The Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 94-83 on Thursday night to win their first-round series 2-1.
The teams were tied 31-31 after one quarter. Las Vegas then outscored Indiana 23-17 in the second and 24-18 in the fourth. The Aces went 28-of-35 at the free-throw line, while the Fever shot just 38.5% from the field.
A’ja Wilson scored 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting, made 12 of 15 free throws, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Chelsea Gray added 23 points, and Jackie Young had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell scored 23, and Aliyah Boston had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Caitlin Clark scored 18 but committed six turnovers.
Full game highlights;
The Aces open the semifinals against the winner of the Dallas Wings-Golden State Valkyries series, which was tied 1-1 as of this posting.
New York Liberty just completed one of the biggest upset in WNBA Playoff history as they sweep the top seeded Minnesota Lynxs (87 – 71). New York became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history.
The Liberty set the tone early, leading wire-to-wire behind dominant performances from their frontcourt core. Jonquel Jones delivered a monster double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart added 21 points to anchor New York’s relentless offense. Sabrina Ionescu chipped in 18 points, orchestrating a balanced attack that kept Minnesota on its heels all evening.
The Lynx, coming off an impressive regular season, struggled to establish momentum against New York’s physical defense. Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 18 points, while Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride contributed 14 points each. However, Minnesota could not close a late gap after Stewart sank key free throws following a flagrant foul in the second half.
The sixth-seeded Indiana Fever evened their first-round series with the third-seeded Las Vegas Aces at 1-1, winning Game 2 by 99-89 at home on Tuesday night after a sluggish start.
Las Vegas led 26-18 after the first quarter, but Indiana flipped the script with a 30-17 second quarter and added a 24-17 third to take control of the game.
Caitlin Clark was the top performer, finishing with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds, including five three-pointers. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, and Aliyah Boston scored 22 on 10-of-15 shooting. Indiana outscored Las Vegas 58-26 in the paint.
Jackie Young led all scorers with 31 points for the Aces, going 13-of-13 at the free-throw line, and A’ja Wilson added 22 points and nine rebounds. But Las Vegas shot just 42 percent from the field.
Full game higlights;
The best-of-three series now comes down to a decisive Game 3 in Las Vegas on Thursday, October 1, at 9 p.m. ET (4 a.m. Friday in Riyadh). The Aces carry a 61.5 percent win probability, but Indiana has the momentum. The winner advances to the semifinals.
The Minnesota Lynx received two major WNBA awards on Monday: Olivia Miles was named Rookie of the Year, and Cheryl Reeve was named Coach of the Year for a league-record fifth time.
Miles, the second overall pick out of TCU, was a unanimous selection after setting the WNBA rookie scoring record. She broke the mark with 790 points. She averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field. She also set a rookie record with eight three-pointers in a single game, a June 4 win over the Valkyries. She is the sixth Lynx player to win the award.
Reeve received 40 of 74 votes from the media panel, and Golden State’s Natalie Nakase finished second with 20. Reeve led the Lynx to a 33-11 record and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and became the league’s all-time winningest coach on July 8.
The awards came just before the Lynx traveled to New York for an elimination game in their best-of-three first-round series, after losing the opener at home to the Liberty.
Indiana Fever Superstar Guard Caitlin Clark has been selected as the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.
Indiana Fever wrote, “After missing 31 of the team’s 44 regular season games in 2025 and the entirety of the Fever’s playoff run due to injury, Clark returned to the court, setting both career and league records in the 2026 season. This past year Clark averaged 22.3 points per game, the third highest average in the league, and 8.3 assists per game, the second-most in the league becoming the first player in league history to finish in the top three for both points and assists. Her 41.2 points per game created are also a new league record.
With 891 total points scored and 333 assists, Clark became the first player in league history to record 800+ points and 300+ assists in a single season. Clark’s five 30+ points and 10+ assists games this season are more than every other player in the history of the league combined. Additionally, her 13 games with 20+ points and 10+ assists this season alone are more than double what any other player has in the entirety of their careers. This season, Clark also became the first player in league history to record 40+ points and 10+ assists in a single game.
Clark’s 22.3 points per game average set a new career high, while marking the second-highest points per game average in franchise history, behind only Mitchell this year. This year Clark joined Mitchell as the only other player in franchise history to record 20+ points per game.”
