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Successful Heavily Supported Placement to Raise $25.1 Million

Investing 3 Mins Read

Resolution Minerals Ltd (RML or Company) (ASX: RML) is pleased to announce it has received firm commitments for a placement of fully paid ordinary shares in the Company (Shares) to sophisticated investors to raise a total of $25.1 million (before costs) at an issue price of $ 0.05 per Share (Placement).

Highlights

  • Commitments received for a successful placement of $25.1 million at $0.05 per share
  • Placement supported by a range of high net worth and global institutions including John Hancock’s Family Office, Astrotricha Capital SEZC and S3 Consortium (Stocks Digital), as well as director participation of $200,000
  • The placement has institutionalised the Company’s register, including $7.75m cornerstoned by high-calibre, supportive and value-add local and international investor groups
  • RML’s medium term work programs and working capital requirements are now fully funded
  • RML balance sheet strengthened ahead of the proposed NASDAQ listing
  • RML is aiming to become a major player in the US critical minerals space and is aiming to meet the needs of the current White House Administration’s and the Department of War’s critical mineral US national security supply requirements

Of the total $25.1 million placement funds, $18,400,000 (Tranche 1) will be settled on or around 26 September 2025, and the remaining $6,700,000 (Tranche 2) (total of $25.1 million) is anticipated to settle within approximately 60 days, and following the next shareholder meeting.

Subject to receipt of shareholder approval in a general meeting (anticipated mid November 2025), participants in the Placement will also be issued one (1) option for every two (2) Shares issued under the Placement, for no additional consideration. The Options will have an exercise price of $0.10 per Share and expire on 30 November 2029 – key terms included in this announcement (Option). The Options will be listed, subject to ASX listing requirements being met.

The Placement will be conducted via two (2) tranches, as follows:

(a) Tranche 1: 422,000,000 Shares as follows:

(i) 150,000,000 Shares will be issued under the Company’s existing pre-approved placement capacity that was approved by shareholders at the general meeting held on 25 July 2025; and

(ii) 272,000,000 Shares will otherwise be issued under the Company’s Listing Rule 7.1 & 7.1A capacity (146,542,986 Shares under Listing Rule 7.1 and 125,457,014 Shares under Listing Rule 7.1A); and

(b) Tranche 2: subject to shareholder approval under Listing Rule 7.1, via the issue of 80,000,000 Shares and up to 251,000,000 attaching Options (subject to rounding).

Click here for the full ASX Release

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Gold Price Breaks US$3,700, Then Falls as Fed Cuts Rates

Investing 3 Mins Read

The US Federal Reserve held its sixth meeting of 2025 from Tuesday (September 16) to Wednesday (September 17) amid slowing growth in the country’s jobs market.

The central bank met analysts’ expectations by lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to the 4 to 4.25 percent range. It marks the first cut of 2025, after holding at the 4.25 to 4.5 percent range since December 2024.

Despite August consumer price index (CPI) data showing inflation rose to 2.9 percent from 2.7 percent in July, a weakening labor market became the focus of the Fed’s dual mandate of stable prices and maximum employment.

“The case for a persistent inflation outbreak is less, and that’s why we think it’s time for us to acknowledge the risks to the other mandate have grown, and we should move in the direction of neutral,” said Chair Jerome Powell.

The most recent US jobs report indicates that August brought an increase of just 22,000 new workers, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent in July. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produced the report, announced a downward revision to June’s figures, showing a loss of 13,000 jobs.

Similarly, July’s report, released on August 1, marked a significant weakening in the labor force, bringing the three month average to just 28,000 new jobs after growth of 192,000 in the February to April period.

Following that report, US President Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggesting the jobs data was “rigged” to make his administration look bad. Both the slowing American labor market and rising inflation over the past few months have been blamed on the effects of Trump’s tariffs trickling into the economy.

Trump has been critical of the Fed and Powell in particular, saying they haven’t moved quickly enough to lower rates.

While he is unable to remove Powell, in August Trump attempted to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud stemming from mortgage applications where she listed two homes as principal residences. Recent documents have shown those allegations to be false, and that Cook listed one of the homes as a vacation property.

On Monday (September 15), an appeals court blocked Cook’s removal from the Fed’s Board of Governors, allowing her to participate in this week’s meeting. Also this week, the Senate confirmed Stephen Miran to the board in a 48 to 47 decision along party lines. He will be replacing Adriana Kugler, who resigned in August.

Miran is on leave from his position at the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers and increases Trump’s influence over the seven member board. The nomination process for a new board member usually lasts months, but Miran’s appointment took just six weeks, allowing him to participate in this week’s meeting.

The gold price rose to a record high of US$3,707.34 per ounce shortly after the decision, but quickly fell back to the US$3,650 level. Silver spiked as high as US$42.24 per ounce following the meeting, still trading near 14 year highs.

Equities were mixed on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) losing 0.31 percent to reach 6,586. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) shed 1.03 percent to come in at 24,036, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) gained 0.5 percent, coming to 45,084.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Osisko Gaspé Expansion Hole Intersects 133.7 Metres Averaging 1.04% Cu

Investing 13 Mins Read

Osisko Metals Incorporated (the ‘ Company ‘ or ‘ Osisko Metals ‘) ( TSX: OM,OTC:OMZNF ; OTCQX: OMZNF ; FRANKFURT: 0B51 ) is pleased to announce new drill results from the Gaspé Copper Project, located in the Gaspé Peninsula of Eastern Québec.

Osisko Metals CEO Robert Wares commented: ‘The growth potential of the Gaspé Copper deposit continues to be demonstrated with today’s new high-grade results. Holes 30-1106 and 30-1109 reveal the presence of a thick, higher grade tabular zone lying at depth around the E Zone horizon near the eastern margin of our 2024 MRE model. This tabular zone may extend significantly to the east if it correlates to historical drilling results. Our expansion drilling is exceeding expectations, hand-in-hand with the solid infill results on our main resource area.’

New analytical results are presented below (see Table 1), including 26 mineralized intercepts from six new drill holes. Infill intercepts are located inside the 2024 MRE model ( see November 14, 2024 news release ), and are focused on upgrading inferred mineral resources to measured or indicated categories, as applicable. Expansion intercepts are located outside the 2024 MRE model and may potentially lead to additional resources that will be classified appropriately within the next MRE update. Some of the reported intercepts have contiguous shallower infill as well as deeper expansion (noted on Table 1 below as ‘Both’). Maps showing hole locations are available at www.osiskometals.com .

