Lynx Roll, Sky Win at the Buzzer and Tempo Finally Break Through

LYNX 94, MYSTICS 84

WASHINGTON — Minnesota continued its march through the WNBA with a 94-84 victory over Washington, improving to a league-best 31-7 and extending its winning streak to six games. Olivia Miles scored 24 points, while Natasha Howard added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks as Minnesota’s balanced attack proved too much for the Mystics. Washington actually led 26-25 after the opening quarter, but Minnesota answered with a 24-16 second period to take a seven-point advantage into halftime. Kiki Iriafen paced Washington with 19 points and 13 rebounds, but the Mystics couldn’t generate enough stops to complete a comeback.

Turning Point: Minnesota’s second quarter. After trailing through one, the Lynx outscored Washington 24-16 to seize control and never surrendered the lead for good.

Star of the Game: Olivia Miles, Minnesota — 24 points. Miles led all scorers and helped Minnesota collect its 31st victory of the season.

SKY 73, VALKYRIES 70

CHICAGO — Sydney Taylor delivered the shot of the night, burying a pull-up 3-pointer with just 1.6 seconds remaining to lift Chicago past Golden State, 73-70. The dramatic finish completed a wild night in which the Sky built a 21-point advantage before watching the Valkyries storm back. Natasha Cloud led Chicago with 17 points while going 5-for-5 from 3-point range, Kamilla Cardoso recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Taylor finished with 14. Laeticia Amihere paced Golden State with a career-high 16 points on perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Chicago improved to 15-22 with its season-high third consecutive victory.

Turning Point: Golden State went ahead 70-67 with 46.3 seconds remaining, but Taylor answered with a game-tying three and then drilled another over Veronica Burton for the winner.

Star of the Game: Sydney Taylor, Chicago — 14 points and the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left.

TEMPO 82, FIRE 79

VANCOUVER — Toronto finally ended nearly six weeks of frustration, defeating Portland 82-79 at Rogers Arena to snap a 12-game losing streak. Isabelle Harrison produced a monster performance with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Kiki Rice tied her career high with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Toronto overcame an early 13-point deficit and later built a 12-point fourth-quarter advantage, only for Portland to answer with a 13-0 run and grab a 76-75 lead. Harrison responded with a go-ahead floater, and Toronto survived when Bridget Carleton’s contested 3-point attempt missed just before the buzzer. The Tempo improved to 11-25.

Turning Point: After Portland’s 13-0 run erased Toronto’s fourth-quarter lead, Harrison broke a lengthy scoring drought with a floater that put the Tempo back ahead for good.

Star of the Game: Isabelle Harrison, Toronto — 25 points, 10 rebounds. Harrison supplied both the night’s biggest stat line and the basket that stopped Portland’s late rally.

August 21 Scoreboard

Minnesota Lynx 94, Washington Mystics 84
Chicago Sky 73, Golden State Valkyries 70
Toronto Tempo 82, Portland Fire 79

WNBA Standings Through August 21

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

The Sky-Valkyries finish was especially dramatic: Golden State led 70-67 with 46.3 seconds left, before Taylor hit consecutive threes, including the winner with 1.6 seconds remaining. (ESPN) Toronto’s victory was its first since July 12, ending a 12-game skid despite the Tempo playing without Marina Mabrey and losing Brittney Sykes and Aneesah Morrow during the game. (ESPN)

The standings above reflect the records after Friday night’s games. (ESPN)