Press Release

NEW YORK, July 16, 2026 – The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) game between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings, originally scheduled for tonight at 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET), has been postponed due to travel delays caused by mechanical issues with the New York Liberty&#8217;s charter flight.
The game has been rescheduled for Monday, July 20, at 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET). The Dallas Wings will honor all tickets purchased for the original game date.

liberty-wings-postponed

Game Between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings Postponed

Team News

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-199787" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png" alt="" width="2560" height="100" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-300x12.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1024x40.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-768x30.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1536x60.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-2048x80.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Editor&#8217;s Note: Read more WNBA coverage from the Athletic <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/wnba/">here</a>. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.
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<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-265683" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T114533.188-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />
NEW YORK — Cheryl Reeve knows how to win better than anybody in the WNBA.
She proved as much Wednesday night, when the Minnesota Lynx beat the Connecticut Sun on the road, 86-80, making her the winningest coach in WNBA history. Reeve, who already owns the WNBA’s playoff wins record, tied Mike Thibault (379-289) for the WNBA’s record for most regular-season wins with the Lynx’s win over the Dallas Wings on June 28.
Her 380th victory isolates her atop the mountain.
“I’m so glad this is over,” Reeve said on the postgame broadcast.
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What makes Cheryl Reeve so good at building a roster?
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“I learned a lot from Mike through the years,” she added. “Tremendous coach. So much respect that we’ve had for each other through the years. I know he’s happy for me. And somebody’s going to pass me and I’ll be happy for them, too.”
This season’s 16-6 record especially validates her coaching prowess.
Reeve, a four-time WNBA champion, has missed the playoffs only twice in her 17-year tenure as the Lynx coach — her first season in 2010 and in 2022. Still, Minnesota was expected to have a down year entering 2026.
The Lynx, after all, lost two key contributors in Alanna Smith, 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and forward Jessica Shepard, both of whom signed with the Dallas Wings as unrestricted free agents. Reeve took a swing at 11-time All-Star and 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike and struck out. And although she re-signed her second- and third-leading scorers in Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, respectively, legitimate questions lingered about what the Lynx would look like without MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier, who has been sidelined since undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles.
Yet where many saw question marks, Reeve had answers.
She brought back Natasha Howard, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, and signed 10-year WNBA journeywoman Nia Coffey, inking both of them to two-year deals. Reeve’s biggest coup, however, was her 2024 draft-day trade with the Chicago Sky, which translated to the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft, which she used to select <a title="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7334730/2026/06/04/olivia-miles-rookie-3-point-record-lynx-valkyries/" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7334730/2026/06/04/olivia-miles-rookie-3-point-record-lynx-valkyries/" data-index="0" data-outlook-id="5a0ead77-b9f5-499c-bf33-8dabd4c0cdfb">Olivia Miles</a>.
McBride led the way on Wednesday with a game-high 23 points. Williams and Howard added 12 apiece and Dorka Juhász added 12 off the bench in her second game back for the Lynx after suffering a right foot injury in April.
Roughly halfway through the season, the Lynx are No. 1 in the league standings with the best net rating (11.8) — even without their MVP-caliber franchise player.
On June 27, Reeve was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
“She is just brilliant in what she does,” Miles, who was sidelined for her second consecutive game with a right calf injury, said of Reeve on Friday. “She understands how to use players to their strengths. You see (Howard) playing out of her mind. Everyone thought she was done. She’s playing some of her best basketball of her career. It’s things like that that Cheryl sees in players and allows people to raise to their full potential.”
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-265685" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/07/Thumbnail-2026-07-09T120247.587-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />
The four-time Coach of the Year was hired by the Lynx in 2010 after eight seasons as a WNBA assistant, including the Detroit Shock’s final four seasons (2006-2009) when they made three WNBA Finals appearances and won two titles.
In 2017, she added the role of general manager to her plate, and in 2022, she was promoted to president of Lynx basketball operations. She is the last remaining dual coach and general manager in the WNBA, making her accomplishments all the more staggering.
Between 2011 and 2017, she solidified the Lynx as a WNBA dynasty, winning four titles and making six finals appearances over that span. Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen, two standouts in the Lynx championship quartet, now share the sideline with Reeve as assistants.
Brunson, who joined Reeve’s staff in 2020 after officially retiring that February, has been part of all but 18 of Reeve’s wins. Whalen accounts for 247 of Reeve’s regular-season wins after retiring in 2018 and joining Minnesota’s coaching staff in 2025. Eric Thibault was another addition to Reeve’s staff last year.
Thibault drafted Whalen to the Connecticut Sun with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft. She played six seasons for Thibault before being traded to the Lynx in 2010. He spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach on his father Mike Thibault’s staff in Washington.
“Lindsay’s responsible for a whole bunch of my wins and my son’s been part of a bunch of them, too,” Mike Thibault said. “I’ve been giving him crap about helping her break my record.”
The elder Thibault spent 13 of his 20 seasons competing for wins against Reeve.
Early in Reeve’s tenure as a head coach, the pair started a preseason tradition of conducting a joint practice for one day before their teams played each other in an exhibition game. In 2024, they won an Olympic gold medal together at the Paris Summer Games, Reeve as the head coach and Thibault as an assistant.
In his final season before retiring in the fall of 2022, he got his 273rd career win in what would be his last meeting against Reeve and the Lynx.
“If anybody was going to break it, I’m happy it’s her,” Thibault told The Athletic. “I think it will sit for a long time, too, because we have a lot of young coaches in the league with a long way to go.”
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/annie-costabile/">Annie Costabile</a> is a Senior Writer for The Athletic covering the WNBA and women&#8217;s basketball at large. Before joining The Athletic, she worked as a women&#8217;s sports reporter for Front Office Sports and, prior to that, was a sports reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times for seven years, where she covered the Chicago Sky and women&#8217;s sports. Annie also served as the high school preps and recruiting editor at The Clarion-Ledger. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa, based in Brooklyn.

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Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Sets WNBA Regular-Season Wins Record

Associated Press

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Kayla McBride scored 23 points, and Minnesota beat the Connecticut Sun 86-80 on Wednesday night to give Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve the WNBA record for career wins.
Reeve has 380 regular-season wins, one more than Mike Thibault, whose son Eric Thibault is Minnesota’s associate head coach.
“I am so glad this is over,” Reeve said.
A four-time WNBA coach of the year, Reeve was hired by the Lynx in 2010 and has led the franchise to each of its four championships — tied with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm for the most in history.
“(I) learned a lot from Mike through the years,” Reeve added. “I know he’s happy for me. And somebody’s going to pass me and I’ll be happy for them, too.”
After Reeve tied Thibault with an <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/lynx-wings-score-84a5279cc73948c488be1f6f9bc9d97a" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">85-77</a> win at Dallas on June 28, the Lynx (16-6) lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. Minnesota — which moved a half-game in front of Las Vegas, the defending WNBA champion, atop the standings — <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/lynx-wins-record-wnba-reeve-183af642b1aea74c5b080da21f44bc06" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">lost Friday at New York in her first chance</a> to set the record, then fell <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/sun-lynx-score-41e42bb139a33bb429ae87ad007fc90a" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">90-89</a> to the Sun at home on Monday.
Natasha Howard had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.
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<div id="nd2ga69zh1" class="fs-feed-ad" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" data-google-query-id="CP3q2vT2xJUDFRXg0gQdI7QpNQ">Leila Lacan had 15 points, six assists and six rebounds for Connecticut (5-17) and Olivia Nelson-Ododa scored 14.</div>
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Cheryl Reeve Breaks WNBA Record for Coaching Wins as Lynx Beat Sun 86-80

