WNBA roundup: Portland wins again as Minnesota, New York, Toronto and Washington post victories
Portland Fire top Connecticut in a multi-game WNBA roundup of Wednesday results, with several teams advancing their early-season momentum. The WNBA roundup covers wins by Portland, Minnesota, New York, Toronto and Washington, plus key performances and injury updates. This slate of games reshuffled narratives around several clubs as the league moves through the opening weeks.
Portland Fire extend winning streak with late surge over Connecticut
Carla Leite led Portland with 20 points as the expansion Fire secured their third straight victory, edging the Connecticut Sun in a close finish. Portland closed the game with timely baskets from Teja Oblak and Frieda Buhner to take and hold the lead in the fourth quarter.
Bridget Carleton contributed 13 points while the Sun were paced by Aneesah Morrow’s 13 points and 13 rebounds. Connecticut struggled from distance early — 0-for-13 from three in the first half — and missed the chance to convert a five-game road swing into positive momentum.
Minnesota Lynx pull away in third quarter to beat Atlanta
Courtney Williams posted 25 points and seven assists as the Lynx built separation in the third quarter and defeated the Atlanta Dream 96-81. Minnesota opened a decisive 13-0 run early in the third and carried a 70-56 advantage into the fourth quarter.
All five Lynx starters scored in double figures, with rookie Olivia Miles adding 16, Nia Coffey 14 and Kayla McBride 12. Minnesota’s balanced attack produced a season-high 26 assists on 40 made field goals and a 60 percent shooting night, while Atlanta’s Allisha Gray scored 21, including five three-pointers.
New York closes third-quarter blitz to subdue Phoenix
Marine Johannes scored 21 points and Jonquel Jones added 17 as the Liberty rallied for a dominant closing stretch in the third to pull away from the Mercury. New York capped the period on a 23-0 run that flipped a six-point deficit into a commanding lead entering the fourth quarter.
Satou Sabally was a late scratch for New York due to illness, and Sabrina Ionescu remained sidelined with a back issue, but Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich returned to the rotation. Phoenix committed eight turnovers during the Liberty’s run and dropped its fourth straight game despite Kahleah Copper’s 19 points.
Toronto Tempo ride efficient shooting to victory over Chicago
Nyara Sabally delivered a career-high 29 points and Marina Mabrey added 24 as the Toronto Tempo rallied in the fourth to top the Chicago Sky. Toronto responded to a late Chicago push with an 8-2 run that re-established control in the final minutes.
Toronto shot 56 percent from the field and connected on a dozen three-pointers, with Maria Conde contributing off the bench. Chicago received a season-high 27 from rookie Sydney Taylor and strong backcourt work from Skylar Diggins and Natasha Cloud, but it was not enough to overcome Toronto’s efficiency.
Washington Mystics end skid with balanced attack against Seattle
Shakira Austin posted 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead the Mystics in a win at Seattle, while Michaela Onyenwere returned from a knee-related absence to score 14. Washington opened the game on a 12-2 run and maintained control, entering halftime with a sizable lead.
Developmental signing Alicia Flórez Getino, who joined the team on May 7, made her WNBA debut and contributed nine points, five rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. The Mystics’ rotation depth and early scoring bursts helped them halt a two-game losing stretch.
Injuries, milestones and team trends from Wednesday’s games
Brittney Griner was unavailable for Connecticut with a right rib injury and remains one point shy of 6,000 career points, a milestone that could arrive soon if she returns to play. Several teams dealt with lineup adjustments, including New York scratching Satou Sabally and Phoenix integrating Monique Akoa Makani in her season debut following overseas commitments.
Across the slate, incremental storylines emerged: Portland’s expansion franchise is building momentum, Minnesota’s offensive cohesion is producing efficient outings, and New York’s depth showcased its capacity to close quarters on a run. Defensive lapses and turnover stretches were decisive factors in Phoenix and Connecticut’s losses.
These results add texture to an early WNBA season where records remain fluid and teams are still defining rotations. Fans can expect heightened competition and more roster tweaks as clubs aim to sustain winning stretches and navigate injuries in the weeks ahead.
