The WNBA All-Star Break is around the corner. But before we get there, let’s get lost in the latest player trends in the W. Who’s played well enough recently to earn a mention in this week’s “Heating Up” category? Conversely, which players could probably use the All-Star Break right around now? Let’s discuss.
▶ HEATING UP 🔥
Rae Burrell, F, Sparks
Losers of two straight games and five of their last seven, the Sparks find themselves out of the current playoff picture. The absence of Kelsey Plum (leg) has taken a lot away from Los Angeles’ offensive potential and its ability to close out games. Yet, the void left behind has allowed Burrell to play her way into a bigger role than the ancillary one she’s held throughout her WNBA career. In fact, the fifth-year forward has become arguably the Sparks’ primary scoring option of late. Over the last four games, she’s scored at least 17 points and made at least two three-pointers in each game, shooting 54.9 percent from the field to sustain her strong production. Additionally, Burrell’s energy and effort on both sides of the floor remain. She’s making the most of her opportunities, and it’s resulting in career-best scoring numbers.
In her bag 🎒
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 9, 2026
Rae Burrell goes crossover to reverse layup, giving her 22 PTS and counting.
IND-LAS | USA Network
Tap to watch: https://t.co/7PnFrEZeDL pic.twitter.com/vwTqC91sMF
Angel Reese, F, Dream
Counting stats are never the issue for Reese, who’s one of the great double-double machines basketball has ever seen. The shooting efficiency, however, has often been inconsistent throughout her 2.5 seasons as a professional. But not lately. The third-year forward is shooting 20-of-39 from the field over the last three games, bringing her to an efficient 19.3 points per game over that stretch. She’s recorded double-doubles in each of the three contests and has been extremely disruptive on the defensive end, gathering at least two steals each time. Reese’s recent production has also helped Atlanta snap a tough five-game losing streak and get back in the win column. The Dream have won two straight, with a third possible on Friday against the Tempo. Expect Reese to keep up the stellar play.
Brittney Griner, C, Sun
The Sun is playing above .500 basketball over the last seven games. And although Griner has missed time recently with an injury, her counting stats are those of a player who has found her groove following a down season in Atlanta. She’s scored 20 or more points in back-to-back games while also recording multiple blocked shots. In fact, she’s registered a block in every game this season after going without one in her first two games with Connecticut. Griner’s season-long numbers aren’t where they were when she was universally tabbed as one of the best players in the WNBA. However, she’s turned back the clock a few times here recently — the Sun would use more of that from their veteran.
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▶ COOLING DOWN ❄️
Caitlin Clark, G, Fever
The post-injury production isn’t quite there yet for Clark. In her three games back in the lineup, she’s tallied 34 total points and combined to shoot 3-of-19 from deep. The minutes restriction has had an influence on some of her lower scoring totals, relative to her standards. Still, the three-point shooting continues to lack consistency, while turnovers mount each game. Clark had reeled off six straight 20-point, five-assist games over the back half of June, a level of play most would expect her to return to in the near future. There’s a bit of a grace period players deserve to regain their feel for the game when coming back from injuries, though. We’ll see how quickly she can kick it back into gear.
Jewell Loyd, G, Aces
Loyd scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time all season long to begin July. And for a brief moment, it felt as though she might return to the level of play she demonstrated last postseason. But she failed to make it out of single digits in scoring over the following three games and has shot only 7-of-19 over that stretch. The inconsistency has been a common thing for Loyd during her season-and-a-half tenure in Las Vegas. And while Dana Evans rounds into form following an offseason injury, and Chennedy Carter is no longer employed by the Aces, Loyd’s likely going to need to increase her production and impact off the bench.
Maddy Siegrist, F, Wings
A 12.7-point-per-game scorer last season, Siegrist is down to 5.9 points per game in her fourth WNBA season. The shooting efficiency remains, but the opportunities have taken a dive. She hasn’t seen double-digit minutes in either of her last three appearances, nor has she taken more than two field-goal attempts or grabbed a single rebound over that three-game stretch. However, Dallas continues to stack wins — five consecutive victories — making Siegrist less and less likely to see a major uptick in minutes, barring a teammate’s injury or a big drop-off in the Wings’ team performance. This less significant role seems to be one that’ll stay for the time being.
