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WNBA MVP race: how A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and the top players rank one month in  We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time for the first WNBA MVP rankings. A couple of disclaimers before we begin: team success is heavily weighed, so if your favorite player’s team has had a difficult start to the season, you’re unlikely to find them here. In this first edition, I excluded any players who are not currently on a playoff team (that means players on the Toronto Tempo, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Connecticut Sun). Sorry, Kelsey Plum.For that reason, the list is far from a definitive ranking of the best players in the WNBA. It’s based on production from the first month of the season, and players’ overall impact on winning. Some regular MVP candidates like Alyssa Thomas are not on this list due to their team’s early struggles (the Phoenix Mercury are 3-8 to begin the season).Now that those disclaimers are out of the way, here’s where everyone stands.A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas AcesTeam record: 6-32026 stats: 24.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 blocks, 1.2 steals, 60.1% TSA’ja Wilson hasn’t made a ton of headlines this season because she’s doing what she always does — dominating on both ends of the floor on a winning squad. Wilson leads the WNBA in points per game (24.8) and blocks (2.6). She’s also shooting 51.9% from the field and a scorching-hot 55.6% from three on two attempts per game. At 6-3, the Aces also have the league’s third-best record. The four-time MVP could very well win her fifth.Olivia Miles, Minnesota LynxTeam record: 8-22026 stats: 17 points, 6.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, 62.4% TSOlivia Miles was not expected to be here. But the 23-year-old rookie has been one of the league’s best playmakers, averaging 6.4 assists per game (the 7th-most in the league). She’s also finding her footing as a scorer, averaging 17 points per game (the 15th-most in the league). Her true shooting is the highest of any player on this list.But what makes Miles’ MVP case most compelling is that the Lynx — despite losing Napheesa Collier to injury and Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and Natisha Hiedeman to new teams — have been the best team in the WNBA through the first month of the season, and Miles has been their most important player.Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsTeam record: 6-32026 stats: 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 59.9% TSAt 6-3, the Wings are tied with the Atlanta Dream and Aces for the WNBA’s second-best record. And Paige Bueckers has been the engine that’s made it all work. Bueckers is averaging 18.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 42.5% from three.The Wings have seen contributions from a slew of players — Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Azzi Fudd have all been important — but if you’re looking for one player to credit for their early success, Bueckers is the obvious choice.Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream Team record: 6-32026 stats: 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 55.6% TSThe Dream have been one of the WNBA’s best teams, and the two-headed monster of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard leads them. Gray, who was named to the All-WNBA First Team last year, is the third-leading scorer in the league thus far.Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Team record: 5-42026 stats: 19.8 points, 8.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 54.9% TSCaitlin Clark is averaging 19.8 points (fourth-most in the WNBA) and 8.1 assists (most in the league) to begin the season. She hasn’t had the most efficient start — her 54.9% TS ranks her below most of the other players on this list — but her gravity and playmaking continue to amaze.Rhyne Howard, Atlanta DreamTeam record: 6-32026 stats: 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 steals, 57.9% TSHoward has been instrumental in the Dream’s 6-3 start, and while she’s been outscored by Gray, she is the more impactful defender. To truly be among the league’s best players, however, Howard will need to find more consistency. The former No. 1 overall pick exploded for 36 points on Tuesday, but followed that up with an 8-point performance two nights later.Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana FeverTeam record: 5-42026 stats: 21.1 points, 2.4 assists, 59.6% TSIt’s hard to pin down who has been most important to the Fever this season, Kelsey Mitchell or Caitlin Clark. Mitchell, who is averaging the second-most points per game this season (21.2), gets the edge for now. The 30-year-old guard is shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.5% from three for a 59.6% TS, building off of her MVP-caliber season last year.Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty Team record: 6-42026 stats: 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 54.6% TSThe Liberty have won 3 straight games after starting the season 3-4, and are now tied with the Valkyries for the fifth-best record in the WNBA. Breanna Stewart, meanwhile, has been their best player, averaging 18.8 points (6th-most) and 8.6 rebounds (1oth-most) per game. But, Stewart’s not higher on this list for a couple of reasons: the Liberty have underachieved, and her three-point shot has completely escaped her — she’s shooting 18.8% from beyond the arc, and defenses are beginning to take notice.Veronica Burton, Golden State ValkyriesTeam record: 6-42026 stats: 13.6 points, 5.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 55.3% TSVeronica Burton doesn’t have the gaudy stats some of the players on this list have. But the Valkyries point guard is the team’s engine on both ends and has been crucial to their success so far this season.  #WNBA #MVP #race #Aja #Wilson #Caitlin #Clark #top #players #rank #month

