brunson. Fowles came into Minnesota's game against Seattle on Tuesday night six rebounds behind Brunson, who is now an assistant coach with the team. Brunson finished her career with 3,356 boards and Fowles got the record-breaking rebound just a few seconds before the half.

Aerial Powers scored a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting and the Washington Mystics beat the Connecticut Sun 94-89 on Tuesday night in a rematch of the 2019 Finals. Ariel Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen each scored 16 points for the defending champion Mystics (2-0) and Emma Meesseman added 12 points and a career-best tying eight assists. Alyssa Thomas scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and DeWanna Bonner had 29 points, nine boards and five assists for Connecticut (0-2).

It is take two for No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu, who again tries to notch her first WNBA victory with the New York Liberty on Wednesday when they face the Dallas Wings. Ionescu, projected to be a star after a standout career at Oregon and considered one of the best prospects in league history, was given a rude welcome to the pros by one of the league's standard-bearers, the Seattle Storm. The 2018 WNBA champs limited Ionescu to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting and six rebounds and four assists as New York lost its season opener 87-71.