What's Going On With The WNBA
Via Imagn ©Via ImagnThe Dallas Wings were chasing history, but the Minnesota Lynx became the boogeyman. The Wings had not won five consecutive games since 2023, and they have gone through hell since. After a strong start to this season, they were a win away from achieving that record, but the Lynx got in the way. Paige Bueckers and Co. were dominated, with the final scoreline reading 100-76. After the game, both coach Jose Fernandez and Bueckers pinpointed how the Lynx dismantled them.
âA team like Minnesota is very good at what they do, and they expose you to different coverage,â Fernandez said. âWhether you ice, whether you hard hedge, whether youâre up to touchâwe trapped, and they made very good reads. We were late on rotations.â
The Lynx already stretched the floor with Courtney Williams from the mid-range and Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride from the perimeter; each of whom could also drive in the paint. This versatility just made it more difficult for the Wingsâ defense. The Wings conceded 48 points around the rim, a problem they have dealt with all season. And Minnesota was bound to exploit that defensive Achillesâ heel.
Patience was key for the Minnesota Lynx. Whenever they were isolating with a trap play, they took their time to find the correct pass or wait for the screen to open up the lane for a drive. Along with the screens, the Lynx mixed in some heavy movement as players like Howard and McBride moved into the empty space to receive the pass. And Bueckers acknowledged this.
âI think their ball screensâthey do a really good job of setting them up. They have threats in the short roll and threats within the scoring position, whether it be Liv [Olivia Miles], Court [Courtney Williams], or KMac [Kayla McBride],â Bueckers said in her post-game press conference. âWe just have to do a better job of packing the paint, making them spray it, and forcing them to shoot contested threes.
âWe have to make second efforts, fly around, scramble, and help each other out. And we just have to move as one with more connectivity on the defensive end.â
The Dallas Wings already went with a guard-heavy lineup, with the only viable paint protector being Jessica Shepherd. Even though she had a size advantage over Natasha Howard, she was often alone guarding the basket. That allowed Howard to use her footwork to her advantage.
However, Olivia Miles especially was key at orchestrating the Lynx offense as she had all the correct passes. Miles had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, terrorizing the Lynx defense, while Kayla McBride added 22 points and 4 assists. The Wings could not stop the bleeding as the Lynx shot 54% from the field and 50% from the three-point line.
But to make matters worse, Natasha Howard did not mince words when referring to this Dallas defense.
Natasha Howard jokes about the lack of paint protection from Paige Bueckers and Co.Itâs not the first time Howard dissected this Dallas defense. In their first matchup, Howard put up 26 points and 5 rebounds while going 11-14 from the field. This time around, it was 21 points while going 8-10 from the field. And after the game, she made a few observations on this Dallas teamâs defense in the paint, or lack thereof.
âIt feels good playing against a team that doesnât really protect the paint. But I give credit to our guards for giving me those easy looks and stuff,â she said. âI wouldnât be able to score the way I am without them. I give them the credit. Itâs not just me.â
A questionable decision from Jose Fernandez has affected the paint protection for the Wings. Alanna Smith was no longer in the starting lineup and played only 9 minutes in this game. She is the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year and the paint protector of the 2025 Lynx.
Fernandez has hinted at some of Smithâs problems away from the court that are affecting her form. But Paige Bueckers and Co. need her to return to her best form.
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The post âThey Expose Youâ: Jose Fernandez, Paige Bueckers Speak Out After Lynx Bring Wingsâ Winning Streak to an End appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Kelsey Plum is the engine that drives the Los Angeles Sparks' offense.
The WNBA's leading scorer is averaging 25 points and six assists per game while controlling nearly every half-court possession for Los Angeles.
But instead of attacking her scoring prop against the Seattle Storm, we're targeting her playmaking numbers.
Read on for my Sparks vs. Storm predictions and free WNBA picks for Wednesday, June 10.
Sparks vs Storm predictionSparks vs Storm best bet: Kelsey Plum Over 6.5 assists (+115)The bookmakers are completely ignoring the true engine of the Los Angeles Sparks offense, leaving Kelsey Plumâs assist line flat at 6.5 based on stale season-long models.
Plum has been acting as the primary point distributor with 7,6,9,7,7 dimes in her last five games. She has sailed over this mark in four of her last five outings.
Facing a gritty Seattle Storm defense focused entirely on choking off her perimeter shot, Plum will naturally turn into a high-volume playmaker. Play to +100.
