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WNBA: Hillmon named Sixth Player of the Year; Lynx lose Carrington

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Clock Icon2 daysBasketball

Naz Hillmon was named the WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year on Saturday, becoming the first player in Atlanta Dream history to win the award.

Hillmon, a second-round pick by Atlanta in 2022, appeared in all 44 regular-season games and came off the bench in 27 of those contests.

Among WNBA players who came off the bench in at least 20 games this season, Hillmon ranked first in plus-minus (plus-5.7), second in rebounds (4.9 per game) and fifth in points (8.0 per game).

Hillman set a Dream record with 150 consecutive games played, which is the third-longest active streak in the league.

“Naz embodies everything we want the Atlanta Dream to stand for - toughness, consistency and growth,” Dream general manager Dan Padover said.

“Her ability to embrace any role and make winning plays has elevated not only her own game, but our entire team.”

The Dream went 30-14 this season to finish as the No. 3 seed but were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs by the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever.

Lynx key reverse Carrington out for season

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx will continue their pursuit of a record-setting fifth WNBA championship without DiJonai Carrington after the key reserve was diagnosed with a sprained left foot.

Carrington was injured in the fourth quarter Wednesday, when Minnesota defeated the Golden State Valkyries to sweep the teams’ best-of-three first-round series.

“After undergoing an MRI, Carrington was evaluated by team physician Dr. Elena Jelsing at Mayo Clinic Square, where a significant mid-foot sprain was confirmed,” the Lynx said in a statement.

The Lynx acquired Carrington from the Dallas Wings in early August, and the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player averaged 8.6 points in 11 games with Minnesota before combining to score 17 in the team’s two wins over Golden State.

Minnesota lost to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals last season to remain tied with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm for the most titles in league history with four.

The Lynx open their best-of-five semi-final series against the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.