Highlights:

  • Drill hole 30-1110
    • 1091.5 metres averaging 0.20% Cu (infill and expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1109
    • 133.7 metres averaging 1.04% Cu (expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1106
    • 159.1 metres averaging 0.45% Cu (expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1103
    • 167.9 metres averaging 0.24% Cu (infill)
  • Drill hole 30-1108
    • 134.8 metres averaging 0.22% Cu (infill and expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1111
    • 304.5 metres averaging 0.17% Cu (infill)
    • 206.3 metres averaging 0.33% Cu (expansion)

Table 1: Infill and Expansion Drilling Results

DDH No. From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Ag g/t Mo % CuEq* Type**
30-1103 14.6 144.0 129.4 0.17 1.40 0.19 Infill
And 322.6 490.5 167.9 0.24 1.84 0.014 0.30 Infill
And 510.0 583.5 73.5 0.27 2.02 0.029 0.40 Expansion
And 618.0 714.0 96.0 0.12 1.09 0.024 0.20 Expansion
And 790.5 854.0 63.5 0.26 1.38 0.010 0.30 Expansion
30-1106 595.5 634.5 39.0 0.40 3.58 0.44 Infill
And 694.0 716.0 22.0 0.29 1.60 0.008 0.32 Expansion
And 741.0 802.5 61.5 0.18 0.97 0.014 0.23 Expansion
And 844.7 1003.8 159.1 0.45 1.95 0.011 0.50 Expansion
(including) 864.2 898.0 33.8 1.04 3.60 0.011 1.10 Expansion
30-1108 9.0 53.0 44.0 0.20 1.80 0.21 Infill
And 67.0 96.0 29.0 0.17 1.62 0.19 Infill
And 160.5 199.5 39.0 0.12 1.05 0.008 0.16 Infill
And 354.0 417.0 63.0 0.19 1.42 0.006 0.22 Infill
And 442.2 579.0 134.8 0.22 1.17 0.030 0.34 Both
And 662.7 695.8 33.1 0.22 0.75 0.021 0.31 Expansion
And 877.5 900.3 22.8 0.62 5.14 0.67 Expansion
30-1109 463.5 487.5 24.0 0.36 2.83 0.39 Infill
And 543.0 583.5 40.5 1.35 8.29 0.012 1.44 Infill
And 727.3 861.0 133.7 1.04 6.48 0.017 1.14 Expansion
30-1110 8.0 1099.5 1091.5 0.20 1.52 0.017 0.28 Both
(including) 8.0 743.6 735.6 0.20 1.50 0.015 0.27 Infill
(including) 743.6 1099.5 355.9 0.21 1.55 0.021 0.30 Expansion
And 1138.5 1177.5 39.0 0.12 0.90 0.014 0.17 Expansion
30-1111 28.5 333.0 304.5 0.17 0.80 0.007 0.20 Infill
And 391.5 602.5 210.5 0.16 0.78 0.028 0.27 Infill
And 634.7 682.5 47.8 0.13 1.06 0.008 0.16 Expansion
And 730.0 936.3 206.3 0.33 2.39 0.016 0.41 Expansion

* See explanatory notes below on copper equivalent values and Quality Assurance/Quality Controls.
** ‘Both’ indicates drill holes that have contiguous shallower infill as well as deeper expansion intercepts.

Discussion

Drill holes 30-1103 and 30-1108, both located near the western margin of the 2024 MRE model, cut multiple intersections of mineralized material, 20 to 168 metres thick, distributed in ‘layer cake’ fashion from surface to a vertical depth of 854 and 900 metres, respectively.

Drill hole 30-1106, located near the eastern margin of the 2024 MRE model, cut unmineralized material to a depth of about 600 metres, followed by four mineralized intervals to a vertical depth of 1004 metres. These include a higher-grade interval of 33.8 metres averaging 1.04% Cu and 3.60 g/t Ag located at the level of (and immediately below) the E Zone skarn horizon.

Drill hole 30-1109, also located near the eastern margin of the 2024 MRE model, cut unmineralized material to a depth of about 460 metres, followed by three mineralized intervals to a vertical depth of 860 metres. These also include a higher-grade interval of 133.7 metres averaging 1.04% Cu and 6.48 g/t Ag located in skarn and porcellanites above and below the E Zone skarn horizon.

Both 30-1106 and 30-1109 suggest potential for the presence of a higher-grade tabular deposit around the E Zone horizon that, when combined with historical drilling data, indicates a potential extension eastward towards the previously mined E-32 Zone over a lateral distance of 800 metres.

Drill hole 30-1110, located on top of Copper Mountain near the central part of the 2024 MRE model, intersected 1091.5 metres averaging 0.20% Cu, 1.52 g/t Ag, and 0.017% Mo (0.28% CuEq), including 735.6 metres averaging 0.20% Cu, 1.50 g/t Ag, and 0.015% Mo (infill) and 355.9 metres averaging 0.21% Cu, 1.55 g/t Ag, and 0.021% Mo (expansion), extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 1100 metres and again confirming continuity of mineralization in the core of the deposit.

Drill hole 30-1111, located immediately west of Copper Mountain near the southern lip of the pit, intersected 304.5 metres (from surface) averaging 0.17% Cu and 0.80 g/t Ag followed by three more intersections that included expansion at depth of 206.3 metres averaging 0.33% Cu, 2.39 g/t Ag, and 0.016% Mo, extending mineralization in this area to a vertical depth of 936 metres. The central porphyry intrusion was then intersected and returned 76 metres averaging negligible copper (0.08% Cu) but significant molybdenum (0.023% Mo).

Mineralization at Gaspé Copper is of porphyry copper/skarn type and occurs as disseminations and stockworks of chalcopyrite with pyrite or pyrrhotite and minor bornite and molybdenite. At least five retrograde vein/stockwork mineralizing events have been recognized at Copper Mountain, which overprint earlier prograde skarn and porcellanite-hosted mineralization throughout the Gaspé Copper system. Porcellanite is a historical mining term used to describe bleached, pale green to white potassic-altered hornfels. Subvertical stockwork mineralization dominates at Copper Mountain whereas prograde bedding-replacement mineralization, that is mostly stratigraphically controlled, dominates in the area of Needle Mountain, Needle East, and Copper Brook. High molybdenum grades (up to 0.5% Mo) were locally obtained in both the C Zone and E Zone skarns away from Copper Mountain.

The 2022 to 2024 Osisko Metals drill programs were focused on defining open-pit resources within the Copper Mountain stockwork mineralization ( see May 6, 2024 MRE press release ). Extending the resource model south of Copper Mountain into the poorly-drilled prograde skarn/porcellanite portion of the system subsequently led to a significantly increased resource, mostly in the Inferred category ( see November 14, 2024 MRE press release ).

The current drill program is designed to convert the November 2024 MRE to Measured and Indicated categories, as well as test the expansion of the system deeper into the stratigraphy and laterally to the south and southwest towards Needle East and Needle Mountain respectively. The November 2024 MRE was limited at depth to the base of the L1 skarn horizon (C Zone), and all mineralized intersections below this horizon represent potential depth extensions to the deposit, to be included in the next scheduled MRE update in Q1 2026.

All holes are being drilled sub-vertically into the altered calcareous stratigraphy, which dips 20 to 25 degrees to the north. The L1 (C Zone) the L2 (E Zone) skarn/marble horizons were intersected in most holes, as well as intervening porcellanites that host the bulk of the disseminated copper mineralization.