COVERS INTEL: The Sparks play at the third-fastest pace and boast the third-best true shooting percentage (58.2%). The matchup history between the Sparks and the Storm tells a glaring story: they have hit the Over in nine of their last ten meetings.
Stacking this trend with Plum pushing a furious 97.85 pace to dish over 6.5 assists makes perfect sense.
With Plum actively facilitating, Nneka Ogwumike will dominate inside against a Seattle defense that is conceding 32.6 points per game to opposing frontcourts.
Ogwumike averages 15.5 points per game on highly efficient 53.2% shooting and boasts a versatile game built to punish the Storm down low or on the wings.
Sparks vs Storm SGPKelsey Plum Over 6.5 assistsNneke Ogwumike Over 14.5 pointsOver 168.5The Over is 9-1 in their previous 10 meetings. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Sparks vs Storm| Location | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date | Wednesday, June 10, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | WNBA League Pass |
Sparks: None.
Storm: Ezi Magbegor (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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The Mystics big three of Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen are amongst the league leaders in the WNBAâs newest stat, gravity.
The league rolled out the stat through its Inside the Game feature, powered by Amazon Web Services. Gravity measures how much the defense shifts and how the player changes the game each time they touch the basketball. A player who commands gravity pulls defenders towards them above expected. Measuring how much attention they draw compared to what the spacing on the floor predicts.
When you think about gravity, the first player that comes to mind is someone like Stephen Curry. But the NBA does not have an official stat in its database. The W is being innovative with how they track data using AI technology. The Mystics are learning to adjust their game plan around this new technology as well.
Mystics Young Stars:Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are already two players who defenses are scheming against, which is quite the accomplishment. Both of them are second-year players at the young age of 22. They became All-Stars as rookies last season. The league is being put on notice of how good they are.
Citron led the league in 3-point percentage last season at 44.5%. That type of shooting will definitely command plenty of attention from defenses. With her poise under pressure at such a young age, Citron will only get better, and defenses will have to adjust to stop her. She is currently first in the gravity stat.
Iriafen was amongst the top six in the league in multiple rebounding categories. Last season, she was fourth in rebounds per game and third in total rebounds. This all contributed to her being fifth in double-doubles. Iriafen is also a player who attacks the rim constantly in the paint. Her play style warrants a lot of defensive attention.
Shakira Austin has improved in every aspect of her game. She is in the running for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. With her putting up career-highs across the board, she is demanding more attention. Austin is embracing her leadership role with this young team, and that comes with the responsibility of the teamâs game-planning to stop her. She is amongst the leaders in gravity as well.
https://twitter.com/mysticslead/status/2059642175785173344?s=46\
Coaching Adjustments:Mystics Head Coach Johnson talked more about how their game plan has changed to compensate for the added attention. For a rebuilding team that has exceeded expectations, having three players rank among the league leaders in gravity is another sign that the Mysticsâ young core is ahead of schedule.
Austin, Citron, and Iriafen are not only producing statistically, but they are also forcing opponents to adjust their game plans every night. As defenses continue to key in on Washingtonâs emerging stars, the challenge will be finding ways to capitalize on that attention. If the Mystics can do that consistently, their rising trio will continue to be one of the most difficult groups in the WNBA to defend and a major reason for the franchiseâs bright future.
The post Austin, Citron, Iriafen, All Amongst the WNBAâs Newest Stat appeared first on The Lead.
Rapper Kid Cudi visited the Indiana Fever during their Wednesday practice and even got a signed Caitlin Clark shirsey.
Cudi, a Fever fan, described visiting the Fever practice as "a big deal" for him, something he's been wanting to do for a while now. As he was in the area for his ongoing music tour, it presented the perfect opportunity.
It's really cool to see a major artist like Cudi get a chance to meetwith what looks to be his favorite WNBA team. Maybe some of the Fever players would be able to check out his Wednesday night concert in return?
As Caitlin Clark begins her third WNBA season with the ultimate goal of bringing a championship back to the Indiana Fever this year, the former Hawkeye received yet another prestigious honor on June 8, as Time Magazine named her to its inaugural "100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026" list.
For convenience and organization purposes, Time Magazine split the 100 names listed into four categories: "Icons," "Titans," "Innovators," and "Leaders."
As for Clark, she was listed in the "Icons" category alongside 25 other global superstar athletes, including fellow WNBA icon A'Ja Wilson.
