WNBA Roundup: Clark and Mitchell Make History, Bueckers Erupts and Mystics Rally Past Portland. Altercation with Enes Kanter

WINGS 92, STORM 70

ARLINGTON, Texas — Paige Bueckers wasted little time taking command Sunday, scoring 18 of her 32 points in the first quarter as Dallas overwhelmed Seattle 92-70. The Wings opened the game on an 11-0 run and raced to a 34-17 advantage after one quarter, eventually building a lead as large as 35. Bueckers finished 12-of-16 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range, tying a WNBA record for most threes in a game without a miss. Rookie Flau’jae Johnson supplied 23 points for Seattle, but the Storm never recovered from Dallas’ opening barrage. The Wings improved to 22-16.

Turning Point: The opening quarter essentially decided it. Dallas scored 34 points, Bueckers had 18 by herself, and Seattle immediately found itself chasing a 17-point deficit.

Star of the Game: Paige Bueckers, Dallas — 32 points, 12-of-16 shooting, 6-of-6 from three. Bueckers delivered one of her finest performances of the season and put the game out of reach early.

ACES 88, TEMPO 78

VANCOUVER — Las Vegas kept rolling with an 88-78 victory over Toronto, using a balanced attack and another strong defensive effort to strengthen its playoff position. The Aces built a 10-point advantage late in the second quarter before Toronto closed the half on a 6-0 run, trimming the deficit to 43-39. Isabelle Harrison then pulled the Tempo within two early in the third, but Toronto never managed to draw even. Las Vegas gradually regained control and protected its advantage through the closing minutes, handing Toronto another loss as the Aces continued their late-season surge.

Turning Point: Toronto cut the deficit to two early in the third quarter, but Las Vegas refused to surrender the lead and answered before the Tempo could complete the comeback.

Star of the Game: The Las Vegas defense. The Aces repeatedly stopped Toronto whenever the Tempo threatened to erase the deficit and controlled the decisive stretches after halftime.

FEVER 113, SKY 90

CHICAGO — Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell produced a historic scoring display as Indiana blew past Chicago 113-90. Clark erupted for 37 points and 10 assists, establishing a career high with eight 3-pointers, while Mitchell poured in 30 points. Together, they became the first pair of WNBA teammates to each score at least 30 points in the same game while combining for 10 or more made threes. Mitchell scored 23 of her 30 after halftime and extended her streak of 20-point performances to 23 games. Indiana buried a franchise-record 18 3-pointers and improved to 25-14 despite playing without Aliyah Boston.

Turning Point: Indiana’s perimeter attack overwhelmed Chicago after halftime. Mitchell caught fire while the Fever continued raining threes, transforming a competitive game into a 23-point victory.

Star of the Game: Caitlin Clark, Indiana — 37 points, 10 assists and eight 3-pointers. Clark produced her fifth career 30-point, 10-assist game, the most in WNBA history.

MYSTICS 105, FIRE 100

PORTLAND — Washington erased multiple double-digit deficits and rallied past Portland 105-100 in one of Sunday’s most entertaining games. Shakira Austin dominated inside with 31 points and 10 rebounds, repeatedly attacking the paint and free-throw line as Washington fought its way back. Carla Leite added a terrific 27-point, 11-assist double-double, while Emily Engstler scored 23 and matched her career high. Portland shot well from outside and controlled much of the early action, but Washington owned the glass 48-30 and repeatedly earned trips to the foul line. The Mystics attempted 44 free throws compared with Portland’s 15, a massive difference that helped fuel the comeback.

Turning Point: Washington’s rebounding and free-throw advantages gradually wore Portland down. After spending much of the game chasing the Fire, the Mystics finally seized control late.

Star of the Game: Shakira Austin, Washington — 31 points and 10 rebounds. Austin’s interior dominance was the foundation of Washington’s comeback.

August 23 Scoreboard

Dallas Wings 92, Seattle Storm 70
Las Vegas Aces 88, Toronto Tempo 78
Indiana Fever 113, Chicago Sky 90
Washington Mystics 105, Portland Fire 100

WNBA Standings Through August 23

Eastern Conference

Atlanta Dream — 24-13
Indiana Fever — 25-14
New York Liberty — 23-15
Washington Mystics — 22-15
Chicago Sky — 15-23
Toronto Tempo — 11-26
Connecticut Sun — 9-27

Western Conference

Minnesota Lynx — 31-7
Golden State Valkyries — 25-11
Las Vegas Aces — 26-13
Dallas Wings — 22-16
Portland Fire — 15-22
Phoenix Mercury — 13-24
Los Angeles Sparks — 13-24
Seattle Storm — 7-31

Standings reflect games completed through Sunday, August 23.

The biggest story of Sunday was clearly the Clark-Mitchell explosion. Clark’s 37 points and 10 assists gave her a league-record fifth career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, while Mitchell extended her remarkable 20-point streak to 23 consecutive games. Indiana also established a franchise record with 18 made threes. (Indiana Fever)

Bueckers had a similarly spectacular afternoon for Dallas. She scored 18 points in the first quarter alone and finished with 32 while making all six of her 3-point attempts. (ESPN) Washington’s comeback was fueled by Austin’s 31-point double-double, a 48-30 rebounding advantage and an enormous 44-15 edge in free-throw attempts. (blazersedge.com)