The opening salvo of the WNBA postseason did not disappoint. Game 1 across the First-Round matchups set an intense baseline for the rest of the series. With early-series momentum on the line, home-court advantages were defended, high-profile road upsets delivered early drama, and championship contenders laid down explicit statements.
Here is a full breakdown of how Game 1 unfolded across the league.
New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
Series State: New York leads 1–0
In one of the most compelling matchups on the schedule, the New York Liberty delivered a dominant performance on the road to silence the crowd in Minneapolis. New York controlled the pace from the early going, utilizing crisp ball movement and structured perimeter defense to disrupt Minnesota’s rhythm.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: The Liberty pulled away after half-time, capitalized on transition opportunities, and restricted high-efficiency looks inside.
Impact: Stealing Game 1 away from home puts immense pressure on Minnesota heading into Game 2.
The championship-caliber Las Vegas Aces put on an offensive clinic at home, breaking the 100-point threshold to handle a spirited Indiana Fever squad. Las Vegas used their veteran playoff experience to weather an early perimeter push from Indiana before pulling away in the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: The Aces’ inside-out offensive balance proved too much to contain, generating high-percentage paint points and baseline cuts.
Impact: Indiana showcased flashes of rapid transition scoring, but costly turnovers prevented them from keeping pace with Las Vegas’ relentless firepower down the stretch.
Atlanta Dream 92, Washington Mystics 77
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
Series State: Atlanta leads 1–0
The Storyline
After falling behind 41–36 at half-time following a sluggish opening two quarters, the Atlanta Dream exploded in the third quarter to completely upend the Washington Mystics. Atlanta flipped the switch defensively and dominated the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Rhyne Howard & Allisha Gray: Gray led all scorers with 17 points, while Howard took control in the third period by scoring 12 of her 16 points to anchor the game-altering run. Dewanna Bonner added 11 third-quarter points to solidify the surge.
Turning Point: Atlanta forced 7 third-quarter turnovers, converting them into 14 quick points while holding Washington to just 20% shooting in the period.
Golden State Valkyries 104, Dallas Wings 80
Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)
Series State: Golden State leads 1–0<
The Storyline
Making their mark on the playoff stage at Chase Center, the Golden State Valkyries made quick work of the Dallas Wings in a 24-point blowout. Golden State establish early tempo, crashing the glass aggressively and running the floor at every opportunity.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: Golden State scored effortlessly in transition, building an early double-digit lead that Dallas could never meaningfully chip away at.
Impact: The Valkyries set a firm defensive blueprint, limiting Dallas’ primary interior options and taking full advantage of home-court momentum.
Strategic Takeaways Ahead of Game 2
Protecting Home Court Isn’t Guaranteed: New York showed that home advantage can vanish quickly if road teams strike early with intense defensive game plans.
Third-Quarter Adjustments: Half-time adjustments were the deciding factor in games like Atlanta vs. Washington, where forcing live-ball turnovers completely re-routed the series trajectory.
Elimination Pressure: With the short First-Round format, every trailing team now faces an immediate high-stakes Game 2 where season survival is on the line.
It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments the losing teams make in Game 2. If no adjustments are made, this will be a short series.
A’ja Wilson delivered an MVP-worthy performance as the third-seeded Las Vegas Aces beat the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever 102-85 in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three.
Wilson finished with 38 points on 15-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three and 6-of-7 at the line. She also grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked four shots and had two steals. The Aces shot 59.4 percent as a team and stretched their lead to as many as 27 points, outscoring Indiana 35-24 in the second quarter to lead 62-47 at halftime.
Jackie Young added 21 points and 10 assists, and Chelsea Gray had 14 points and eight assists. Las Vegas scored 28 points off turnovers, and Indiana never led by more than two.
For the Fever, Aliyah Boston led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds. Caitlin Clark had 15 points and 10 assists but shot 6-of-17 with six turnovers, and Kelsey Mitchell managed 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Indiana rallied to win the fourth quarter 20-16, but the deficit was too large.
Full game highlights;
The Fever will head back to Indiana in a must win Game 2 to extend the series to game 3. Game 2 tips off Tuesday, September 29, at 6:30 PM ET in Indianapolis (1:30 AM Wednesday in Riyadh).
