WNBA Fast Break Classic |2025 Playoffs | Day 3
Today’s Objective(s): 10 Assists & 15 Rebounds
Overview:
The first round of the WNBA playoffs is a best of three format, which means Phoenix and Golden State could be eliminated today. Phoenix is on the road whereas Golden State is playing in front of their home crowd. Both will look to replicate Indiana & Seattle’s success to survive another day. Between the two, the Valkyries have the tallest task whereas New York & Phoenix are in a relatively even matchup.
As it pertains to Fast Break, your optionality will depend on the rarity of the moments you own of the players in action today. As a reminder, legendary moments have unlimited plays throughout the playoffs, but common/fandom and rare moments have limited usage for the remainder of the playoffs. If, for example, you’re limited to a single play of Alyssa Thomas, and Phoenix wins on the road to fight another day, she won’t be available for Game 3 of this round or beyond. It means you’ll need to be deliberate about who you think will win each round and determine whether you want to save players or burn them.
If you have any legendary WNBA players available, it would be prudent to use them so long as they’re viable for each day’s objective. Keep in mind the win-based reward tops out at eight (8), but there are a maximum of 17 days total, which could be less depending on the number of games each round reaches.
There are two games on today’s slate. Schedules and semifinal matchups will remain in flux as the other two matchups are now tied and the two today are not definitive, but one is more certain than the other.
WNBA Recap: September 16th
Fever Give Indy Crowd Reason to Cheer (IND 77, ATL 60)
The Fever turned Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a fortress, toppling the Dream by double digits to even the series. Indiana’s defense was suffocating, holding Atlanta to just 38% shooting and forcing 13 turnovers. Kelsey Mitchell paced the offense while Aliyah Boston anchored the paint, and the Fever’s physicality overwhelmed a Dream squad that struggled to find rhythm. Rhyne Howard was kept in check as she was one of two double-digit scorers, and Atlanta couldn’t capitalize on second-chance opportunities. With the win, Indiana heads into Game 3 with momentum and a renewed sense of belief.
Game 2 Thriller in the Pacific Northwest (SEA 86, LVA 83)
In a game that felt like a seismic shift, the Storm stunned the Aces 86–83 at Climate Pledge Arena, snapping Las Vegas’ 17-game win streak and forcing a decisive Game 3. Skylar Diggins was electric, dropping 26 points—including the game-winner with 4.2 seconds left—while Nneka Ogwumike added 24 points and 10 boards. Despite being down a tight first half, followed by a strong third quarter by Las Vegas, Seattle closed the game on a 16–4 run to earn the win to survive another day. The rookie Dominique Malonga had a double-double and multiple big blocks to help Seattle force a Game 3. The Storm’s defense held A’ja Wilson scoreless in the final seven minutes, and the crowd’s energy helped rattle the Aces, who missed five free throws. Game 3 now looms with everything on the line.
Fast Break Results: Day 2
67% of Fast Break participants earned a win, which is lower than the 94% which came before. Chelsea Gray, the 4th most utilized player yesterday, contributed the most combined stats of the top five as she delivered 9 assists and 1 rebound. With her performance, she earned the Fast Break Star of the Day award. Of the top five players, none grossly underperformed so it is the second straight day with no Duds…but anticipate that fun statistic to be the exception, not the rule going forward as options become more limited.
Round 1: Best of Three Series
Phoenix Mercury @ New York Liberty | 8:00PM ET | 12:00AM UTC (NYL 1-0)
The New York Liberty host the Phoenix Mercury at Barclays Center for Game 2 of their first-round series, with the Liberty aiming to close out the series despite potentially missing Breanna Stewart due to her knee injury (game-time decision). If she’s ruled out, New York will rely on Sabrina Ionescu’s leadership and Jonquel Jones’ inside-out versatility to maintain their edge. Phoenix, meanwhile, is powered by a revamped core featuring Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and Alyssa Thomas—three All-Star caliber players who’ve helped the Mercury win eight of their last nine games heading into the postseason. Thomas, in particular, is having a historic season, averaging 16.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, including a league-record seven triple-doubles. With momentum on their side and Stewart potentially out, Phoenix has a real shot to even the series, but New York’s depth and home-court advantage still make them slight favorites.
Minnesota Lynx @ Golden State Valkyries | 10:00PM ET | 2:00AM UTC (MIN 1-0)
The top-seeded Lynx kick off their playoff run against the expansion Golden State Valkyries, who stunned the league by clinching a postseason berth in their debut season. Minnesota, led by MVP favorite Napheesa Collier (23.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 50-40-90 shooting), enters with the league’s best record and a perfect 4–0 mark against Golden State. The Valkyries will lean heavily on Veronica Burton’s playmaking, but they’ll need a near-flawless performance to overcome Minnesota’s elite defense and depth. Expect the Lynx to assert control early and take Game 1 convincingly.
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Today’s Objective(s): Day 3 of 17
You’ll need five (5) players who will distribute 10.0 or more assists and accumulate 15.0 or more rebounds, which means each player will need to average 2.0 AST & 3.0 REB. Although these are achievable targets, it’ll require you to utilize players you may not want to use so soon. Then again, it depends on your collection and which players you’re willing to use to get you across the line.
Top Player Options:
Little of Both: Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu, Napheesa Collier, Veronica Burton, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Satou Sabally, Natasha Cloud
Distributors: Alyssa Thomas, Veronica Burton, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu, Natasha Cloud, Kayla McBride, Monique Akoa-Makani, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Satou Sabally
Glass Crashers: Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Napheesa Collier, Satou Sabally, Jessica Shepard, Janelle Salaun, Breanna Stewart, Veronica Burton, Sabrina Ionescu, Courtney Williams
Top Five (5) Players in Pro Lineups: A. Thomas (73%) | C. Williams (54%) | N. Cloud (38%) | J. Jones (37%) | S. Ionescu (34%)
Statistical Approach:
Top players in assists & 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: 4 & 8 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 Assists
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Projected Rebounds
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Projected AST & REB
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