The Detroit Tigers went nine consecutive innings without a run but still took the Seattle Mariner...

The Detroit Tigers went nine consecutive innings without a run but still took the Seattle Mariners to 15 innings before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3558" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3558">Jorge Polanco</a>'s bases-loaded walk-off single eliminated Detroit and sent Seattle to the American League Championship Series.The marathon Game 5 brought a disappointing end to the Tigers' best season since their 90-win campaign in 2014, but first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12328" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12328">Spencer Torkelson</a> believes there were plenty of positives to take from the dramatic defeat."Heartbreaking ending," Torkelson said postgame, according to <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/10/11/mariners-take-15-inning-battle-end-tigers-season-in-epic-game-5/86619037007/">Chris McCosky of The Detroit News</a>. "But it was an unbelievable game to be a part of. The boys showed a lot of fight in that game.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"We didn't win, but there is so much to be proud of. Not only in this game, but just this incredible season we all had."Torkelson struggled in the contest, finishing 0-for-6 with four strikeouts against four different pitchers. However, he was far from the only batter with issues at the plate. The Tigers had five players go hitless in five or more at-bats as the Mariners' pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts and just four walks throughout the grueling matchup. Meanwhile, Seattle had its own issues solving the Tigers' arms, specifically starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11799" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11799">Tarik Skubal</a>, who recorded 13 of Detroit's 20 punchouts but left the game after 99 pitches over six innings.Skubal, a favorite to win his second straight AL Cy Young, was one of several bright spots from a Tigers season that started strong before losing considerable momentum in the second half. An eight-game losing streak in September allowed the Cleveland Guardians to finish atop the AL Central despite Detroit holding a 10-game lead on Sept. 3.It's also the second straight year in which the Tigers have been bounced in Game 5 of the ALDS. However, this was at least a much closer battle than the 7-3 loss to the Guardians that eliminated them in 2024, a minor consolation for a franchise that has yet to return to the ALCS since 2013."I feel like the standard is a lot higher than where it's been," Torkelson added. "Our floor has been raised and we don't know where our ceiling is. We're not satisfied making it to Game 5 of the ALDS. We want more."This stings but we've raised our floor and created a new standard of what it should be like."

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 10: Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in game five of the American League Division Series at T-Mobile Park on October 10, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

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Torkelson, Tigers rue 'heartbreaking' Game 5 loss

Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally will not play in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Las ...

Phoenix Mercury forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/61704" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/61704">Satou Sabally</a> will not play in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces on Friday due to a concussion, the team announced Thursday.Sabally sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's Game 3. While attempting to secure a rebound against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/55029" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/55029">Jackie Young</a>, Sabally fell and hit her head on Aces forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/102678" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/102678">Kierstan Bell</a>'s knee. She left the game and did not return.The Aces are up 3-0 in the series.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sabally leads the Mercury in scoring this postseason with 19 points per game. She also led the team during the regular season, averaging 16.3 points in 39 games.

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 8: Satou Sabally #0 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Game Three of the WNBA Finals on October 8, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Mercury star Sabally out for must-win Game 4 with concussion

The Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra is in line to be named the next head coach of Team USA, sources t...

The Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra is in line to be named the next head coach of Team USA, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1976319452448010445">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.Spoelstra, 54, is expected to be in charge of the national team for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.He will replace Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who led the Americans to gold at the Paris Games in 2024. The Heat bench boss was one of three assistants on Kerr's staff at the tournament alongside Gonzaga's Mark Few and Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Spoelstra took charge of the Heat in April 2008 and is the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA. He claimed the title after San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich stepped down in May following 29 seasons at the helm.Over 17 seasons with Miami, Spoelstra has won two NBA championships and made the Finals on four other occasions.In in his most recent Finals appearance, he steered a Heat team that finished seventh in the Eastern Conference to the championship series, where Miami lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets. That squad remains the only team to make the Finals after advancing out of the play-in tournament.Last season, Spoelstra's Heat squad became the first 10th-place team to advance to the first round of the playoffs through the play-in. However, Miami was then swept by the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 28: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 28, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

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Report: Spoelstra to coach Team USA at FIBA World Cup, 2028 Olympics

The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks engaged in trade talks surrounding star Giannis Antetokou...

The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks engaged in trade talks surrounding star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> in August, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46510104/why-giannis-antetokounmpo-future-milwaukee-far-settled">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.The Knicks were reportedly Antetokounmpo's only desired trade destination if he were to leave the Bucks. The teams failed to reach an agreement, however; Milwaukee was left far from satisfied with New York's initial offers and didn't extend negotiations, while the Knicks felt that the Bucks weren't serious about potentially trading the two-time MVP, sources told Charania.Who or what New York included in offers for the Greek forward is unclear, but the organization is limited in draft compensation it can include. The Knicks owe the Brooklyn Nets unprotected first-rounders in 2027, 2029, and 2031 as a result of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a> trade, meaning their remaining first-rounders through 2032 can only be sent out in pick swaps. New York is tentatively owed a 2026 first-round pick from the Washington Wizards, though that will only convey if it falls outside the top eight.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bridges himself can't be traded until February after signing a four-year, $150-million extension on July 31.Antetokounmpo, 30, reportedly first began considering a future outside Milwaukee in May, shortly after the team lost its first-round series in five games to the Indiana Pacers. The result marked a third consecutive first-round exit for the franchise, which has won just one playoff series since capturing the NBA championship in 2021.New York, meanwhile, is on a different trajectory. Following back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks made their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years last season but were also eliminated by the Pacers. They're again expected to contend for the conference title in 2025-26.Antetokounmpo is entering the first season of a three-year, $186-million extension he signed with Milwaukee in 2023. His contract is guaranteed through 2026-27 but contains a $62.8-million player option for 2027-28. As a result, he'll be eligible to sign a four-year extension worth approximately $275 million next October.

