When you know how to create for yourself, you know how to create for others. Arike Ogunbowale is a master of her craft. Hungry to put points on the board, the Dallas Wings guard showcases her slick handle, crossing over a helpless defender as she motors toward the lane while setting up the halfcourt offense. As the New York Liberty defense collapses inward, Ogunbowale absorbs contact from multiple defenders and somehow flicks a no-look pass over her shoulder to a wide-open teammate in the corner, who finishes by burying the trey. Ogunbowale wowed all game long in her team’s 81-71 victory on May 15, 2022, scoring a game-high 21 points, to go along with four assists, a rebound and a steal.

Arike Ogunbowale

Arike Ogunbowale beats defender with crossover, tosses dime over head for three

You only get one shot at a first impression, so better make it count! Playing in just her fifth career game after the Washington Mystics drafted her third overall, Shakira Austin rewards her team’s faith by putting her defensive aptitude on clear display, drifting into the paint for some brilliant help defense and ambushing a hopeful Dallas Wings scorer with a vicious block out of bounds. Already looking like a seasoned veteran, Austin came off the bench to score 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting, while adding eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in Washington’s 84-68 win on May 17, 2022.

Shakira Austin

Shakira Austin slides into position and swats shot out of bounds

Having star power on a roster is one thing; having synergy with great players all working together is next level. The Las Vegas Aces showcase their chemistry and teamwork, with Kelsey Plum right in the middle of the action — following a teammate’s steal on the defensive end, Plum quickly collects the ball and initiates the downhill attack. Plum threads the needle with a highlight-reel bounce pass through a wall of three Connecticut Sun defenders to hit a streaking teammate in stride for an easy two. Plum’s 18 points, four rebounds, seven assists and trio of three-pointers on May 31, 2022 propelled the Aces to their seventh straight victory — and best 10-game start in franchise history.

Kelsey Plum

Kelsey Plum laces fullcourt bounce pass up floor for hoop

If perfection is indeed the enemy of progress, then Sabrina Ionescu would like to have a word. Ionescu has had many special performances as a member of the New York Liberty, but in this one she could do no wrong, including smoothly burying a 48-foot halfcourt heave to beat the halftime buzzer after corralling a defensive rebound. The Minnesota Lynx had no answers for Ionescu, who tallied a game-high 26 points on 10-for-11 shooting — including a flawless 4-for-4 behind the arc — to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists in a demonstrative 88-69 Liberty triumph on June 7, 2022.

Sabrina Ionescu

Sabrina Ionescu drains halfcourt heave in 10-of-11 shooting night

When you’re in the zone from long range, it doesn’t matter who stands in your way. Rhyne Howard takes on all challengers, including Phoenix Mercury star Skylar Diggins-Smith, calmly and effortlessly sending her defender toppling to the hardwood with one flick of the arm before finishing with style on a wide-open three-pointer. It was one of six triples for Howard, who compiled a game-high 25 points with three rebounds, five assists and a block for the Atlanta Dream on June 10, 2022.

Rhyne Howard

Rhyne Howard clears space with handle, steps back for cold-blooded three

As one of the league’s most prominent two-way stars, A’ja Wilson is in the business of making the opposition look bad on both ends of the court — oftentimes on consecutive plays. First, Wilson denies an overmatched Los Angeles Sparks shooter with an unforgiving block before flipping a switch and gliding down the court alongside a driving teammate in transition. Grabbing a pass, the Las Vegas Aces cornerstone, takes one dribble and drains a foul line pull-up right in the face of a defender. Wilson was in complete control, dominating to the tune of 35 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and an assist in her team’s 89-72 victory on June 11, 2022.

A'ja Wilson

A'ja Wilson slides from help-side to send layup attempt into floor

Locked in a tight road game against one of the league’s best teams, the Washington Mystics sure were glad to have Elena Delle Donne on their side. With her team clinging to a one-point fourth-quarter lead, Delle Donne plays the hero, receiving an entry pass despite three defenders flanking her. Even with her back to the basket, the two-time MVP and six-time All-Star shows no fear in taking on all comers, rising up for a turnaround fadeaway and providing some scoreboard cushion for her battling squad. It required an overtime period, but Delle Donne helped guide the Mystics to an 87-86 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on June 25, 2022, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, five blocks and a pair of three-pointers.

Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne hits clutch fadeaway through contact

Few things in life get the pulse pounding quite like a three-point buzzer beater. Showing that good shots come to those who wait, Courtney Vandersloot confronts a double team following an inbounds pass, receives a bailout from a helpful teammate, then slides out behind the arc to calmly drain a high-arching triple to beat the horn. The Chicago Sky veteran contributed across the board against the Minnesota Lynx, posting 18 points, five rebounds, six assists, four three-pointers and a steal in the 88-85 victory on June 26, 2022.

Courtney Vandersloot

Courtney Vandersloot works give-and-go with Allie Quigley for game-winning three

Not so fast, my friend! On a night when her New York Liberty squad set a franchise single-game scoring record, Natasha Howard was there to also ensure all windows and doors were deadbolted on the defensive end. When a Las Vegas Aces ball handler drops a pretty bounce pass to a cutting teammate in the paint, Howard is there waiting, standing tall and earning an emphatic one-handed swat. Howard’s lone rejection bookended an overall solid performance, contributing 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and a three-pointer in the Liberty’s 116-107 road triumph.

Natasha Howard

Natasha Howard flies through the paint to erase layup attempt

Never underestimate the impact a halftime buzzer beater can have on a basketball game. Perhaps prophesying that every bucket would matter in a matchup ultimately requiring two overtimes, Aerial Powers grabs an inbound pass before urgently racing up the floor. A blanket of three Phoenix Mercury defenders meets her on the other end, but the Minnesota Lynx forward still manages to bypass everyone standing in her way to bury a running three-pointer just in the nick of time. This opportune triple provided a two-point halftime cushion for the Lynx and Powers, who posted career highs of 35 points and 13 rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals in the marathon 118-107 win.

Aerial Powers

Aerial Powers beats buzzer in midst of career-high 35-point night

Victory always tastes a little bit sweeter with a milestone attached. Alyssa Thomas showcases her ability to fill the box score on both ends, first earning a steal thanks to her relentless aggression on defense before pushing the ball the other way in transition. With a 4-on-1 numbers advantage, the Connecticut Sun star displays her basketball intelligence by drawing the lone Minnesota Lynx defender toward her and finishing the play with a perfectly-timed dish to a driving teammate. Thomas’ versatile performance earned her the first triple-double of her career, as well as the first in franchise history, in the 94-84 win on July 22, 2022.

Alyssa Thomas

Alyssa Thomas battles for steal, racks up first triple-double in Sun history

Sometimes the most practical way to put the ball in the hoop is to take it there yourself. Using a combination of handles, speed and toughness, Kahleah Copper does just that, grabbing a handoff atop the key before letting her basketball instincts take over. The Chicago Sky guard puts the ball through her legs and fools her first defender with a crossover, then powers her way into the lane through multiple more, absorbing contact and earning a shot at a three-point play. Copper’s fearlessness — as well as her 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal — were crucial contributions in the Sky’s battle against the New York Liberty on July 23, 2022.

Kahleah Copper

Kahleah Copper battles through traffic for tough bucket

Marketplace