The 2026 WNBA regular season has officially concluded, setting up a high-stakes first round of the postseason starting Sunday, September 27. With a competitive 44-game slate in the books, eight teams now advance to battle in the best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The spots are locked and the teams are ready to go 🚨
Check out the official bracket for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by @madebygoogle.
The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx (33-11) lead the postseason field after locking up the league’s best record, driven by stellar rookie playmaker Olivia Miles and forward Napheesa Collier. Minnesota faces a dangerous opening-round challenge against the No. 8 New York Liberty (26-18), who boast Championship-caliber star power in Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
In the second seed, the expansion Golden State Valkyries (32-12) cap off a historic inaugural run powered by the WNBA’s top-rated defense. They host Paige Bueckers and the No. 7 Dallas Wings (27-17).
Meanwhile, the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces (31-13) hold the No. 3 seed and square off against Caitlin Clark and the No. 6 Indiana Fever (28-16) in a blockbuster matchup featuring two of the league’s premier offenses. Rounding out the bracket, the No. 4 Atlanta Dream host the No. 5 Washington Mystics in a tightly contested 4-vs-5 clash. Game 1 action tips off this Sunday, across ABC, Prime, and USA Network.
The Minnesota Lynx wrapped up their 2026 WNBA regular season with an authoritative 86-66 victory over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night at Target Center.
Minnesota set a commanding tone right from the opening tip. Capitalizing on crisp ball movement and aggressive defense, the Lynx surged to a 32-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, Minnesota held a dominant 62-32 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach. Kayla McBride led all scorers with 22 points, sinking six three-pointers, while Natasha Howard added 21 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Point guard Courtney Williams efficiently orchestrated the offense, dishing out 10 assists alongside nine points and seven rebounds.
The Fever struggled to break down Minnesota’s defense, shooting just 34.2% from the field and committing 15 turnovers. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell were held to a combined 12 points as Indiana’s high-powered offense faltered under relentless pressure.
With the victory, Minnesota carries strong momentum into the postseason. Despite the loss, Indiana concludes its campaign as the highest-scoring offense in WNBA history (96.0 PPG) and locked in as the No. 6 seed, setting up an intriguing first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces.
The Indiana Fever closed out last regular game at home with a statement, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 22, 2026. Caitlin Clark led all scorers with 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals, while Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points with four assists The Fever led by 23 points at halftime, prompting Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve to bench her starters to rest them rather and be ready for the coming play off.
The two teams will meet again Thursday in Minneapolis for the final game of the regular season before the playoffs begin.
Fuull game highlights:
Playoff scenarios: The Lynx (32-11) can clinch the top seed for the third straight season with a win Thursday, or if Golden State loses either of its final two games, and Minnesota can finish no worse than second regardless of Thursday’s result. For Indiana, the win already guarantees no worse than sixth place, and the Fever (28-15) could still climb as high as third in a longshot scenario requiring a win over Minnesota plus losses by both Atlanta and Las Vegas. A more realistic outcome has Indiana finishing sixth and opening the playoffs against defending champion Las Vegas.
The Indiana Fever suffered a tough 93–77 loss at home to the Washington Mystics, a defeat largely driven by a bad performance in the first half.
Indiana struggled early as Washington opened the game on a hot shooting run, outscoring the Fever 34–19 in the first quarter. The Fever struggled to find offensive rhythm, going cold from perimeter range and getting out-rebounded inside. The Fever shot 21% from the 3-point line and 37% from the field. With the Mystics extending their lead to as many as 26 points, Indiana headed into halftime down 51–30. Despite a second-half push led by Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, the early deficit proved too steep to overcome.
Full game highlights;
This loss carries major playoff implications for the Fever (27–15). The Mystics (26–16) pulled within just one game of Indiana for the No. 5 seed, while the Fever lost crucial ground in their push for top-four playoff hosting privileges. With only two regular-season games remaining, Indiana faces a challenging final stretch against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx to protect their postseason positioning.
The Indiana Fever secured an emphatic 103–85 road victory over the Toronto Tempo, driven by a masterclass from their star backcourt tandem. Caitlin Clark turned in a stellar performance, recording 28 points and matching a season-high 14 assists for her 14th double-double of the campaign.