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks plays defense against the New York Knicks on March 28, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE .

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Report: Knicks, Bucks discussed Giannis trade

Brian Snitker won't return as manager of the Atlanta Braves next season, the team announced Wedne...

Brian Snitker won't return as manager of the Atlanta Braves next season, the team announced Wednesday.However, the 69-year-old will remain with the team in an advisory role.Snitker has served as Braves skipper since he succeeded Fredi González on an interim basis in May 2016. Atlanta then named him its permanent skipper in October of that year. Over 10 regular seasons at the helm, he posted a 811-668 record and led the club to a World Series championship in 2021, the Braves' first since 1995.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He was named National League Manager of the Year in 2018 after the Braves captured their first of six consecutive NL East titles.Snitker, whose contract expired following the 2025 season, said Sunday that he had yet to make a decision on potentially retiring, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6672128/2025/09/29/braves-manager-brian-snitker-retirement-undecided/?source=emp_shared_article">The Athletic's David O'Brien</a>. However, multiple players candidly expressed their support for his return as manager, including ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1577" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1577">Chris Sale</a>.Snitker first joined the Braves as a catcher in 1977 but was released after just three years in the minor leagues. However, he quickly returned to the organization as a coach and worked his way up the Braves' farm system before eventually landing his first major-league position in 1985 as Atlanta's bullpen coach.

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 22: Atlanta manager Brian Snitker (43) reacts after making a pitching change during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on August 22nd, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.

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Snitker out as Braves manager, will transition to advisory role

Nikola Jokic isn't going anywhere.  The three-time MVP said Monday that he intends to see out his...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> isn't going anywhere.The three-time MVP said Monday that he intends to see out his career with the Denver Nuggets despite rebuffing a max extension offer from the team over the summer."I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport, especially in today's NBA. You see how the salary cap is going," Jokic told reporters, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/DNVR_Nuggets/status/1972719225015017959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1972719225015017959%7Ctwgr%5E9da46400ba3c0c20ef04a9eadc356d08fea46159%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnba%2Fnuggets%2Fnews%2Fnikola-jokic-clears-the-air-on-future-with-denver-nuggets">DNVR</a>. "My plan is to be a Nugget forever."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jokic became eligible for a three-year, $212-million max extension this offseason but informed the Nuggets in July that he wouldn't sign the deal. By opting to wait until next summer, the Serbian center can instead sign a four-year extension worth just under $300 million.The 30-year-old still has three seasons remaining on the five-year, $276-million supermax deal he signed in 2022. However, the pact's final year in 2027-28 hinges on a $62.8-million player option, and Denver isn't expected to let the seven-time All-NBA selection get that far without agreeing to a new contract.Despite already winning three MVPs from 2021-24, Jokic produced a career year during the 2024-25 season. He became the third player to average a triple-double over an entire campaign and ranked third in the NBA scoring race with a career-high 29.6 points per game. However, Jokic finished runner-up in MVP voting to guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a>, who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the league's best record.

DENVER, CO- SEPTEMBER 29: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) talks with the media during the Nuggets Media Day press conferences at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Sept. 29, 2025.

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Jokic planning to be 'a Nugget forever' despite rejecting extension

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier won't play in Sunday's Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury...

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier won't play in Sunday's Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury, the Lynx announced Saturday.Collier will be sidelined for the must-win game due to an ankle injury she suffered late in Minnesota's Game 3 loss Friday.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Minnesota finished Game 3 without Napheesa Collier or Coach Cheryl Reeve. Coach was assessed a second technical foul and ejected after Collier collided with Alyssa Thomas on this play. <a href="https://t.co/6ZNGuUSXi9">pic.twitter.com/6ZNGuUSXi9</a>— espnW (@espnW) <a href="https://twitter.com/espnW/status/1971785070881968186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Lynx will also be without head coach Cheryl Reeve, who received a one-game suspension for her conduct and comments toward officials following the play in which Collier was injured.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 59-year-old was upset with a perceived non-call involving Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, who collided with Collier during a successful steal attempt with under 24 seconds remaining. After being ejected as a result of receiving her second technical foul, Reeve then tore into the referees in her postgame press conference and called on the WNBA to make changes to its officiating leadership.The head coach also said Collier "probably has a fracture," though the team didn't specify details on its injury report Saturday.Collier, 29, was Minnesota's leading scorer during the regular season at 22.9 points per game, which ranked just behind A'ja Wilson (23.4) for the league scoring title. The UConn product also became just the second player in WNBA history to record a 50/40/90 season after posting 53.1/40.3/90.6 shooting splits.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx reacts during the second half of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at PHX Arena on September 26, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 84-76.

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Lynx star Collier ruled out for must-win Game 4 vs. Mercury

The WNBA suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for Sunday's Game 4 of their playoff se...