Table 2: Drill hole locations

DDH No. Azimuth (°) Dip (°) Length (m) UTM E UTM N Elevation
30-1103 0.00 -90.00 930.0 316056.0 5426038.0 634.7
30-1106 0.00 -90.00 1131.0 316500.0 5426360.0 628.7
30-1108 0.00 -90.00 960.00 315900.0 5426136.0 638.9
30-1109 0.00 -90.00 861.00 316600.0 5426205.0 608.2
30-1110 0.00 -90.00 1200.00 316077.0 5426355.0 742.7
30-1111 0.00 -90.00 1014.00 315600.0 5426408.0 590.0

Explanatory note regarding copper-equivalent grades

Copper Equivalent grades are expressed for purposes of simplicity and are calculated taking into account: 1) metal grades; 2) estimated long-term prices of metals: US$4.25/lb copper, US$20.00/lb molybdenum, and US$24.00/oz silver; 3) estimated recoveries of 92%, 70%, and 70% for Cu, Mo, and Ag respectively; and 4) net smelter return value of metals as percentage of the price, estimated at 86.5%, 90.7%, and 75.0% for Cu, Mo, and Ag respectively.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo. (OGQ 492), an independent ‘qualified person’ as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’).

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Mineralized intervals reported herein are calculated using an average 0.12% CuEq lower cut-off over contiguous 20-metre intersections (shorter intervals as the case may be at the upper and lower limits of reported intervals). Intervals of 20 metres or less are not reported unless indicating significantly higher grades . True widths are estimated at 90- 92% of the reported core length intervals.

Osisko Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC program for core handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses, including insertion of blanks and standards in the sample stream. Drill core is drilled in HQ or NQ diameter and securely transported to its core processing facility on site, where it is logged, cut and sampled. Samples selected for assay are sealed and shipped to ALS Canada Ltd.’s preparation facility in Sudbury. Sample preparation details (code PREP-31DH) are available on the ALS Canada website. Pulps are analyzed at the ALS Canada Ltd. facility in North Vancouver, BC. All samples are analyzed by four acid digestion followed by both ICP-AES and ICP-MS for Cu, Mo and Ag.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspé Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspé Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Québec ‘ s Gaspé Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper system, with current Indicated Mineral Resources of 824 Mt averaging 0.34% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 670 Mt averaging 0.38% CuEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals’ November 14, 2024 news release entitled ‘Osisko Metals Announces Significant Increase in Mineral Resource at Gaspé Copper’. Gaspé Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Québec.

In addition to the Gaspé Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the Pine Point Mining Limited joint venture to advance one of Canada ‘ s largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of Indicated Mineral Resources of 49.5 Mt averaging 5.52% ZnEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt averaging 5.64% ZnEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals ‘ June 25, 2024 news release entitled ‘Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5 million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq’. The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, NWT, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometres of viable haul roads.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Don Njegovan, President
Email: info@osiskometals.com
Phone: (416) 500-4129

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as ‘expects’, or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘interpreted’, ‘management’s view’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecasts’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘feasibility’, ‘believes’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’ or ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the tax treatment of the FT Units; the timing of incurring the Qualifying Expenditures and the renunciation of the Qualifying Expenditures; the ability to advance Gaspé Copper to a construction decision (if at all); the ability to increase the Company’s trading liquidity and enhance its capital markets presence; the potential re-rating of the Company; the ability for the Company to unlock the full potential of its assets and achieve success; the ability for the Company to create value for its shareholders; the advancement of the Pine Point project; the anticipated resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper system and Gaspé Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital markets; future spot prices of copper and zinc; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company’s public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals’ issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission, or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1435bbf7-6580-47e7-9906-c67a832e9456

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffb2d0f5-e4f4-4672-8e6e-e41e07fc2f68

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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How to Invest in Vanadium Stocks

Investing 7 Mins Read

Vanadium is an important metal for both the steel and battery manufacturing industries.

Both of these sectors play key roles in economic growth and a new era in defense and energy security. Supply and demand fundamentals for the metal indicate a strong long-term outlook for the vanadium market.

Many investors believe the vanadium industry is compelling and are interested in getting involved in this evolving market. Read on for a brief overview of the metal, from supply and demand to how to invest in this exciting industrial and battery metal.

In this article

    What is vanadium?

    Named after Vanadis, the Norse god of beauty, vanadium is a silvery-gray transition metal that was discovered in 1801.

    Vanadium occurs in about 65 different minerals, and is mined as a by-product of other metals, usually uranium. It is also found in deposits of phosphate rock, titaniferous magnetite, uraniferous sandstone and siltstone. Aside from that, it is present in bauxite and in carboniferous materials such as crude oil, coal, oil shale and tar sands.

    Vanadium demand trends

    Vanadium applications have grown in recent years, contributing to price growth. The vast majority of vanadium is used as an additive in the steel industry to make a high-strength product that is lighter, stronger and more resistant to shock and corrosion.

    Vanadium content of less than 0.1 percent is needed to double the strength of steel, and although other metals — including manganese, molybdenum, niobium, titanium and tungsten — can be interchanged with vanadium for alloying with steel, there is no substitute for vanadium in aerospace titanium alloys.

    Over the last few years, China has increased its vanadium use, producing steel rebar with high tensile strength for construction. Vanadium compounds are also used in nuclear reactors because they have low neutron-absorbing properties. Vanadium oxide is used as a pigment for ceramics and glass, and can act as a catalyst in the production of superconducting magnets.

    In addition to the steel alloy sector, the metal is often used to make parts for jet engines, as well as crankshafts, axles and gears. What’s more, vanadium redox batteries (VRFB) are currently generating excitement because they are reusable over semi-infinite cycles, and do not degrade for at least 20 years, allowing energy storage systems the ability to bank renewable energy.

    However, these batteries are quite large compared to lithium-ion batteries, and are better suited for industrial or commercial use rather than for use in electric vehicles. That said, there are a number of companies around the world working on developing the technology for residential and smaller-scale use.

    Vanadium supply trends

    The top vanadium producing countries are China, Russia and South Africa, and worldwide vanadium production totaled 100,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024. China was the world’s largest producer of vanadium by far, contributing 70,000 metric tons of vanadium. Russia came in at a distant second with output of 21,000 MT, and South Africa was in third place with 8,000 MT.

    Russian-owned Evraz is a large vanadium producer with assets in Russia and Czechia, and is a major supplier of ferrovanadium to the European steel market. In the first half of 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent trade sanctions have prompted end-users to look for more secure vanadium supplies. By the end of 2024, Russian vanadium pentoxide exports to China had dried up, and supply uncertainties were also reported in South Africa.

