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Deadspin | Wild D Jonas Brodin (lower body) out vs. Stars in Game 6 Apr 4, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has been ruled out for Thursday’s Game 6 against the visiting Dallas Stars and is day-to-day because of a lower-body injury. Brodin, 32, left Tuesday’s Game 5 at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, which Minnesota won 4-2, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. “It’s really for today,” Wild coach John Hynes said Thursday of Brodin being out. “It’s one of the things that guys get evaluated and it’s kind of a little bit of a moving target, so that’s why today he’ll be out, but I would classify him as day-to-day because as the day goes on, tomorrow, there could be an improvement or it could be the same.” The Wild lead the Western Conference first-round series 3-2 and with a victory can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Jeff Petry will replace Brodin and pair with defenseman Zach Bogosian, while Jake Middleton will move up to the second line and pair with Brodin’s regular linemate, Jared Spurgeon. Petry, obtained in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 5, was a healthy scratch in the first five games. Brodin, a native of Sweden, has one assist, a plus-2 rating, four penalty minutes, 14 blocks and two hits in five playoff games. He recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 62 regular-season games. For his career, all with Minnesota since the 2012-13 season, Brodin has 278 points (62 goals, 216 assists) in 915 games. He also has 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 78 playoff games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wild #Jonas #Brodin #body #Stars #Game

Deadspin | Wild D Jonas Brodin (lower body) out vs. Stars in Game 6
Deadspin | Wild D Jonas Brodin (lower body) out vs. Stars in Game 6 Apr 4, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has been ruled out for Thursday’s Game 6 against the visiting Dallas Stars and is day-to-day because of a lower-body injury. Brodin, 32, left Tuesday’s Game 5 at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, which Minnesota won 4-2, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. “It’s really for today,” Wild coach John Hynes said Thursday of Brodin being out. “It’s one of the things that guys get evaluated and it’s kind of a little bit of a moving target, so that’s why today he’ll be out, but I would classify him as day-to-day because as the day goes on, tomorrow, there could be an improvement or it could be the same.” The Wild lead the Western Conference first-round series 3-2 and with a victory can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Jeff Petry will replace Brodin and pair with defenseman Zach Bogosian, while Jake Middleton will move up to the second line and pair with Brodin’s regular linemate, Jared Spurgeon. Petry, obtained in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 5, was a healthy scratch in the first five games. Brodin, a native of Sweden, has one assist, a plus-2 rating, four penalty minutes, 14 blocks and two hits in five playoff games. He recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 62 regular-season games. For his career, all with Minnesota since the 2012-13 season, Brodin has 278 points (62 goals, 216 assists) in 915 games. He also has 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 78 playoff games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wild #Jonas #Brodin #body #Stars #GameApr 4, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has been ruled out for Thursday’s Game 6 against the visiting Dallas Stars and is day-to-day because of a lower-body injury.

Brodin, 32, left Tuesday’s Game 5 at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, which Minnesota won 4-2, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.

“It’s really for today,” Wild coach John Hynes said Thursday of Brodin being out. “It’s one of the things that guys get evaluated and it’s kind of a little bit of a moving target, so that’s why today he’ll be out, but I would classify him as day-to-day because as the day goes on, tomorrow, there could be an improvement or it could be the same.”


The Wild lead the Western Conference first-round series 3-2 and with a victory can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Jeff Petry will replace Brodin and pair with defenseman Zach Bogosian, while Jake Middleton will move up to the second line and pair with Brodin’s regular linemate, Jared Spurgeon. Petry, obtained in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 5, was a healthy scratch in the first five games.

Brodin, a native of Sweden, has one assist, a plus-2 rating, four penalty minutes, 14 blocks and two hits in five playoff games.

He recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 62 regular-season games. For his career, all with Minnesota since the 2012-13 season, Brodin has 278 points (62 goals, 216 assists) in 915 games. He also has 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 78 playoff games.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Wild #Jonas #Brodin #body #Stars #Game

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Apr 4, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has been ruled out for Thursday’s Game 6 against the visiting Dallas Stars and is day-to-day because of a lower-body injury.

Brodin, 32, left Tuesday’s Game 5 at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, which Minnesota won 4-2, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.

“It’s really for today,” Wild coach John Hynes said Thursday of Brodin being out. “It’s one of the things that guys get evaluated and it’s kind of a little bit of a moving target, so that’s why today he’ll be out, but I would classify him as day-to-day because as the day goes on, tomorrow, there could be an improvement or it could be the same.”

The Wild lead the Western Conference first-round series 3-2 and with a victory can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Jeff Petry will replace Brodin and pair with defenseman Zach Bogosian, while Jake Middleton will move up to the second line and pair with Brodin’s regular linemate, Jared Spurgeon. Petry, obtained in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 5, was a healthy scratch in the first five games.

Brodin, a native of Sweden, has one assist, a plus-2 rating, four penalty minutes, 14 blocks and two hits in five playoff games.

He recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 62 regular-season games. For his career, all with Minnesota since the 2012-13 season, Brodin has 278 points (62 goals, 216 assists) in 915 games. He also has 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 78 playoff games.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | CJ Abrams, Nationals add to Mets’ slide with 1-run win <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28846824.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28846824.jpg" alt="MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Mets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) celebrates his two run home run against the New York Mets with left fielder Daylen Lile (4) during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>CJ Abrams hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and drove in three runs as the visiting Washington Nationals rallied for a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>After Luis Garcia Jr. opened the inning with a single and Daylen Lile avoided hitting into a double play on a fielder’s choice, Abrams gave Washington a 5-4 lead by driving a 2-1 changeup from Luke Weaver over the right field fence.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Abrams’ 403-foot drive was his sixth hit in 11 at-bats in the series and helped the Nationals win for the fourth time in five games. Washington also beat the Mets for the sixth time in the past nine meetings.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Abrams homered off Weaver (2-1) after Washington lost an early three-run lead.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Nationals went ahead in the second when Jorbit Vivas scored from first on New York starter Freddy Peralta’s three-base throwing error on a comebacker. Jacob Young followed with a two-out RBI single. Abrams flailed a broken-bat single to left field after Garcia doubled in the third.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Besides the shortstop’s clutch hits, the Nationals also got standout defense from right fielder James Wood.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Wood made a leaping catch and stuck his glove over the fence to rob Juan Soto of a homer in the first. In the fifth, Wood charged in and made a diving catch on Bo Bichette’s sinking liner.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>New York’s MJ Melendez hit a tying three-run homer over the right field fence off Miles Mikolas’ 1-2 fastball in the third. Mark Vientos hit an RBI-double to the right-center field warning track to give the Mets a 4-3 lead in the sixth.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The Mets lost for the 17th time in 20 games. Their skid includes a 12-game losing streak and New York has been outscored 106-53 in a span when they lost Francisco Lindor (calf) and Luis Robert Jr. (back) to the injured list.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Mikolas allowed three runs on three hits in four innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked one while frequently falling behind hitters. Left-hander Mitchell Parker (2-0) went the next three innings and former Mets lefty Richard Lovelady got two outs after Soto opened the eighth with a double.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Gus Varland stranded Soto at second in the eighth and struck out Ronny Mauricio in the ninth to cap an eight-pitch at-bat with Francisco Alvarez on second to secure his third save.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Peralta allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked three.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Abrams #Nationals #add #Mets #slide #1run #win

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Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.

With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.

The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen to stay in hunt for title Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.More to follow…Published on Jun 03, 2026 #Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. How the Patriots could win this tradeConsidering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking. #Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.

Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.

She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.

And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).

Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success

Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.

Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.

But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.

The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.

“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”

Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings.

#32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players">32-year-old WNBA guard has been one of the league’s best players Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings. #32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players

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