ALYSSA THOMAS

SYDNEY — (AP) — Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold medal game of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive tournament. The 43 points was the fewest scored in a semifinal game in World Cup history. The win was the biggest margin for the U.S. in the medal round topping the 36-point victory over Spain in the 2010 World Cup. The victory was the 29th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven’t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86.

Breanna Stewart scored 17 points and the United States raced out to an early lead to put away Canada 83-43, advancing to the gold-medal game of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive tournament.

Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold medal game of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive tournament. Stewart scored 17 points and the Americans raced out to an early lead to put away Canada 83-43 on Friday. The 43 points was the fewest scored in a semifinal game in World Cup history.

Brittney Griner anchored a dominant frontcourt that made the U.S. women’s basketball team the favorites in any international tournament.

SYDNEY — (AP) — Alyssa Thomas and her United States teammates were tested for the first time in the World Cup by a physical Serbia team. Thomas had 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to help the U.S. beat Serbia 88-55 in the quarterfinals of the women's World Cup on Thursday. The Serbians scored the first basket of the game — the first time the Americans trailed in the tournament. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86. SCOREBOARDIn other quarterfinal games Wednesday, Canada defeated Puerto Rico 79-60 to advance to its first World Cup semifinals since 1986.

SYDNEY — (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to help the United States beat Serbia 88-55 in the quarterfinals of the women's World Cup on Thursday. The Americans had run through pool play, winning by 46.2 points per game and hadn't faced any kind of challenge. The Serbians scored the first basket of the game — marking the first time the Americans trailed in the tournament. Thomas had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in the opening 20 minutes. The victory was the 28th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven’t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia.

Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to help the United States beat Serbia 88-55 in the quarterfinals of the women’s World Cup.

Nirra Fields scored 17 points and Shay Colley added 11 to help Canada beat France 59-45 in the women’s basketball World Cup.

The United States is quickly identifying itself as a stellar defensive squad by using its athleticism to make it difficult for opponents to score. Shakira Austin scored 19 points, Kahleah Copper added 16 and the U.S. played suffocating defense to rout Puerto Rico 106-42 on Friday in the women's World Cup. “We talk every day about being hard to play against, getting deflections, and the team has really bought into that,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in her debut for the Americans, who beat Belgium 87-72 in the tournament opener on Thursday. After finding out she'd be on the U.S. roster, she never gave any thought to skipping the World Cup. These teams met in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, with the Americans using a big third quarter to pull away and win by 16. She had four against the U.S, which has now won 23 consecutive World Cup games since losing in the 2006 semifinals to Russia. SCOREBOARDPuerto Rico beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 82-58 for the country's first World Cup win.

Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in her debut for the United States, which beat Belgium 87-72 in its World Cup opener.

Alyssa Thomas finished the 2022 WNBA season with back-to-back triple-doubles, a historic rarity that’s turning more commonplace in the league. Tough, tough, tough. It was a perfect cap for a season that's experienced a record nine. Last year, it was Alyssa Thomas out with an Achilles and the year prior, Jonquel Jones opted out of the bubble season. It was his first as coach and the year they drafted 2020 MVP Jonquel Jones with the No.

The Las Vegas Aces won their first WNBA championship on Sunday in a Game 4 Finals victory against the Connecticut Sun. Chelsea Gray had 20 points.

Chelsea Gray got it done early, and Riquna Williams closed it out as the Las Vegas Aces claimed the first WNBA championship in franchise history. Courtney Williams then made a jumper on the other end before Riquna Williams hit a 3-pointer to give the Aces a 70-69 lead. Riquna Williams hit another triple, before the Sun missed a shot and were blocked by Chelsea Gray. Williams hit a big jumper before the Sun were forced to call a timeout, but the game was all but over by then. Kelsey Plum finished it off with a jumper in the lane to give the Aces a 77-71 lead.