July 7, 2026 (Toronto, ON) — The Toronto Tempo announced today that NBA champion Kyle Lowry and entrepreneur and philanthropist Ayahna Cornish-Lowry have joined the team’s ownership group, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to growing women’s basketball and investing in the future of the sport in Canada. 
Beloved by basketball fans across the country, Lowry spent nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors, helping lead the franchise to its first NBA Championship in 2019 while becoming one of the most respected and beloved players in team history. Throughout his career, Lowry has been recognized not only for his leadership on the court, but also for his lasting impact on the Toronto community. This announcement comes on the heels of Lowry announcing his retirement with the Toronto Raptors.  
Cornish-Lowry is an accomplished athlete, entrepreneur, philanthropist and dedicated advocate for youth and families. She was a star player at St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania, named the squad’s Best Offensive Player for two consecutive seasons. Through her leadership and the couple’s work with the Lowry Love Foundation, she has helped create meaningful opportunities for underserved communities while championing education, wellness and the power of sport to create positive change. Together, Lowry and Cornish-Lowry have been longtime supporters of the women’s game and have remained committed to growing basketball for future generations. 
“We are a huge basketball family and have been big supporters of the WNBA since day one,” said Lowry and Cornish-Lowry. “This feels like a true full circle moment to announce our ownership in the Tempo. We’re excited to help build something special in Toronto, inspire the next generation of athletes and fans, and support the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.” 
“Kyle and Ayahna have made an immeasurable impact on the game of basketball and on the city of Toronto,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and the Toronto Tempo. “Their commitment to community, their passion for growing the game and their belief in the future of women’s sports make them outstanding additions to our ownership group. We are proud to welcome them to the Tempo family.” 
More information about the Toronto Tempo, including details on tickets and merchandise, can be found at <a href="http://www.tempo.wnba.com/">tempo.wnba.com.</a> 
About Toronto Tempo 
In May 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced its expansion into Canada by awarding Toronto an expansion team, the league’s first outside the United States. The new team, controlled by Kilmer Sports Ventures, will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise. Sephora Canada and CIBC are the team’s first announced founding partners. Larry Tanenbaum is Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and a 30-year veteran of building championship-caliber teams. 
For additional information on the Toronto Tempo, please contact: 
Bri Bijman – <a href="mailto:bbijman@tempobasketball.com">bbijman@tempobasketball.com</a> – 437-324-8318

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Kyle Lowry and Ayahna Cornish-Lowry Join Toronto Tempo Ownership Group