    For his part, CRU Group’s Goel believes other nations are also interested in boosting domestic vanadium production. “Governments worldwide have recognized vanadium as a critical mineral, leading to increased support for emerging vanadium projects,” he said. Goel cited as an example the private Australian company Vecco Group, which received an AU$3.8 million grant to advance the feasibility and design of its vanadium project in Brisbane.

    However, vanadium will have to break free from the current low pricing environment if ex-China projects are to move from discovery to production.

    How to invest in vanadium stocks

    Vanadium bullion is available from private individuals, but the metal is not publicly traded, and so most experts do not advise investing in physical vanadium. Instead, vanadium stocks are a common way to gain exposure.

    There are several publicly traded companies currently producing vanadium for investors to consider, as well as many companies exploring or developing vanadium projects, including as a by-product of other minerals. See the list of vanadium stocks you can invest in below for more details on their operations.

    [shortcode-js-qm-watchlist-widget stocks=’AVL:AU,BMN:LN,EFR:CC,LGO,NEXT:CC,QEM:AU,SR:CC,VRB:CC,WUC:CC’

    Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL)
    Australian Vanadium is building a vanadium pit-to-battery value chain in Western Australia that will incorporate its flagship Australian Vanadium project, considered one of the most advanced vanadium projects being developed globally.

    Bushveld Minerals (LSE:BMN)
    Bushveld Minerals is a primary vanadium mining company with one of the world’s largest high-grade primary vanadium resources. The company’s assets, all in South Africa, include two of the world’s four operating primary vanadium production processing facilities and an under-construction vanadium electrolyte production facility.

    Energy Fuels (TSX:EFR,NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU)
    Energy Fuels is primarily focused on uranium and rare earth metals, but its White Mesa mill in Utah, US, has the ability to process uranium-bearing ore from its mines into vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) as well. While the company is not currently producing vanadium, it has a stockpile of finished V2O5, with production and sales awaiting stronger market prices.

    Largo Resources (TSX:LGO,NASDAQ:LGO)
    Largo Resources owns and operates the Maracas Menchen mine in Brazil, and has annual V2O5 equivalent production guidance of between 9,000 and 11,000 MT. The company supplies vanadium products for multiple applications, and has developed vanadium redox battery systems for advanced renewable energy storage solutions.

    Manuka Resources (ASX:MKR)
    Manuka Resources holds two fully permitted precious metals projects in the Cobar Basin of New South Wales, Australia. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, it is also advancing the Taranaki VTM iron-vanadium-titanium project, which would extract vanadium-rich iron sands from the seabed of the New Zealand exclusive economic zone.

    NextSource Materials (TSX:NEXT,OTCQB:NSRCF)
    NextSource Materials’ advanced-stage Green Giant in-situ vanadium project in Madagascar is one of the world’s largest-known vanadium deposits, with a resource estimate of 60 million MT of V2O5 at an average grade of almost 0.7 percent. Green Giant is adjacent to NextSource’s Molo graphite mine.

    QEM (ASX:QEM)
    QEM is advancing its flagship Julia Creek vanadium and energy project in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province. The project hosts one of the largest vanadium deposits in the world, with a JORC resource of 2.87 billion MT at 0.31 percent V2O5, and a contingent oil resource of up to 654 million barrels.

    Strategic Resources (TSXV:SR)
    Strategic Resources is targeting the green steel market with its flagship BlackRock vanadium-titanium-iron project in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec, Canada. The project, which will host a mine and concentrator, is fully permitted and construction ready. The company will also have a metallurgical facility located in the Port of Saguenay.

    VanadiumCorp Resource (TSX:VRB)
    VanadiumCorp’s goal is to become a fully integrated producer of high-quality vanadium electrolytes for vanadium flow batteries. It plans to source material from its Lac Doré vanadium- and titanium-bearing magnetite deposit in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec.

    Western Uranium and Vanadium (CSE:WUC,OTCQX:WSTRF)
    Western Uranium and Vanadium is developing high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex in Colorado, US, and licensing and developing the nearby Mustang mineral processing plant. In Q2 2025, it delivered stockpiled and new production from Sunday to Energy Fuels’ White Mesa mill through an ore purchase agreement.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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    2025 WNBA playoff winners, losers: Lynx advance, Liberty crowd mute

    Sport 7 Mins Read

    The Minnesota Lynx are headed back to the semifinals.

    The No. 1 seed Lynx clawed their way back from a 17-point deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries, 75-74, on Wednesday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

    ‘It was (a) tough game, closeout games are always so hard, especially in an environment like this,’ Lynx MVP candidate Napheesa Collier said postgame.

    The Lynx will wait for their opponent. The Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday joined the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever in forcing Game 3s by thoroughly dismantling the defending champion New York Liberty, 86-60, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

    It was the Mercury’s first playoff win since the 2021 WNBA Finals. It was the largest loss by the Liberty at home in their playoff history and the Mercury’s largest road win when facing playoff elimination.

    Game 3 will be Friday in Phoenix at the PHX Center (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Liberty know they have to make changes if they want to advance to the semifinals and continue their title defense.

    ‘We can’t go out and play the same way we did and expect a different result,’ Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu said. ‘We have to go out and make the adjustments and play like our season is on the line, because it is.’

    Winners

    Phoenix Mercury’s Big 3

    The Mercury didn’t panic after their disappointing Game 1 loss to the Liberty. Instead, Phoenix geared up for a battle in New York. ‘The mindset is … go to New York and get it,” Kahleah Copper said on Sunday. That’s exactly what the Mercury did. Phoenix not only staved off elimination, it dominated the defending champs.

    The Mercury’s Big 3 of Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds), Satou Sabally (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) and Copper (14 points, 2 rebounds) took charge. The trio of stars set the tone early and got all their teammates involved. The Mercury are 14-0 this season when their Big 3 scores 10 or more points each. There may have been questions about Phoenix’s future after the end of the Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner era, but the new lineup has the Mercury one win away from their first semifinal appearance since 2021.

    Phoenix Mercury unicorn Satou Sabally

    Mercury forward Satou Sabally turned in her worst shooting performance of the season in a Game 1 loss to the Liberty on Sunday, going 2-of-17 from the field and 1-of-10 from 3 at home. Sabally said she watched the film and took good shot attempts, despite the end result. “I’m a great player and I know that. That game was not who I am,” she said. Sabally came out aggressive and shot 5-for-11 and 2-for-4 from 3 on Wednesday, finishing with 15 points in the win. ‘We’re not done yet,” Sabally declared after the victory.

    Resilient Minnesota Lynx

    The Lynx are the first and only team to advance to the semifinals in two games after every other first-round playoff series went to Game 3. It wasn’t an easy feat as the Lynx found themselves down 17 points in a rowdy road environment. Minnesota could have easily thrown in the towel and looked forward to Game 3 at home, but the Lynx leaned into their experience in the comeback win. ‘I asked them not to quit,’ Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve said. The Lynx now have three days rest before their semifinal series against the Mercury or Liberty, which begins on Sunday.

