Lynx Overcome Early Struggles to Secure Victory Over Sparks The Minnesota Lynx overcame a slow start and a key injury to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 on Wednesday, securing their third consecutive home win during a four-game homestand. The game, marked by a rowdy crowd of kids in color-coordinated T-shirts for the team’s annual “camp day” event, saw the Lynx rally in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory despite a critical moment when rookie point guard Olivia Miles suffered an ankle injury. Miles, who contributed 18 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, went down near the baseline with 6:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. She appeared to roll her left ankle while driving into the lane and was helped off the court by trainers. Though she was able to walk herself into the tunnel and wave to the crowd, she did not return to the game. Coach Cheryl Reeve provided no immediate update on Miles’ status, a common practice for in-game injuries with the Lynx. Miles had previously missed games on July 6 and 8 due to a right calf strain. Despite the setback, the Lynx maintained composure, with players like Nia Coffey and Kayla McBride stepping up to secure the win. Coffey scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter, while McBride, who led the team in scoring for the sixth consecutive game, added 10 of her 24 points in the final period. “We just didn’t panic,” McBride said after the game. “The last five minutes of the game, we want to be able to execute. Courtney and I’ve been in that position a lot. We want to make sure Liv was OK, but we were like, ‘All right, let’s lock in, do what we got to do.’” The Lynx struggled offensively in the first quarter, posting a season-low 12 points against a Sparks team that has allowed a league-worst 93.6 points per game.#los_angeles_sparks #olivia_miles #minnesota_lynx #cheryl_reeve #kayla_mcbride
Azzi Fudd’s Rookie Season With the Wings Has Gone Exactly to Plan When the Dallas Wings selected UConn star Azzi Fudd as the top pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, the decision sparked intense debate among analysts and fans. The 2026 draft class was among the most talented in recent memory, with a handful of elite prospects vying for the No. 1 selection. Names like offensive powerhouse Olivia Miles, Spanish phenom Awa Fam, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts—whose NCAA tournament run led her team to its first title—were all considered strong candidates. Yet, for the Wings, Fudd’s selection was a calculated move that has already begun to pay dividends. Fudd’s arrival marked the second consecutive year the Wings had taken a star from UConn’s storied program, following the 2025 pick of Paige Bueckers. The decision was rooted in Fudd’s unique skill set: her elite three-point shooting ability, which would create space for Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to operate more effectively. Additionally, Fudd’s defensive growth during her college career hinted at her potential to transition smoothly to the professional level. While her rookie season didn’t start perfectly, the Wings’ general manager, Curt Miller, has seen his investment begin to deliver results. The early stages of Fudd’s season were not without challenges. Miles, who had already established herself as one of the league’s top players, dominated headlines with her breakout performance for the Minnesota Lynx. Fudd’s slower adjustment to the WNBA, combined with an early-season injury that forced her to miss a game, led to questions about her readiness. Coach Jose Fernandez initially held her out of the starting lineup until the eighth game of the season. However, once Fudd found her rhythm, she became a cornerstone of the Wings’ offense.#azzi_fudd #olivia_miles #minnesota_lynx #dallas_wings #curt_miller
Dream Coach's Defense of Angel Reese Sparks Debate Over Officiating Consistency Karl Smesko, head coach of the Atlanta Dream, voiced concerns about inconsistent officiating in the WNBA following his team’s 78-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Friday. Smesko, speaking to ESPN, highlighted how Angel Reese, the Dream’s forward, often faces harsh calls that appear to lack uniformity across the league. He argued that the inconsistency is disproportionately affecting his team’s performance and fairness in gameplay. “Sometimes she does not get the benefit of the call,” Smesko said. “If she shuffles a pivot foot she’ll get called for the travel, but then you see much more egregious travels on the other end and there won’t be anything.” His comments underscore a growing frustration among