The WNBA suspended Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for Sunday's Game 4 of their playoff semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury."Her conduct and comments included aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection with 21.8 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and remarks made in a postgame press conference," the league said in a statement Saturday.Reeve took exception to a non-call in the final 24 seconds of Friday's Game 3, when Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas wasn't assessed a foul after colliding with Napheesa Collier on a steal attempt. Collier exited with an ankle injury and didn't return.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>On Saturday, the Lynx <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3355605" href="https://thescore.com/news/3355605">confirmed</a> the injury would sideline the star for Sunday, which they must win to keep their season alive.In the aftermath of the play, Reeve was given a technical foul and ejected for approaching the official in frustration, prompting her coaches to intervene and hold her back. She then criticized the officiating crew postgame, telling reporters it was "f-----g malpractice" to have assigned them to Game 3.The Lynx coach also called on the WNBA to make a change in its officiating leadership.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx reacts after being ejected during the second half of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena on September 26, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 84-76.

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Lynx coach Reeve suspended for Game 4 vs. Mercury over ref rant

Satou Sabally dropped 23 points as the Phoenix Mercury edged the Minnesota Lynx late to win Game ...

Satou Sabally dropped 23 points as the Phoenix Mercury edged the Minnesota Lynx late to win Game 3 on Friday, 84-76.Alyssa Thomas added 21 and secured the win for Phoenix with a steal against Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who left the game after the play with an apparent ankle injury.Phoenix, now up 2-1 in the semifinal series, can advance to its first WNBA Finals since 2021 with a win at home Sunday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Collier appeared to grab at her ankle after colliding with Thomas with 24 seconds left in an attempt to drive by the Mercury star. The MVP runner-up was then helped to the locker room and didn't return for the game's final seconds.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Pocket picked in the playoffs. <a href="https://t.co/b1CUMQsEf7">pic.twitter.com/b1CUMQsEf7</a>— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/1971783883185389568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Lynx also lost head coach Cheryl Reeve following the play. Incensed by the absence of a foul call on Thomas, the 59-year-old picked up her second technical foul for approaching an official in frustration, leading to her ejection.Reeve tore into the referees postgame, calling it "f-----g malpractice" that the WNBA's officiating leadership even considered the Game 3 crew for a semifinal playoff encounter. The Lynx coach also said that Collier "probably has a fracture" but didn't specify further. She walked out of her press conference after blasting the referees.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.” Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve responded to the officiating in Game 3 of the Lynx-Mercury WNBA Semifinal. <a href="https://t.co/xuyfxmyqLa">pic.twitter.com/xuyfxmyqLa</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1971792867145216258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Collier finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in the loss. Natisha Hiedeman, who was held scoreless in Game 2, led Minnesota with 19 points off the bench.

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Satou Sabally #0 of the Phoenix Mercury smiles after the game against the Minnesota Lynx during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals on September 26, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Mercury top Lynx in Game 3, Collier injury sparks Reeve teardown of refs

Utah Jazz rookie wing Ace Bailey parted ways with his manager Omar Cooper, sources told The Athle...

Utah Jazz rookie wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/171836" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/171836">Ace Bailey</a> parted ways with his manager Omar Cooper, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6656696/2025/09/23/ace-bailey-agent-jazz-rookie/">The Athletic's Tony Jones</a>.The fifth overall pick was selected by the Jazz at the 2025 NBA Draft despite being advised by Cooper to not work out for any of the teams positioned in the top five, according to Jones. The 6-foot-9 former Rutgers standout <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3301869" href="https://thescore.com/news/3301869">reportedly</a> planned to work out for the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) but canceled that scheduled visit.After arriving in Utah, the 19-year-old said he was "<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305850" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305850">blessed</a>" to join the Jazz, who many mock drafts predicted would be just out of range for the widely-assumed top three pick.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Utah wasn't among one of Bailey's preferred destinations, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45586394/jazz-ace-bailey-preferred-landing-spots">ESPN's Jonathan Givony</a>.Bailey has reportedly yet to make a decision on new representation.Bailey started 30 regular-season games as a freshman for Rutgers last season, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He was the team's second-leading scorer behind the NBA draft's No. 2 selection <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/171821" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/171821">Dylan Harper</a>; however, the duo failed lead the Scarlet Knights to success, finishing 15-17 (8-12 in the Big Ten) before falling to USC in the opening round of the conference's postseason tournament.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JULY 5: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz looks on during an NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Jon M. Huntsman Center on July 5, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Report: Jazz rookie Bailey parts ways with manager

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania...

Houston Rockets point guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/25275" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/25275">Fred VanVleet</a> suffered a torn ACL, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1970215754697212375">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.VanVleet's injury occurred during a recent team minicamp in the Bahamas, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyIko/status/1970218159610151200">Kelly Iko of The Athletic</a>. He'll reportedly undergo surgery this week.The 31-year-old is now at risk of missing the 2025-26 season. He was expected to play a significant role for Houston following its marquee offseason addition of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Without VanVleet, the Rockets don't have a proven option at point guard. Last year's No. 3 pick, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121682" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121682">Reed Sheppard</a>, started just three of his 52 games as a rookie, averaging 4.4 points and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes. Forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110271" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110271">Amen Thompson</a> told <a href="https://twitter.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1970223957514297650">Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix</a> that he spent this summer training as a lead guard, but the 22-year-old hasn't operated in that role over an entire NBA season. Houston's secondary ball-handler last season, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96116" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96116">Jalen Green</a>, was sent to the Phoenix Suns in the Durant trade.VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists in 60 starts last season, his second with the Rockets. He missed 11 games in February with a sprained ankle, then missed another five games after re-aggravating the injury in his March 1 return. However, he was one of Ime Udoka's most important players in Houston's first-round series against the Golden State Warriors; VanVleet was the team's second-leading scorer at 18.7 points per game while adding 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds, helping the Rockets take the Warriors to seven games.The one-time All-Star and former NBA champion re-signed with the franchise this summer on a two-year, $50-million pact that includes a $25-million player option for 2026-27.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets dribbles against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Toyota Center on November 20, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

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Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson is the 2025 WNBA MVP, the league announced Sunday, cementing her ...

