WNBA Fast Break Classic | Run 10 | Day 2
Today’s Objective(s): 30 Points in the Paint & 5 Offensive Rebounds
Overview:
The majority of Fast Break participants (69%) walked away with a win and started this run on the right foot. Across the two games, the favorite also walked away with a win as Atlanta dampened Los Angeles’s playoff hopes and Chicago handled business at home. With the Sparks losing on the road, they are now 1.5 games behind the mid-tier pack and have four games remaining to snipe a playoff spot from Golden State, Seattle, or Indiana.
In today’s games, Golden State is playing the worst team in the league based on record and have an opportunity to reduce their chances of missing the playoffs. Phoenix are still in the hunt for a top four seed and will need to win to keep pace with Atlanta. Las Vegas will also need to win to keep pace with the top pack, but they have their work cut out for them as they match up against the top team in the league this season.
WNBA Score(s): September 2nd
Dream Pull Away from Sparks to Claim Sole Possession of Second (Atlanta 86, Los Angeles 75)
Atlanta used a dominant second quarter and balanced scoring to defeat the Sparks 86–75, moving into sole possession of second place in the WNBA standings. Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 19 points, while Brionna Jones posted her 12th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Naz Hillmon and Maya Caldwell added 15 and 14 points respectively, and Jordin Canada recorded her first double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 assists. Los Angeles opened with a 10–0 run but couldn’t sustain momentum. Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Kelsey Plum added 18 points and 7 assists.
Sky Snap Skid as Reese and Cardoso Power Past Sun (Chicago 88, Connecticut 64)
Chicago broke a four-game losing streak with an emphatic 88–64 win over Connecticut, led by Angel Reese’s 18 points and 13 rebounds—her 23rd double-double of the season. Kamilla Cardoso added 16 points, and Rachel Banham chipped in 10 while moving into second place in franchise history for single-season three-pointers made. Tina Charles led the Sun with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, surpassing Diana Taurasi for the most made field goals in WNBA history (3,347). Saniya Rivers added 16 for Connecticut, but the Sky’s 51.7% shooting and early 30–10 lead proved insurmountable.
Recap: Day 1
Rhyne Howard has been one of the more consistent and reliable three point shooters this season and she came through again on Day 1 as she sank 3 out of 8 three pointers. With her top-tier performance, she earned the Fast Break Star of the Day. On the other hand, Marina Mabrey was 2nd most utilized player and scored no points on the day including four missed attempts from beyond the arc. With her lackluster performance, she earned the Fast Break Dud of the Day award.
Today’s Matchups:
Phoenix Mercury (26-14) @ Washington Mystics (16-25) | 7:30PM ET | 11:30PM UTC
At CareFirst Arena, the Phoenix Mercury visit the Washington Mystics in a game that tilts heavily toward the visitors with a 78.8% win probability. Phoenix enters riding a five-game win streak, led by Kahleah Copper’s scoring punch and Alyssa Thomas’s all-around impact. Washington, meanwhile, has dropped five straight and will lean on Shakira Austin and Sonia Citron to keep things competitive. With Phoenix surging and the Mystics short on momentum, the Mercury are projected to control the pace and tighten their grip on a top-four seed.
Dallas Wings (9-32) @ Golden State Valkyries (22-18) | 10:00PM ET | 2:00AM UTC
At Chase Center, the Golden State Valkyries host the Dallas Wings in a matchup that favors the home team with a 79% win probability. Golden State has won four straight and leads the league in rebounding, with Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun driving the offense. Dallas, missing Arike Ogunbowale and several key contributors, will rely on Paige Bueckers and Maddy Siegrist to generate scoring. With the Wings allowing nearly 94 points per game over their last ten, the Valkyries are projected to dominate the glass and extend their win streak.
Minnesota Lynx (32-8) @ Las Vegas Aces (26-14) | 10:00PM ET | 2:00AM UTC
Tonight’s marquee matchup unfolds at T-Mobile Arena, where the Minnesota Lynx face the Las Vegas Aces in a dead-even contest with a 50/50 win probability. Minnesota boasts the league’s best record and elite defensive metrics, while Vegas counters with A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, both in peak form. With playoff seeding on the line and both teams capable of dictating tempo, this one projects as a wire-to-wire battle—though Minnesota’s recent consistency gives them a slight edge in crunch time.
