The Commissioner’s Cup games are over, with the championship match set between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. But before we look ahead, let’s take a look at the past couple of weeks to determine which players captured some serious momentum and which players failed to do so.
Let’s begin.
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▶ HEATING UP🔥
Breanna Stewart, F, Liberty
The Liberty currently hold a league-best eight-game winning streak, with contributions from their star player, Breanna Stewart, being one of the most obvious factors in their success. Over the eight games, the three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP has added a pair of double-doubles, two games of at least three steals, and one game with seven blocked shots. She’s been multi-faceted, per usual, and her ability to provide whatever New York needs on a nightly basis is what makes her so unique. Stewart is up to 18.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game over the last eight. If she could just figure out the three-point shot, she’d be playing borderline flawless basketball.
Gabby Williams, F, Valkyries
The Valkyries started the season hot, had a rougher stretch not long after, but are back to their winning ways. More specifically, the team is currently riding a four-game winning streak, which coincides with arguably Gabby Williams’ best stretch of play since joining Golden State in the offseason. She’s put up 21.3 points on average during the streak, while contributing 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals per game over that time. The high production reflects yet another offensive leap that Williams has taken in her eighth WNBA season. She’s averaging career-bests in points (16.3), three-pointers (2.1), and remains valuable on the defensive end in her fewest minutes per game since the 2022 season. Any increase in playing time could give her another bump in production. But for now, the veteran two-way forward is making the most of her time on the floor.
Dominique Malonga, C, Storm
Seattle took another L on Wednesday — it’s ninth consecutive — but its young frontcourt is beginning to mesh well together. We’ll focus on Dominique Malonga, who is fresh off a season-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, marking the first double-double of her sophomore campaign. She’s performed more lately like the pre-concussion version of herself that notched multiple 20-point, seven-rebound games before being sidelined earlier in this season. Malonga’s minutes have ramped up since returning, leading to 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds over her last four appearances. Health aside, there shouldn’t be much getting in the way of her second-season progression.
WNBA Notebook: The race for the Commissioner’s Cup and a bigger All-Star question
▶ COOLING DOWN❄️
Kayla Thornton, F, Valkyries
The 2025 WNBA All-Star got off to a rather nice start to begin her second season in the Bay Area, but has cooled off more recently. Inefficient shooting has again been a weakness for Thornton in her return from a season-ending knee injury, which can be seen in the past seven games, when she’s shot over 35 percent from the field two times. In fairness, the veteran’s overall field goal percentage is actually quite similar to last season, when she earned a WNBA All-Star appearance. But the fewer minutes and lower output have led to some quiet offensive performances for Thornton. If she makes it to double-digits in points on Friday, it will be the first time since June 9 against the Mercury.
Georgia Amoore, G, Mystics
It’s been a rocky start for Amoore in her debut WNBA season after missing all of 2025 with a knee injury. She’s getting consistent opportunities to contribute and has done a solid job as a lead facilitator, but extreme struggles as a shot-maker have prevented the rookie guard from maximizing her offensive impact. Three times over the past five games, Amoore has failed to make a field goal, and in those games, all but four of her 21 field-goal attempts have been three-pointers. Given her reliance on the three-pointer, she’s got to catch her rhythm in order to be more than a table-setter. Luckily for her, it appears as though she’ll keep receiving the necessary chances to find herself as a player.
Kamilla Cardoso, C, Sky
Not much has worked in Chicago’s favor so far this season. It’s lost four straight, has one of the lowest offensive ratings in the league, and hasn’t quite gotten the leap in production from Cardoso that maybe was anticipated following Angel Reese’s departure. On the whole, she’s been about the same player that she was last season — similar efficiency, scoring, and rebounding numbers in roughly as many minutes per game. But her production has been slightly below average throughout Chicago’s current losing streak. Cardoso is averaging 10.5 points and an underwhelming 4.5 boards over the last four games. Foul trouble could be what’s holding her back, or maybe a general lack of touches near the rim. Either way, the Sky need more from her going forward.
