There’s been some significant movement in the standings following a busy week in the WNBA. Scattered throughout those wins and losses are noteworthy player performances that helped dictate the outcomes. Some of the performances have become player trends, so we’ll discuss which have stood out in positive and negative ways.
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▶ HEATING UP 🔥
Natasha Cloud, G, Sky
Arguably one of the best feelings in sports is getting payback on a former team. That’s what Cloud did on Tuesday when she scored 35 points against her former team, the New York Liberty, to help upset them and deliver the Sky its second straight win. She also added nine rebounds, six assists, and four three-pointers, which followed a 20-point performance against the Storm the game prior. The veteran guard and former WNBA champion is posting 15.9/4.5/6.3 splits across eight games in August after a slower start to the season. With Skylar Diggins still out, Cloud should continue to help lead Chicago down the stretch of the season.
A career night AND a piece of franchise history 🤩
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 19, 2026
Natasha Cloud erupted for a career-high 35 PTS, adding 9 REB and 6 AST to lead the @chicagosky to the dub.
She also became the first player in franchise history to record 35+ PTS, 5+ REB and 5+ AST in a game.#WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/HJKwUThYL7
Alanna Smith, F, Wings
There were very high hopes for Smith this season after being signed to a max contract by the Wings during free agency, but injuries, inconsistent playing time, and subpar shooting all led to a very rough start to her tenure in Dallas; one that theoretically couldn’t have gone much worse. However, Smith has been much better as of late. The 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks she’s averaging during August is much more in line with the type of numbers she consistently put up over the previous three seasons, which featured a Co-Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 with the Minnesota Lynx. Her individual success hasn’t correlated to wins recently, but she continues to look more like the player Dallas invested a lot of resources in.
Tiffany Hayes, G, Valkyries
Is Hayes putting up the type of numbers that are worthy of a second Sixth Player of the Year award? Probably not, even if her numbers aren’t that far off from 2024 when she brought home the honor — you can point to her career-low minutes and three-point percentage as reasons why. Yet, she’s remained an impactful scorer off the bench for one of the best teams in the W. The veteran has scored in double figures in each of the last four games, highlighted by a season-high 22 points against the Sky. Her role isn’t flashy, but it’s important, which is why the lefty is likely to keep earning chances to impact games with her shot-making.
▶ COOLING DOWN ❄️
Jewell Loyd, G, Aces
While Hayes has enjoyed a nice stretch off Golden State’s bench, Las Vegas hasn’t been as fortunate lately with its reserve unit — specifically Loyd. While she recently logged back-to-back double-digit scoring performances for just the second time all season, she’s continued to struggle with her shooting. The multiple-time champion has shot under 35.0 percent from the field in three straight games and four of the last five, which factors into the career-worst field goal percentage she’s produced during her second season with the Aces. Between Chennedy Carter being waived and Dana Evans’ injuries this season, Las Vegas could really use some more production from their veteran reserve. Can she flip the late-season switch, as she did a season ago?
Leilal Lacan, G, Sun
Lacan has fallen into a shooting slump as we enter the home stretch of the season. Through five games in August, she’s posting 35.7/28.6/71.4 shooting splits while logging only 7.8 points per game. Lacan’s field goal and free-throw attempts are down from their usual mark, as are her minutes. Together, the step back in production has led to the least impactful month of her second WNBA season. The Sun are already eliminated from playoff contention, but there’s still no reason Lacan wouldn’t want to close the season on a high note — she’s got 10 games left to get back on track.
Chelsea Gray, G, Aces
Having two Aces on the “cooling down” list probably tells the story of which way the team has trended of late. Gray, despite having a strong season overall, has not found her touch in recent games. More specifically, she’s shooting 16-of-49 from the field over the last four, including 7-of-23 from deep. Crafty passing and solid passing numbers have kept her overall production up, but even her assist totals have recently come in lower than her season-long average. Gray has had similar stretches throughout the season and has often found a way back into a rhythm. The Aces are falling in the standings, however. They’ll need a bit more from everyone to right the ship.