Cheryl Reeve can taste the all-time regular-season wins record.
The Minnesota Lynx head coach, who already holds the record for most combined regular-season and postseason victories by a WNBA coach in the league’s history, and who already has four championships with the Lynx during an epic, dynastic run in the 2010s, is set to overtake Mike Thibault as the league’s winningest regular-season coach.
The former head coach of both the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics has 379 regular-season wins, while Reeve has 377 as of June 24. The Lynx are also atop the league’s standings with a 13-4 record, and have shown no signs of regression thus far. She could tie the record as soon as Sunday, June 28, against the Dallas Wings and could overtake Thibault on July 3 against the New York Liberty. ​
Reeve has navigated quite a career with Minnesota, both defying recent precedent by remaining the head coach despite multiple missed opportunities for a championship and continuing to help the Lynx thrive despite a major injury to a perennial MVP candidate in Napheesa Collier.
Looking back on Reeve’s career, though, neither of these outcomes should come as a shock.
<h2>Reeve’s Beginnings, Lynx Dynasty</h2>
<div id="attachment_264422" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-264422" class="wp-image-264422 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140206.070-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2014 WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Maya Moore</div>
Coming into the fold for Minnesota in 2010, Reeve was expected to correct a ship that had gone off course due to injuries to both Seimone Augustus and Candice Wiggins. Again, Reeve had to navigate injuries to Minnesota&#8217;s star players, much as she’s doing today. While the team went 13-21 in her first season as the head coach, things turned around in a big way the following season. ​
Another startling parallel between the early Reeve days and their present iteration? The team did a 180 from a struggling franchise to a championship winner thanks to both Wiggins and Augustus returning healthy and rookie Maya Moore coming into the fold. It was the first of four championships for the franchise during the 2010s, and Moore was the one who added “oomph” for Reeve’s roster that pushed them over that hump four total times.
Players from that era have had nothing but wonderful things to say about Reeve, with Augustus offering a perfect example of this. She told Mitchell Hansen of Canis Hoopus back in 2023 that, “To go through that process and see the sacrifices that were made amongst all players and staff to make this, it was amazing to be part of that. That was probably my best basketball experience in my journey, and I’ve had many great moments, but we came in as strangers, and we ended up being family toward the end of it.”
Moore, who stepped away from basketball in 2019 and never returned, earned praise from Reeve, who shared her unwavering support for the superstar’s decision to focus on social justice and advocacy rather than basketball.
When Moore helped to successfully secure the release of Jonathan Irons back in 2020, Reeve put out a statement on behalf of the Lynx organization, stating:
“…we are so proud of Maya for earning the biggest win of her career. I am sure that she was voted MVP of this championship, too. This time, there is no hardware to take home to the trophy case, just a wrongfully convicted black man walking free.”
Her support for stars like Augustus, Moore, and others throughout her dynasty just adds to her importance to the Lynx organization and explains why so many players have stuck by her throughout her nearly decade-long tenure in the league.
In 18 seasons as the Lynx’s head coach, Reeve has only missed out on the postseason twice (so far, although it would take a collapse of epic proportions for the Lynx to miss out on the playoffs in 2026). Her cache as a head coach continues to grow, especially as we look ahead to this week and next week’s game, which can further cement her into the fabric of the WNBA.
<h2>Miles Restoring the feeling for Minnesota, Reeve</h2>
<div id="attachment_264423" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-264423" class="wp-image-264423 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140412.986-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />Olivia Miles #5 and Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx</div>
As mentioned, Reeve managed to bounce back with the Lynx in 2011 thanks to both key players returning from injury and Maya Moore&#8217;s sensational debut that season.
Miles, who was taken by the Lynx at 2nd overall, was praised by Reeve as the team’s first “real” point guard since Lindsey Whalen, adding, “she’s just really gifted.” She is, in a way, Reeve’s second swing at injecting rookie talent onto a roster already chock-full of veteran, postseason-proven pieces ready to run through a wall for a championship in 2026.
If her words on drafting Miles weren’t enough of an endorsement, the fact that Miles was fully given the reins of the Lynx’s backcourt as a rookie should speak even more to Reeve’s infatuation with the rookie. Reeve famously doesn’t give rookies much burn, but Miles is averaging 30.4 minutes per game along with 4.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. She’s well on her way to a Rookie of the Year award, All-WNBA first-team honors, and might already be making enough noise for some MVP votes. ​
Moore, similarly, netted a ROTY award in her rookie season, and she also earned All-Rookie honors in addition to an All-Star team nod. The same is likely in the cards for Miles, especially with Reeve giving her so much rope to lead this Lynx team to what looks like another postseason with high expectations.
This is all happening, of course, with no Collier on the floor for Minnesota. She’s continuing to recover from an ankle injury suffered in last year’s playoffs, but she’ll be ready to go far before the start of the WNBA playoffs. While chemistry could be a concern between Miles and Collier, having Reeve as the commander of this operation should bring some hope to Lynx fans that the duo will look just as electric as they do on paper when they’re actually on the court with one another. 
​
<h2>What Miles and Collier Could Look Like for Minnesota</h2>
<div id="attachment_264424" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-264424" class="wp-image-264424 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-24T140534.718-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />The Minnesota Lynx celebrate after the game against the Atlanta Dream</div>
Miles’ passing and Collier’s cutting are a match made in heaven. Natasha Howard, who has been filling in for Collier this season, is leading the WNBA in points in the paint per game (13.9). That’s no coincidence with Miles on the floor alongside her. They bounce off one another, especially in transition, which has helped them become one of the league&#8217;s faster offenses this season.
Her gravity is also weaponized by Reeve, as Miles has the second-most perimeter on-ball gravity minutes per game in the league (20) and second-most interior on-ball gravity minutes per game (4.6). ​
When Collier returns, that gravity might decrease, as Collier is a three-level scoring threat that warrants doubles from almost anywhere on the floor. But that just opens the door wide open for Miles, or Kayla McBride, or Courtney Williams, or any other number of Minnesota’s scoring threats to let loose. ​
Reeve is in a prime position to open up yet another dynasty run in 2026. At minimum, with Miles now fully integrated onto the roster and with Collier yet to return, Minnesota is the biggest threat to unseat the Las Vegas Aces as they careen towards another strong postseason push amid their current dynasty.

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Architect of a Dynasty: Cheryl Reeve Nears WNBA History with New Rookie Catalyst