Las Vegas Aces star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/41039" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/41039">A'ja Wilson</a> is the 2025 WNBA MVP, the league announced Sunday, cementing her as the first four-time winner in WNBA history.Wilson <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBAComms/status/1969772245644988521">received</a> 51 out of a possible 72 first-place votes and was penciled in second on every other ballot. Minnesota Lynx star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/48780" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/48780">Napheesa Collier</a> received 18 first-place bids. Phoenix Mercury vet <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/18102" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/18102">Alyssa Thomas</a> was the only other player to garner first-place consideration, receiving three.The Aces star was handed the trophy Friday by her partner, Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
FOUR. EVER. THE. ONE. 👑 A surprise fit for history. A’ja Wilson adds to her legacy in unforgettable fashion.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaMVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KiaMVP</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcometotheW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcometotheW</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vf1EkuWH8d">pic.twitter.com/Vf1EkuWH8d</a>— WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1969771156598407634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The 29-year-old Wilson led the Association in points (23.4) and blocks (2.3) per game and ranked second in rebounds (12.6). She was also a co-winner of the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year alongside Lynx forward Alanna Smith. It's the second time in which the Aces star has pulled off the MVP-DPOY double, also doing so in 2022. She led Las Vegas to its first championship in franchise history that season.The Aces open their playoff semifinal series Sunday against the Indiana Fever.Wilson was previously tied with Lisa Leslie at three MVP awards. Leslie won in 2001, 2004, and 2006 as part of a 12-year career spent solely with the Los Angeles Sparks.Adding to Wilson's stellar season, she is the first player to average 20 points and 10 boards in multiple seasons. She also set a record for most 30-point games in a single year with 13.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 16: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a score during the second half of a game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on July 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

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A'ja Wilson wins WNBA MVP for record 4th time

Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is seriously considering the Golden State Warriors' $7.9-m...

Restricted free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96094" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96094">Jonathan Kuminga</a> is seriously considering the Golden State Warriors' $7.9-million qualifying offer as contract talks remain deadlocked with the regular season just a month away."There's a lot of upside if he wants to pick where he wants to go and the opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent in a way better market," Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, said on an episode of ESPN's "<a href="https://youtu.be/xCBRy3COcMg?list=PLu1neCd4swuakibtwr6887z4D8YH3YUnK&amp;t=1670">The Hoop Collective</a>" podcast released Friday."The QO is real, for sure. It's being considered completely. It's being talked about."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kuminga has until Oct. 1 to sign the qualifying offer, which would end a prolonged offseason saga and return the 22-year-old to Golden State for 2025-26. While the qualifying offer comes with a $7.9-million salary far below what the Warriors have apparently offered in negotiations, it would include a no-trade clause for the year and potentially allow Kuminga to command a more lucrative contract next summer.Golden State <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3346013" href="https://thescore.com/news/3346013">reportedly</a> offered Kuminga a three-year deal worth $75.2 million with a team option in the final season. However, the forward prefers a player option, which would allow him to retain some control of his future if he's traded before then."We haven't said no to a team option," Turner said. "Our theory and feeling is, though, if you want a team option, and you want to get rid of his no-trade clause, which the QO inherently has, OK, that's a different price."You've got to pay for that. You've got to put more on top if you want both."Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 games last season but lost his place in the rotation after the Warriors acquired <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2809" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2809">Jimmy Butler</a> at the trade deadline. Head coach Steve Kerr also made Kuminga a healthy scratch in four of the team's seven first-round games against the Houston Rockets.Restricted free agents seldom sign qualifying offers, as the financial security usually pales in comparison to long-term proposals tabled by their own teams or offer sheets from elsewhere. However, this year's market for restricted free agents has been slower than usual due to a dearth of open cap space around the NBA and front offices wary of roster-constructing penalties triggered by luxury tax thresholds.Brooklyn Nets guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96032" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96032">Cam Thomas</a> led the team in scoring at 24 points per game last season but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3338053" href="https://thescore.com/news/3338053">settled</a> for a $6-million qualifying offer earlier in September after failing to agree on a long-term deal. Chicago Bulls guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96131" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96131">Josh Giddey</a>, who averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 70 games in 2024-25, spent over two months as a restricted free agent before signing a four-year, $100-million contract.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 in San Francisco, California.

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Kuminga's agent: 'A lot of upside' if he signs Warriors' qualifying offer

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro will be sidelined through the start of the regular season following ...

