Before the first-ever WNBA Rivals Week tips off on Saturday, we’ll break down one must-see nationally-televised matchup over the next ten days.
Sky at Fever | Saturday, Aug. 9 | 8 ET, CBS
Rivals Week begins in Indiana with the Fever hosting the Sky in a matchup that would usually feature the college-to-pro rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. However, with those two All-Stars currently out due to injury, let’s focus on the matchup in the middle between Indiana’s Aliyah Boston (No. 1 pick in 2023) and Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso (No. 3 pick in 2024) – who are both ranked in the top five in double-doubles this season.
Indiana is 3-0 against Chicago this season and has won four straight games overall in the rivalry. After dropping two straight to end their West Coast road trip, can the Fever get back on track at home? Or can Chicago – which is 3-2 in its last five games with Ariel Aktins in the lineup – pull off the road win?
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Dream at Mercury | Sunday, Aug. 10 | 6 ET, NBA TV
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The Dream and Mercury enter their final regular-season matchup tied in the standings at 19-11, with Atlanta holding the head-to-head tiebreaker for third place in the W. The Dream enter Sunday having won six of their last seven games – with two of those wins coming against the Mercury – with All-Star Allisha Gray leading the way (20.0 ppg, 50% FG, 51.3% 3P). 
Meanwhile, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas just became the first player in WNBA history to record three straight triple-doubles and can extend that record streak on Sunday against one of the three teams she has yet to post a triple-double against (ATL, GSV, WAS).
This game marks the potential second game for former Mercury star Brittney Griner back in Phoenix. Griner is listed as day-to-day after missing Thursday’s game due to a neck injury. She had 17 points and eight rebounds in her first visiting game in the Valley on July 23.
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Liberty at Sparks | Tuesday, Aug. 12 | 10 ET, NBA TV
In a moment where the WNBA is growing at an exciting pace – set to reach 16 teams by 2030 – we can’t forget where it all started. On June 21, 1997 in Los Angeles, the first-ever WNBA game tipped off between the Liberty and Sparks. Now, 28 years later, these two OG franchises meet in the league’s first-ever Rivals Week.
How close has this matchup been historically? The Liberty hold a 34-33 lead in regular season games. But, if we include the postseason, the advantage flips to the Sparks – who swept NY in the 2002 WNBA Finals – for a 35-34 edge in all head-to-head matchups.
The 2025 edition of this rivalry features the league’s top two scoring guards – LA’s Kelsey Plum (20.4 ppg, 3rd in WNBA) and NY’s Sabrina Ionescu (20.0 ppg, 4th in WNBA) – meeting for the final time this regular season after splitting their first two games. Over their careers, Plum and Ionescu are 7-7 against each other in regular season meetings and 4-4 in playoff meetings. Who will get the edge on Tuesday?
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Liberty at Aces | Wednesday, Aug. 13 | 9:30 ET, ESPN
Many of the top rivalries in sports are forged in the playoffs – when players and teams face each other with the stakes at their highest. For these two teams – the winners of the past three WNBA titles – their paths have crossed on the way to the mountaintop.
They met in the 2023 WNBA Finals, when the Aces defeated the Liberty in four games to become the first WNBA team in over two decades to win back-to-back titles. They met again in the 2024 Semifinals, when the Liberty got their revenge by defeating the Aces in four games to return to the Finals for the sixth time in franchise history, while also ending Las Vegas’ bid for a three-peat. After ousting the Aces, the Liberty defeated the Lynx in five games to win their first WNBA title.
While Breanna Stewart will miss this Rivals Week meeting (bone bruise in knee), the past two WNBA Finals MVPs – A’ja Wilson and Jonquel Jones – will take center stage.
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Storm at Dream | Friday, Aug. 15 | 10 ET, ION
The WNBA’s first regular-season in Canada comes in the middle of Rivals Week and features two teams that have a historic connection as well as a current back-and-forth.
Back in 2010, a Storm team led by Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson swept the upstart Dream in the WNBA Finals after Atlanta reached the championship series in only its third year of existence.
Fast forward to today, and these two teams have traded wins for 10 straight games – dating back to July 2022 – including each of the past four games decided by seven points or less. This will be the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between these teams, who are separated by just three games in the standings, as both eye a return to the playoffs.
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Liberty at Lynx | Saturday, Aug. 16 | 2 ET, CBS
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Rivals Week wouldn’t be complete without a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals between Minnesota and New York – who enter this week ranked 1st and 2nd in the league standings, respectively. 
After New York defeated Minnesota in a classic five-game Finals last October, the Lynx won the first rematch on July 30 at home. Powered by Napheesa Collier’s 30 points and Kayla McBride’s 24 points and five 3s, the Lynx overcame Sabrina Ionescu’s game-high 31 points in a 100-93 win.
NY was without Breanna Stewart in that game and will be once again as she recovers from a bone bruise in her knee. Minnesota will be without Collier, who suffered an ankle injury last week. The Lynx are 3-1 this season without the league’s leading scorer, while the Liberty are 2-3 without Stewart.
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Wings at Aces | Sunday, Aug. 17 | 3:30 ET, ABC
We close out the first Rivals Week with the first pick in the most recent WNBA Draft – Dallas’ Paige Bueckers, who is just beginning to establish rivals in her debut WNBA season. This matchup with Las Vegas sees Bueckers have to face three other former No. 1 picks – Jewell Loyd (2015), A’ja Wilson (2018) and Jackie Young (2019) – for the fourth and final time this season.
While the Wings are still looking for their first win over the Aces this season, the two games that Bueckers played came down to clutch time, with Vegas prevailing by four points each time. Bueckers is averaging team highs of 18.0 points and 6.5 assists against the Aces this season, while Wilson has paced Vegas at 25.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
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Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