WNBA MVP race: how A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and the top players rank one month in

We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time for the first WNBA MVP rankings. A couple of disclaimers before we begin: team success is heavily weighed, so if your favorite player’s team has had a difficult start to the season, you’re unlikely to find them here. In this first edition, I excluded any players who are not currently on a playoff team (that means players on the Toronto Tempo, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Connecticut Sun). Sorry, Kelsey Plum.

For that reason, the list is far from a definitive ranking of the best players in the WNBA. It’s based on production from the first month of the season, and players’ overall impact on winning. Some regular MVP candidates like Alyssa Thomas are not on this list due to their team’s early struggles (the Phoenix Mercury are 3-8 to begin the season).

Now that those disclaimers are out of the way, here’s where everyone stands.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 24.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 blocks, 1.2 steals, 60.1% TS

A’ja Wilson hasn’t made a ton of headlines this season because she’s doing what she always does — dominating on both ends of the floor on a winning squad. Wilson leads the WNBA in points per game (24.8) and blocks (2.6). She’s also shooting 51.9% from the field and a scorching-hot 55.6% from three on two attempts per game. At 6-3, the Aces also have the league’s third-best record. The four-time MVP could very well win her fifth.

Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Team record: 8-2
2026 stats: 17 points, 6.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, 62.4% TS

Olivia Miles was not expected to be here. But the 23-year-old rookie has been one of the league’s best playmakers, averaging 6.4 assists per game (the 7th-most in the league). She’s also finding her footing as a scorer, averaging 17 points per game (the 15th-most in the league). Her true shooting is the highest of any player on this list.

But what makes Miles’ MVP case most compelling is that the Lynx — despite losing Napheesa Collier to injury and Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and Natisha Hiedeman to new teams — have been the best team in the WNBA through the first month of the season, and Miles has been their most important player.

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 59.9% TS

At 6-3, the Wings are tied with the Atlanta Dream and Aces for the WNBA’s second-best record. And Paige Bueckers has been the engine that’s made it all work. Bueckers is averaging 18.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 42.5% from three.

The Wings have seen contributions from a slew of players — Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Azzi Fudd have all been important — but if you’re looking for one player to credit for their early success, Bueckers is the obvious choice.

Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 55.6% TS

The Dream have been one of the WNBA’s best teams, and the two-headed monster of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard leads them. Gray, who was named to the All-WNBA First Team last year, is the third-leading scorer in the league thus far.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Team record: 5-4
2026 stats: 19.8 points, 8.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 54.9% TS

Caitlin Clark is averaging 19.8 points (fourth-most in the WNBA) and 8.1 assists (most in the league) to begin the season. She hasn’t had the most efficient start — her 54.9% TS ranks her below most of the other players on this list — but her gravity and playmaking continue to amaze.

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 steals, 57.9% TS

Howard has been instrumental in the Dream’s 6-3 start, and while she’s been outscored by Gray, she is the more impactful defender. To truly be among the league’s best players, however, Howard will need to find more consistency. The former No. 1 overall pick exploded for 36 points on Tuesday, but followed that up with an 8-point performance two nights later.

Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

Team record: 5-4
2026 stats: 21.1 points, 2.4 assists, 59.6% TS

It’s hard to pin down who has been most important to the Fever this season, Kelsey Mitchell or Caitlin Clark. Mitchell, who is averaging the second-most points per game this season (21.2), gets the edge for now. The 30-year-old guard is shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.5% from three for a 59.6% TS, building off of her MVP-caliber season last year.

