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WNBA Today: Fever Face Roster Decision Without Caitlin Clark, Movement Atop Standings, More History

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 7:22 AM ET

The Indiana Fever had no game on Thursday, but they dominated the WNBA headlines due to Caitlin Clark's season-ending injury announcement.

As for the games, the league offered plenty of storylines, from the Las Vegas Aces' upset of the Minnesota Lynx to the historic records achieved by Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas and Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers.

Fever Set to Make Decisions After Caitlin Clark Announces Season-Ending News

Clark had not played since July 15 due to her right groin injury, and while there were hopes that she would be able to return before the season ends, the Fever had to make a decision with the playoffs nearing.

Had Clark been able to return, the Fever would have needed to release either Aerial Powers or Shey Peddy who are under seven-day hardship deals. However, since the season is set to end on September 11 and the playoffs are scheduled for September 14, Indiana had to make a call in order to finalize their roster.

With Clark out for the season, both Powers and Peddy are likely to sign rest-of-season contracts under the hardship waiver, so they can be eligible to play in the postseason should the Fever make it.

Clark expressed her disappointment about not being able to get healthy in time to help Indiana, but as Fever GM Amber Cox said, they simply didn't have "enough time left in our season for her to safely return."

Las Vegas Aces Move Up WNBA Standings With Big Upset

The disappointing Fever development aside, Thursday's games provided plenty of excitement, thanks in large part to the Aces who stunned the Lynx in order to extend their winning streak to 13 games.

Las Vegas showed why it is the hottest team in the WNBA right now with its 97-87 win, anchored by A'ja Wilson's 31 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Jackie Young added 20 points and five assists, while Chelsea Gray finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists.

MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier was shut down by the Aces' defense, as she scored just 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

As a result of their win, the Aces moved up to second in the standings with a 27-14 record — tied with the No. 3 Atlanta Dream and No.4 Mercury but ahead through their head-to-head records.

Alyssa Thomas and Paige Bueckers Set New Records

In the other games, the Mercury beat the Washington Mystics in a narrow game, while the Golden State Valkyries handed the Wings their ninth straight loss.

Kahleah Copper led the Mercury in scoring with 18 points, along with five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Thomas, meanwhile, had a near triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to propel Phoenix to the 75-69 victory.

As a result of her playmaking display, Thomas increased her season assist tally to 332, joining Clark as the only players to ever reach 330 dimes in a single season.

Meanwhile, despite the Wings' 84-80 defeat to the Valkyries, Bueckers had a game to remember with her 27 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals. She shot 11-of-20 from the field and helped Dallas lead by as many as 13 points before the team blew it away.

Regardless, Bueckers made franchise history by breaking Arike Ogunbowale’s single-season scoring record of 630 points, which she set in 2019. Bueckers now has 650 points after Thursday's game.

BREAKIN’ RECORDS

In the third, Paige Bueckers officially passes Arike Ogunbowale’s single-season scoring record with the @DallasWings (630 points set back in 2019).

Arike did it in 33 games. Tonight is Paige’s 34th.#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/zVIjsqywDw
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 5, 2025