WNBA Finals saw history made on Thursday night when Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double int he Connecticut Sun's victory over the Las Vegas Aces.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history, and the Connecticut Sun staved off elimination by beating the Las Vegas Aces 105-76 in Game 3 on Thursday night. Las Vegas couldn't get closer than six the rest of the game. The victory thwarted Las Vegas' first attempt at winning the franchise's inaugural WNBA championship. He took over the franchise when it moved to Las Vegas in 2018 before retiring at the end of last season. ... Had the Aces been able to complete the comeback, they would have broken the mark for biggest rally in WNBA Finals history.

Alyssa Thomas had the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history to help the Connecticut Sun stave off elimination by beating the Las Vegas Aces 105-76 in Game 3.

History was abound as the Connecticut Sun completely flipped the script after a cross-country road trip and short turnaround. Alyssa Thomas notched the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history as the Sun amped up their offense in support of its normally imposing offense to stave off elimination with a 105-76 win over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Thursday. The Sun set a Finals record by shooting 82.4% in the first quarter, which was also the highest-scoring first quarter in Finals history. WNBA Finals scheduleGame 1: Las Vegas 67, Connecticut 64Game 2: Las Vegas 85, Connecticut 71Game 3: Connecticut 105, Las Vegas 76 (Aces lead 2-1)Game 4:Las Vegas at Connecticut, 4 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)Game 5: Connecticut at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.

It is her fifth All-WNBA selection and the third consecutive year she's been on the first team. Plum finished third in MVP award voting after averaging 20.2 points per game (second behind Stewart) and 5.1 assists per game (ninth). Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, is also on the second team after leading the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Ionescu earned her first All-WNBA selection after a comeback season following two years of ankle issues. It's her eighth All-WNBA selection of her 15-season career.

A’ja Wilson had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Las Vegas Aces to an 85-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

LAS VEGAS — (AP) — The Connecticut Sun might be down one game in the WNBA Finals after losing their first series opener of the postseason, but they haven’t lost confidence thanks to a stringent defensive effort in Game 1. The top-seeded Las Vegas Aces averaged 90.4 points per game during the regular season and were scoring a playoff-best 92.3 per contest heading into the championship round. On Sunday, the Sun held Las Vegas to its lowest point total of the postseason in the 67-64 loss, and Connecticut took confidence from that performance as it prepares for Tuesday’s Game 2. “I mean, after this game, we have to have a lot of confidence,” forward Alyssa Thomas said. “They play so hard the entire game,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said.

The Connecticut Sun might be down one game in the WNBA Finals after losing their first series opener of the postseason, but they haven’t lost confidence thanks to a stringent defensive effort in Game 1.

A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 67-64 on Sunday in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals The Aces staved off a late run by the Sun, who erased a seven-point deficit with 1:24 left when Alyssa Thomas hit back-to-back shots to pull Connecticut within three.

Jonquel Jones had 15 points and 10 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, beating the Chicago Sky 72-63 in the decisive fifth game of the semifinal series and advancing to the WNBA Finals.

A'ja Wilson earned WNBA MVP honors for the second time in her young career Wednesday. The 26-year-old Las Vegas Aces forward received 31 of 56 first-place votes from a media panel. The award was announced one day after Wilson helped the Aces reach the WNBA Finals by knocking out Stewart and the Storm. Wilson's Las Vegas teammate Kelsey Plum finished third and Connecticut's Alyssa Thomas and Chicago's Candace Parker — a two-time MVP — rounded out the top five in the voting. 1 pick in the 2018 draft — the franchise's first year in Las Vegas.

DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams each scored 19 points to help the Connecticut Sun rout the Chicago Sky 104-80 and force a decisive Game 5 in their WNBA playoffs semifinal series.

Candace Parker had 16 points and 11 rebounds while Kahleah Copper added 15 points and the Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 76-72 in Game 3 of the WNBA playoffs semifinals.

The Seattle Storm forward led the WNBA in scoring for the first time in her career, averaging 21.8 points, and Tuesday she became the first player to repeat as The Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year. Stewart received six votes for AP Player of the Year by the 10-member media panel narrowly edging A'ja Wilson, who received the other four votes. Stewart is the first two-time winner of the award since the AP voting began in 2016. “It's an honor to be recognized as the best in the league,” said Stewart, who was also named player of the year in 2018. Tanisha Wright became the first former WNBA player to win the AP Coach of the Year award.