coaches and players about how referees interpret fouls, particularly in high-stakes moments. Reese, who is currently three technical fouls away from a mandatory one-game suspension, and Caitlin Clark, the league’s leading scorer in technical fouls, have become focal points of this debate. Their frequent infractions have intensified scrutiny over how officials apply the rules, with both players and coaches questioning whether the calls are fair or biased. The issue of fouling and officiating has dominated discussions this season, with multiple coaches and players accusing referees of unfairly targeting certain teams or players. Smesko noted that he has raised these concerns with the league, though he remains uncertain about the responses or actions taken. The situation has sparked broader conversations about the need for consistency in how games are officiated, as inconsistent calls can create tension that spills over into other aspects of the sport.#angel_reese #minnesota_lynx #karl_smesko #golden_state_valkyries #cheryl_reeve
Angel Reese Leads Atlanta Dream's Comeback Over Minnesota Lynx in WNBA Debut The Atlanta Dream staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 91-90 in their season opener on Saturday, with Angel Reese delivering a game-saving block in the final moments. Despite trailing by as many as 19 points in the first half, the Dream rallied to secure a thrilling victory in Minneapolis. Reese, making her debut with the team, finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, marking her 50th career double-double—a milestone achieved in just 65 games, the fewest in WNBA history. The game began with the Dream struggling to find their rhythm. In the first quarter, Atlanta shot 36% from the field and committed 13 turnovers, allowing Minnesota to build a 24-12 lead. Reese, who scored her first points in a Dream uniform with a layup on an and-1 play at the 6:57 mark of the first quarter, was also plagued by shooting inefficiency, going 1-of-5 from the floor. By halftime, the Lynx held a 52-37 advantage, with Minnesota’s Courtney Williams leading all scorers with 10 points. The Dream’s turnaround began in the third quarter, as they cut the deficit to 10 points (54-44) by the 8:40 mark. Allisha Gray, who finished with 22 points, led the charge with 16 third-quarter points, but Minnesota responded with a 13-6 run to extend their lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Lynx held a 71-63 edge. However, the Dream’s resilience continued into the fourth, as Gray and Te-Hina Paopao made clutch plays to keep Atlanta in the game. The decisive moment came in the final minutes. With the Dream down by one, Gray blocked a layup attempt by Minnesota’s Olivia Miles, preserving the lead.#angel_reese #minnesota_lynx #atlanta_dream #courtney_williams #karl_smesko
The WNBA Players' Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2026 Sets New Salary Standards The WNBA players and league reached a historic agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which will significantly boost player salaries starting in 2026. The terms, ratified by the league’s board of governors and unanimously approved by players, mark a major shift in the league’s financial structure, offering substantial raises across all levels of play. With the 2026 season approaching, the new CBA outlines detailed salary structures for veterans, rookies, and draft picks, reflecting the league’s commitment to improving player compensation. The salary cap for 2026 will rise to $7 million per team, a dramatic increase from the $1.5 million cap in 2025. This expansion comes as the league prepares for its first season with two new franchises, Toronto and Portland, which will participate in expansion drafts scheduled for April 6. The free agency period, set to begin April 7, and the collegiate/overseas draft on April 13, will shape team rosters under the new financial framework. For veteran players, the CBA introduces tiered salary structures based on experience and performance. Elite veterans like A’ja Wilson, a 29-year-old center with eight WNBA seasons, will see their 2026 salary jump from $200,000 in 2025 to an estimated $1.4 million, a supermax deal. Wilson, who won her third WNBA title and fourth MVP award in 2025, is expected to be among the highest-paid players due to her value to the Las Vegas Aces. Her 2026 salary will also include increased award payouts, such as a potential $60,000 for a fifth MVP win, compared to $15,450 in 2025. Average veterans, such as Alanna Smith, a 29-year-old forward with seven WNBA seasons, will also benefit from the new CBA.#las_vegas_aces #wnba_players #wnba_league #a_ja_wilson #minnesota_lynx