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-199787" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png" alt="" width="2560" height="100" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-300x12.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1024x40.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-768x30.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1536x60.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-2048x80.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Editor&#8217;s Note: Read more WNBA coverage from the Athletic <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/wnba/">here</a>. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.
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<div id="attachment_264369" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-264369" class="wp-image-264369 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/06/Thumbnail-2026-06-23T161453.924-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />Brittney Griner #42 of the Connecticut Sun</div>
Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner broke the WNBA’s career blocks record on Monday night, swatting away a shot for the 878th time when she rejected Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso with 6:24 left to play in the third quarter.
That pushed Griner past Margo Dydek, who set the previous record as a member of the Sun.
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“It’s something that I’ve always went after, the one record that I really cared about and paid attention to,” Griner said after the game. “Blocking shots, I’m helping my team out on defense, keeping them out of the paint, challenging shots, so it’s always made me a good defender when I try to lock in on that.”
Dydek led the WNBA in blocked shots eight times during an 11-year career spanning 323 games. Griner has led the league in blocks eight times as well, though she needed 364 games to reach Dydek’s total. However, Griner missed the entire 2022 season while <a title="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4180983/2022/03/23/detained-wnba-star-brittney-griner-in-good-condition-in-russia-says-u-s-state-department-official/" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4180983/2022/03/23/detained-wnba-star-brittney-griner-in-good-condition-in-russia-says-u-s-state-department-official/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-outlook-id="ffd5a219-6f20-408d-96af-7fe3551445d8">detained in Russia</a> on drug-smuggling charges. In 2021, the longtime Phoenix Mercury star finished second in the voting for league MVP.  She made the All-Star team in consecutive seasons after her release from Russia and return to the U.S. in December 2022.
The Sun won the game against the Sky, 92-63, and Griner finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. The victory improved their record to 3-15 on the year, their last in Connecticut before they <a title="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277561/2026/05/13/wnba-sun-sale-connecticut-houston-relocation/" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277561/2026/05/13/wnba-sun-sale-connecticut-houston-relocation/" data-outlook-id="b1de7d86-310a-4cfa-b737-250ffd7d82e8">relocate next season to Houston </a>— Griner’s hometown — and rebrand as the once-defunct Comets.
 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sabreena-merchant/">Sabreena Merchant</a> is a women&#8217;s basketball Staff Writer for The Athletic. She previously covered the WNBA and NBA for SB Nation. Sabreena is an alum of Duke University, where she wrote for the independent student newspaper, The Chronicle. She is based in Los Angeles.
</div>