Miami Heat guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69689" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69689">Tyler Herro</a> will be sidelined through the start of the regular season following surgery on his left ankle Friday, the team announced.Herro underwent the procedure to address posterior impingement syndrome and is expected to miss about eight weeks, sidelining the 25-year-old for all of camp and aiming for a mid-November return.Herro had been dealing with the impingement in his left foot since midsummer and was hoping to avoid surgery to address the issue, <a href="https://twitter.com/Anthony_Chiang/status/1969041829623373993">according to the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang</a>. However, he reportedly opted for the late offseason procedure after cortisone and platelet-rich plasma injections failed to alleviate the discomfort.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Miami opens the regular season Oct. 22 against the Orlando Magic. A Nov. 14 matchup on the road against the New York Knicks - exactly eight weeks from Herro's surgery date - is the team's 13th game of the regular season.Herro led Miami in scoring last season with a career-high 23.9 points per game. He registered shooting splits of 47.2/37.5/87.8 and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. The campaign was also Herro's best in terms of availability, as he missed just five games before helping the Heat make the postseason through the play-in tournament.The Kentucky product is entering Year 3 of a four-year, $120-million deal signed in 2022. Herro will become eligible for a three-year extension in October, but he could potentially sign a four-year deal worth north of $200 million if he waits until next summer.

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 8: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 8, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Herro out 8 weeks, will miss start of season after ankle surgery

The Los Angeles Clippers sent over $32.4 million to Aspiration on April 4, 2022, the same day the...

The Los Angeles Clippers sent over $32.4 million to Aspiration on April 4, 2022, the same day the company signed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a> to an apparent "no-show" marketing contract worth $28 million, Pablo Torre reported Thursday on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast, citing new bank documents.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4_ow9i3obDE?si=8Blnt1ebUbpKlxEC&amp;start=1916" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>The $32.4 million transfer followed a $3 million payment from the Clippers to Aspiration three days earlier, on April 1, according to Torre.The combined $35 million was reportedly earmarked as prepayment for carbon credits, which allow companies to offset their carbon dioxide emissions.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>On June 14, 2022, the Clippers then sent a letter to East West Bank notifying the institution of their intent to wire just under $21 million to Aspiration, Torre added. Signed by the Clippers' chief financial officer (though the name is redacted), the letter reportedly outlines carbon credits and a $10 million "reforestation project development" as the purpose for the withdrawal.Torre also revealed a subsequent document, signed by the Clippers' CFO and former Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny, confirming that Aspiration would transfer 400,000 carbon credits to the Clippers on June 30, 2022 - the same date as when Leonard's first payment from Aspiration was reportedly due.At the time, the Clippers' Intuit Dome was still under construction. The franchise had frequently emphasized its goal of making the new arena carbon neutral, though construction on the facility wasn't completed until August 2024."Our development agreements for the arena included mandates to buy carbon credits," the Clippers said in a statement sent to Torre. "But after studying the issue of neutrality, we went far beyond those requirements, exploring ways to address emissions from our fans and contracting with Aspiration to directly purchase carbon offsets, as well as broker the acquisition of additional offsets."Some of those commitments were built into the sponsorship deal with Aspiration - totally separate of the investment in the company - and we made payments to Aspiration until the company was unable to fulfill their responsibilities."The NBA is investigating the Clippers for allegedly circumventing the salary cap by paying Leonard outside the terms of his player contract through the now-bankrupt Aspiration.Clippers owner Steve Ballmer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3343812" href="https://thescore.com/news/3343812">reportedly</a> personally invested at least $60 million into Aspiration between September 2021 and March 2023. Clippers co-owner Dennis Wong also <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3342940" href="https://thescore.com/news/3342940">apparently</a> sent $2 million to the company in December 2022, nine days before Aspiration made a late $1.75 million payment to Leonard and laid off approximately 20% of its staff.The Clippers have denied the allegations. Ballmer said during an ESPN interview earlier in September that he was one of several people <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3338519" href="https://thescore.com/news/3338519">conned</a> by Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, who pleaded guilty in August to defrauding investors out of $248 million.During a recent deposition, Sanberg repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about the Clippers' investments, according to court documents obtained by Torre.NBA commissioner Adam Silver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3342537" href="https://thescore.com/news/3342537">said</a> earlier this month that the league will weigh all the evidence found in its inquiry before deciding on possible punishment.

DALLAS, TX - MAY 3: Steve Balmer looks on before the game between the LA Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Report: Clippers sent Aspiration $32.4M same day Kawhi inked 'no-show' deal

Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers was named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year on Tuesday.  Commissi...

Dallas Wings star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/171763" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/171763">Paige Bueckers</a> was named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year on Tuesday.Commissioner Cathy Engelbert handed the award to the UConn product during a visit to "The Jennifer Hudson Show."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Paige Bueckers did not expect THIS at the end of her tunnel! 👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DallasWings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DallasWings</a> <a href="https://t.co/wyJ8RsJdl8">pic.twitter.com/wyJ8RsJdl8</a>— The Jennifer Hudson Show (@JHudShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/JHudShow/status/1967967247462436929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, led all first-year players in scoring (19.2 points per game), assists (5.4), and average minutes (33.3). She also ranked second among rookies in steals (1.6) and seventh in rebounds (3.9). She started all 36 of her appearances and missed just eight games.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Wings guard was voted Rookie of the Year by 70 of 72 WNBA writers and broadcasters. Washington Mystics guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/171757" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/171757">Sonia Citron</a> was the only other player to receive consideration for the award.Bueckers is the second Wings player to win Rookie of the Year since the franchise moved to Dallas for the 2016 season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wnba/players/32607" href="https://thescore.com/wnba/players/32607">Allisha Gray</a>, now with the Atlanta Dream, was the team's last recipient in 2017. Cheryl Ford was the first player in franchise history to capture the honor, winning in 2003 as a member of the Detroit Shock.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings reacts as she waits for the start of play in front of the Los Angeles Sparks bench during an 81-80 Los Angeles Sparks win over the Dallas Wings at Crypto.com Arena on August 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Bueckers named WNBA Rookie of the Year

There's another layer to the Los Angeles Clippers' unusual relationship with Aspiration.  Clipper...

