Napheesa Collier Wins Defensive Player of the Year

The Las Vegas Aces face elimination after falling 2-0 in their semifinal series against the New York Liberty, needing a historic comeback to stay alive. Breanna Stewart's key decision to join the Liberty over other contenders like Seattle and Minnesota, partly due to the Liberty's commitment to charter flights, has paid off. The WNBA playoffs have proceeded with high drama, but the league has faced criticism for various PR missteps, including a controversial statement by the Players Association president. Despite the turmoil, the playoffs have featured strong performances from notable players, including former Cardinal athletes, though only one of them remains in contention. Caitlin Clark's rookie season has brought unprecedented attention and scrutiny to the league, shifting conversations away from gameplay to broader league dynamics. In award news, Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier won the Defensive Player of the Year while head coach Cheryl Reeve was named Coach of the Year.