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Key Games to Watch: WNBA Rivals Week Presented by Ally

Get ready for the inaugural WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally.
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What is WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally?
WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally is a time when the league’s superstars and rising stars are in the spotlight, when teams compete for statement wins and playoff positioning, and fans rally for bragging rights. WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally will highlight both classic and emerging rivalries between teams and players, as some of the league’s superstars will go head-to-head in marquee matchups that define the intensity and passion of the league.
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When is WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally?
WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally is slated for August 9 through August 17, 2025.
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What are the matchups for WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally?
All times eastern
Saturday, August 9
Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever (8 pm, CBS) 
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Golden State Valkyries (8:30 pm, League Pass)
Sunday, August 10
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty (12:30 pm, ABC) 
Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings (4 pm, CBS Sports Network) 
Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury (6 pm, NBA TV) 
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angels Sparks (8 pm, League Pass) 
Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces (9 pm, NBA TV) 

Monday, August 11
Connecticut Sun vs. Golden State Valkyries (10 pm, League Pass)
Tuesday, August 12
Dallas Wings vs.  Indiana Fever (7:30 pm, ESPN) 
New York Liberty vs. Los Angeles Sparks (10 pm, NBA TV)
Wednesday, August 13
Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun (7 pm, League Pass) 
Golden State Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics (7:30 pm, League Pass) 
New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces (9:30 pm, ESPN) 
Atlanta Dream vs. Seattle Storm (10 pm, League Pass)
Friday, August 15
Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever (7:30 pm, ION) 
Golden State Valkyries vs. Chicago Sky (7:30 pm, ION) 
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings (7:30 pm, ION) 
Seattle Storm vs. Atlanta Dream (10 pm, ION) 
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury (10 pm, ION)
Saturday, August 16
New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx (2 pm, CBS)
Sunday, August 17
Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun (1 pm, NBA TV) 
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics (3 pm, League Pass) 
Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces (3:30 pm, ABC) 
Phoenix Mercury vs.  Seattle Storm (6 pm, League Pass) 
Atlanta Dream vs. Golden State Valkyries (8:30 pm, NBA TV)
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WNBA Rivals Week Presented by Ally: FAQ and Things to Know