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Team record: 6-4
2026 stats: 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 54.6% TS

The Liberty have won 3 straight games after starting the season 3-4, and are now tied with the Valkyries for the fifth-best record in the WNBA. Breanna Stewart, meanwhile, has been their best player, averaging 18.8 points (6th-most) and 8.6 rebounds (1oth-most) per game. But, Stewart’s not higher on this list for a couple of reasons: the Liberty have underachieved, and her three-point shot has completely escaped her — she’s shooting 18.8% from beyond the arc, and defenses are beginning to take notice.

Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries

Team record: 6-4
2026 stats: 13.6 points, 5.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 55.3% TS

Veronica Burton doesn’t have the gaudy stats some of the players on this list have. But the Valkyries point guard is the team’s engine on both ends and has been crucial to their success so far this season.

#WNBA #MVP #race #Aja #Wilson #Caitlin #Clark #top #players #rank #month

We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time for the first WNBA MVP rankings. A couple of disclaimers before we begin: team success is heavily weighed, so if your favorite player’s team has had a difficult start to the season, you’re unlikely to find them here. In this first edition, I excluded any players who are not currently on a playoff team (that means players on the Toronto Tempo, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Connecticut Sun). Sorry, Kelsey Plum.

For that reason, the list is far from a definitive ranking of the best players in the WNBA. It’s based on production from the first month of the season, and players’ overall impact on winning. Some regular MVP candidates like Alyssa Thomas are not on this list due to their team’s early struggles (the Phoenix Mercury are 3-8 to begin the season).

Now that those disclaimers are out of the way, here’s where everyone stands.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 24.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 blocks, 1.2 steals, 60.1% TS

A’ja Wilson hasn’t made a ton of headlines this season because she’s doing what she always does — dominating on both ends of the floor on a winning squad. Wilson leads the WNBA in points per game (24.8) and blocks (2.6). She’s also shooting 51.9% from the field and a scorching-hot 55.6% from three on two attempts per game. At 6-3, the Aces also have the league’s third-best record. The four-time MVP could very well win her fifth.

Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Team record: 8-2
2026 stats: 17 points, 6.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, 62.4% TS

Olivia Miles was not expected to be here. But the 23-year-old rookie has been one of the league’s best playmakers, averaging 6.4 assists per game (the 7th-most in the league). She’s also finding her footing as a scorer, averaging 17 points per game (the 15th-most in the league). Her true shooting is the highest of any player on this list.

But what makes Miles’ MVP case most compelling is that the Lynx — despite losing Napheesa Collier to injury and Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and Natisha Hiedeman to new teams — have been the best team in the WNBA through the first month of the season, and Miles has been their most important player.

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 59.9% TS

At 6-3, the Wings are tied with the Atlanta Dream and Aces for the WNBA’s second-best record. And Paige Bueckers has been the engine that’s made it all work. Bueckers is averaging 18.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 42.5% from three.

The Wings have seen contributions from a slew of players — Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Azzi Fudd have all been important — but if you’re looking for one player to credit for their early success, Bueckers is the obvious choice.

Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 55.6% TS

The Dream have been one of the WNBA’s best teams, and the two-headed monster of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard leads them. Gray, who was named to the All-WNBA First Team last year, is the third-leading scorer in the league thus far.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Team record: 5-4
2026 stats: 19.8 points, 8.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 54.9% TS

Caitlin Clark is averaging 19.8 points (fourth-most in the WNBA) and 8.1 assists (most in the league) to begin the season. She hasn’t had the most efficient start — her 54.9% TS ranks her below most of the other players on this list — but her gravity and playmaking continue to amaze.

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Team record: 6-3
2026 stats: 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 steals, 57.9% TS

Howard has been instrumental in the Dream’s 6-3 start, and while she’s been outscored by Gray, she is the more impactful defender. To truly be among the league’s best players, however, Howard will need to find more consistency. The former No. 1 overall pick exploded for 36 points on Tuesday, but followed that up with an 8-point performance two nights later.

Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

Team record: 5-4
2026 stats: 21.1 points, 2.4 assists, 59.6% TS

It’s hard to pin down who has been most important to the Fever this season, Kelsey Mitchell or Caitlin Clark. Mitchell, who is averaging the second-most points per game this season (21.2), gets the edge for now. The 30-year-old guard is shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.5% from three for a 59.6% TS, building off of her MVP-caliber season last year.

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Team record: 6-4
2026 stats: 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 54.6% TS

The Liberty have won 3 straight games after starting the season 3-4, and are now tied with the Valkyries for the fifth-best record in the WNBA. Breanna Stewart, meanwhile, has been their best player, averaging 18.8 points (6th-most) and 8.6 rebounds (1oth-most) per game. But, Stewart’s not higher on this list for a couple of reasons: the Liberty have underachieved, and her three-point shot has completely escaped her — she’s shooting 18.8% from beyond the arc, and defenses are beginning to take notice.

Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries

Team record: 6-4
2026 stats: 13.6 points, 5.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 55.3% TS

Veronica Burton doesn’t have the gaudy stats some of the players on this list have. But the Valkyries point guard is the team’s engine on both ends and has been crucial to their success so far this season.

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#WNBA #MVP #race #Aja #Wilson #Caitlin #Clark #top #players #rank #month

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‘उसे निपटाना है….’, इंदौर में ऑडियो सुनते ही शुरू हुआ खूनी खेल, युवक की चाकू से गोदकर हत्या; चार अरेस्ट

INDIANAPOLIS — Even before Caitlin Clark took the floor on Friday, she had the feeling something special was in store. If nothing else, she was trying to will it into existence.

Individually, she had struggled to find a rhythm since returning from injury. As a team, the Fever needed a big night from their superstar with fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston out.

But even by Clark’s lofty standards, Friday was something special.

Clark tallied a franchise record 45 points to go along with 10 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history with a 40-10 game, to lead the Fever to a dramatic 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm.

“I feel like you just have to believe you’re going to have those types of nights and you have to visualize having those types of nights and I feel like that’s what I did,” Clark said. “It’s not always going to go your way…I know all the time and the work that I’ve put in and people believe in me and, more than anything, I believe in myself.

“You just got to dig your feet in a little bit and, when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Like you find a way to make it better and find a way to help your team win and make this team better and I feel like that’s what I always try to do.”

When her team needed her most on Friday, Clark dug in for a fourth quarter masterpiece. Not only did she finish with 16 points in the frame, but she scored or assisted on 17 of the final 19 points for Indiana. No shot was bigger, though, than her stepback three with 39 seconds left to put the Fever up 105-102, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.

“It’s incredible,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “It’s special. She does things that we haven’t seen…In the moment, sometimes it’s surreal to see. Heck, I looked down at the stat sheet at the end of the game and it’s like, ‘Holy s—, 45 [points] and 10 [assists].’ I mean, it’s just incredible.”

After starting the season hot, things haven’t been smooth sailing for Clark. A back injury has plagued her in recent weeks, limiting her to just four games since June 24. For most of those outings, she’s looked like someone searching for her rhythm.

But Friday felt different from the jump. Not only did Clark sense it, but her coach could see it, too.

“She seemed lighter,” White said of Clark pregame. “She seemed positive. She seemed like she was bouncy. I think she felt good. I think every day we’ve seen a little bit more of it.”

Ironically, it was Clark’s backcourt mate who looked destined for the big night in the first quarter. Kelsey Mitchell scored 17 of her 30 points in the opening frame, helping the Fever to an early double-digit lead. In another bit of history from the night, Clark and Mitchell’s 75 combined points are the most by a duo in franchise history.

It wasn’t until the second quarter that Clark really found her groove, doing so predominantly at the free throw line, helping her to 14 points in the period. The Fever desperately needed it as the Storm pulled themselves back into the game to trail by just three at the break.

Seattle only kept coming in the second half and eventually built up an eight-point lead in the fourth with 5:23 remaining. However, that became the turning point for both Clark and the Fever as they steadily chipped away at the deficit.

