The WNBA All-Star Weekend is upon us, and there’s a lot to look forward to. The actual All-Star game will be the main event, but the 3-Point contest and Shooting Stars events should also provide plenty of entertainment. But before the fun, there was serious basketball that had to be played over the past week. As a result, some players are limping (figuratively) into the All-Star Break while others are entering with great momentum.
Let’s separate the hot from the cold.
SCHEDULE: Check out the full WNBA on NBC, Peacock slate of games
▶ HEATING UP 🔥
Isabelle Harrison — F, Tempo
Marina Mabrey has rightfully earned her praise throughout the season for the way she’s dominated games as a scorer. At the same time, not enough light has been shed on Harrison, who is coming off a 26-point, 11-rebound performance against the Aces. The high-scoring outing was her fifth time finishing in double figures as a scorer over the past seven appearances, and although the veteran forward’s recent strong play has mostly come in losses, a sustained output should only lead to better results post-All-Star Break once Brittney Sykes ultimately returns from injury. Aside from Nyara Sabally, who is currently injured, there aren’t many other frontcourt options in Toronto that would realistically eat into Harrison’s production any time soon. Expect her to remain productive over the second half of the season.
Allisha Gray — G, Dream
There are many stars on the Dream, but arguably none score the basketball as consistently as Gray does. Before making her fourth All-Star Game appearance on Saturday, the veteran guard will have scored 15 or more points in eight consecutive games, headlined by a season-best 29 points in the most recent win over the Chicago Sky. She’s made 9-of-17 from beyond the arc over Atlanta’s current three-game winning streak and finished each game having shot better than 50.0 percent from the field overall. Between her scoring efficiency and Atlanta’s current winning streak, the All-Star Break might be coming at an unideal time for Gray and the Dream. But given her consistent production throughout the season, there’s no reason to expect any scoring dip when the regular season resumes.
Shakira Austin — C, Mystics
If only looking at Austin’s box scores from July, one could be convinced that they were looking at the stats of a WNBA All-Star. With four double-doubles over the past seven games, including two consecutive recently against Golden State, Austin has elevated her play to career-best numbers in her fifth WNBA season. She’s rebounding at a very high level in July while functioning as Washington’s best scorer over that same period. If the Mystics want to cling to the final playoff spot they currently hold, sustained strong play from Austin would be greatly beneficial. She’ll continue to get the lion’s share of work at center, which could keep her production high.
A 25-piece with the game on the line 🥶
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 23, 2026
Shakira Austin added 6 REB and 3 AST before converting the go-ahead and-1 to seal the @WashMystics' thrilling 100-99 win!#WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/UBFHCIHRSS
▶ COOLING DOWN ❄️
Rhyne Howard — G, Dream
Howard has cooled down some after a really strong start to her fifth WNBA season. At the moment, she’s not scoring at a high level — averaging 10.7 points on 35.3 percent shooting across the last three games, including going 6-of-22 from beyond the arc over that stretch — but has remained steady on the defensive end with her activity leading to plenty of stocks. Even without the scoring, Howard’s been a positive contributor when on the floor over those three games, which were all wins by the Dream. But getting some shots to drop a bit more frequently would do wonders for Atlanta as it tries to climb back up the standings following the All-Star Break.
Cameron Brink — F, Sparks
Individually, Brink is having her best statistical season as a pro, but her most recent three-game stretch wouldn’t suggest that. She’s entering the weekend fresh off a five-point, 2-of-9 shooting game against Phoenix, which followed a 3-of-9 shooting performance against Dallas and a 2-of-6 outing before that against Chicago — quick math shows that’s an inefficient 7-of-24 from the field over the past three games. Brink’s production on the defensive end as a shot blocker and rebounder has canceled out some of the recent scoring struggles. But if she’s going to get back on track and potentially help Los Angeles win some games, more consistent offensive play would be a nice starting point.
Natisha Hiedeman — G, Storm
Since her career-best 31-point outing earlier this month in a loss to Washington, Hiedeman has totaled 45 points on 36.2 percent shooting over the past four games. Her 3-of-18 shooting from deep over that stretch is certainly a cause for the overall scoring struggles, but is mostly alarming given her track record of being a strong three-point shooter throughout her career. She’s masked some of the continued turnover propensity with somewhat frequent high-assist totals. But as the perimeter shot continues to make up a high percentage of Hiedeman’s shot profile, it’ll be important for her to find her groove again once the regular-season games resume next week.