&#8211;Ally will Serve as the Presenting Partner of the WNBA’s First-Ever “Rivals Week,” a Thrilling Showcase of Must-See Matchups August 9-17&#8211;
&#8211;New Sweepstakes from Ally Offers Fans a Chance to Win
 a Trip to AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis and $5,000&#8211;
&#8211;Ally Complements Partnership by Signing Endorsement Deal with Incoming Rookie Paige “Buckets” Bueckers&#8211;
 CHARLOTTE, N.C. and NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 &#8212; Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY), which holds the nation’s largest digital-only bank and is a leading brand in women’s sports, and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), have announced a multi-year partnership introducing Ally as a WNBA Changemaker and the official banking partner of the league.
“Ally has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to elevating women’s sports in a way that drives real impact,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.  “Their investment in the WNBA reflects shared goals for growing the game and expanding reach to more fans than ever before. As the WNBA continues to lead the way in women’s sports, brands like Ally recognize the power of aligning with our league—not just as a business decision, but as a way to drive meaningful progress. I’ve admired Ally’s commitment to women’s sports and this partnership will help amplify the incredible talent, competition, and stories that make the WNBA so special.”
As a WNBA Changemaker, Ally will focus on enhancing opportunities for fans to engage with the league and its stars, joining a collective of purpose-driven WNBA partners with a steadfast mission to empower women, girls and underrepresented groups through the power of sport.
“Partnering with the WNBA is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a statement Ally has been intent on making for quite some time,” said Ally Chief Marketing and PR Officer Andrea Brimmer. “We know from our relationships with multiple players and the Las Vegas Aces, that the W and its players are among the most popular and influential figures in American sports right now. Deepening our connection with the league gives Ally incredible new opportunities to grow our businesses as we work to elevate the WNBA fan experience together and shape this new era of women’s sports.”
As part of its new deal with the league, Ally will serve as the presenting partner of the WNBA’s first-ever “Rivals Week,” slated for Aug. 9-17, a time when the league’s superstars and rising stars are in the spotlight, when teams compete for statement wins and playoff positioning, and fans rally for bragging rights. WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally will highlight both classic and emerging rivalries between teams and players, as some of the league’s superstars will go head-to-head in marquee matchups that define the intensity and passion of the league.
Rivals Week will tip off with two must-watch games on Saturday, Aug. 9 when the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever host Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky (CBS) and the WNBA’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries host their in-state rivals, the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA League Pass).  Other key games across Rivals Week include a pair of rematches between the defending champion New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, who met in a memorable WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV last year (Aug. 10 on ABC; Aug. 16 on CBS), and a rematch of New York and the Las Vegas Aces, who battled for the title in 2023 (Aug. 13 on ESPN). The full slate of Rivals Week games can be found <a href="https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&amp;month=all">here</a>.
Complementing its league partnership and pre-existing team deal with the Las Vegas Aces, Ally also signed a new player endorsement deal with UConn star and incoming WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers. Bueckers joins Breanna Stewart, of the New York Liberty, and Sydney Colson, of the Indiana Fever, on Ally’s WNBA player roster.
Paige, Stewie and Syd teamed up for the first time to help Ally launch its That’s A “Savings” Bucket! Sweepstakes. The national sweepstakes kicks off today and plays off the bank’s popular “savings bucket” feature, offering fans a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the July 18-19 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis and $5,000 toward their savings goals. Details can be found at <a href="http://www.ally.com/sweepstakes/wnba">www.ally.com/sweepstakes/wnba</a>.
&#8220;Partnering with Ally is about more than just banking—it&#8217;s about empowering people to make their money work smarter,” said Bueckers. “As an athlete, I&#8217;ve learned that success isn&#8217;t just about the game you play, but the opportunity and resources you get access to. Ally&#8217;s commitment to helping more people make smart, informed banking decisions aligns with my own values, and I’m excited to use my platform to help others feel confident using the savings buckets to organize and achieve their savings goals.&#8221;
Fans will continue to experience the collaboration in many other ways throughout the season, as Ally will serve as the presenting partner of WNBA All-Star Voting, debut a fan activation at WNBA Live, and be the logo patch partner of the WNBA All-Star Game jerseys.
Ally’s partnership with the WNBA will also contribute significantly to the brand’s unprecedented 50/50 Pledge, an initiative Ally launched to reach parity across its paid media spend in women’s and men’s sports that has played a major role in Ally’s emergence as a true market mover in women’s sports. Ally will now integrate into the WNBA’s best-in-class media coverage as part of this relationship, investing with the league’s current and future broadcast partners as part of its media commitment. The deal advances Ally’s goal to reach parity with its paid media spending, positioning the company to hit 50/50 in 2026, a full year ahead of schedule.
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Sweepstakes Details
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes begins 9:00 a.m. ET on 4/11/25 and ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 5/15/25. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. &amp; D.C., who are at least 18 and the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST TRAVEL JULY 18-19, 2025. Visit http://www.Ally.com/Sweepstakes/WNBA to enter &amp; for Official Rules including full details, eligibility restrictions, odds and limitations. Void where prohibited.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation&#8217;s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to &#8220;Do It Right&#8221; and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.ally.com">www.ally.com</a>. Ally Bank, Member FDIC.
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit <a href="https://www.ally.com/#disclosures">https://www.ally.com/#disclosures</a>.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit <a href="http://media.ally.com">http://media.ally.com</a>.
About the WNBA
Tipping off its 29th season in 2025, the WNBA celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.  The league was ranked by Morning Consult as the fastest-growing brand in 2024, and No. 4 on Fast Company’s list of the <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/list">World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025</a>, on its way to setting records for engagement on social and digital platforms, attendance, merchandise sales and unique viewers across its broadcast partners.  The WNBA’s commitment to societal impact is supported by the first-of-its-kind WNBA Changemaker Collective, a group of purpose-driven companies that have partnered with the WNBA to enhance the player experience, build the brand of the league and players, inspire innovation and connectivity, increase media coverage and visibility, and help drive the league’s business transformation.  Ally joins AT&amp;T, Carmax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike as part of the WNBA Changemaker Collective.

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Key Games to Watch: WNBA Rivals Week Presented by Ally

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