AU Pro Basketball stars in action for Round 1 of the WNBA Playoffs
Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball stars are making their mark on the WNBA postseason, from veterans lending playoff experience to rookies getting their first minutes on the biggest stage. For some, it’s a chance to showcase leadership and consistency. For others, it’s about gaining valuable playoff reps ahead of Season 5 of AU Pro Basketball this winter.
Here’s how these returning and incoming AU stars helped their teams battle through the first round and fight for a spot in the WNBA semifinals.
Minnesota Lynx* (Jaylyn Sherrod) vs. Golden State Valkyries (Kaitlyn Chen)
In Game 1, Minnesota rolled to a 101-72 win. Though she didn’t get much time on the court, Jaylyn Sherrod logged a rebound and an assist in four minutes off the bench. For Golden State, Kaitlyn Chen recorded her first WNBA playoff stats in four minutes with two rebounds and one assist. While they were modest numbers, they represent valuable experience in her rookie year heading into Athletes Unlimited this February.
In Game 2, the Lynx edged the Valkyries 75-74 to close the series 2-0 and advance to the semifinals, where they will face the yet undetermined winner of the New York – Phoenix series.
Atlanta Dream (Te-Hina Paopao) vs. Indiana Fever* (Odyssey Sims, Bree Hall)
In Game 1, Atlanta grabbed an 80-68 win. Odyssey Sims paced Indiana with 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31 minutes, while rookie Bree Hall made the most of her opportunity with four points in two minutes for her first career playoff buckets.
In Game 2, the Fever bounced back with a 77-60 victory. Sims added five points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Te-Hina Paopao had a team-leading 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, three rebounds, a steal, and a block in 14 minutes off the bench for Atlanta.
In the deciding Game 3, Indiana edged Atlanta 87-85 to take the series 2-1. Sims turned up the heat with 16 points, eight assists, three steals, and two rebounds. Paopao closed out her rookie campaign with six points, three rebounds, and an assist. The Fever now advance to face Las Vegas in the semifinals.
Las Vegas Aces* (Kierstan Bell, Aaliyah Nye, NaLyssa Smith, Kiah Stokes) vs. Seattle Storm (Lexie Brown)
In Game 1, Las Vegas dominated Seattle 102-77. Kierstan Bell added five points and a rebound, while NaLyssa Smith tallied 11 points, a team-high nine rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Lexie Brown countered with five points and a rebound for the Storm.
In Game 2, the Storm answered with an 86-83 win to extend the series. Bell posted seven points and a rebound, while Smith contributed seven points and a team-leading eight boards.
In the deciding Game 3, the Aces edged Seattle 74-73 to advance to the semifinals. Bell grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and dished out an assist. Smith added two points, four rebounds, and two assists as Las Vegas earned the right to move on in the playoffs to face Indiana.
New York Liberty (Isabelle Harrison) vs. Phoenix Mercury
In Game 1, New York opened the series with a 76-69 overtime victory, but in Game 2, Phoenix stormed back with an 86-60 win. Isabelle Harrison contributed four points, two rebounds, and two steals for New York in the loss. The series will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 3.
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Looking Ahead
The first round will wrap up on Friday at 9 p.m. ET as the New York Liberty visit the Phoenix Mercury for Game 3.
The semifinal round will be played in a best-of-five format. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Sept. 21
- Semifinals Game 1: Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — 3 PM ET
- Semifinals Game 1: New York/Phoenix winner at Minnesota Lynx — 5 PM ET
Tuesday, Sept. 23
- Semifinals Game 2: New York/Phoenix winner at Minnesota Lynx — 7:30 PM ET
- Semifinals Game 2: Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — 9:30 PM ET
Friday, Sept. 26
- Semifinals Game 3: Minnesota Lynx at New York/Phoenix winner — TBD
- Semifinals Game 3: Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever — TBD
Sunday, Sept. 28 (If Necessary)
- Semifinals Game 4: Minnesota Lynx at New York/Phoenix winner — TBD
- Semifinals Game 4: Las Vegas Aces at Indiana Fever — 3 PM ET
Tuesday, Sept. 30 (If Necessary)
- Semifinals Game 5: New York/Phoenix winner at Minnesota Lynx — TBD
- Semifinals Game 5: Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — TBD
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