Clark showed off her growing array of ways to get buckets, mixing mid-range jumpers with drives to the basket and her patented stepback jumper. A 3-pointer with 2:23 gave her a career-high 38 points and closed the deficit to one. A few possessions later, Clark found Monique Billings for an and-one layup with 1:11 left to tie the game.

The sequence of the night, though, came shortly after.

Following a Fever turnover in a tie game with just under a minute remaining, Clark raced back on the fastbreak to strip Flau’jae Johnson and win back possession. She followed that up with the biggest shot of the game, turning a broken play into the go-ahead 3-pointer to blow the roof off the arena.

“I just think that when she’s really in a flow, [she] reads the game as good, if not better than anybody,” White said. “I think she’s grown into taking what the defense gives her and we always know she has the ability to make big shots and she did all of that tonight.”

There’s never a bad time for a 45-point night, but this could hardly come at a better one for Clark. Limited by injury and a minutes restriction, Clark hadn’t found a groove since returning to the lineup on July 8. Finding her rhythm again, then, was a positive in itself on Friday.

The 45 points? A welcome bonus.

“It’s tough when you come back from injury,” White added. “Your body feels different. Mentally, you want it to happen so badly. Sometimes you second-guess yourself and that’s part of it. Rhythm, timing, all the things that happen when you haven’t played for a little while. So it was huge. It was big time for her and for us.”

Funnily enough, White noted pregame that Clark was still on a minutes restriction that had hovered right at 25. That number came and went in the fourth quarter without a hint of Clark coming off the floor.

Nothing was taking her out of that game. Not on a night as special as Friday.

“Steph knows better than that,” Clark joked with a smile. “Trainers know better than that. They would get an earful. But I told Steph at halftime, like I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game…I’ve spent a ton of time on [my body] and I trust the people around me that have really helped me. I always find confidence in that, so I know I’m doing all the right things and there’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the 4th quarter.

“It didn’t matter. I would play with one leg.”