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Today’s Objective(s): Day 1
You’ll need five (5) players who will score 30.0 or more points in the paint and accumulate 5.0 or more offensive rebounds, which means each player will need to average 6.0 PITP and 1.0 OREB. These two objectives are often correlated and players who have a tendency to score inside are also those who typically find themselves in position to gather offensive rebounds. Slashers are also high interior scorers without the offensive boards, but they may serve a purpose considering the offensive rebounds objective is relatively low.
Top Player Options:
Little of Both:
S Tier: A'ja WilsonKiki IriafenNapheesa CollierAlyssa ThomasMaddy SiegristShakira AustinJackie Young
A Tier: Satou Sabally
Inside Scorers:
S Tier: A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist, Courtney Williams, Jackie Young
A Tier: Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally
B Tier: Temi Fagbenle, Sonia Citron, Jessica Shepard
(Offensive) Glass Crashers:
S Tier: Maddy Siegrist, Kiki Iriafen, Natasha Mack, A'ja Wilson, Jessica Shepard, Napheesa Collier, Temi Fagbenle, NaLyssa Smith, Alyssa Thomas, Shakira Austin, Monique Billings, Alanna Smith, Satou Sabally, Jackie Young
A Tier: Myisha Hines-Allen, Veronica Burton, Jewell Loyd
Top Five (5) Players in Pro Lineups: A. Wilson (76%) | S. Austin (69%) | A. Thomas (68%) | N. Collier (60%) | M. Siegrist (57%)
Upcoming Fast Break Objectives:
Objectives remaining (after today):
2x: PTS, REB, FGM, AST
1x: STL, BLK, FTM, 3PM, FGA
Considerations:
Chicago, Golden State, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minnesota, & Phoenix have the most games remaining (4)
Seattle has the least number of games remaining (2)
Plan around Day 6 & 8 as they only have two (2) teams in action
Day 7 has the most flexibility as there are ten (10) teams in action
No team plays a back-to-back this series
Indiana, Seattle, & Washington’s final game takes place on Day 7
Statistical Approach:
Top players in points in the paint & offensive rebounds according to Rotowire & WNBA.com, which is available in the table(s) below. Overall rank is based on daily projections and season averages, which is stack ranked amongst peers for each objective. When there is a single objective, the three data points are still used to stack rank the players vs. ranking solely on projections. For tome+ members, all active player stats are available in the provided data file. Omission of certain players would be based on injuries at the time of data pull.
Classic Run Rewards:
Daily Reward: Top 200
Milestone Reward: 3, 6, & 9 Wins
Run Reward: Top 250
Additional Links & Resources:
nbatopshot.com/fastbreak - set your lineup
Flowty.io - find/rent moments for your Fast Break roster
Top Player Options for Fast Break:
The top players for today’s Fast Break objective(s). Source: Rotowire & WNBA.com, 2025.
Projected Points in the Paint
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Projected Offensive Rebounds
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Projected PITP & OREB
WNBA Fast Break Grid
*Note: there was an error in the grid as it only showed two teams in action on September 2nd when there are four.
It's essential to consider the opponents, recent performance, and any injury updates before finalizing your Fast Break lineup. Additionally, staying up to date on the latest news and adjusting your roster accordingly will enhance your chances of earning a win today.
WNBA Key Dates:
September 11: Regular Season Ends
September 14-October 17: WNBA Playoffs
Power Rankings (Week 14):
There is a little over a week remaining in the WNBA regular season and things are getting down to the wire and there are two clear battles happening — the first is seeding and the fight for the first round home court advantage and the other is securing a spot in the postseason. Minnesota is the only team that clearly knows their seeding for the playoffs whereas four teams are jockeying for the top three seeds.
There are also four teams pushing to land the three playoff spots with Los Angeles currently on the outside looking in. How they fare in their final five games will determine whether they’ll sneak into the postseason after such a terrible start to the season.
Playoffs Secured: Minnesota, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Phoenix, & New York have punched their ticket to the postseason
Home Court Jockeying: Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, & New York continue battling for the three (3) home court advantage opportunities
Middle Mayhem: Seattle, Golden State, Indiana, & Los Angeles are fighting for the three (3) remaining playoff spots with Los Angeles currently on the outside looking in
There’s Always Next Season: Washington, Dallas, Connecticut, & Chicago have officially been eliminated
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