MVP CC ✨
✔️ only player in Top 3 in both PPG & APG this season ✔️ 22.6 PPG (No. 3 in WNBA) ✔️ 8.5 APG (No. 1 in WNBA) ✔️ 108 3PM (No. 4 in WNBA) ✔️ 10th game this season with 25+ PTS and 10+ AST for Caitlin Clark, more than any other player in WNBA history has in their career pic.twitter.com/q6jQOgdQIa
However, the night belonged to guard Kelsey Mitchell, who made WNBA history by breaking the single-season scoring record. Pouring in 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting—including seven 3-pointers—Mitchell eclipsed A’ja Wilson’s 2024 record of 1,021 points with a smooth third-quarter shot from beyond the arc. Mitchell reached 1,034 total points for the season while extending her league record of 25 consecutive games with 20 or more points.
The timeline of the accomplishment highlights Mitchell’s incredible consistency. While A’ja Wilson set the previous benchmark of 1,021 points over 38 games during a 40-game regular season in 2024, Mitchell achieved her record-breaking total in her 41st game of an expanded 44-game regular season.
With Clark dishing out plays and Mitchell delivering unprecedented efficiency, Indiana continues to cement its status as a top contender heading into the postseason.
Full Game Highlights
Next:
The Indiana Fever will host the Washington Mystics this Sunday afternoon. A victory for Indiana would help solidify a top-4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs while applying pressure on the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces. Meanwhile, a win for the Mystics would allow them to push upward in the standings and avoid a tough first-round matchup against a top seed.
Looking to avenge their heartbreaking semi-final loss from the previous Asian Games, a laser-focused Chinese squad asserted dominance early. Levering their massive size advantage, China controlled the paint and punished the Philippines’ defense to construct a commanding 66-30 lead by halftime.
A depleted Gilas roster—competing without star naturalized player Justin Brownlee and key frontline anchors like Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos—struggled to match China’s physical execution on both ends of the floor. Despite brief offensive sparks in the second half led by Sedrick Barefield, the Philippines had no answer for Team Dragons’ relentless transition play and inside-outside scoring depth. China pushed their advantage to as high as 45 points in the final quarter, comfortably securing a 3-0 record to sweep Group C.
The 44-point defeat dropped the Philippines to 1-3 in group play, bringing an early and painful end to their Asian Games title defense.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
The French national team came out firing in the gold medal game, capitalizing on a hot shooting start to take a commanding 31–17 lead early in the second quarter. However, the Americans quickly found their rhythm. Behind a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Caitlin Clark before halftime, Team USA cut the deficit to 45–43. The second half belonged entirely to the U.S., as they unleashed a 30–12 surge in the third quarter to pull away permanently.
The game’s top performer was Team USA captain Breanna Stewart. Delivering a stellar double-double performance, Stewart dominated the court with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Her elite leadership and clutch scoring sparked the U.S. comeback, earning her tournament MVP honors for the second time in her decorated career. Jackie Young provided vital secondary scoring with 18 points, while Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points in their silver-medal effort.
Team USA will have four days to rest before players return to their respective teams to finish the remaining WNBA regular season games on September 18.
The United States national team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, advancing to its fifth consecutive championship game.
Spain came out aggressive, leaping to a 11-4 lead in the opening quarter and utilizing a physical, high-pressure defense that disrupted the American offense throughout the first half. Led by standout performances from María Conde and Iyana Martín—who each scored 17 points—Spain kept pace with the four-time defending champions, forcing a 58-58 deadlock entering the final quarter.
The U.S. turned the tide in the fourth quarter with an intense defensive push, holding Spain to just eight points while scoring 18. Head coach Kara Lawson’s squad launched a decisive 12-2 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes remaining, creating enough of a cushion to secure the victory.
Full Game highlights;
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper added 13 off the bench. The win extended the U.S. World Cup winning streak to 35 consecutive games and set up a gold-medal matchup against France. Spain will face Germany for the bronze medal.
Team USA continued its march toward a fifth consecutive title at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, delivering a clinical 108–56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary in Berlin.
