WNBA releases Top 30 plays list, spotlighting iconic moments from 1997 to 2025

WNBA has issued a fan-focused “Top 30 plays” list celebrating defining moments from the league’s history, and the league’s recent “Rapid Reactions: WNBA Top 30” package breaks down several of the entries with context for why they stood out. The compilation spans the WNBA’s modern era beginning in 1997 and stretches through recent seasons, with the publication presenting each play as a key highlight for fans to revisit.

The list’s top slot, according to the article, features Teresa Weatherspoon’s No. 1 moment, “The Shot,” from 1997 for the New York Liberty, described in the piece as a game-winner against the Houston Comets that followed a high-stakes conclusion to the WNBA Finals. Other early entries highlighted in the commentary include Nneka Ogwumike’s game-winner that the article credits with sealing the 2016 WNBA championship for the Los Angeles Sparks against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5, and Maya Moore’s 2015 game-winner for Minnesota over the Indiana Fever.

The publication also spotlights Diana Taurasi’s 10,000th career point in 2023 against the Atlanta Dream, framed as a milestone built around consecutive scoring sequences. Additional featured moments include Courtney Williams’ and-one three in 2024 during the WNBA Finals, and A’ja Wilson’s 2025 Finals game-winner versus the Phoenix Mercury, along with Sabrina Ionescu’s 2024 Finals Game 3 game-winner for Las Vegas.

Among other entries discussed, the article calls out Sue Bird’s no-look assist in 2018 and inbound-to-Jewell Loyd game-winning sequence in 2020 with the Seattle Storm. On the defensive end, the piece highlights Brittney Griner’s game-winning block that advanced Phoenix to the 2021 Finals, plus multiple “crunch time” moments across recent playoff runs.

The package continues with play-by-play descriptions that connect major names and franchises, including Elena Delle Donne’s 2013 game-winning jumper for the Chicago Sky, Tiffany Hayes’ 2018 steal-and-halfcourt game-winner for the Connecticut Sun, and Skylar Diggins’ clutch game-tying three in 2020 against the Connecticut Sun.

Finally, the article’s commentary emphasizes recurring themes—late-game execution, landmark career achievements, and high-impact defense—while presenting the highlighted plays strictly as part of the league’s Top 30 compilation and not as fresh awards or standings.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk