WNBA Basketball: News, Videos, Highlights & More - NBC Sports

WNBA

WNBA Preview: Commissioner’s Cup final comes into focus, explaining hardship contracts

A deep dive on hardship contracts in the WNBA as well as the key matchups for the week.

Jackie Powell,

Jackie Powell,

WNBA Player News

All Player News

Shey Peddy

LAS G #7

10hShey Peddy tallied six points (1-of-2 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to the Storm.

With Kelsey Plum (leg) joining Odyssey Sims (personal) on the Sparks’ list of absentees, Peddy was tabbed to make her first start in a WNBA game since August 14, 2022. The veteran guard, who missed the entire 2024 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, did not provide much production in that role, but Tuesday’s matchup was not an easy one. In addition to Peddy starting, the absences led to rotation minutes for new signing Grace Berger, who logged 16 minutes and went scoreless with one rebound and one assist. If Plum and Sims remain out for Saturday’s game against the Lynx, Peddy and Berger will be asked to play rotation minutes once again.

Sarah Ashlee Barker

LAS G #13

10hSarah Ashlee Barker accumulated 12 points (4-of-11 FGs), seven rebounds, one assist and four three-pointers in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to the Storm.

After finishing Saturday’s loss to the Lynx with more turnovers (five) than shot attempts (two), Barker was far more active offensively in her second start for the absent Odyssey Sims (personal). The rookie guard established season-highs in points and field-goal attempts, scoring in double figures for the first time as a pro. With Kelsey Plum (knee) also out, there will continue to be additional opportunities for Barker to score. While she isn’t a must-add in standard fantasy leagues, managers in deeper formats should consider Barker ahead of Saturday’s game against the Lynx if the Sparks remain as shorthanded as they currently are.

Azurá Stevens

LAS F-C #23

10hAzurá Stevens finished Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to the Storm with 16 points (6-of-16 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist, three steals and one blocked shot.

On what was a rough night for Stevens and the Sparks, the forward/center recorded her fifth double-double of the season. However, since shooting 47.6 percent from three in her first six games, Stevens has hit a cold spell from deep. Over her last seven, she’s just 7-of-30 from deep, and that includes a 5-of-8 effort against the Wings on June 6. Stevens is a career 34 percent shooter from three, so she was likely due to cool off after a hot start to the season. However, with the Sparks currently without four rotation players, they need her to get untracked. And soon.

Rickea Jackson

LAS F #2

10hRickea Jackson accounted for 17 points (4-of-15 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), two rebounds, two assists, two steals and one three-pointer in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to the Storm.

With the Sparks down four rotation players, Jackson figured more prominently in the offensive game plan Tuesday night. The second-year forward struggled to find clean looks against the Seattle defense, with the foul line boosting her point total. However, Jackson did finish a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line, and she’s scored 17 points or more in each of her last three appearances. The Sparks end their week with a game against the Lynx on Saturday.

Alysha Clark

SEA F #32

10hAlysha Clark shot 5-of-7 from the field in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Sparks, scoring 14 points with two rebounds, two assists and four three-pointers.

After totaling five points in her first two games coming off the bench, Clark has found her groove. She scored 11 points in Saturday’s loss to the Valkyries and was even better Tuesday night. The veteran wing shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, establishing season-highs in points and three-pointers. Over her last two games, Clark is 7-of-10 from deep. Erica Wheeler (15/3/2/1 with three three-pointers) remains the starter and has done nothing to merit being returned to the bench. That limits Clark’s fantasy ceiling, but nights like Tuesday are a reminder of what she can provide the Storm.

Nneka Ogwumike

SEA F #3

10hNneka Ogwumike accumulated 26 points (12-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, two assists and three steals in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Sparks.

Ogwumike did whatever she wanted on Tuesday, shooting 75 percent from the field and leading all scorers with 26 points. The point total was a season-high for the veteran forward, who had a streak of three consecutive 20-point games last month. Since then, Ogwumike had one 20-point game to her credit before Tuesday, Seattle’s win over the Lynx on June 11. She’ll look to build on Tuesday’s effort when the Storm visit Las Vegas on Friday.

Ezi Magbegor

SEA F-C #13

11hEzi Magbegor amassed two points (1-of-3 FGs), three rebounds, five assists and six blocks in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Sparks.

Two weeks removed from blocking five shots in a win over the Wings, Magbegor established a new season-high on Tuesday. The six rejections were two shy of her career-high, making up for a quiet night offensively. Also, Magbegor matched her season-high with five assists. Her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring efforts ended at two, but the Storm center is relied on more for her defense due to the established scorers in the team’s rotation. Seattle continues its road trip with a game against the Aces on Friday.

Skylar Diggins

SEA G #4

11hSkylar Diggins tallied 15 points (4-of-7 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists, one block and three three-pointers in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Sparks.

Diggins notched a career milestone on Tuesday, passing Cappie Pondexter to move into tenth on the WNBA’s career assists list. The Storm point guard did not have to do as much scoring against the shorthanded Sparks, as four other Seattle players hit double figures. Diggins has dished out at least six assists in three of her last four outings, a stretch in which he’s amassed 23 assists and eight turnovers. Unsurprisingly, she’s ranked in the top-10 among guards in fantasy points per game (ESPN leagues).

Gabby Williams

SEA F #5

11hGabby Williams (ankle) finished Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Sparks with 11 points (5-of-10 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists, eight steals and one three-pointer.

Typically, when a player puts on a show, it happens on the offensive end of the floor. That was not the case for Williams, who was stellar defensively in Seattle’s blowout of the Sparks. She matched her career-high for steals in a game, six, by halftime and finished with a franchise-record eight on the night. Also, Williams is the second player since 2006 to record at least eight steals in a game, with Napheesa Collier doing so last season. Williams may not record gaudy point totals consistently, but her all-around game makes the Storm forward one of the best players to have rostered in fantasy basketball at her position.

Laeticia Amihere

GSV F #3

11hLaeticia Amihere shot 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to the Wings, tallying 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot.

After scoring two points in her first game with the Valkyries on June 14, Amihere was far more impactful Tuesday night. Of course, starter Temi Fágbénlé was still with the team for Amihere’s Valkyries debut, but she has since left to compete in EuroBasket. They may not play the same position, but the departures of Fágbénlé and Cecilia Zandalasini (EuroBasket) have freed up additional minutes in the frontcourt. Amihere played 24 minutes on Tuesday and should get similar minutes due to how productive she was.

Latest

WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces

Jewell Loyd has breakout game in Aces’ win over Wings after slow start to season

Loyd shot with confidence, making a statement from the beginning by scoring the Aces’ first eight points. The 11-year, six-time All-Star entered the game averaging a career-low 9.1 points and shooting 30%.

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

WNBA: Las Vegas Aces at Golden State Valkyries

Aces star A’ja Wilson in concussion protocol and out for Friday’s game against the Wings

The three-time WNBA MVP was injured in Wednesday’s 97-89 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

Caitlin Clark cleared to return Saturday against Liberty

Clark has missed five games with a left quad strain.

Raphielle Johnson,

Raphielle Johnson,

Mentions

Fever say Caitlin Clark will be ready to play in showdown with Liberty on Saturday

Clark — barring any unforeseen setbacks — is expected to be in the lineup when the Fever play host to the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty on Saturday afternoon.

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

How to watch Dallas Wings vs Las Vegas Aces: TV/stream info, preview, tip off time

This is the first official matchup between the pair this season. During a preseason game on May 2, the Aces came out on top 112-78.

Syd Pierre,

Syd Pierre,

Wilson doubtful for Aces’ game against Wings due to head injury

Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson is doubtful for the Las Vegas Aces’ home game Friday night against the Dallas Wings because of a head injury.

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

WNBA: Golden State Valkyries at New York Liberty

How to watch New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever: TV/stream info, preview for Caitlin Clark’s return

Don’t miss the NY Liberty vs Indiana Fever game this Saturday, June 14, at 3 PM ET.

Mary Omatiga,

Mary Omatiga,

Rickea Jackson scores a career-high 30 points to help the Sparks beat the Aces, 97-89

The Aces were without star center A’ja Wilson for the final 11 minutes of the game after she left with 1:17 left in the third quarter with a head injury.