The concern that players and teams would lose rhythm after three weeks away from the WNBA was legitimate as the league prepared to resume its regular season. However, if anyone expected a cautious, tentative ease back into WNBA basketball, the opening slate of games quickly put that idea to rest.
The league did not waste a moment getting back to business. After a three-week break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the league returned on Thursday night with five games, and the opening slate delivered everything from record-breaking shooting to dominant individual performances and franchise milestones.
Here are the key takeaways from the opening night of the WNBA’s return.
Jackie Young Record-Tying Performance
Jackie Young was one of Team USA’s most impactful players at the just-concluded World Cup, particularly in the gold-medal game against France, where she registered 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Any question about whether she would carry that form back into the WNBA was answered emphatically on Thursday. Young erupted for a career-high 35 points alongside five assists and a rebound as the Aces cruised past the Seattle Storm 114-77.
The final point total, impressive as it was, was arguably not even the headline. Young completely took over in the opening quarter, scoring 22 of Las Vegas’ 25 first-period points. That matched the WNBA record for most points scored by a single player in one quarter, placing her alongside Diana Taurasi, Brittney Sykes, and Jewell Loyd in the record books.
The efficiency during that opening burst was equally striking. Young went 8-of-9 from the field, 3-of-4 from three, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line in the quarter alone. She eventually finished the night 12-of-18 from the floor, including 4-of-10 from deep. It was one of those nights where almost everything went right, and the Aces looked very much like a team ready to make another championship run.
Mystics 30-Point Demolition of Chicago
The Washington Mystics also came out of the World Cup break looking anything but rusty. After three fairly competitive quarters, they overwhelmed the Chicago Sky in the final period, outscoring them 26-12 to close out a comprehensive 110-80 victory.
Shakira Austin led the Mystics with 20 points, while Kiki Iriafen contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds. Georgia Amoore also added 12 points and five assists, and Cotie McMahon chipped in 11.
But beyond the individual numbers, the bigger story was how efficiently Washington operated as a collective. The Mystics shot 54.7 percent from the field compared with Chicago’s 43.9 percent. They also distributed the ball beautifully with 27 assists, dominated the glass 40-27, and scored 54 points in the paint.
The Mystics face the Indiana Fever in their next game and will be hoping to record another win. That will help them climb higher in the standings and avoid the Aces, who they’ll most likely face in the playoffs with their current position.
Rhyne Howard Makes WNBA History With Record-Breaking 3-Pointer
Rhyne Howard’s return from the World Cup began in deeply frustrating fashion. The Atlanta Dream star missed her first eight attempts, including seven from three-point range. But all it took was one more make. With 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, Howard finally connected from deep, giving her 129 three-pointers for the season and surpassing Sabrina Ionescu’s previous WNBA single-season record of 128, set in 2023.
Howard eventually finished with 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, a well-rounded contribution to Atlanta’s victory. But her shooting line of 1-of-9 from three was undeniably difficult. It does not change what she accomplished; however, the record is hers now. And the remaining three games of the regular season give her the opportunity to build on it.
Angel Reese’s Historic 30th Double-Double
While Howard was rewriting the three-point record books, Angel Reese was also adding her own chapter. The fellow World Cup gold medallist delivered one of the most efficient individual performances in Atlanta’s 103-59 demolition, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds on a remarkable 11-of-14 shooting. That 10th rebound gave Reese her 30th double-double of the season and extended the WNBA single-season record she had already set.
What made it even more impressive was the economy with which it was achieved. Reese played just 25 minutes in the blowout, reaching 30 points with a free throw before claiming her 10th rebound shortly after.
Angel Reese‘s role at the World Cup had been more about physicality, defensive presence, and rebounding than scoring, a different kind of contribution than she just made for Atlanta. That she came home and immediately produced a 30-point game on elite efficiency was a reminder that when she is asked to score, she absolutely can.
Allisha Gray Sets New Dream Franchise Scoring Record
Atlanta’s blowout was a night laced with milestones, and one of them belonged to Allisha Gray. She entered the game already in record-setting territory for the franchise and continued building on it, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists, shooting 3-of-9 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Those 10 points pushed her season total to 782, surpassing her own Atlanta Dream franchise record for points scored in a single season.
Gray was, however, far more than a scorer on the night. Her five assists and six rebounds contributed to an all-around performance that reflected how completely Atlanta’s offence was clicking from start to finish.
Paige Bueckers Returns From World Cup With 19-Point Performance
Paige Bueckers is picking up exactly where she left off before the World Cup break, once again being the driving force for the Dallas Wings. She contributed 19 points as Dallas defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 97-77.
The scoring was not even the most encouraging part of her performance. Bueckers shot 8-of-13 from the field, including 1-of-5 from three, while adding six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, a genuinely well-rounded contribution. And more importantly, she fit seamlessly into a Dallas offence that had plenty of other contributors. Arike Ogunbowale scored 11, Maddy Siegrist added 12, and Alysha Clark chipped in nine.
The victory also came with a team milestone attached, as the Wings improved to 25-16, tying the franchise record for wins in a season. With the postseason approaching, Dallas looks like a team that has found its stride at exactly the right time.
Jessica Shepard’s Triple-Double as Dallas Rolls
Paige Bueckers’ return was one of the main talking points coming out of Dallas. However, Jessica Shepard also produced perhaps the most remarkable individual stat line of the night. Shepard finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, recording a triple-double as the Wings defeated the Sparks 97-77.
For Shepard, the triple-double was her fifth of the season, putting her behind only Alyssa Thomas in the WNBA’s single-season triple-double totals. She also stands alone in second place with six career triple-doubles, only behind Thomas.
Mercury Survive Fire: Shay Ciezki’s Clutch Bench Performance in Phoenix’s Thriller
Unlike four of the other games on the slate, the Phoenix Mercury and Portland Fire had to fight all the way to the finish. Phoenix eventually escaped with a 94-91 victory, but Portland kept the pressure on throughout the night. The Fire actually led 26-20 after the opening quarter, and neither team managed to create much separation afterwards. That made Shay Ciezki’s contribution particularly important.
The rookie guard came off the bench and delivered 22 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field, 3-of-5 from three and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. She also added three assists and two steals. Ciezki was especially important during Phoenix’s comeback, scoring 15 of her 22 points in the final 3:52 of the third quarter, helping the Mercury turn the game around before eventually holding off Portland.
Both teams are, however, already out of the playoffs, so it’s safe to say that this game was more about pride, momentum and individual performances than playoff implications.
A’ja Wilson Returns Rested and Ready With 29-Point Performance
While several WNBA stars spent the league’s three-week break competing at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, A’ja Wilson had the opportunity to rest and reset ahead of the final stretch of the regular season. And when the Las Vegas Aces returned to action, the four-time WNBA MVP looked ready to pick up right where she left off.
Wilson finished with 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the Aces overwhelmed the Seattle Storm 114-77. She shot an efficient 9-of-13 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line, going 10-of-10. Her performance was particularly notable alongside Jackie Young’s historic night. The duo combined for 64 of Las Vegas’ 114 points, accounting for more than half of the team’s scoring.
The Aces have always been the team to beat and a favourite for the WNBA championship. With a well-rested and sharp A’ja Wilson, they are even more formidable now.