    Golden State Valkyries’ first season

    After the Valkyries suffered a one-point loss to the Lynx on Wednesday, and Golden State’s Cinderella season came to an end, the sold-out crowd at SAP Center in San Jose stood on their feet and emphatically chanted ‘GSV.’ It was a stunning display of support and highlights the expansion team’s wildly successful inaugural season, despite a quick playoff exit. WNBA Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase led the Valkyries to a playoff bid, becoming the first expansion team to make the postseason in its inaugural season. The Valkyries took the No. 1 seed down to the wire in Game 2 and were one jump shot away from notching their first playoff win.

    Golden State also sold out each of their 22 regular-season games at Chase Center and set an all-time WNBA attendance record, welcoming 397,408 total fans and an average attendance of 18,064 this season. This is just the beginning for the Valkyries.

    0-1 teams

    Three of the four teams facing elimination in the first round of the WNBA playoffs forced a decisive Game 3. The Indiana Fever kicked things off with a 77-60 dismantling of the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, followed by the Seattle Storm snapping the Las Vegas Aces’ 17-game win streak in an 86-83 comeback win. The Phoenix Mercury continued the trend on Wednesday with an 86-60 rout of the defending champion Liberty. The Golden State Valkyries nearly forced a Game 3 against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, but ultimately suffered a one-point loss. 

    Heading into the 2025 WNBA postseason, there were three total first-round Game 3s in over four years of this format. Now, WNBA fans will be treated to three Game 3s across Thursday and Friday alone.

    Losers

    Everything about the New York Liberty

    The defending champion New York Liberty looked … well, beatable. The Liberty were held to 60 points, their second lowest total of the season, in Wednesday’s loss. After making 10 field goals in the first quarter, the Liberty had nine the rest of the game. New York shot a season-low 30.2% from the field, 23.1% from the 3-point line and 16-of-25 from the free throw line. 

    Liberty coach Sandy Brondello had seen enough by the fourth quarter and pulled a majority of her starters, essentially waving the white flag. None of New York’s starters scored in double-digits. The Liberty squandered their chance to close out the Mercury on their home court. New York not only has to travel cross-country to Phoenix (again), it has given its opponent lots of confidence heading into Game 3. To make matters worse, the Minnesota Lynx closed out the Valkyries and will be rested for the winner of this series.

    New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu

    Ionescu was not a factor in Game 2. She was 3-of-13 from the field and 1-of-8 from the 3-point line. To add insult to injury, Ionescu was 2-of-6 from the free throw line. Entering Wednesday, Ionescu had not missed more than two free throws in a single game in her career. Ionescu is shooting 93.3% from the free throw line this season and 91.3% in her entire career.

    ‘We can’t go out and play the same way we did and expect a different result,’ Ionescu said. ‘We have to go out and make the adjustments and play like our season is on the line, because it is.’

    Barclays Center

    The Barclays Center caught several strays in the Mercury’s postgame on Wednesday. Following the Mercury’s win over the Liberty, Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally both mentioned how quiet it was in the Liberty’s arena. “I didn’t think it was loud to start. I was shocked. I was expecting us to have to deal with the crowd and courtside people, but it was quiet,” Copper said. Sabally added that PHX Arena will be “louder than” New York as the series shifts back to Phoenix for a decisive Game 3. To be fair, the Liberty didn’t give their fans much to cheer for, but it remains to be seen if these comments will serve as bulletin board material. Sorry, Spike Lee.

    Breanna Stewart’s knee

    Breanna Stewart opted to play through an MCL sprain her left knee, but the New York Liberty forward looked like a shell of herself. She was held to six points in 20 minutes, shooting 2-of-6 from the field and 0-of-1 from the 3-point line. It’s an unfortunate development for Stewart, who previously missed 13 regular season games with a bone bruise in her right knee. There’s questions surrounding Stewart’s health and the Liberty’s ability to challenge the Mercury without her at full strength.

    1-0 teams

    Aside from the Minnesota Lynx, three teams failed the close out their opponent in the first-round.

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    Mercury vs. Liberty highlights: Phoenix avoids elimination with road rout

    Sport 9 Mins Read

    The Phoenix Mercury needed a win on the road to keep their playoff lives alive. The Mercury not only got the victory, they completely dismantled the defending champion New York Liberty in the process. 

    The No. 4 seed Mercury routed the No. 5 seed Liberty 86-60 in Game 2 on Wednesday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, marking the Mercury’s first playoff win since the 2021 WNBA Finals. The best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series now shifts back to Phoenix for a decisive Game 3 on Friday (TBD, ESPN2).

    ‘It’s a series for the reason,’ Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said. ‘We were disappointed in the way that we shot in the first game. We knew today was going to be a different day. We were just going to come out there for 40 mintues and give them everything we had.’

    Five Mercury players scored double-digits in the win, led by Phoenix’s Big 3 — Thomas (15 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists), Satou Sabally (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals) and Kahleah Copper (14 points). DeWanna Bonner (14) and Kathryn Westbeld (10) combined for 24 of Phoenix’s 27 bench points.

    The Mercury’s defense held the Liberty to 60 points, their second lowest total of the season, and made the defending champions look hapless on Wednesday. New York shot a season-low 30.2% from the field and 23.1 % from the 3-point line. None of New York’s starters scored double digit points.

    There were questions surrounding Liberty forward Breanna Stewart entering Wednesday’s matchup after she suffered a MCL sprain in her left knee in Game 1. She was limited to six points in 20 minutes.

    The Mercury outscored the Liberty in the paint (38-22) and in transition (20-2). The Liberty also gave up 15 turnovers for 30 Mercury points. Here’s a recap for Game 2 on Wednesday:

    End of Q3: Mercury 69, Liberty 47

    The Mercury’s lead swelled to as many as 24 in the third quarter and Phoenix is taking a 22-point advantage over the Liberty into the fourth quarter. New York shot 2-of-10 from the field in the third quarter, with the first field goal coming with 1:35 remaining in the quarter, in addition to 0-of-3 from 3.

    Liberty forward Breanna Stewart is playing with a sprained MCL in her left knee. She’s been held to six points, two rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes of play. Emma Meesseman is the only Liberty player to reach double-digits with 11 points off the bench.

    Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), Satou Sabally (12 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) and Kahleah Copper (14 points, 2 rebounds) lead the Phoenix Mercury in scoring.

    Halftime: Mercury 51, Liberty 37

    The Phoenix Mercury dominated the second quarter, outscoring the defending champion Liberty 26-12 in the frame to take a 14-point lead into halftime. 

    Phoenix’s big three — Alyssa Thomas (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Satou Sabally (12 points, 3 assists, 3 steals) and Kahleah Copper (12 points) — all have double-digit points in the first half. Phoenix’s bench added 12.

    The Mercury’s defense has been smothering, holding the Liberty to 37.1% shooting from the field and 5-of-15 from the 3-point line. Phoenix is outscoring New York in the paint (24-12) and in transition (14-2). 

