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WNBA gameday discussion: Here are the stakes of Valkyries-Aces and all of Saturday’s Commissioner’s Cup contests
Saturday sets up a quartet of WNBA games with significant Commissioner’s Cup implications. Let’s break it all down. And jump in the comments to let us know which teams you favor, both on Saturday and in the overall Cup chase, and why. Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx (1 p.m. ET, ABC) Already 0-2 in Cup […]
These WNBA sophomores not only are shining, but also showing why they’ll have long careers in the league
WNBA rookies often get a ton of attention every year as the new players in the league who are looking to establish themselves. This was certainly the case last season when Paige Bueckers came in and immediately dominated, and Dominique Malonga showed glimpses of her limitless potential. While Bueckers and Malonga (at least before the […]
How five WNBA stars who changed teams are performing to start to 2026 season
The 2026 WNBA offseason may have been much shorter than what fans were used to, thanks to a lengthy period of collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, but that had no impact on the overall amount of activity. Many star players ended up switching teams, whether by trade or by free agent signing, and for the […]
The keeper of the Fever culture, Kelsey Mitchell leads the way—and surpasses 5,000-career points—in Commissioner’s Cup win
The bear has been poked in Indiana. Snapping their two-game losing streak, the Indiana Fever put on a clutch performance to win their first Commissioner’s Cup game, defeating the Atlanta Dream 83-71. Though the Dream have proven to be one of the league’s stronger defensive teams this season, they fell short before halftime in other […]
How the Minnesota Lynx are thriving without Napheesa Collier
The Minnesota Lynx were supposed to be in survival mode. Their franchise cornerstone, Napheesa Collier underwent two ankle surgeries in the offseason and was ruled out until at least early June. Add in a roster that lost Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton,and DiJonai Carrington to free agency and the expansion draft, and […]
Has the introduction of development players, one of the biggest changes in the new WNBA CBA, been a success?
The new CBA brought a ton of changes to the WNBA. One of the most notable was the creation of the developmental player position. Now, teams can sign two development players. These players are allowed to participate in all training sessions and practices. They can also travel with the team. But, they can only be […]
WNBA gameday discussion: A simple solution to the Indiana Fever’s defensive issues? More offense!
Three of the four teams in action on Thursday night— the Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries and Minnesota Lynx—all began their Commissioner’s Cup quests with a win. The fourth team, the defending Cup champion Indiana Fever, desperately hope to do the same. It’s been a long week for Indy, plunged into ever-deeper waves of scrutiny […]
A rebuilding team, playoff hopeful and title contender that need to make a trade this WNBA season
There is more WNBA season in front of us than behind, but already teams are inching towards completing the first quarter of the year. Certain franchises, like the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream, are looking like title contenders, while teams like the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury are at the bottom of the standings. Plenty […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Get ready for the ‘Brondello Bowl’ as the Toronto Tempo visit the New York Liberty
She can insist that it’s “just another game,” but the spotlight will be on Sandy Brondello and her new team in Brooklyn on Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network). The head coach of the Toronto Tempo was dismissed from the top position with the New York Liberty after the 2025 WNBA season, despite leading […]
WNBA game notes: Why a big night from Kamilla Cardoso was not enough for the Chicago Sky to avoid a fifth-straight loss
WASHINGTON — The sight of a Mystic putback layup was too frequent Tuesday night at CareFirst Arena, as Washington used a dominant 22-3 advantage in second-chance points to soundly defeat the reeling-from-injury Chicago Sky 90-72 in the Commissioner’s Cup opener for both teams. Michaela Onyenwere had two putbacks—one that tied it at seven and another […]
How Alicia Flórez, the newest prospect you’ve never heard of, is quickly becoming a crucial piece for the Washington Mystics
It’s no secret that European players are having a moment in the WNBA. Although the league has always uplifted international talent, European players were previously expected to prove themselves to a superhuman extent to get their first W contract. Now, through a combination of factors such as an increase in roster spots, the advancement of […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Does defense win Commissioner’s Cup championships? These teams hope so
Does the mantra, “Defense wins championships,” apply to the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship? The historical record is mixed. The 2021 Seattle Storm finished the season as the fifth-best defense. The 2022 Las Vegas Aces were sixth. The 2023 New York Liberty ranked third in defensive rating. The 2025 Minnesota Lynx closed at second overall. And […]
WNBA Fantasy grab bag: Don’t miss out! Make sure you add the Connecticut Sun’s Leïla Lacan to your squad
Every year, there are a few players who are inexplicably underrated in ESPN’s fantasy women’s basketball pre-rankings. Whatever the reason (injuries, reporting to their team late, or ESPN just plain missing the boat), low pre-ranks lead to late ADPs, and oftentimes these players are left off rosters entirely when the season begins. The Connecticut Sun’s […]
WNBA gameday discussion: The Minnesota Lynx’s quest to become the first two-time Cup champs begins vs. the Phoenix Mercury
Five years of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has produced five different champions: the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever. As the sixth edition of the WNBA’s in-season competition begins, which of those former champs has the best chance of becoming the first franchise to raise a second Cup […]
Everything to know about the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, including why it matters more than you think
A WNBA tradition since 2021, the Commissioner’s Cup is set to begin. This in-season tournament adds some spice to the year and is an indicator not just of the best teams during the summer, but of which can win it all come playoff time. Over the last five seasons, the Commissioner’s Cup champion has also […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Will a national TV matchup with the Golden State Valkyries reveal that these are the old or the new Las Vegas Aces?