There's another layer to the Los Angeles Clippers' unusual relationship with Aspiration.Clippers co-owner Dennis Wong wired the now-bankrupt company just under $2 million on Dec. 6, 2022 - nine days before it sent an overdue payment of $1.75 million to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a> as part of Aspiration's contract with the forward, Pablo Torre reported Thursday on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast, citing bank statements.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mKJyKFdT8rQ?si=0lgniFUXDRmCuTcf&amp;start=1570" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>The $1.75-million payment to Leonard on Dec. 15 was reportedly months late as Aspiration began running out of funds. That same day, the company laid off approximately 20% of its staff, a former finance department employee told Torre.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wong's nearly $2-million investment, sent from his limited partnership DEA 88 Investments, reportedly marked the first time he had ever sent Aspiration money.He owns 1% of the Clippers in contrast to Ballmer's 99%. Wong is also the vice-chairman and alternate governor of the franchise. He and Ballmer were roommates at Harvard during the 1970s and occasionally sit together courtside at Clippers games.Wong's daughter was also previously employed by Aspiration, sources told Torre.The NBA is investigating the Clippers for allegedly circumventing the salary cap by paying Leonard outside the terms of his player contract through Aspiration. Ballmer has denied the claims.Commissioner Adam Silver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3342537" href="https://thescore.com/news/3342537">said</a> Wednesday that the league would look at the "totality of evidence" in its inquiry and the burden of proof would fall on the NBA.The Clippers have been disciplined for attempted cap circumvention before. In August 2015, a year after Ballmer officially took over the franchise, the NBA fined the Clippers $250,000 for reportedly trying to entice their own free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/200">DeAndre Jordan</a> with a Lexus endorsement deal worth $200,000 per year. Jordan agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks that summer but reneged on that agreement to return to Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 02: Steve Ballmer and Dennis Wong (R) attend a basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on November 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Report: Clippers co-owner wired Aspiration $2M before late Kawhi payment

Commissioner Adam Silver won't rush the NBA's investigation into allegations that Los Angeles Cli...

Commissioner Adam Silver won't rush the NBA's investigation into allegations that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap by paying star forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a> through a third party."Number one, the burden (of proof) is on the league if we're going to discipline a team, an owner, a player, or any of the constituent members of the league," Silver <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/1965845599762137371">told reporters</a> at a press conference Wednesday. "I think, as with any process that requires a fundamental sense of fairness, the burden should be on the party that is, in essence, bringing those charges. ... I'd say in the case of the league, we and our investigators look at the totality of the evidence."Journalist Pablo Torre showed troves of documents on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast indicating that Ballmer made a personal $50-million investment in eco-friendly startup Aspiration in September 2021. In April 2022, Leonard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3337464" href="https://thescore.com/news/3337464">signed a marketing deal with the company</a> that would pay him $28 million over four years. A former Aspiration employee told Torre that Leonard's contract was worth more than any of the company's other celebrity endorsement deals.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Aspiration, however, never publicly announced it had signed Leonard, and the deal contained unusual terms for a marketing agreement, according to Torre. The two-time Finals MVP was permitted to opt out of any and all obligations to the company without breaking the contract, and the agreement was only valid as long as the six-time All-Star was still with the Clippers.The company also reportedly agreed to a secondary deal with the forward that would have paid Leonard another $20 million in company stock, taking his total projected earnings with the organization to $48 million.Aspiration filed for bankruptcy in March after co-founder Joseph Sanberg was arrested and later charged with multiple counts of fraud. In August, he pleaded guilty to defrauding investors and lenders of more than $248 million.The Clippers have adamantly denied trying to skirt the NBA's rules to illicitly pay Leonard through Aspiration, which also entered into a multi-year partnership with the franchise in September 2021. Ballmer, 69, told ESPN that Sanberg <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3338519" href="https://thescore.com/news/3338519">scammed</a> him. He also said he had no knowledge of any deals Leonard individually signed with Aspiration or any other company.Silver said he would refrain from passing judgment on Ballmer or Leonard until the investigation - led by an outside law firm - is completed. However, he noted that the NBA has broad discretion in evaluating the evidence and potentially disciplining Ballmer and his franchise."As a matter of fundamental fairness," Silver said, "I would be reluctant to act if there was only a mere appearance of impropriety. ... Also, in a public-facing sport, the public at times reaches conclusions that later turn out to be completely false. I do want anybody else in the situation Mr. Ballmer is in now, or Kawhi Leonard for that matter, to be treated the same way I would want to be treated if people were making allegations against me. ..."We're not a court of law at the end of the day either; we have broad authority to look at all information and to weigh it accordingly."

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 16: Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver have announced that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held at the team's new Inglewood arena, the Intuit Dome. Press conference held at Intuit Dome on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 in Inglewood, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Silver: NBA will assess 'totality of evidence' in Clippers investigation

The NBA has launched its own investigation into gambling allegations surrounding Malik Beasley af...

