WNBA Wrap: Griner, Dream Hand Lynx First Home Loss Of Season; Fever Beat Sky

Brittney Griner scored a season-high 22 points, and the Atlanta Dream defeated the Minnesota Lynx 90-86 on Sunday despite another MVP-worthy performance from Napheesa Collier.

The loss was the first for the WNBA-leading Lynx while playing at home this season, dropping them to 14-1 at Target Center.

In an otherwise even game in which both teams shot over 50% from the field, Atlanta gained the upper hand by getting to the free throw line. The Dream were 14 for 17 on free throws, while the Lynx were 5 for 8.

Jordin Canada scored 18 points for Atlanta (15-10), while Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 12 off the bench on 5-for-5 shooting.

Collier, the league’s leading scorer at 23.5 points per game, was nearly unstoppable. She finished with 32 points on 14-for-18 shooting and added eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

Courtney Williams added 11 points and nine assists for the Lynx (22-5), while Natisha Hiedeman added 10 points in just 14 minutes off the bench.

Mitchell, Fever top Sky as Clark, Reese sit

Kelsey Mitchell was red-hot from 3-point range to finish with 35 points, and the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky 93-78 as both teams played without All-Stars due to injury.

Caitlin Clark sat again with a right groin issue and has missed 13 of Indiana’s 26 games this season. Angel Reese remained sidelined with a back injury.

While some had hoped this game would be the latest chapter in the Clark-Reese rivalry, Mitchell stole the spotlight, making seven 3-pointers. She shot 7 for 10 from deep and 12 of 19 overall, while adding six assists.

Aliyah Boston was also strong for Indiana (14-12), producing 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Chicago’s Rachel Banham put on a shooting clinic of her own, making 6 of 11 from 3-point range and finishing with a team-high 26 points.

Kamilla Cardoso had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Sky, who lost their fifth consecutive game.

Mercury handle Mystics

Alyssa Thomas had 27 points and came up just short of a triple-double as the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 88-72.

Thomas earned her 27 points by shooting 12 of 17 from the field, adding 11 rebounds and eight assists. She also had a team-high three steals.

Monique Akoa Makani hit three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points for the Mercury (16-9).

Phoenix’s defence was impressive, especially in the second half, when Washington scored a total of 26 points. The Mystics shot 38.1% for the game and committed 17 turnovers.

Shakira Austin led Washington (12-13) with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Sonia Citron and Jade Melbourne each had 13 points.