WNBA Recaps: Mitchell’s Clutch Heroics, Wilson’s Historic Return, and Reese Breaks Another Record

Thursday night’s three-game WNBA slate delivered high-stakes basketball. There was a fourth-quarter comeback in Phoenix, a losing streak stopped in Atlanta, and the return of the MVP.

Here is a detailed, stat-heavy breakdown of everything that transpired on the hardwood last night.

Thursday Night WNBA Scoreboard

Indiana Fever 92, Phoenix Mercury 89

No Clark, No Problem: Mitchell and Boston Close Out the Season Series

Even with superstar rookie Caitlin Clark sidelined in street clothes to rest a lingering back injury, the Indiana Fever completed a grueling back-to-back with an incredibly gutsy 92-89 comeback win over the Phoenix Mercury.

The Fever rode a blistering start, dropping six three-pointers in the opening frame to hold a 28-24 lead. However, Phoenix’s tandem of Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper (22 points each) punished Indiana in the second quarter, engineering a 29-19 frame to give the Mercury a 53-47 cushion at halftime. Phoenix pushed their lead out to as many as 10 points late in the game, but Indiana’s defense forced four consecutive turnovers to spark a furious 11-0 counter-rally over a two-minute window.

With just 10.1 seconds left on the clock, Kelsey Mitchell blew past her defender to sink a dramatic, contested go-ahead layup. Sophie Cunningham iced the game with two clutch free throws to secure the victory.

The Record Books: With her 29-point display, Kelsey Mitchell recorded her 37th consecutive double-digit game, tying legend Tamika Catchings for the longest streak in Fever franchise history. Furthermore, her three triples on the night moved her into a tie with Katie Douglas (727) for the 7th-most made three-pointers in WNBA history.

• Indiana Fever Stats: Kelsey Mitchell (29 PTS, 8 AST, 3 STL), Aliyah Boston (21 PTS, 9 REB), Tyasha Harris (15 PTS, 7 in the final three minutes).
• Phoenix Mercury Stats: Alyssa Thomas (22 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST), Kahleah Copper (22 PTS, 5 REB).

Las Vegas Aces 88, Portland Fire 80

The M’VP Returns: Wilson Dominates and Clinches Hammon’s All-Star Nod

After a frustrating three-game absence due to a right leg injury, reigning MVP A’ja Wilson reminded the basketball world exactly who she is. Wilson picked up right where she left off, exploding for 32 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Las Vegas Aces past the Portland Fire, 88-80.

Wilson wasted no time making history. Needing just 11 points to become the very first player in the 2026 season to score 500 total points, she achieved the feat with 7:08 left in the first half. In doing so, she tied Tina Charles for the second-fastest duration on record to reach the 500-point mark (20 games). She also officially bypassed Seimone Augustus for the No. 7 spot on the WNBA’s all-time two-point field goals made list.

Las Vegas dictated the pace completely, shooting an ultra-efficient 51% from the floor. A late third-quarter blitz—highlighted by a Kierstan Bell corner triple and three free throws from Chelsea Gray in the final 30 seconds—blew the game open to a 17-point margin (69-52). Portland’s rookie sensation Carla Leite led a spirited 28-point fourth-quarter push for the Fire, but Becky Hammon’s squad had built too much of a cushion. Crucially, the victory officially clinched Hammon’s spot as the head coach for the upcoming 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.

• Las Vegas Aces Stats: A’ja Wilson (32 PTS, 10 REB, 10-19 FG, 11-13 FT), Jackie Young (19 PTS, 11 AST, 8-11 FG), NaLyssa Smith (16 PTS).
• Portland Fire Stats: Carla Leite (13 PTS, 5 AST), Megan Gustafson (11 PTS), Teja Oblak (11 PTS).

Atlanta Dream 89, Seattle Storm 78

History for Reese: Dream Snaps 5-Game Skid Despite Late Injury Scare

With former LSU head coach Kim Mulkey watching closely from the front row, the Atlanta Dream put together their most complete team performance in weeks, systematically dismantling the Seattle Storm 89-78 to snap an agonizing five-game losing streak.

While Allisha Gray set the offensive tone with a game-high 22 points, Angel Reese walked away with the history books again. Reese logged a gritty 18 points and 11 rebounds, securing her league-best 15th double-double of the season. More impressively, it marked the 64th double-double of her career, officially sliding past Tina Charles (63) for the most double-doubles recorded by a player in their first three WNBA seasons.

Atlanta’s defense was suffocating, forcing Seattle into a season-high 21 turnovers and limiting them to a painful 3-of-20 (15%) clip from beyond the arc. Atlanta built a massive 20-point lead midway through the third quarter. The only blemish on a perfect evening for Atlanta came with 1:19 remaining in the game, when Reese rolled her right ankle and had to be carefully helped off the floor by the training staff.

• Atlanta Dream Stats: Allisha Gray (22 PTS, 5 AST), Rhyne Howard (19 PTS, 4-11 3PT), Angel Reese (18 PTS, 11 REB, 3 STL).
• Seattle Storm Stats: Natisha Hiedeman (20 PTS, 3 AST), Dominique Malonga (15 PTS, 9 REB), Flau’jae Johnson (12 PTS, 5 AST).