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart is the first two-time winner of The Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year award.

Breanna Stewart is always looking for ways to improve her game and this season her efforts culminated in a couple more career milestones. The Seattle Storm forward led the WNBA in scoring for the first time in her career, averaging 21.8 points, and Tuesday she became the first player to repeat as The Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year. Stewart received six votes for AP Player of the Year by the 10-member media panel narrowly edging A'ja Wilson, who received the other four votes.

Lynx Sun Basketball Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams (10) applauds as Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, left, embraces teammate Natalie Achonwa as Fowles leaves in the closing minute o a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. Fowles played her final game as the Sun eliminated the Lynx from playoff contention. Fowles, the 2017 league MVP and four-time defensive player of the year, had her league-best 192 career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. She is the only player to lead two franchises (Minnesota and Chicago) in career rebounding and she is the only WNBA player to reach 6,000 career rebounds (6,006 total). Fowles checked out of the game for the last time to a long standing ovation, and hugged her coaches and teammates. The Sun led 78-62 with 7:08 remaining before Minnesota went on a 14-2 run during which Fowles and Aerial Powers scored five points each.

Following Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russia to nine years in prison Thursday, WNBA players, coaches and fans locked arms and tried to send the American basketball star strength during a moment of silence.

The New York Liberty are currently two games out of a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

WNBA Aces Sun Basketball Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) gets the offensive rebound over teammate Brionna Jones (42) and Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) during a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) (Sean D. Elliot)The All-Star break came at a good time for the Las Vegas Aces and since play resumed they've been on a roll. Las Vegas has won three straight — all on the road — averaging 102 points a game in those victories. Las Vegas won 13 of its first 15 games before stumbling prior to the All-Star break with five losses in seven games. Las Vegas (18-7): Riquna Williams has lately been providing solid minutes off the bench, averaging 7.2 points this season to give the Aces a spark. Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Breanna Stewart of Seattle, Kelsey Plum of Las Vegas and Jonquel Jones of Connecticut also received votes.

Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago.

The New York Liberty are a work in progress.

Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year.

The WNBA semifinal playoff series are knotted at a game apiece and both could go the full five games based on the historic and gritty performances thus far.

The Sun's “engine” did just that, scoring 15 points and providing a defensive presence to help the team even their best-of-five series with the Chicago Sky at one win apiece with a 79-68 victory Thursday night. She's the toughest player to play this game,” Sun guard Jasmine Thomas said. The Sun led 45-39 at the half behind strong play from Jasmine Thomas, who finished the opening 20 minutes with 12 points. It's something that’s been in the conversation for years,” Jasmine Thomas said. Ned Lamont placed the first bet, wagering $50 that the Sun will beat the Chicago Sky by at least 7 points.

Jonquel Jones is no stranger to winning Associated Press WNBA awards.

With the playoffs beginning next week, Chicago has locked in the sixth seed and will host a first-round game against the No. Heading into the final days of the season, the Fever have the best chance at securing the top pick in the draft. Right now we're focused on the next game.”The Liberty still have a shot at the final playoff spot, trailing Washington by one game. Phoenix (19-11): The Mercury saw their 10-game winning streak end with a loss to Connecticut last week. Stewart will miss the team's final regular season game against Phoenix.

The WNBA enters the final week of the regular season with many playoff positions still to be decided as well as the final postseason berth.

NEW YORK — (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces fell just short of the WNBA championship last season while missing three key players. Now with Liz Cambage, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby back as well as free agent addition Chelsea Gray to help league MVP A'ja Wilson, the Aces sit atop the preseason Associated Press WNBA poll Wednesday. “We grew up last year, we added other pieces," Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said. Seattle, the defending WNBA champions, garnered the other four first-place ballots and was picked second. Seattle star Breanna Stewart was picked as the AP preseason player of the year for the second straight season.