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September 5, 2025

Reserves Peaking Heading into the Final Week

EJ Arocho

DiJonai Carrington | Minnesota


Nai has been rock solid all season long but really turned up the heat last week. A near season-high 18 points vs her former team Connecticut. Dynamic defense has set the tone this season averaging 1.2 SPG in ten games off the bench for Minny. Seatbelt season fully activated! She's been the complete package for a team considered title favorites, bringing the action on both sides of the ball.


Final regular season games: 9/6 vs Golden State, 9/9 vs Indiana, 9/11 vs Golden State




Natisha Hiedeman | Minnesota


Widely considered one of the leading contenders for 6POY, Natisha has been phenomenal this season. Monday's game vs Dallas was one of the best of her career, notching a season-high 20 points and a career-high 10 assists. She continues to make an immediate impact off the bench and could very well be the x-factor Minnesota needs moving forward.


Final regular season games: 9/6 vs Golden State, 9/9 vs Indiana, 9/11 vs Golden State




Maya Caldwell | Atlanta


A season-high 14 points and career-high 8 rebounds last week vs LA was exactly what Maya needed to restore confidence as we inch closer to the postseason! Efficient shooting has seen her shoot at least 50% from the field in five games last month and over 50% from 3 in four! If the Dream want to close out the regular season strong, they'll need this same high-level production from Maya!


Final regular season games: 9/5 vs Los Angeles, 9/8 vs Connecticut, 9/10 vs Connecticut




Dana Evans | Las Vegas


Dana was a majorly impactful reserve with Chicago the last few seasons and brought that same energy to Vegas this year. She was an integral part of Vegas's nearly undefeated 12-1 August, recording a season-best 21 points vs Washington along the way. That game last week saw an incredible shooting display, going 5-6 from 3PT and 8-11 from the field overall. She's having one of her best seasons to date!


Final regular season games: 9/7 vs Chicago, 9/9 vs Chicago, 9/11 vs Los Angeles




Carla Leite | Golden State


Carla tied a career-high last week vs Washington and has helped the Valkyries stay in the playoff race in a tightly clustered bottom 3. Averaging 7.6 PPG in 17.8 MPG, she's been a very reliable scoring option off the bench for a team looking to establish themselves as a legitimate threat heading into the last week of the regular season. She has helped GS win crucial games over New York, Indiana and Washington in just the past week alone!


Final regular season games: 9/6 vs Minnesota, 9/9 vs Seattle, 9/11 vs Minnesota




Aerial Powers | Indiana


Injuries have plagued the Fever all season long. Enter: Aerial Powers. They signed (and re-signed) Powers to a hardship contract which, so far, has proved to be a wise choice! In five games with the team, she's put up solid numbers, including 17 points vs Golden State on Sunday. They'll need her to keep that same intensity if they want to stay in the playoff race [currently occupying the 8th and final spot]. If she can fill voids in scoring and assists for this depleted Indiana team, it'll prove fruitful during this final stretch.


Final regular season games: 9/5 vs Chicago, 9/7 vs Washington, 9/9 vs Minnesota




Lucy Olsen | Washington


Sunday's game vs LA saw Lucy put up season-highs in rebounds (6) and steals (4). The game before that [on Saturday vs Golden State] she recorded the third-most points this season with 13. While Washington may be out of playoff contention, Lucy has shown flashes of brilliance playing fearless and fluid. She'll look to close out her rookie season in strong fashion.


Final regular season games: 9/7 vs Indiana, 9/9 vs New York

About the Author

EJ Arocho is Mr. Women’s Basketball and lives in New Jersey. Lives by the shore but looking to make waves everywhere!

Reserves Peaking Heading into the Final Week
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