At the post-game press conference following the Phoenix Mercury's 86-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semi-finals -- advancing the Mercury to the sixth Finals in team history (winning in 2007, '09 and '14) -- Lynx guard Kayla McBride was in tears. The Lynx headed into Sunday's game at a decided disadvantage. Star player Napheesa Collier was sidelined with a foot injury sustained in game three, and head coach Cheryl Reeve was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from game three and criticizing the officiating.
"You just want it for the people around you," said McBride. "You want it for the people that grind with you every single day -- good days, bad days, bus rides, locker room. ...It's never about anything else but each other."
One can only hope the powers-that-be pay careful attention to McBride's words when deciding what to offer the WNBA players in the collective bargaining. Talented athletes have sacrificed, shown up, and given their hearts and souls for the league for 29 seasons. Yes, the NBA and the investors are looking for a return, but at this moment of popularity for women's basketball, it is time to pay the players what they're worth.
The extensive talent in this league was clear in the incredible play between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever. Playing without its star, Caitlin Clark, and a whole bunch of other injured players, the Fever stepped up like it was 2015, when the franchise reached the finals, losing to the Lynx. On Tuesday evening, in one of the league's best-ever semifinal games, the Las Vegas Aces denied the Fever another trip to the finals.
The Aces' A'ja Wilson, putting herself with the best who have ever played the game, scored 35 points to carry the Aces to a 107-98 win. The Aces will be making their fourth finals appearance in the last six years. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will begin tomorrow (8 p.m., ESPN) in Las Vegas.
A'ja Wilson of the Aces was named MVP for a record fourth time. Naz Hillmon of the Atlanta Dream received Sixth Player of the Year. Wilson and the Lynx's Alanna Smith are Co-Defensive Players of the Year. Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was named Coach of the Year, a first for the coach of an expansion team. Dream general manager Dan Padover is the WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year. The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike has been named the recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, the first player in league history to win the award four times. Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is the Rookie of the Year.