Stewart drops 34 as Liberty rout top-seeded Lynx in Game 1
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Breanna Stewart produced yet another clutch performance in the WNBA playoffs with 34 points and 12 rebounds for the New York Liberty in a 91-75 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx to open their best-of-three first-round series. Stewart added six assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 11 for 18 with her friend and former college teammate Napheesa Collier guarding her most of the afternoon. Nia Brodie led the Lynx with 16 points and Kayla McBride had 14 points after missing her first five 3-point attempts. Star rookie Olivia Miles had a quiet postseason debut with 11 points.
In other WNBA action on Sunday:
ACES 102, FEVER 85
LAS VEGAS -- A'ja Wilson totaled 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots Sunday as the Las Vegas Aces rolled to a Game 1 victory over the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. Wilson's scoring total matched a personal career postseason high. Caitlin Clark and Indiana will get a chance to even the series on its court when the teams meet Tuesday night and force a Game 3 in Las Vegas. A loss ends the Fever's season and sends the defending champion Aces on to the semifinals.
WILSON WINS AP'S WNBA PLAYER OF YEAR AGAIN
NEW YORK -- A'ja Wilson is in a class by herself, winning the AP’s WNBA Player of the Year honors for the third straight year. Wilson received 15 of the 17 first place votes from a national media panel Sunday. She topped Olivia Miles of Minnesota as well as Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, who all had stellar seasons. It's the fourth time that Wilson has won the AP Award, breaking a tie with Breanna Stewart for most all-time since the awards were first given in 2016. Angel Reese won AP Defensive Player of the Year for first time. Cheryl Reeve wins AP Coach of the Year for third time. Minnesota’s Olivia Miles unanimous AP Rookie of the Year.