#Caitlin #Clark #rewrites #record #books #historic #45point #outing">Caitlin Clark rewrites record books with historic 45-point outing  INDIANAPOLIS — Even before Caitlin Clark took the floor on Friday, she had the feeling something special was in store. If nothing else, she was trying to will it into existence.Individually, she had struggled to find a rhythm since returning from injury. As a team, the Fever needed a big night from their superstar with fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston out.But even by Clark’s lofty standards, Friday was something special.Clark tallied a franchise record 45 points to go along with 10 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history with a 40-10 game, to lead the Fever to a dramatic 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm.“I feel like you just have to believe you’re going to have those types of nights and you have to visualize having those types of nights and I feel like that’s what I did,” Clark said. “It’s not always going to go your way…I know all the time and the work that I’ve put in and people believe in me and, more than anything, I believe in myself.“You just got to dig your feet in a little bit and, when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Like you find a way to make it better and find a way to help your team win and make this team better and I feel like that’s what I always try to do.”When her team needed her most on Friday, Clark dug in for a fourth quarter masterpiece. Not only did she finish with 16 points in the frame, but she scored or assisted on 17 of the final 19 points for Indiana. No shot was bigger, though, than her stepback three with 39 seconds left to put the Fever up 105-102, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.“It’s incredible,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “It’s special. She does things that we haven’t seen…In the moment, sometimes it’s surreal to see. Heck, I looked down at the stat sheet at the end of the game and it’s like, ‘Holy s—, 45 [points] and 10 [assists].’ I mean, it’s just incredible.”After starting the season hot, things haven’t been smooth sailing for Clark. A back injury has plagued her in recent weeks, limiting her to just four games since June 24. For most of those outings, she’s looked like someone searching for her rhythm.But Friday felt different from the jump. Not only did Clark sense it, but her coach could see it, too.“She seemed lighter,” White said of Clark pregame. “She seemed positive. She seemed like she was bouncy. I think she felt good. I think every day we’ve seen a little bit more of it.”Ironically, it was Clark’s backcourt mate who looked destined for the big night in the first quarter. Kelsey Mitchell scored 17 of her 30 points in the opening frame, helping the Fever to an early double-digit lead. In another bit of history from the night, Clark and Mitchell’s 75 combined points are the most by a duo in franchise history.It wasn’t until the second quarter that Clark really found her groove, doing so predominantly at the free throw line, helping her to 14 points in the period. The Fever desperately needed it as the Storm pulled themselves back into the game to trail by just three at the break.Seattle only kept coming in the second half and eventually built up an eight-point lead in the fourth with 5:23 remaining. However, that became the turning point for both Clark and the Fever as they steadily chipped away at the deficit.Clark showed off her growing array of ways to get buckets, mixing mid-range jumpers with drives to the basket and her patented stepback jumper. A 3-pointer with 2:23 gave her a career-high 38 points and closed the deficit to one. A few possessions later, Clark found Monique Billings for an and-one layup with 1:11 left to tie the game.The sequence of the night, though, came shortly after.Following a Fever turnover in a tie game with just under a minute remaining, Clark raced back on the fastbreak to strip Flau’jae Johnson and win back possession. She followed that up with the biggest shot of the game, turning a broken play into the go-ahead 3-pointer to blow the roof off the arena.“I just think that when she’s really in a flow, [she] reads the game as good, if not better than anybody,” White said. “I think she’s grown into taking what the defense gives her and we always know she has the ability to make big shots and she did all of that tonight.”There’s never a bad time for a 45-point night, but this could hardly come at a better one for Clark. Limited by injury and a minutes restriction, Clark hadn’t found a groove since returning to the lineup on July 8. Finding her rhythm again, then, was a positive in itself on Friday.The 45 points? A welcome bonus.“It’s tough when you come back from injury,” White added. “Your body feels different. Mentally, you want it to happen so badly. Sometimes you second-guess yourself and that’s part of it. Rhythm, timing, all the things that happen when you haven’t played for a little while. So it was huge. It was big time for her and for us.”Funnily enough, White noted pregame that Clark was still on a minutes restriction that had hovered right at 25. That number came and went in the fourth quarter without a hint of Clark coming off the floor.Nothing was taking her out of that game. Not on a night as special as Friday.“Steph knows better than that,” Clark joked with a smile. “Trainers know better than that. They would get an earful. But I told Steph at halftime, like I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game…I’ve spent a ton of time on [my body] and I trust the people around me that have really helped me. I always find confidence in that, so I know I’m doing all the right things and there’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the 4th quarter.“It didn’t matter. I would play with one leg.”  #Caitlin #Clark #rewrites #record #books #historic #45point #outing

India’s P.V. Sindhu will take on home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in the Japan Open 2026 final on Sunday.

Sindhu entered the final after beating China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals, while Yamaguchi overcame Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in the other last-four clash.

P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head (Sindhu leads 15-14)

  • 2026: Australian Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 22-20, 21-12
  • 2026: Thailand Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-18, 21-15
  • 2026: Malaysia Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11
  • 2025: Badminton Asia Championships (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-12, 16-21, 21-16
  • 2023: Canada Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-14, 21-15
  • 2023: Singapore Open (R32) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-19, 21-17
  • 2022: Thailand Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 20-22, 21-13
  • 2022: Badminton Asia Championships (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 13-21, 21-19, 21-16
  • 2021: World Tour Finals (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 15-21, 21-19
  • 2021: Indonesia Masters (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-13, 21-9
  • 2021: Tokyo Olympics (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-13, 22-20
  • 2021: All England Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-16, 16-21, 19-21
  • 2019: World Tour Finals (Group) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-18, 21-8
  • 2019: Japan Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-15
  • 2019: Indonesia Open (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-15, 21-16
  • 2018: World Tour Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 24-22, 21-15
  • 2018: Asian Games (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-17, 15-21, 21-10
  • 2018: Asian Games (Team QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-19
  • 2018: World Championships (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-16, 24-22
  • 2018: All England Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-19, 21-18
  • 2018: Asia Team Championships (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-19, 21-15
  • 2017: World Superseries Finals (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 15-21, 21-12, 21-19
  • 2017: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-9, 21-13
  • 2017: Hong Kong Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-12, 21-19
  • 2017: French Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 14-21, 9-21
  • 2016: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 12-21, 21-8, 21-15
  • 2016: Uber Cup (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11, 21-18
  • 2015: Macau Open (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-8, 15-21, 21-16
  • 2013: Japan Open (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 6-21, 17-21

While Sindhu holds a minor lead in head-to-head numbers against Yamaguchi, the Japanese shuttler has dominated their battle in recent years.

