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Swish Appeal

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Latest Entries

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

NBA

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 […]