WNBA Playoffs Kick Off: A’ja Wilson Leads Aces, Alyssa Thomas Shines with Triple-Double

The much-anticipated WNBA playoffs began on Sunday, showcasing intense matchups as all top four seeds emerged victorious amidst compelling narratives.

A’ja Wilson’s Resilience Propels Aces in Three-Peat Bid
In a surprising start against the Seattle Storm, the Las Vegas Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, found themselves trailing 18-9 at the end of the first quarter. Wilson struggled early, making just one of eight shots, and by halftime, she had only four points. However, the WNBA MVP rebounded spectacularly, scoring 15 points in the third quarter and helping the Aces narrow the gap to one point going into the final period. With an impressive defensive effort, Las Vegas held Seattle to just two points in the last ten minutes, securing a 78-67 win. Wilson finished the game with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. “We just buckled down,” Wilson said, emphasizing the need for playoff intensity.

Alyssa Thomas’ Triple-Double Dominates Fever
While Caitlin Clark garnered pregame attention for her playoff debut, it was Alyssa Thomas who truly stole the spotlight in the Connecticut Sun’s 93-69 victory over the Indiana Fever. Thomas recorded her 15th career triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. “This is just the beginning for us,” she stated, clearly ready for the postseason. Alongside her, Marina Mabrey added 27 points, marking a record for bench scoring in WNBA playoff history. Despite a solid 22 points from DeWanna Bonner, the Fever struggled overall, with Clark limited to just 11 points in a disappointing playoff start. Clark reflected, “We didn’t play to the level we’re capable of playing.”

Rookies Shine as Liberty and Lynx Claim Wins
The New York Liberty saw rookie Leonie Fiebich rise to the occasion, scoring a game-high 21 points in an 83-69 win over the Atlanta Dream. Coach Sandy Brondello praised her consistent readiness, noting her significant contributions regardless of her starting status. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu also provided strong support with 20 and 17 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx secured a thrilling 102-95 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, highlighted by Napheesa Collier’s career-high 38 points. As speculation swirls around Diana Taurasi’s potential retirement, Collier’s performance took center stage, complemented by Natasha Cloud’s impressive 33 points for the Mercury.

Recap of First-Round Game Scores
The opening games of the best-of-three first-round series saw the following outcomes:

• Atlanta Dream 69 – 83 New York Liberty
• Phoenix Mercury 95 – 102 Minnesota Lynx
• Indiana Fever 69 – 93 Connecticut Sun
• Seattle Storm 67 – 78 Las Vegas Aces

The playoffs promise to deliver more thrilling moments as teams vie for the championship, with pivotal Game 2 matchups looming on the horizon.