    No Liberty player has reached double-digits yet. Sabrina Ionescu has a team-high nine points, four rebounds and two assists. 

    What time is Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty?

    The New York Liberty host the Phoenix Mercury for Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

    How to watch Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty: TV, stream

    • Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
    • Location: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
    • TV channel: ESPN
    • Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

    Mercury forward Satou Sabally called for technical

    Emotions are running high in Barclays Center as the Mercury fight for their season on Wednesday and tempers appeared to boil over, resulting in a technical foul for Mercury forward Satou Sabally. The technical foul was called with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter after Sabally and Liberty guard Natasha Cloud fought for possession of a loose ball. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts called a timeout, but Sabally didn’t appear to be happy with Cloud’s level off physicality.

    Phoenix Mercury goes on 15-0 run to take largest lead

    The Phoenix Mercury went on a 15-0 run in the second quarter to take a 19-point lead over the New York Liberty, marking the largest of the game by either team. Phoenix is outscoring New York 24-5 in the second quarter with 2:48 remaining. Mercury forward Satou Sabally and guard Kahleah Copper are each up to 12 points.

    End of Q1: Liberty 25, Mercury 25

    We are all tied up after one quarter. The Liberty led by as many as six points, but the Mercury surged back to take the lead before the quarter ended with both teams at 25. 

    “We came out like we don’t want our season to end,” said Kahleah Copper, who had a team-high six points in the first quarter. 

    Seven different players scored for the Mercury, highlighting Phoenix’s league-leading depth. Alyssa Thomas added five points, three rebounds and two assists, while Kathryn Westbeld had five points off the bench. However, the Mercury’s struggles from beyond the arc continued. After going 6-of-26 from the 3-point line in Game 1, the Mercury have started 2-of-6 from 3. 

    Liberty center Jonquel Jones has seven points, while Emma Meesseman added seven points and two rebounds in five minutes off the bench. However, New York has left some points on the board at the free throw line (2-of-7).

    New York Liberty off to a fast start

    Game 2 is underway and New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones can’t miss, scoring eight of the Liberty’s 14 first-quarter points, shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 1-of-1 from the 3-point line. She’s also getting it done on the defensive end with two blocks. 

    WNBA starting lineups today

    Here are the starting lineups for Wednesday’s Game 2:

    Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

    Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

    • 0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
    • 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
    • 4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
    • 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
    • 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

    New York Liberty starting lineup

    Head coach: Sandy Brondello

    • 9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
    • 13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
    • 20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
    • 30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
    • 35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington

    Is Breanna Stewart playing? New York Liberty forward injury update

    New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart told reporters during Wednesday’s shootaround that she was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in her left knee. She said she plans to play in Game 2, even though she is listed as questionable. — Elizabeth Flores

    Phoenix Mercury injury report

    The Phoenix Mercury have all players available for Game 2 on Wednesday.

    Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty predictions

    Who will win Game 2 in Brooklyn, New York? We asked the USA TODAY staff:

    • Heather Burns: Liberty 83, Mercury 80
    • Cydney Henderson: Mercury 89, Liberty 82

    X factor: New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud 

    Natasha Cloud called Phoenix home last year, and now she’s facing against her former team as a member of the New York Liberty. Cloud turned in a game-high 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in the Liberty’s 76-69 overtime win over the Mercury on Sunday. Cloud shot 9-of-12 from the field and 3-of-6 from the 3-point line and her nine field goals were the most she’s recorded for the Liberty this season.

    New York Liberty arrive to Game 2 in style

    The Liberty made a fashion statement heading into Game 2. Liberty forward Breanna Stewart rocked a briefcase because she means business, while Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison let every one know that the ‘WNBA been popping.’ Check out all the Liberty arrivals:

    Spike Lee is in the house to cheer on Liberty

    Game 2 between the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty is sure to draw a star-studded crowd. New York superfan Spike Lee, who turned out to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center 90 minutes before tipoff. The Academy Award-winning director is a mainstay at New York sporting events and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s SuperFan Gallery in October 2024.

    Emma Meesseman: New York Liberty forward stats

    The addition of Emma Meesseman has yielded instant dividends for the New York Liberty, as she averaged 13.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17 games (12 starts) in New York. Meesseman has championship experience — she won an WNBA title with the Washington Mystics in 2019 and was named WNBA Finals MVP.

    Phoenix Mercury guard Satou Sabally stats

    Sabally is looking to bounce back from a particularly rough shooting night in Game 1. She recorded nine points in the Mercury’s loss to the Liberty on Sunday, shooting 2-of-17 from the field and 1-of-10 from the 3-point line. Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 39 games (all starts), shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.1%.

    Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stats

    Thomas averaged 15.4 points, a league-leading 9.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 39 games (all starts) this season. The 33-year-old recorded eight triple-doubles this season, a WNBA single-season record. Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in February following 11 seasons in Connecticut, nearly reached a triple-double in Phoenix’s Game 1 loss, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

    Phoenix Mercury guard Sabrina Ionescu stats

    Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 38 games (all starts) this season, shooting 40.1% from the field and a career-low 29.9% from the 3-point line. Ionescu had 16 points, seven assists and two blocks in Game 1, shooting 6-of-18 from the field and 3-of-12 from beyond the arc.

    Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty schedule

    • Game 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69 OT
    • Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
    • Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)

    2025 WNBA Finals schedule

    *if necessary

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    Lynx claw back from 17-point deficit, advance to WNBA semifinals

    Sport 6 Mins Read

    The Minnesota Lynx punched their ticket to the WNBA playoff semifinals.

    The No. 1-seeded Lynx overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the No. 8 Golden State Valkyries 75-74 in Game 2 on Wednesday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. With the win, the Lynx advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year and will face the winner of the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty series, which will be decided Friday.

    ‘I just happy we got the dub,’ Lynx forward Bridget Carleton, who scored 12 points on four 3s, said. ‘It’s hard to play in this arena, they play hard. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’

    Lynx forward Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left and finished with a game-high 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kayla McBride added 18 points and four rebounds, including a layup that gave the Lynx a 71-70 lead with 2:48 remaining. It was Minnesota’s first lead since the first quarter. 

    The Valkyries had a shot to win the game. Cecilia Zandalasini missed a buzzer-beating jumper that would have forced a Game 3. Monique Billings had 15 points off the bench, while Zandalasini and Janelle Salaun each finished with 14 points. The Valkyries shot 50% from the 3-point line in the loss.

    Here’s what you need to know for Game 2 between the Valkyries and Lynx:

    End of Q3: Valkyries 63, Lynx 49

    Ten minutes separates the Golden State Valkyries from their first franchise playoff win. The Valkyries have an 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

    Four Valkyries players have scored 10 or more points, lead by 14 points from Janelle Salaun. Veronica Burton and Monique Billings each added 13 points, while Cecilia Zandalasini has 10 points and five rebounds. The Valkyries are collectively shooting 50% from the 3-point line.