From the opening tip, head coach Kara Lawson’s squad set an uncompromising pace. Breanna Stewart opened the scoring with a signature fadeaway jumper, sparking an early 13–7 run. The Americans never looked back, putting together a 15–0 run in the first half to establish complete control. Behind an incredible 20-for-26 shooting display early on, Team USA built a 59–30 halftime lead—marking the highest-scoring quarterfinal half in FIBA Women’s World Cup history.
Hungary, competing in the World Cup top eight for the first time in 40 years behind Minnesota Lynx standout Dorka Juhász, struggled to handle the Americans’ overwhelming depth and high-pressure defense. Team USA set two tournament quarterfinal records on the day: most points scored (108) and most total assists (31).
Napheesa Collier anchored the victory with an efficient performance on both ends of the floor, earning Player of the Game honors. She scored a game-high 19 points and set the early tempo by pouring in 10 of those points in the first quarter alone. Collier spearheaded a balanced American attack that featured all 12 roster members on the scoresheet, supported by strong outings from Caitlin Clark (10 points, 9 assists) and Kahleah Copper (10 points).
Full game highlights:
With the quarterfinal win secured, Team USA advances to its 11th straight FIBA Women’s World Cup semifinal. They will take on Spain, who secured their spot after defeating Australia 89–66 in their quarterfinal clash. The marquee semifinal matchup takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 09:00 PM local time.
In a rare shift at the top, FIBA dropped Team USA to the No. 2 spot in FIBA’s latest Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5, ceding the top position to an surging French national team.
The slight drop for the Americans serves as a reaction to their tightest tournament test yet—a narrow 55–52 victory over Italy. Marking the program’s lowest scoring tally since the introduction of the three-point line in 1984, the defensive grind highlighted lingering chemistry adjustments for the star-studded squad. Meanwhile, France climbed to No. 1 behind dominant defensive displays and record-setting offensive efficiency from beyond the arc.
Despite dropping one spot, Team USA remains the formidable tournament favorite to capture gold in Berlin. Headlined by elite talent and deep rotation options, the Americans bounced back immediately with a 105–64 blowout win over Czechia to close out group play.
Here are the top 10 of the Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5;
France
United States
Belgium
Spain
Australia
Germany
China
Japan
Hungary
Italy
While FIBA’s subjective rankings focus on current momentum, Team USA’s unmatched two-way depth makes them the gold standard heading into the knockout stage. This drop in ranking could motivate a squad that has held FIBA World Cup gold since 2010. The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kick off tomorrow, September 10, when Team USA faces Hungary—with a potential rematch against Italy looming in the semi-finals.
Team USA delivered an explosive performance at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, cruising past Czechia 105–64 on Monday. The decisive victory capped a 3–0 sweep of Group D and extended the Americans’ tournament winning streak to 33 games, sending them directly into the quarterfinals.
Bouncing back from a cold shooting night against Italy, the U.S. offense exploded early, shooting 63.6% inside the arc in the first half to build a commanding 57–33 halftime lead. Breanna Stewart led the charge with a stellar all-around stat line—19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Six U.S. players reached double figures, highlighting the team’s elite depth and ball movement.
Czechia fought gamely but was ultimately overpowered by the Americans’ speed and size. Eliska Joklova was the lone bright spot for Czechia, scoring a team-high 19 points alongside 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the loss that eliminated her squad from the tournament.
With group play wrapped up, Team USA awaits the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan matchup to determine their opponent for the win-or-go-home quarterfinals.
For three quarters at the Berlin Arena, the Italian national team executed a defensive masterclass, threatening one of the most stunning upsets in international basketball history.
Entering the matchup, much of the chatter around Team USA centered on its high-powered, “young and turnt” core featuring the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese. However, Italy’s structured, physical, half-court defense systematically disrupted that momentum. Italian guards Matilde Villa and Costanza Verona compressed the floor, forced tough decision-making, and slowed Team USA’s transition game to a crawl. Combined with disciplined interior defense from Sara Madera and Olbis Andre, who combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds, Italy dragged the heavy tournament favorites into an uncomfortably low-scoring affair.
When USA’s younger contingent struggled to find standard perimeter rhythm—shooting just 29% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range as a team—Italy capitalized. Led by a game-high 14-point effort from Cecilia Zandalasini, whose tough shot-making anchored the Italian offense across more than 30 minutes of action, Italy launched a third-quarter surge that eventually yielded a 50–49 lead with just 3:21 remaining in the game.
