On Monday, WNBA fans got a preview of what one of this year’s WNBA Finals could potentially look like, as the table-topping Minnesota Lynx faced second-placed Golden State Valkyries in Minneapolis. While both teams clinched their playoff berths long ago, the battle for the No. 1 seed is still underway, as the Valkyries’ victory over the Lynx means they are still in contention, albeit barely.

Meanwhile, the modern reincarnation of Dennis Rodman is back at it, as Atlanta Dream star forward Angel Reese made WNBA history and set two records in one night. With all teams showcasing the best of their abilities ahead of a much-needed break in September, thanks to the FIBA Women’s World Cup and then the eventual WNBA playoffs, we dive into the top moments coming out of Monday night in the world of women’s basketball.

The Minnesota Lynx failed to clinch the No. 1 seed and seal home-court advantage

The Minnesota Lynx remain two wins away from their goal of clinching the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs. The Valkyries handed them their eighth loss of the season (31-8) while improving their record to 26-11 and staying in contention for the No. 1 seed because the expansion franchise still has seven games left in their schedule, while the Lynx have five.

While the Lynx are still favorites to be the No. 1 seed, the Valkyries have now successfully foiled the Lynx’s bid to comfortably secure home-court advantage. However, snapping the league leaders’ six-game win streak and keeping themselves in the No. 1 playoff seed race wasn’t the only achievement for the Golden State Valkyries.

The Valkyries joined the league in 2025, and in their two seasons, they have already become an exemplary expansion team, becoming the first WNBA expansion team to secure back-to-back playoff berths in their first two season. However, what they hadn’t done up until August 24 was beat the Minnesota Lynx.

In these two seasons, the Golden State Valkyries had faced the Lynx nine times and lost nine times, including twice this season before finally dominating the Lynx to an 80-66 win.

Moreover, the Valkyries were successful in limiting MVP contender Olivia Miles’ output, as she had one of the worst nights in her rookie year. Miles put up only 8 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in the box score, highlighted by her poor efficiency, shooting just 3-of-12, including a 1-of-5 clip from outside the arc. Apart from Miles, Lynx veteran Napheesa Collier also had no real answers for the Valkyries’ defense, as she joined Miles in single figures with  9 points and 7 rebounds in her 11th game back from long-term ankle injuries.

The Valkyries league leading defense once again came into play againt the second ranked offensive in the WNBA right now. However, unlike the previous nine meetings, the Valkyries’ defense won this time by limiting the Lynx to just 36% shooting from the field. That was paired with their exceptional zone defense that disrupted passing lanes to create transition buckets on the other end, resulting in 21 points off turnovers.

Only two Lynx players were able to reach double digits on the scoreboard, with Natasha Howard scoring 13 points and 7 rebounds and Kayla McBride notching 12 points and getting just 2 of 11 from the field.

Natalie Nakase would be a happy head coach with the blowout victory, as five of her players ended in double-digit scores. It was a balanced effort, led by Cecilia Zandalasini’s 18 points. But Veronica Burton was the one who stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. She led all players in assists and steals. And if that was not enough, she always had the upper hand over Miles in one-on-one matchups.

While the Lynx definitely missed the talents of Courtney Vandersloot, who is sidelined with a foot injury she suffered on Friday against the Washington Mystics, the Valkyries’ confidence is now sky-high just at the right time.

Angel Reese keeps setting the standard for rebounding prowess

The Atlanta Dream star may have her shooting struggles, but in her third season in the WNBA, Reese has become a rebound specialist. So it wasn’t surprising the league leader in the metric rebounded her way into the record books not once, but twice in the same night.

In the Dream’s 78-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, Reese set a WNBA record with 26 rebounds, including eight off the offensive glass. Reese surpassed a 23-year-old record set by Chamique Holdsclaw, who put up 24 rebounds on May 23, 2003, for Washington. Moreover, Reese now has 458 rebounds, the highest in a single season. This is seven more than the number four-time MVP A’ja Wilson set in 2024.

Following the victory at Crypto.com Arena, Tina Charles asked Reese about her mindset when she is on the court in an NBC interview. The 24-year-old forward saluted the WNBA legend after making a statement about what sets her apart.

“Anything that goes up is mine. You just got to have that mindset, you know. Even when I watch you and play against you, you go up there, you’re so aggressive, and you’re consistent every single night. That makes you one of the greatest players in this league, and I want to be one of those when I walk away from the game.”

It was poetic for Charles to ask this question out of all the people, as she herself knows a thing or two about rebounds and holds the WNBA record with 4,262 rebounds. She was also a four-time rebounding leader and came close to Reese’s record twice, scoring 23 rebounds. But safe to say that if Reese continues her rebounding consistency as she has over the past three seasons, Charles’ record will most probably be in jeopardy.

Apart from her usual rebounding shenanigans, Reese secured her 27th double-double of the season with 13.9 seconds remaining in the game, totaling 11 points on the night.

“Last time I was here, I didn’t miss any shots. Tonight I couldn’t hit (anything) so I knew I was going be able to get them on the rebounding side,” Reese told the postgame show. “I just want to be there for my team. Offensively, defensively, whatever it takes to win.”

The Dream improved their record to 25-13 against the already-eliminated Sparks side. While fans knew her potential to change games when she was with the Chicago Sky in her first two seasons, playing under Dream head coach Karl Smesko has just further unlocked her abilities.

Reese led the league in rebounding in her first two seasons, including setting a WNBA rookie record with 13.1 rebounds per game. She is on course to do it for the third consecutive time, currently leading with 12.0 rebounds per game. And because she will participate in her first playoffs this season, more records could be on the way.