Since 2023, the pair have clashed six times, with Yamaguchi winning five of those matches. Sindhu’s only win in this spell came in the Malaysian Open earlier this year after Yamaguchi had to retire due to an injury.

Numbers to watch out for before the final

2026 Win-Loss Record:

P.V. Sindhu: 18–9

Akane Yamaguchi: 33–6

BWF World Ranking:

P.V. Sindhu: 10

Akane Yamaguchi: 3

HSBC Race to Guangzhou Ranking:

P.V. Sindhu: 14

Akane Yamaguchi: 3

Published on Jul 18, 2026

#P.V #Sindhu #Akane #Yamaguchi #headtohead #Complete #record #ahead #Japan #Open #final">P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head: Complete record ahead of Japan Open 2026 final  India’s P.V. Sindhu will take on home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in the Japan Open 2026 final on Sunday.Sindhu entered the final after beating China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals, while Yamaguchi overcame Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in the other last-four clash.P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head (Sindhu leads 15-14)
                                                        2026: Australian Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 22-20, 21-12                    
                                                        2026: Thailand Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-18, 21-15                    
                                                        2026: Malaysia Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11                    
                                                        2025: Badminton Asia Championships (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-12, 16-21, 21-16                    
                                                        2023: Canada Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-14, 21-15                    
                                                        2023: Singapore Open (R32) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-19, 21-17                    
                                                        2022: Thailand Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 20-22, 21-13                    
                                                        2022: Badminton Asia Championships (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 13-21, 21-19, 21-16                    
                                                        2021: World Tour Finals (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 15-21, 21-19                    
                                                        2021: Indonesia Masters (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-13, 21-9                    
                                                        2021: Tokyo Olympics (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-13, 22-20                    
                                                        2021: All England Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-16, 16-21, 19-21                    
                                                        2019: World Tour Finals (Group) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-18, 21-8                    
                                                        2019: Japan Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-15                    
                                                        2019: Indonesia Open (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-15, 21-16                    
                                                        2018: World Tour Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 24-22, 21-15                    
                                                        2018: Asian Games (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-17, 15-21, 21-10                    
                                                        2018: Asian Games (Team QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-19                    
                                                        2018: World Championships (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-16, 24-22                    
                                                        2018: All England Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-19, 21-18                    
                                                        2018: Asia Team Championships (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-19, 21-15                    
                                                        2017: World Superseries Finals (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 15-21, 21-12, 21-19                    
                                                        2017: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-9, 21-13                    
                                                        2017: Hong Kong Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-12, 21-19                    
                                                        2017: French Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 14-21, 9-21                    
                                                        2016: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 12-21, 21-8, 21-15                    
                                                        2016: Uber Cup (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11, 21-18                    
                                                        2015: Macau Open (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-8, 15-21, 21-16                    
                                                        2013: Japan Open (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 6-21, 17-21                    While Sindhu holds a minor lead in head-to-head numbers against Yamaguchi, the Japanese shuttler has dominated their battle in recent years.Since 2023, the pair have clashed six times, with Yamaguchi winning five of those matches. Sindhu’s only win in this spell came in the Malaysian Open earlier this year after Yamaguchi had to retire due to an injury.
Numbers to watch out for before the final
2026 Win-Loss Record:
P.V. Sindhu: 18–9

Akane Yamaguchi: 33–6
BWF World Ranking:
P.V. Sindhu: 10

Akane Yamaguchi: 3
HSBC Race to Guangzhou Ranking:
P.V. Sindhu: 14

Akane Yamaguchi: 3
Published on Jul 18, 2026  #P.V #Sindhu #Akane #Yamaguchi #headtohead #Complete #record #ahead #Japan #Open #final

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