That was when championship experience took over.
With their 32-game World Cup winning streak on the line, USA’s veteran core stepped up to anchor a decisive 7–0 run in the final minutes. Chelsea Gray took control of the offense, finishing with 7 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while scoring a crucial late jumper that pushed the lead to two possessions. Breanna Stewart delivered the go-ahead basket with under three minutes remaining, capping off a stat line of 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Alongside steady defense and transition hustle from Kahleah Copper, who contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, as well as team-leading scoring from Jackie Young with 10 points, the American veterans held Italy to just two points over the final four minutes to seal a grueling 55–52 victory.
Full game highlights;
With the hard-fought victory, Team USA officially clinched the top spot in Group D and punched their ticket directly into the Quarterfinals, resting up before their upcoming knockout match against the second-placed finisher of Group C. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Italy remains in strong contention to advance to the knockout stages. Having proved they can contend with the world’s standard-bearers, the Italians turn their immediate focus to a high-stakes final group stage showdown against China, where a win will lock up their place in the quarterfinal round.
While Italy revealed a blueprint on how to slow down Team USA’s explosive next generation, the final frame proved why veteran poise remains the ultimate equalizer on the international stage.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced she will retire at the end of 2026, concluding a transformative seven-year tenure as the league’s first official commissioner.
Appointed in 2019, Engelbert spearheaded an unprecedented era of growth for women’s basketball. Her leadership saw record-breaking television viewership, historic highs in attendance, full-time player charter flights, and league expansion from 12 to 18 teams. She also secured a landmark multi-billion-dollar media rights package and navigated crucial collective bargaining agreements.
Engelbert departs having fundamentally elevated the WNBA’s commercial valuation, global footprint, and overall business landscape.
You can read the full text of Engelbert announcement here.
Below is the statements from WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson.
Caitlin Clark proved once again why she is a generational talent, delivering a flawless Player of the Game performance in her FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup debut. Coming off the bench, the superstar guard orchestrated the floor with masterclass precision, showcasing the elite court vision, lethal deep shooting, and poise that have defined her meteoric rise.
Clark posted a remarkable double-double, matching a team-high with 14 points alongside 11 assists and 3 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. What elevated her performance into the record books, however, was her absolute ball security. Clark recorded zero turnovers throughout the night—setting a USA Basketball record for the most assists without a giveaway in a single World Cup game. Her 11 dimes also marked the highest assist total for any American player in their World Cup debut.
Whether knocking down signature perimeter jumpers or threading microscopic passes through defensive gaps, Clark controlled the tempo whenever she stepped onto the hardwood. Finishing with an astounding game-high +30 plus/minus rating, Clark left no doubt that her dynamic game translates seamlessly to the international stage.
Team USA opened its campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin with a decisive 94–61 group-stage victory over China at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
The Americans controlled the game early, establishing a 27–14 advantage in the opening quarter and utilizing quick ball movement and high-intensity defense to keep China at bay.
Caitlin Clark led the charge for Team USA, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Operating as the engine of the offense, Clark shared team-high scoring honors alongside Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard—who also added 14 points apiece—while setting the pace with her playmaking.
China leaned heavily on its interior presence to stay competitive, featuring 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu. However, veteran WNBA center Han Xu delivered China’s standout performance, posting a team-high double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to anchor their frontcourt.
Despite China’s frontcourt size, Team USA’s transition play and bench depth proved overwhelming across four quarters. The victory extended the Americans’ long-standing winning streak in senior FIBA World Cup play and got their tournament off to a 1–0 start in Group D.
Philippine-based FinTech startup, Salmon announced that they are teaming up with NBA in a multi-year marketing partnership with the NBA. The announcement was made at SPACE in One Ayala, Makati City. The launch brought together key leadership from both organizations, including Sheila Rasu (NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing) and Ed Winkle (NBA Associate Vice President), alongside Salmon co-founders George Chesakov, Pavel Fedorov, and Raffy Montemayor.
As part of the deal, Salmon kicked off its involvement as a Supporting Partner for NBA House 2026, offering immersive fan experiences, interactive booths, and merchandise activations.