The NBA has launched its own investigation into gambling allegations surrounding Malik Beasley after suspicious activity around his prop bets, the league told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46215307/nba-investigating-free-agent-malik-beasley-gambling">ESPN's David Purdum</a> on Wednesday.Beasley, 28, already came under scrutiny in a federal investigation looking into the same issue. In late August, his lawyers announced he was no longer a "target" of that probe but admitted to the <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2025/08/22/malik-beasley-no-longer-target-of-fbi-gambling-probe-lawyer-says/85775202007/">Detroit News</a> that they have "no idea" if Beasley will ultimately be charged.The NBA is apparently close to concluding its own inquest, a source told Purdum. The league revealed in June that it was cooperating with the federal probe.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The investigations into Beasley stem from his one season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24. Sportsbooks reportedly flagged unusual activity on the veteran guard's prop bets ahead of a Jan. 31 contest against the Portland Trail Blazers; his over/under on rebounds was at 2.5 for that contest, but the odds for that number shortened from approximately +120 to -250 after a significant number of bettors picked the under. Beasley finished with six rebounds that game, resulting in a loss for those who the picked the under.The 2016 first-rounder was on course to sign a $42-million, three-year contract to return to Detroit before news of the federal investigation surfaced. The Pistons withdrew that offer and he remained an unrestricted free agent. However, Beasley <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOV-0DuiN2r/">suggested</a> Monday that his "decision is near," hinting he intends to sign with a club soon ahead of what would be his 10th NBA season.

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 27: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks and Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Beasley facing separate NBA probe amid feds' gambling investigation

Welcome to our recurring look at the various individual awards in the WNBA. This time, we're tapp...

