As we prepare for yet another epic showdown between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas in Tuesday's Commissioners' Cup, it's a perfect time to reflect on what's been an incredible start to the WNBA's 30th season.
We've had a front row seat to some incredible basketball games, like Sunday's four-overtime thriller in Washington D.C., and we'll take a look at the best of the best tomorrow.
Today, though, we recognize the most memorable performances from this season, to date.
5. ANGEL REESE, Atlanta Dream (June 18)
In what was supposed to be the celebration for another superstar from the 2024 WNBA Draft, it was the ATL Barbie's night instead, as she registered her 10th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the Dream's seven-point road win over the Indiana Fever. While Caitlin Clark debuted her Nike Caitlin 1 signature shoes on the court, Reese impressively navigated her way through the second half with four fouls to lead her team in scoring and help it secure a 108-101 win. Oh, and to match her fellow first-round draft pick from 2024, she did it while wearing a brand-new sneaker called the "Poison Angel."
"It’s a breath of fresh air knowing that even when I do sit down, I’m not worried, because this is a team and our team is so good, we have so many different weapons from players on our team," Reese said afterward, sharing praise for her teammates.
4. SONIA CITRON, Washington Mystics (June 12)
The unfortunate baggage Citron has to carry around during her career is that her draft class will long be remembered as the one that began with Paige Bueckers' name being called first. But as she's done many times in her first year and a half in the league, she demonstrated just how dangerous she can be. It wasn't Citron's highest-scoring night of the season, but it may have been the most memorable moment of her young career. With the Mystics trailing the Toronto Tempo by one with 2.1 seconds left, rookie center Lauren Betts' second effort after a jump ball was corralled by Citron, who, without hesitation, turned and buried a jumper over Julie Allemand as time expired. Citron, who finished with 17 points and five rebounds, admitted after the game she wasn't sure where to set up for Betts' jump ball based on league rules. She did, however, remind us why she was taken third overall in a talented draft class.
"I just remember if Lauren tips it to me, I gotta put it up, and she did a great job of winning the tip," Citron said. "I got it and had to shoot it. I didn't have a choice, and just luckily it went in."
3. MARINA MABREY, Toronto Tempo (June 25)
The veteran had no idea what was taking place, with no stat board for her to see inside the 8,500-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, but her sister knew. Once Michaela Mabrey told Marina that she was three points shy of tying Liz Cambage and A'ja Wilson for the single-game record, reality set in. In leading the Tempo to a 125-97 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Mabrey finished with 53 points after draining nine 3-pointers for the second time in seven days. It also marked the third time someone had buried nine treys in a game, also accomplished by Las Vegas' Chelsea Gray on June 2 in Portland. Not surprising, Mabrey's team-first mentality kicked in and, per coach Sandy Brondello, the 29-year-old was ready to come out once she tied the record.
"I said, 'No, no, you’ve got to stay in for this record,'" Brondello said, to which Mabrey obliged, but missed her next two 3-point attempts. "She was done (after that). She goes, 'I’m out.'"
2. NNEKA OGWUMIKE, Los Angeles Sparks (June 21)
Leave it to Madame President to play a predominant role in what the league designated as the 30th Anniversary Game, with the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks playing exactly 30 years after the league's inaugural game. Ogwumike, who was recently re-elected to a fourth term as president of the players' union, has overseen Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations as president twice, including a historic new one that allowed the 30th season to begin on time. Thus, after the Sparks fell behind by 17 points to the Liberty in the third quarter, it seemed only fitting Ogwumike played the role of hero, as she buried a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to complete the comeback and secure a 98-87 victory.
"It’s emotional seeing all these legends in the building," a teary-eyed Ogwumike said after the game. "People that didn’t get paid their value, and they’re still coming here and supporting us. I’m so grateful."
1. SARAH ASHLEE BARKER, Portland Fire (May 12)
The second-year guard out of Alabama finished with what is still her second-lowest output of the season in the franchise's second-ever game, but it's the context that makes this the most special moment, in my opinion. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for Barker, it was a game-winning bucket that culminated an emotional 24 hours. In the right place at the right time, Barkley grabbed a bad miss from teammate Bridget Carleton off the glass and scored her second field goal of the night as time expired to give Portland its first franchise win, a 98-96 win over the mighty New York Liberty. The 24-year-old said afterwards that she lost someone close to her the day prior. And, understandably, with respect to her privacy, she didn't elaborate.
"I’ll be honest, it’s been an emotional 24 hours," Barker said during her post-game interview, her eyes red from tears. "I lost somebody who was important to me yesterday, and so tonight was God’s strength, not mine. So just a perfect ending."
Not to mention the perfect moment to lead the list, in my eyes.
HONORABLE MENTION
May 15: A'JA WILSON, Las Vegas Aces: The reigning MVP scored 45 points, behind a ridiculous .833 shooting night, including 2 of 2 from 3-point range, during a 101-94 win in Connecticut.
May 28: VERONICA BURTON, Golden State Valkyries: In an early clash that determined the league's top record at the time, the 2025 Most Improved Player finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks in a 90-88 win over Indiana.
June 2: RHYNE HOWARD, Atlanta Dream: The three-time All-Star dropped 36 points in Atlanta's 16-point rout of Connecticut, while hitting a whopping 8 of 19 from 3-point range.
June 10: BRITTNEY SYKES, Toronto Tempo: Known more for her defensive wizardry, the 32-year-old scored 38 points for a second time this season, lifting the Tempo past Connecticut 106-102 in overtime. It was the last win the Tempo would enjoy with her in the lineup, as she left with a plantar fascia injury three games later.
June 11: ALIYAH BOSTON and CAITLIN CLARK, Indiana Fever: The franchise's young dynamic duo became the first pair of teammates in WNBA history to have 30-point double-doubles in the same game, leading Indiana past the Chicago Sky 114-106 in overtime. Boston turned in her third double-double of the season, scoring 34 points and grabbing 12, while Clark also registered her third, with 32 points and 10 assists.
June 13: KELSEY PLUM, Los Angeles Sparks: The two-time WNBA champion and four-time All-Star dropped a career-high 43 points and added seven assists during an overtime win at Phoenix to lead the Sparks to a 111-102 victory. Plum matched her most points in a quarter with 19 the fourth, as she scored the Sparks' last 17 points of the quarter.
June 13: KAHLEAH COPPER, Phoenix Mercury: On the same night Plum was turning in a career night, it would be criminal not to mention Copper's 40-point double-double, as she scored 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Copper had 21 points by halftime, to send the Mercury into the locker room with a three-point lead, but it was her 13 fourth-quarter points that helped the Mercury erase a nine-point deficit and force overtime.
June 22: DOMINIQUE MALONGA, Seattle Storm: During what's been a rough season for the seemingly new-look Storm, Malonga continued to be the team's bright spot, as she registered her second double-double of the season, with career-highs of 37 points and 12 rebounds in Seattle's hard-fought 112-110 loss to Dallas.
June 28: SONIA CITRON, Washington Mystics: This could have easily made the top five, but it might have taken away from giving the game itself its due on the upcoming memorable games list. The Mystics and Portland Fire produced the second-ever 4OT game in league history, and Citron poured in 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the 124-123 win over Portland.
