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WNBA gameday discussion: Can Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and other stars strengthen their awards candidacies?
A three-game WNBA Saturday slate where no game has direct playoff implications serves as a great opportunity for players in contention for end-of-season awards to author a closing argument. So, here’s a look at the primary awards contenders in action on Saturday. In the comments, spill any of your thoughts on the award races. Phoenix […]
WNBA offenses have reached new heights during the 2026 season—and here’s why
Earlier this season, WNBA offenses were producing at a blistering rate. At the time, we wondered whether this was just the effect of a small sample size and teams would regress to the mean by season’s end. With just a couple of games left before the regular season concludes, we have our answer: The WNBA […]
After a 30-point blowout loss, what are the end-of-season goals for the Chicago Sky?
The WNBA returned on Thursday night after a more than two-week break for the FIBA World Cup in Berlin. The Chicago Sky were back at home to face the playoff-clinched Washington Mystics. From the opening tip, it was clear that the Mystics were in control in every aspect of the game. The combined effort of […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Ahead of the playoffs, what do the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty need to see from their stars?
On Thursday, the four WNBA playoff-bound teams were able to ease into their return to regular-season action, as the Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces all won in blowout fashion. Tonight, a similar script should play out for the Indiana Fever and Golden State Valkyries. While the Fever, currently the No. […]
WNBA photo essay: Led by a 30-point and 10-rebound double-double from Angel Reese, the Atlanta Dream earned their biggest win ever
The Atlanta Dream exhibited little rust in their return to action on Thursday, routing the visiting Connecticut Sun for the 103-59 win—the largest in franchise history. Newly-minted FIBA World Cup gold medalist Angel Reese continued her run of excellent play, leading the way with a 30-point and 10-rebound double-double. Atlanta’s other gold medalist, Rhyne Howard, […]
As a lost season ends for the Los Angles Sparks, there are still two important things for fans to celebrate
With only four games left and eliminated from playoff contention, there is not much for Sparks fans to get excited about on the court. Thankfully, two events are happening in the final home games that will add some juice inside crypto.com Arena: Lisa Leslie’s statue unveiling and Nneka Ogwumike’s final game. On Sunday, Sept. 20, […]
Amidst a disappointing season, have the Los Angeles Sparks found their future star in Rae Burrell?
Los Angeles Sparks fifth-year wing Rae Burrell has quietly started racking up points consistently. She’s been a double-digit scorer with regularity. In 23 of 39 appearances this year, Burrell has reached 13-plus points, including in seven of her last eight games, with the one exception being a 12-point outing. The last eight games also featured […]
WNBA gameday discussion: What matters most as the regular season resumes for the Dream, Mystics, Wings and Aces
The WNBA (finally) resumes tonight, with five games kicking off the final, one-week sprint to the end of the regular season. With four games remaining for all teams, there could be some consequential shifts in the standings, as the eight confirmed playoff teams strive to improve their seed and, in turn, first-round prospects. As a […]
2026 WNBA awards: Should Angel Reese or a Golden State Valkyrie be the Defensive Player of the Year?
The WNBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation has largely been a footnote in the minds of the women’s basketball public. Are the usual, leading frontrunners actually the most deserving of this award? Two candidates stand out with the strongest case for this year’s DPOY award. Here’s more on those two contenders. In the comments, […]
2026 WNBA awards: Will an all-but-guaranteed fifth MVP award solidify A’ja Wilson’s GOAT status?
The WNBA returns on Thursday night, and the final days of the season will give players one last chance to push their own agendas for regular season awards. The league’s most touted accomplishment, however, won’t see much competition for the third-straight year. A historic rookie season from Olivia Miles just wasn’t enough to stop an […]
Almost two weeks after Cathy Engelbert announced her forthcoming retirement, what’s the status of the search for the next WNBA Commissioner?