    Napheesa Collier has a game-high 17 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Kayla McBride is up to 12 points. The Valkyries’ persistent defense has prevented the Lynx from finding their offensive rhythm. Minnesota is shooting 38.5% from the field and 5-of-23 from the 3-point line.

    Halftime: Valkyries 41, Lynx 28

    The SAP Center at San Jose is rocking as the Golden State Valkyries have a 13-point lead over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx heading into halftime. The Valkyries held the Lynx to nine second-quarter points.

    Golden State is firing on all cylinders. Seven Valkyries have scored and five different players have hit at least one 3-pointer. Not only are the Valkyries shooting 55.2% from the field and 63.6% from the 3-point line, Golden State has recorded five steals, two blocks and forced the Lynx into eight turnovers, which the Valkyries have converted to 13 points. Janelle Salaun has a team-high nine points, while Monique Billings has eight points off the bench.

    Napheesa Collier has a game-high 10 points and three rebounds for the Lynx. Kayla McBride, who scored seven points in the first quarter, was held scoreless in the second quarter. The Lynx are 2-of-13 beyond the arc.

    End of Q1: Valkyries 27, Lynx 19

    The Minnesota Lynx jumped to a 5-0 start, but the Golden State Valkyries went on a 10-2 run to take the lead. Golden State has an eight-point lead heading into the second quarter.

    Veronica Burton, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, leads the Valkyries with six points. Janelle Salaun added five points, while Monique Billings had four points off the bench. The Valkyries are shooting a staggering 83.3% from the 3-point line and 66.7% from the field.

    Kayla McBride has a team-high seven points and one steal and said the Lynx must play better perimeter defense against the Valkyries moving forward. Napheesa Collier added five points. The Lynx are 2-of-8 from 3.

    What time is Minnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries?

    The Golden State Valkyries host the Minnesota Lynx at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

    How to watch Minnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries: TV, stream

    • Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
    • Location: SAP Center at San Jose (San Jose, California)
    • TV channel: ESPN
    • Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscriber

    Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx starting lineups

    Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

    Head coach: Cheryl Reeve

    • 6 Bridget Carleton | F 6′ 2′ – Iowa State
    • 8 Alanna Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Stanford
    • 10 Courtney Williams | G 5′ 8′ – South Florida
    • 21 Kayla McBride | G 5′ 11′ – Notre Dame
    • 24 Napheesa Collier | F 6′ 1′ – UConn

    Golden State Valkyries starting lineup

    • 6 Kaila Charles | G 6′ 1′ – Maryland
    • 12 Iliana Rupert | C 6′ 4′ – France
    • 13 Janelle Salaun | F 6′ 2′ – France
    • 22 Cecilia Zandalasini | F 6′ 2′ – Italy
    • 22 Veronica Burton | G 5′ 9′ – Northwestern

    Golden State Valkyries Natalie Nakase named Coach of the Year

    She is going to need her best coaching job of the season to beat the Lynx. Minnesota is 5-0 against Golden State this season.

    Golden State Valkyries feeling at home

    The Valkyries know the way to San Jose.

    Valkyries guard Veronica Burton wins WNBA Most Improved Player

    When All-Star Kayla Thornton was lost to a right knee injury in mid-July, many wondered if the Golden State Valkyries would be able to continue on a postseason pace.

    In stepped Veronica Burton, who lead the Valkyries in nearly every statistical category – points (11.9), assists (6.0), steals (1.1) and blocks (0.6) – and on Monday, Sept. 15, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player. Burton’s game is well-rounded, demonstrated by the fact she’s one of five players to average at least 10 points, 5 assists and 1.5 made 3-pointers a game, joining Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Skylar Diggins.

    Minnesota Lynx arrives in San Jose

    The Lynx are ready looked read to get down to business and advance.

    Valkyries in their home away from home

    The Valkyries are playing at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, and the Caltrain is here for it.

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    NWSL playoff clinching scenarios for this weekend

    Sport 5 Mins Read

    The NWSL season is heating up, and with every team still in contention, the race to finish above the playoff line has become particularly intense.

    Four teams — NJ/NY Gotham FC, Portland Thorns, San Diego Wave and Seattle Reign — are tied for third place on 30 points, while the defending champion Orlando Pride are just one point further back. Three points separate Racing Louisville (currently holding the eighth and final playoff position with 26 points) from 11th-place Angel City FC. The NWSL views its parity as a strength, and it’s looking like the 2025 season at the peak of women’s soccer will come down to the wire.

    At the top of the table, the Kansas City Current could end the weekend as regular-season champions, while the Washington Spirit could secure a postseason berth with a win Thursday night coupled with an awful lot of help around the weekend. At the bottom, the Chicago Stars and Utah Royals need to maintain their improved recent form to keep their narrow hopes alive.

    Here are kickoff times and how to watch this weekend’s NWSL games, as well as a breakdown of playoff clinching scenarios:

    NWSL Matchday 21: Weekend schedule, times, how to watch

    All times Eastern. Home teams listed first.

    Thursday, Sept. 18

    • Angel City FC vs. Washington Spirit, 10:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, Fubo

    Watch Angel City vs. Spirit on Fubo (free trial)

    Friday, Sept. 19

    • Houston Dash vs. Chicago Stars, 8 p.m. | NWSL+
    • Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage, 8 p.m. | Prime Video
    • Utah Royals vs. Racing Louisville, 10 p.m. | Paramount+

    Watch Orlando Pride vs. NC Courage on Prime Video

    Saturday, Sept. 20

    • Kansas City Current vs. Seattle Reign, 7:30 p.m. | Ion
    • Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. | Ion

    Sunday, Sept. 21

    • Bay FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 8:30 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+

    Watch Bay FC vs. Gotham FC on ESPN+

    What is the NWSL playoff schedule?

    The NWSL regular season will end on Sunday, Nov. 2, with all 14 teams playing. After that, the postseason will play out on the following schedule:

    • Nov. 7-9: Quarterfinals
    • Nov. 14-16: Semifinals
    • Nov. 22: NWSL Championship

    NWSL playoffs format explained

    The NWSL playoffs will see eight teams qualify, with an easy-to-follow format in place. In the quarterfinal round, the top four teams in the regular-season standings will host the other four teams that qualify for the postseason.

    The four winning teams move onto the semifinals, with the higher-seeded team on each side of the bracket hosting. The NWSL playoffs do not re-seed after the quarterfinals. Finally, the two surviving teams will play in the 2025 NWSL Championship final.

    All games will follow the norms of the sport: If scores are tied after 90 minutes, a given playoff game will go to a 30-minute extra time period (divided into 15-minute halves, with no ‘golden goal’ rule). Should the scores still be even after that, the teams will endure the tension of a penalty-kick tiebreaker.

    NWSL playoff picture: If the season ended today …

    We’re a long way from settling the NWSL playoff bracket, but if the postseason began today, this is what we’d see:

    Home teams listed first.