Yugatech reports, “The partnership will bring NBA-themed promotions, fan events and branded merchandise to Filipino basketball fans. Salmon will also support NBA House Philippines 2026 in Makati and become the Presenting Partner of the NBA 3X Philippines Open starting with the 2026-27 season. The NBA 3X Philippines Open will feature men’s and women’s 3-on-3 teams alongside NBA entertainment.”
In a high-stakes clash during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas erased an early 13-point deficit to defeat long-time regional rival Iran, 68–56, before a raucous crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines turned a slow start into a decisive victory, driven by a dominant second-half defensive lockdown and a late 14–2 run.
Kai Sotto served as the ultimate game-changer for Gilas, posting a monster double-double with 13 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and a game-high 22 efficiency rating while dominating the paint. Dwight Ramos sparked the initial comeback by scoring seven consecutive points late in the second quarter, finishing tied with Juan Gómez de Liaño for a team-high 16 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
The victory improves Gilas Pilipinas to a 4–4 record in Group E. More importantly, it narrows the gap between the Philippines and the upper-tier teams—putting Gilas just one win behind both Jordan and Iran (5–3). Psychologically, sweeping this home window provides momentum and proves the squad’s tactical execution under pressure.
Full game highlights
Gilas Path to Direct World Cup Qualification
To earn direct entry into the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar, Gilas Pilipinas must navigate the following conditions in the upcoming qualifier windows;
Secure a Top-3 Group E Finish: Asia-Oceania gets 7 direct slots outside host Qatar. Gilas must overtake either Jordan or Iran to grab the 3rd seed, or finish as the highest-ranked 4th-place team across Group E and Group F.
Capitalize on Crossover Matches: Gilas must sweep remaining matchups against lower-ranked teams like Syria and steal key road games against Iran and Jordan in upcoming windows.
Protect Point Differential: FIBA tiebreakers rely heavily on head-to-head records and net point margins, making every point crucial in close Group E standings.
The fifth window of the second round is set from the November 27th thru the 30th, where the Philippines will face Syria and Iran.
The Indiana Fever capped off an impressive stretch with a dominant 111-91 victory over the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Driven by an electric backcourt display, Indiana overcame an early 14-point deficit by launching an 39-15 run in the second quarter to take control of the game.
Indiana’s star guard duo proved entirely unstoppable, scoring 34 points apiece. Caitlin Clark orchestrated the offense with signature flair, pairing her 34-point performance with 12 assists to secure a 30-10 double-double. Kelsey Mitchell matched Clark’s 34 points, extending her streak to 24 consecutive games with 20 or more points while moving into second place on the Fever’s all-time career assists list. Together, the two became the first duo in WNBA history to score 30 or more points in the same game four times in a single season.
CC is 1-of-1 ✨
Caitlin Clark is the first player in WNBA history to have 800+ PTS & 300+ AST in a season AND the first to have 300+ AST & 100+ 3PM in a season. pic.twitter.com/WQf01HfkiZ
Despite the loss, Diamond Miller spearheaded the offense for the Sun, finishing as Connecticut’s top performer with a team-high 19 points. Miller set the tone early by scoring Connecticut’s first five points, but the Sun were ultimately unable to keep pace with Indiana’s high-powered second-half transition attack.
Full game highlights;
WNBA will be on break to give-way for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin from September 4 to 13th, WNBA Games will resume on the 18th of Sept.
Caitlin Clark has officially merged her on-court dominance with her well-documented fandom off the court by unveiling the latest iteration of her signature sneaker line: the Nike Caitlin 1 “Friendship Bracelet”.
The dynamic colorway takes direct inspiration from Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour culture, specifically the fan tradition of making and trading handmade beaded friendship bracelets. Wrapped in an iridescent OptiCast upper featuring soft tones of Pearl Pink, Summit White, and Racer Blue, the shoe echoes the shimmering visual aesthetic of Swift’s stadium tour wardrobe.
The centerpiece of the design lies in the laces, which are decorated with colorful, fuzzy textures and custom alphabet beads. Positioned prominently near the toe box are beads spelling out Clark’s jersey number, 22—a clever dual reference to her iconic Indiana Fever jersey and Swift’s hit track of the same name. Inside, the custom insoles display an all-over graphic pattern of stacked beads framing Clark’s signature double-C logo.