Almost two weeks ago, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that she would retire at the end of 2026. Her decision instantly sparked conversation and speculation about who would assume leadership of the WNBA. But, don’t expect a new commissioner to be named any time soon. In a press conference following this week’s NBA Board of […]
Texas football’s treatment of Holly Rowe is reflective of the rampant backlash toward successful women in sports
The late, great Gloria Steinem once said about domestic violence and violence against women, “There was no word for it; it was called life.” It was just the way that it was. Thankfully, in large part due to the women’s liberation movement, we have laws on the books, protections for abuse victims and survivors, 24/7 […]
2026 WNBA awards: The all-round growth in Shakira Austin’s game makes her the pick for Most Improved Player
Oftentimes, debates about major individual awards in sports can become debates about semantics. What does it mean to be or do the “most”? The 2026 Most Improved Player (MIP) race is illustrative of the mushy malleability of “most,” and how one’s definitional parameters could produce a different, deserving winner. Let’s break it down. A quick […]
2026 WNBA awards: Janelle Salaün remains the runaway favorite for Sixth Player of the Year
Basketball fans and the media often deem being a starter important. However, in a single game and over the course of a season, depth and role can matter far more than who starts. This year, Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün has been the runaway favorite as the Sixth Player of the Year (6POY). During […]
2026 WNBA awards: Will overachievement, excellence or something else determine who wins Coach of the Year?
A head coach’s job seems pretty clear, but it can quickly become complicated. On the surface, the goal is to win as many games as possible. So, the team with the most wins should must have the Coach of the Year (COY), right? Wrong. The last time the top team also had the COY was […]
2026 WNBA awards: It’s the substance behind Olivia Miles’ spectacular style that makes her the should-be unanimous Rookie of the Year
Olivia Miles is going to be the 2026 WNBA Rookie of Year. And it’s going to be unanimous. Already, both Beckett Harrison and Zack Ward have touted Miles’ compelling MVP case, an affirmation of how her excellence has far exceeded the “rookie” label. There’s plenty of statistics, both traditional and advanced, that can be listed […]
Led by Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young, Team USA extended their gold medal-winning standard in the FIBA World Cup final against France
Five members of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team that competed in the 2026 FIBA World Cup helped win the United States an eighth-straight gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Those five players—Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper and Napheesa Collier—ensured that the United States also won a fifth-straight World Cup […]
World Cup gameday discussion: The two key questions that will determine if Team USA or France win gold
The 2026 FIBA World Cup will conclude with the United States trying to win a fifth-straight gold against France, striving for their first World Cup gold (2 p.m. ET, TNT). To reach this final stage, the French continued their impressive run in Berlin, knocking out the host country in the semi-finals. Following a closely contested […]
Carla Leite is the special talent firing up the relaunched Portland Fire
There was Sophia Witherspoon in 2000, averaging 16.8 points per game and shooting 36.8 percent from 3. There was Jackie Stiles in 2001, averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc. There was Alisa Burras in 2002, shooting 62.9 percent from the field in helping the team to their first […]
World Cup gameday discussion: Why Team USA and France are overwhelming semi-final favorites against Spain and Germany
The 2026 FIBA World Cup features an almost perfect final four. There’s Germany, the host nation that turned in a quarter-final performance that left head coach Olaf Lange “speechless,” but surely will inspire voluminous cheers from the home crowd. There’s France, the national team that has established themselves as the preeminent threat to the United […]
Interview: 25 years later, DeLisha Milton-Jones reflects on the Los Angeles Sparks’ first championship and 9/11
Friday, Sept. 11 marks a quarter of a century since the 9/11 attacks. Four hijacked planes. Two trade towers were destroyed in New York City by Flights 11 and 175. A part of the Pentagon was attacked by Flight 77. Then, a group of strangers on Flight 93 banded together in one of the most […]
Team USA crushes Hungary before France, Germany and Spain also cruise into the World Cup semi-finals
Well, that was anticlimactic. The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIBA World Cup left little suspense, as all four games ended in blowouts. Now the semi-finals are set, and we have Team USA taking on Spain and France playing against Germany on Saturday. Before we preview these matchups, let’s review how these four teams earned their […]
A still-early look at the leading candidates to win World Cup MVP
As the 2026 FIBA World Cup has reached the knockout rounds, the number of teams still playing shrinks by the day. This will ultimately lead to one country winning gold, but another prize is on the line: the TISSOT MVP of the tournament. So far, who is the favorite to win the tournament’s top individual […]
World Cup gameday discussion: These four stars are the most important players in the quarter-final matchups
By the end of the day on Thursday, only four teams will remain in the FIBA World Cup. Among all the talent that will take the floor in Berlin, these four players will have a significant say in determining which four squads will still be standing, advancing out of the quarter-finals and into Saturday’s semi-finals. […]
Is Team USA still the World Cup favorites? Or, have France and Belgium made stronger cases to win it all?
As other teams fight for a quarter-final spot in the FIBA World Cup, Team USA, France and Belgium are all unbeaten and ready for the next phase. It’s not a shock that this trio made it out of the group stage undefeated. Team USA has won this competition four-straight times. France proved they are a […]
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