    Quarterfinals

    • Quarterfinal 1: Kansas City Current (1) vs. Racing Louisville (8)
    • Quarterfinal 2: Washington Spirit (2) vs. Orlando Pride (7)
    • Quarterfinal 3: NJ/NY Gotham FC (3) vs. Seattle Reign (6)
    • Quarterfinal 4: Portland Thorns (4) vs. San Diego Wave (5)

    Semifinals

    • Semifinal 1: Quarterfinal 1 winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 winner (higher seed hosts)
    • Semifinal 2: Quarterfinal 2 winner vs. Quarterfinal 3 winner (higher seed hosts)

    Final

    • Final: Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner (final at PayPal Park in San Jose, California)

    Who has clinched an NWSL playoff spot?

    The Kansas City Current clinched a playoff spot in August and can finish no lower than second. After holding their closest challenge, the Washington Spirit, to a 0-0 draw last week, it’s a matter of when, not if, they’ll claim the NWSL Shield as 2025 regular-season champions.

    If the Spirit (36 points) fail to defeat Angel City FC Thursday night, the Current (50) could be ready for a trophy lift Saturday evening at CPKC Stadium. If Washington were to tie or lose in Los Angeles, a Current win over the Seattle Reign this weekend would clinch the Shield for the runaway league leaders.

    As for the Spirit, a win in LA could clinch a playoff spot, but only with a lot of help. Washington would need the Courage, Racing, and Dash to all lose later on the weekend to seal the deal. As North Carolina and Louisville face each other on Oct. 4, this set of results would guarantee the Spirit finish somewhere in the top eight.

    2025 NWSL Playoffs: Who has been eliminated from contention?

    NWSL’s bottom two teams, the Chicago Stars and Utah Royals, both avoided defeat last weekend. Both have 15 points, and while the playoff line is currently held by Racing Louisville (26), there are still 18 points on the table for all teams.

    As such, neither is in danger of being eliminated from the postseason race this week, though a loss for either side in this 21st round of games could put them on the brink of mathematical elimination.

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    Dolphins staring at Bills, 0-3 start on Thursday Night Football

    Sport 6 Mins Read

    • The Miami Dolphins have started their 2025 season with an 0-2 record, increasing pressure on the team’s leadership.
    • Upcoming nationally televised games against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will intensify scrutiny on the team’s performance.
    • Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s late-game interception and offensive miscues contributed to the Week 2 loss against the Patriots.

    MIAMI GARDENS, FL — The Miami Dolphins are one of the teams to start 0-2 in 2025, but the booming noise around their abysmal start will only get louder with nationally televised matchups in the next two weeks.

    The Dolphins will visit Josh Allen and the big, bad Buffalo Bills (especially against them) on ‘Thursday Night Football’ to begin Week 3, where a 0-3 start almost feels like a certainty. Miami will be in prime time again 11 days later hosting the New York Jets on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 4 on Sept. 29.

    Whether or not it’s enough time for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to make wholesale changes, the hot seat will only get hotter for coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier, while shortcomings from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and embattle receiver Tyreek Hill will be amplified if their struggles continue.

    Some Dolphins fans voiced their displeasure by flying a banner that read “Fire Grier. Fire McDaniel” above Hard Rock Stadium before the team succumbed to a 33-27 loss to the New England Patriots at home on Sunday, Sept. 15.

    Tagovailoa had an overthrow, endured a false start and a sack, and tossed an interception on the final drive – after running back De’Von Achane stepped out of bounds on a potential game-winning touchdown.

    “We had the opportunity to win the game, and we robbed it from ourselves,” McDaniel said as his job security was questioned two games into his fourth season, following a 33-8 drubbing to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

    Whether they scored and won or not, any chance for the Dolphins to relish or celebrate their first win of the season would have dissipated quickly before their next opponent.

    Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, is 13-2 against the Dolphins since he was drafted by the Bills in 2018.

    Simply put, Allen and the Bills have become the AFC East nightmare for the Dolphins like Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots were for the previous 20 years.

    This is the big picture reason why the Dolphins have the longest playoff win drought in the NFL – their last in a 2000 AFC wildcard game, the first season when quarterback Jay Fielder and coach Dave Wannstedt took over for a retired Dan Marino and former coach Jimmy Johnson.

    Coach Mike Vrabel’s sideline sprint highlights milestone win for him, Patriots

    The Dolphins have reached the postseason twice under McDaniel – falling in the wildcard round to the Bills in 2022 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. They failed to make the playoffs with an 8-9 record last season.

    While Grier acknowledged Miami has reset its roster following the departures of standouts like Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, Calais Campbell and Terron Armstead, Miami’s 0-2 start lingers with baggage from 25 years of gloom, heightened with every regular-season loss that weighs heavily on this current cast of Dolphins – unfairly or not.

    “I’ve seen a team that is trying to do everything they can to win, and coming up short, and pressing forward and trying to change that result,” McDaniel said to begin the week.

    “Pressure is opportunity … Obviously, we don’t want to be 0-2. We look at it as fuel to the fire,” added Hill, who had 109 yards against the Patriots, including a 47-yarder which snapped a personal streak of 371 days without a catch longer than 30 yards.

    The Dolphins have been unable to weaponize Hill offensively like they did in 2023, when the former Chiefs star led the NFL in touchdown catches and receiving yards in his first season in Miami.

    Tagovailoa – who was 26 of 32 for 315 yards with two touchdowns – cited procedural issues offensively on the final drive, which resulted in his fourth turnover and the first 0-2 start of his six-year NFL career.

    “Anyone who knows football and anyone who doesn’t know football just knows that was not clean and that was not right, what we were doing at the end of the game,” Tagovailoa said. “We’ll get that fixed, communicate that to those guys, and we’ll move forward from there.’

    Added McDaniel: “With the game on the line, our communication and our substitution was not up to par, and ultimately, I hold all responsibility for all things. I will make sure that things that should already be ironed out moving forward. We will not fall victim to the same thing again.”

    The Dolphins defense has allowed a field goal or touchdown on 13 of 15 drives excluding kneel downs through two games. They allowed the Colts to score on every drive, and saw the Patriots punt just twice – the first on a drive with three New England penalties, and the second after a poor snap led to a 3rd and 26.

    While Miami’s Malik Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, the Patriots answered with Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kick – the turning point before Tagovailoa’s end-game miscues.

    “It’s a short week. You get this one out your head, learn from it, grow from it, and we got another divisional opponent we’ve had fits with in the past,” Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb said.

    Pressure is mounting for McDaniel, Tagovailoa, Grier and the Dolphins.

    Their glaring miscues have led to a disappointing start in McDaniel’s fourth season, and will only be amplified in prime time in the next two weeks.

    “If I worry about my job security, then I’m not doing my job,” McDaniel said.

    Added Tagovailoa: “It’s one of those deals where you can never get too high in this league. You can never be too low. You’ve just got to continue to stick to your process, stay even keel, trust the guys, continue to bring those guys along.”

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