The 2025 Las Vegas Aces really messed up our ability to attempt to objectively evaluate them. During the first half of last season, we declared them done and dusted on multiple occasions. The dynasty was dead, buried by the Minnesota Lynx in an epic blowout on the homecourt of the former, fading champions. Such declarations, […]
Photo Essay: A closer look at Azzi Fudd’s first WNBA start for the victorious Dallas Wings
On Thursday night in Dallas, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft started for the first time in her career, and she showed why she was selected first overall. After dousing the New York Liberty with six 3-pointers and 24 points in the Dallas Wings’ win in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon, Azzi Fudd […]
Are the Chicago Sky cursed in the third quarter? What explains their issues?
The struggle is ever so real with the Chicago Sky. On Friday, they closed out the week with their fourth-consecutive loss, falling 79-58 to the Minnesota Lynx. Fresh off a 110-104 loss to the Toronto Tempo on Wednesday, the common denominator in both defeats was their collapse in the 3rd quarter. Much like allowing Toronto […]
WNBA game notes: Nneka Ogwumike passes Lisa Leslie to, fittingly, become the Los Angeles Sparks’ all-time leader in field goals
WASHINGTON — A very cool moment in Los Angeles Sparks history happened Friday night. When you talk about the history of the WNBA, Lisa Leslie is one of the first people you think of. She was one of the inaugural players and ushered in the new league with the utmost class, as well as excellence […]
Why it’s still too early to worry about the Phoenix Mercury
What’s going on with the Phoenix Mercury? It’s something many WNBA fans are wondering as last year’s runners-up continue to struggle in 2026. A near-blowout loss to the New York Liberty on Wednesday dropped the Mercury’s record to 2-6, and they’re currently No. 14 in the standings—just a game and a half ahead of the […]
WNBA gameday discussion: On three-game winning streaks, are the Minnesota Lynx or Portland Fire the biggest early-season surprise?
Three weeks into the 2026 season, the WNBA is producing the kind of parity that probably should have been expected after a contracted, somewhat chaotic offseason. Despite not only beginning the season without Napheesa Collier but also watching key free agents depart, the Minnesota Lynx have taken most advantage of an uncertain and unsettled league […]
Three significant ways that WNBA expansion is helping players—just like it was intended to do
The WNBA is considered one of the toughest professional sports leagues—women’s or men’s—to play in because there are just so few roster spots available. However, over the past two seasons, with three expansion teams entering the league, an additional 36 player spots were gained. That’s not even including the developmental contract positions, which can give […]
Interview: Laura Gutierrez did not plan on going pro, but she’s loving every minute of her far-flung basketball career
No, you probably aren’t familiar with Laura Gutierrez. Not her name. Not her game. But, she epitomizes “for the love of the game.” A 5-foot-7 guard from Rio Rancho, NM, Gutierrez played for Adams State University (2019-21) and Colorado Mesa University (2022-24), and then turned pro. She has played in Costa Rica and Peru and […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Wings-Aces and Fever-Valkyries is a double-header delight featuring (real?) contenders
Thursday night’s two-game slate delivers a doozy of a double-header in the WNBA. First up, the Las Vegas Aces visit the Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET. Then, the Indiana Fever meet the Golden State Valkyries at 10 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast through Prime Video. As all four teams currently claim a […]
A historic third quarter, highlighted by a 23-0 run, leads the New York Liberty to a streak-snapping and anxiety-easing win
At the halftime break on Wednesday night in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty were in the middle of a tight contest against the Phoenix Mercury. They trailed by one at home and were desperately trying to avoid starting the year 3-5, which would be their worst start since 2022. However, one half of a game […]
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