Welcome to our recurring look at the various individual awards in the WNBA. This time, we're tapping in on the eve of the conclusion of the 2025 regular season with our picks to win each of the six accolades.<h3>Rookie of the Year </h3>3. Sonia Citron (Mystics): Washington's decision to trade Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky for the opportunity to select Citron at No. 3 overall was a stroke of genius by the Mystics' front office. Citron's excellence on both ends of the floor earned her an All-Star nod. She's <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/players/traditional/?Season=2025&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;Period=4&amp;sort=PTS&amp;dir=-1&amp;PerMode=Totals">second</a> league-wide in fourth-quarter scoring (209 points) and second in 3-point percentage (44.5%). Citron's effective off the ball as a cutter, too, and she routinely guards the opposition's top perimeter threats.2. Kiki Iriafen (Mystics): Iriafen is the second half of the Mystics' All-Star rookie tandem. The USC product supplanted Aaliyah Edwards as the starting power forward, quickly establishing herself as an elite rebounder with her relentless motor. Iriafen set a new franchise single-season record for double-doubles and a rookie team record for free-throw attempts.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>1. Paige Bueckers (Wings): This year's No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the billing. Bueckers became the 10th rookie to start a WNBA All-Star Game and went off for a career-high 44 points against the Sparks in August to tie the single-game scoring mark by any first-year player. She's a mid-range assassin and an impact defender who's demonstrated great leadership amid a trying season. Bueckers has all the makings of one of the league's premier players for years to come.<h3>Defensive Player of the Year</h3>3. Gabby Williams (Storm): Seattle would not have been able to lock up the final playoff seed this late in the campaign without Williams' pesky defense. Even after setting a franchise record with eight steals June 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks, she averaged 2.1 swipes in the 32 games that followed, which still kept her neck and neck with Sun guard Leila Lacan for the league lead.2. Napheesa Collier (Lynx): As the Lynx put the finishing touches on a nearly wire-to-wire season in first place, Collier keeps proving herself as one of the WNBA's few elite two-way stars. With a combined 3.2 stocks (steals plus blocks), Collier's defensive value to Minnesota is as indisputable as her career-high and team-leading 23 points per contest. Specifically, perimeter defense has been her calling card; opponents are <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/players/opponent-shooting/?Season=2025&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;DistanceRange=8ft%20Range&amp;sort=16-24%20ft.%20FG%20PCT&amp;dir=-1&amp;CF=16-24%20ft.%20FGA*GE*5">shooting</a> just 31.7% on 6.5 attempts per game between 16-24 feet when Collier's on the floor. The Lynx star isn't defending all of those attempts herself, but it's still the worst clip by opponents within that range against any currently rostered player in the league.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/cropped_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800567/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233075404.jpg?ts=1757354254 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David Becker / National Basketball Association / Getty</figcaption></figure>1. A'ja Wilson (Aces): Wilson's stellar individual prowess will likely be enough to earn her DPOY over Collier, who benefits from a better defensive supporting cast. Wilson tops the WNBA in blocks per game (2.3) while registering 55.7% of Las Vegas' rejections during her minutes. She's tied for fifth in the league in steals (matching Collier's 1.6). And, among players with at least 500 minutes, she boasts the best defensive rating (99.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) on the Aces while their defense is at its worst (105.2) when she isn't playing.<h3>Most Improved Player</h3>3. Allisha Gray (Dream): Gray's small but noticeable jump in efficiency - she went from 40.3/34.2/76.9 shooting splits in 2024 to 44.9/38/79.9 this season - is just one of the many factors that make this Atlanta squad much more dangerous than last year's iteration. However, the fact that she's become more efficient on career-high volume across the board - while simultaneously becoming a better facilitator for her teammates - is what legitimizes the case for a back-to-back-to-back All-Star winning Most Improved Player at age 30.2. Azura Stevens (Sparks): Stevens has never shot better from deep over a full season than she has in 2025, which is why the Sparks vet is putting up a career-high 12.9 points per game in Year 8. But while she's converting a personal-best 38.6% of shots from beyond the arc, the percentage of her points that come from threes is actually down year over year (43.8% to 39.4%); instead, the rate of her fast-break points has climbed (9.4% to 13.3%), showing she's simply been more effective in transition opportunities.1. Veronica Burton (Valkyries): It was difficult to be optimistic about Burton's career trajectory at this time last year. Her minutes had dipped for a third straight season and she'd failed to cement a rotation spot with the Connecticut Sun after two years in Dallas with the same outcome. All that only boosts her case to win Most Improved Player in Year 4 after nearly quadrupling her scoring to 12 points per game while adding six assists and 4.4 rebounds - all of which represent career bests - and helping guarantee a playoff berth in the Valkyries' inaugural season.<h3>Sixth Player of the Year</h3>3. Natisha Hiedeman (Lynx): Hiedeman was on a heater down the stretch, scoring 20 or more in three straight September games before a quieter 6-point night Tuesday. She displayed some of her best shooting of the year during those three contests, going 12-of-18 (66.7%) on threes amid a significant minutes bump this month. Her increased playing time is at least partially due to the Lynx already locking up the top seed, but Hiedeman's electric (if streaky) touch off the bench has been a critical component of Minnesota's success all year.2. DeWanna Bonner (Mercury): Bonner's contributions off the bench have gotten much better since she joined the Mercury in early July after an unsuccessful nine-game run with the Fever. At 10.9 points per game, the 37-year-old is the <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/players/traditional/?sort=PTS&amp;dir=-1&amp;Season=2025&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;StarterBench=Bench&amp;CF=GP*GE*20:PLAYER_NAME*E*">only</a> player in the league predominantly deployed as a reserve with a double-digit scoring average (minimum 20 games this season), keeping her firmly in the mix for a fourth Sixth Player of the Year honor and what would be her first in 14 years.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/cropped_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800558/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233244003.jpg?ts=1757352650 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Adam Hagy / National Basketball Association / Getty</figcaption></figure>1. Naz Hillmon (Dream): In terms of overall impact, Hillmon has arguably been Atlanta's most important player all season. The fourth-year forward doesn't light up opponents like top-scoring teammates Allisha Gray or Rhyne Howard, but the metrics show Hillmon is also indispensable to the offense, as she <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/team/1611661330/lineups-advanced/?sort=OFF_RATING&amp;dir=1&amp;Season=2025&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;GroupQuantity=3&amp;CF=MIN*GE*100">features</a> in the Dream's six best three-person lineups by offensive rating and eight of the top 10 (minimum 100 minutes). She also owns the best on-court net rating (14.2) of any Atlanta player who's played at least 50 minutes all season.<h3>Coach of the Year</h3>3. Cheryl Reeve (Lynx): Reeve is seeking a record-extending fifth Coach of the Year award. The Lynx have been on a mission since losing last year's Finals in heartbreaking fashion. They own the league's top record by a fair margin as well as the No. 1 offense and defense. Minnesota is also one victory away from tying the WNBA's single-season record of 34 wins set by the Aces in 2023.2. Karl Smesko (Dream): Smesko made the jump to the pros following a 22-year run with Florida Gulf Coast, where his teams were known for their heavy 3-point volume. The third-seeded Dream have enjoyed great success using the same formula, ranking second in offensive efficiency after averaging the fewest points last season.1. Natalie Nakase (Valkyries): The rookie head coach virtually wrapped up the award when Golden State became the first WNBA team to clinch a playoff berth in its inaugural season. The Valkyries' 23-20 record is just three games behind the defending champion Liberty and shatters the previous expansion-wins mark of 17 set by the Detroit Shock in 1998. Nakase's squad also boasts the league's fourth-best defense.<h3>Most Valuable Player</h3>3. Alyssa Thomas (Mercury): Phoenix's point forward deserves more consideration for the WNBA's top individual honor. Thomas broke her own single-season WNBA record for triple-doubles and surpassed Caitlin Clark's league mark for assists in one campaign. She's also the first player in WNBA history to drop at least 300 dimes in three consecutive seasons.2. A'ja Wilson (Aces): The 6-foot-4 center is making a compelling case for a fourth MVP award. Las Vegas' surge up the standings has coincided with Wilson's best stretch of play, as the seven-time All-Star is averaging 26.3 points, 11.5 boards, 2.1 blocks, and 1.6 steals during the Aces' 15-game win streak. Her rim-protection has been paramount with Las Vegas taking a step back defensively. Wilson's on pace to lead her peers in blocks (2.3) for the fourth straight campaign.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/cropped_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800145/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233270332.jpg?ts=1757103131 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David Berding / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>1. Napheesa Collier (Lynx): Collier might've been the runaway winner for MVP if she hadn't been sidelined for seven contests. The All-Star forward is the undisputed top player on the league's best team, providing three-level scoring as well as elite defense. Collier ranks in the WNBA's top five in scoring (23), steals (1.6), and blocks (1.6). The Lynx have a <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/team/1611661324/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&amp;dir=1">plus-11</a> net rating when the UConn product is on the floor.

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