More than just a eye-catching design, the shoe captures community, connection, and personal self-expression. By transforming a pop-culture tradition into a high-performance basketball sneaker, Clark showcases how modern athletes can blend authentic personal passions directly into their signature brand story.
Gilas Pilipinas pulled off a dramatic 82-81 overtime victory against Jordan to open the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Overcoming an 18-point deficit, the Philippines relied on sheer grit and dominant rebounding to force extra time. Late in overtime, Kevin Quiambao knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to put Gilas ahead by one. On Jordan’s final possession, Abdullah Olajuwon drove for a potential game-winning layup, but Kai Sotto swatted the shot away as time expired, sealing the emotional victory and snapping a four-game losing streak for the national team.
Sotto stood out as the undisputed top performer of the game. Returning to the national lineup, the 7-foot-3 center put up a monster double-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in 36 minutes of action. CJ Perez added crucial scoring depth with 16 points, while Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao contributed 14 points each. Sotto’s dominance inside and final defensive heroics breathed vital life into the country’s World Cup qualification campaign.
Full gamehighlights
Entering the second round with a sub-.500 record, Gilas would have been placed in a severe hole with a loss against Jordan. The win improves their record to 3-4 in Group E, keeping them within striking distance of the top qualifying spots for Qatar 2027. Gilas Pilipinas will face off against Iran on August 30 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, while Jordan plays Australia at the same venue on the same day.
The 2026 WNBA regular season field has officially locked in its eight postseason contenders. With the Minnesota Lynx leading the pack and the Dallas Wings clinching the final spot, the stretch run is entirely focused on home-court advantage and matchup control.
The eight teams heading to the 2026 WNBA Playoffs are set:
Minnesota Lynx (31–8) – League leaders with top seed control.
Golden State Valkyries (26–11) – Expansion powerhouse holding the 2-seed.
Las Vegas Aces (26–13) – Holding steady in top-three position.
Atlanta Dream (25–13) – Surged into fourth behind strong two-way play.
Minnesota has established clear distance. The main goal down the stretch is managing player workload while locking up home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
First-Round Home-Court (#2 – #5)
Golden State, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana
Golden State, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Indiana are locked in a tight battle. Earning a top-four seed guarantees host status for the first round, making head-to-head tiebreakers crucial.
Middle-Tier Threat (#6 – #7)
New York Liberty, Washington Mystics
Both squads sit side-by-side. Finishing 6th avoids a first-round series against Minnesota, making every remaining game against playoff-bound opposition vital.
Underdog Slot (#8)
Dallas Wings
Dallas clinched the final berth and will likely draw a tough first-round matchup against Minnesota or Golden State.
With 5 to 6 games left in the regular season, seeding and playoff matchups could still change significantly before the postseason begins on September 27, 2026.
The Dallas Wings officially punched their ticket to the WNBA postseason, securing a commanding 96–78 victory over the Portland Fire at a packed College Park Center. The win guarantees Dallas a playoff berth—their first since 2023—and sets a new franchise record for regular-season victories at 23–16. Meanwhile, the defeat eliminated Portland (15–23) from postseason contention.
Dallas dominated from the jump, never trailing and building a lead as large as 26 points. Second year standout Paige Bueckers delivered an all-around masterpiece, orchestrating the offense with 22 points and 11 assists. Frontcourt anchor Jessica Shepard dominated the paint, contributing 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Arike Ogunbowale added 17 points. Dallas showcased total team chemistry, as all five starters finished in double figures.
MY. GOODNESS. AWAK. 😳
This is her FOURTH block of the ball game and we're only in the 3Q!
Defensively, the Wings swarmed Portland, generating 11 steals and turning 12 Portland Fire-turnovers into 23 points. Awak Kuier anchored the rim with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Bridget Carleton and Karlie Samuelson led the Fire with 14 points each, but Portland’s .375 shooting percentage proved insufficient against Dallas’s blazing .551 clip from the field.
With five regular-season games remaining, the Wings enter the playoffs riding dangerous momentum as one of the league’s most balanced contenders.
Full game highlights;
Next
Dallas will have one more game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday evening before heading into the FIBA World Cup break, while the Portland Fire will have two more games—against Atlanta on Friday and Golden State on Sunday—before going on break.