CC continues to shine đ«đ°
congrats to Caitlin Clark on being named to @TIME's 100 most influential people in sports 2026 list. pic.twitter.com/5EbP6nQxpS
Below is the excerpt that Time Magazine Senior Correspondent Sean Gregory wrote on Clark:
"When the history of womenâs basketball is written, expect a chapterâor two or threeâ on Caitlin Clark, whose showmanship and three-point exploits, in both college and the WNBA, have brought unprecedented attention to the game. As Clark broke the all-time Division I college scoring record at Iowa a few years back, her games regularly delivered record ratings and fans flocked to her as if she were a pop star. Her celebrity shifted to the pros: during her 2024 rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Clarkâwho won the leagueâs Rookie of the Year honorsâappeared in the most-watched WNBA games ever on ABC, CBS, ESPN, and ESPN2, and Fever games were moved to NBA and NHL arenas in Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., to accommodate larger crowds. The question of whether envious rival players were going out of their way to foul her hard on the courtâor if rough play is just part of the gameâsparked fevered national discourse. In 2025, Clark missed a majority of her sophomore pro season with injuries; in the first game of 2026, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 1,000-plus points, 250-plus rebounds, and 250-plus assists. Clark reached these milestones in just 54 career games, while the previous record holder, WNBA all-time leading scorer Diana Taurasi, needed 62."
While it is a tremendous honor for Clark to be included in the group of the world's top athletes, such as LeBron James, Hilary Knight, Shohei Ohtani, and Lionel Messi, the two-time WNBA All-Star has expressed her desire to not only return to her dominant form but also become even better with each day.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark named to TIME's 100 most influential people in sports
We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
The Commissioner's Cup is well underway -- Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones have you covered with the early returns. They talk through the standings, discuss some of the most important upcoming matchups, and then bounce around the league with a few observations.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com
(2:06) Standings check-in
(5:23) Toronto Tempo
(10:46) Portland Fire
(20:08) Los Angeles Sparks
(23:46) New York Liberty
(28:41) Las Vegas Aces
(37:58) Is the WNBA hierarchy being established?
(41:12) Phoenix Mercury
A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates during the game against the Seattle Storm on June 8, 2026 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)đ„ïž Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel
Check out all episodes of The Dunker Spot and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv
Chip Somodevilla-Pool via Imagn ImagesFor decades, one of the perks of winning a championship in a major sport was the opportunity to visit the White House and meet the president of the United States. The Las Vegas Aces celebrated their 2022 WNBA Championship at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris, but they wonât have the chance this year.
Despite winning the WNBA Championship back in October, the Las Vegas Aces did not receive an invitation to the White House by United States President Donald Trump, a team spokesperson told USA Today. It marks the second consecutive season that the WNBA champion did not receive an invite. In fact, Trump has never invited a WNBA champion to the White House during any of the six years of his presidency.
According to USA Today, the Aces considered visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture as an alternate way to commemorate the championship in Washington D.C. in lieu of an invitation to the White House, but they could not make it work due to scheduling conflicts.
Not Just the WNBAWhile itâs certainly noteworthy that Trump has not invited a single WNBA team to celebrate their championship at the White House, itâs worth noting that this isnât unique to womenâs basketball â he hasnât invited a single NBA Champion, either.
âThe scarcity of womenâs sports championship visits for Pres. Donald Trumpâs White House is one thing, but the glaring trend is that this is his sixth year in office and he has yet to host a single WNBA or NBA team,â Callie Fin of USA Today wrote in a post on X.
Trump, who claims to be a lifelong fan of the New York Knicks, did attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Itâs not clear whether or not the Knicks woud receive or accept an invitation if they are able to win the Championship.
Decision Sparks OutrageNeedless to say, the decision not to invite the Aces to the White House quickly sparked outrage amongst fans on social media.
âI mean I know my Aces team would refuse but not even an invitation??? not surprised tho,â one fan wrote in a post on X.
âEven if it was gonna be a declined invite, like come on nowâŠ. thats crazy and I shouldnât be surprised but I AM,â someone else added.
âLoser, couldnât stand the rejection,â another fan wrote.
âMind u [Kamala Harris] would have had them folks suited and booted bright n early to congratulate them,â someone else added.
âItâs kind of funny actually that Trump just, like, doesnât think that womenâs sports are real,â another fan wrote.
âCome on now,â someone else wrote.
At this point, itâs a clear pattern for Trump.
The post âThatâs crazyâ: Donald Trump sparks outrage for refusing to invite WNBA champion to White House appeared first on The Comeback: Todayâs Top Sports Stories & Reactions.