brittney-griner-sets-all-time-blocks-record

Brittney Griner Sets All-Time WNBA Blocks Record With 878th Of Her Career

GM Survey

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-259920 size-full alignnone" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/UPDATED_V3_2026_WNBA_GM-Survey_16X9-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
The WNBA is stepping into a defining new era. From A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to a wave of generational talent across every draft class, the league’s depth continues to grow entering its 30th year. With expansion underway and <a href="http://wnba.com/news/wnba-wnbpa-tentative-cba-deal-2026">a new Collective Bargaining Agreement</a> set to take effect, the annual General Manager Survey offers a snapshot of a league already in motion.
The rise of second-year guard Paige Bueckers has the Dallas Wings selected as the most fun team to watch and most improved entering 2026, with Bueckers also the top choice among general managers as the player to sign when building a franchise.
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wilson-2025-mvp">Reigning MVP Wilson</a> is predicted to dominate once again and is the top choice to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/las-vegas-aces-finals-accolades-2025">defending champion</a> Las Vegas Aces are also favored to repeat as Finals winners.
Following a whirlwind offseason marked by significant player movement, Gabby Williams (Golden State) and Angel Reese (Atlanta) are named the two most impactful offseason acquisitions, while the Valkyries and the Dream were voted the top defensive teams, respectively.
Elsewhere on the survey, the effects of the new CBA are already shaping roster construction, and GMs identify the addition of two developmental roster spots as the biggest adjustment heading into this season.
WNBA GMs responded to 42 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 15 GMs.
&gt;&gt;The results of last year’s GM Survey are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-wnba-gm-survey">here</a>.
<hr />
<h3>PREDICTIONS</h3>
Which team will win the 2026 WNBA Finals? 
1. Las Vegas – 40% 
2. New York – 33% 
3. Atlanta – 27% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 60%
<hr />
<h3>PLAYERS</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA MVP? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving: Caitlin Clark (IND); Allisha Gray (ATL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 67%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be? 
1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 33% 
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 20% 
3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Breanna Stewart (NYL); Napheesa Collier (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark – 50%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark (IND); Napheesa Collier (MIN); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); 
Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 33%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season? 
T-1. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
T-1. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Julie Allemand (TOR); Cameron Brink (LAS); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Kennedy Burke (CON); Veronica Burton (GSV); Rhyne Howard (ATL); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Leila Lacan (CON); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Satou Sabally – 20%
Who is the best point guard in the WNBA? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
3. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 7% 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark and Chelsea Gray &#8212; 50%
Who is the best shooting guard in the WNBA? 
1. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 27% 
2. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 20% 
T-3. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana – 13% 
T-3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 13% 
T-3. Allisha Gray, Atlanta – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Kelsey Plum (LVA); Kayla McBride (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark &#8211; 33%
Who is the best forward in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 47% 
T-2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 27% 
T-2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 33%
Who is the best center in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 57% 
2. Jonquel Jones, New York – 21% 
3. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 14% 
4. Brionna Jones, Atlanta – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 50%
<hr />
<h3>OFFSEASON</h3>
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? 
1. Dallas – 47% 
2. Atlanta – 33% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Chicago; Las Vegas; New York 
**Last year: Indiana – 64%
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact? 
T-1. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 27% 
T-1. Gabby Williams, Golden State 27% 
3. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles – 20% 
4. Satou Sabally, New York – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Marina Mabrey (TOR); Skylar Diggins (CHI) 
**Last year: Alyssa Thomas – 50%
What was the most underrated player acquisition? 
T-1. Ariel Atkins, Los Angeles – 21% 
T-1. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 21% 
3. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Pauline Astier (NYL); Monique Billings (IND); Kennedy Burke (CON); Nneka Ogwumike (LAS); Nyara Sabally (TOR); Erica Wheeler (LAS) 
**Last year: Sophie Cunningham, Ariel Atkins and DiJonai Carrington – 17%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason? 
1. Satou Sabally, New York &#8211; 23% 
T-2. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 15% 
T-2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Bridget Carleton (POR); Skylar Diggins (CHI); Rickea Jackson (CHI); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Jacy Sheldon (CHI); Brittney Sykes (TOR) 
**Last year: DeWanna Bonner – 33%
Which team will be most improved in 2026? 
1. Dallas – 67% 
2. Chicago – 20% 
3. Los Angeles – 13% 
**Last year: Indiana – 42%
<hr />
<h3>ROOKIES + INTERNATIONAL</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year? 
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 73% 
2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas – 20% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 7% 
**Last year: Paige Bueckers – 73%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years? 
1. Awa Fam, Seattle – 67% 
2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 33% 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga – 60%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft? 
T-1. Nell Angloma, Connecticut – 21% 
T-1. Ta&#8217;Niya Latson, Los Angeles – 21% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Gianna Kneepkens (CON); Gabriela Jaquez (CHI); Cotie McMahon (WAS); Olivia Miles (MIN); Justine Pissott (IND); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga, Aaliyah Nye and Makayla Timpson &#8211; 20%
Who is the best international player in the WNBA? 
1. Jonquel Jones, New York – 33% 
2. Janelle Salaun, Golden State – 20% 
T-3. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Leonie Fiebich (NYL); Leïla Lacan (CON); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Jonquel Jones – 50%
Which country (outside of the U.S.) is producing the best WNBA talent right now? 
1. France – 100% 
**Last year: France – 80%
<hr />
<h3>DEFENSE</h3>
Who is the best defensive player in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 53% 
2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 20% 
3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Alanna Smith (DAL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 33%
Who is the best interior defender in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson– 67%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the WNBA? 
1. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 60% 
2. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 20% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Jordin Canada (ATL); Kahleah Copper (PHX) 
**Last year: DiJonai Carrington – 27%
Which team will be the best defensive team in the WNBA? 
1. Golden State – 50% 
2. Atlanta – 36% 
T-3. Indiana – 7% 
T-3. Minnesota – 7% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 73%
<hr />
<h3>COACHES</h3>
Who is the best head coach in the WNBA? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 53% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 40% 
3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 83%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people? 
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 43% 
T-2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 14% 
T-2. Stephanie White, Indiana – 14% 
T-2. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cheryl Reeve (MIN); Karl Smesko (ATL) 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 36%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 50% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 33% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State &#8211; 7% 
T-3. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 50%
Which head coach runs the best offense? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 33% 
2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 20% 
T-3. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 13% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 13% 
T-3. Karl Smesko, Atlanta – 13% 
6. Stephanie White, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve – 45%
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his/her new team? 
1. Sandy Brondello, Toronto – 71% 
2. Jose Fernandez, Dallas – 14% 
T-3. Sonia Raman, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Chris DeMarco, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Stephanie White – 50%
Who is the best assistant coach in the WNBA? 
1. Eric Thibault, Minnesota – 36% 
T-2. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix – 18% 
T-2. Briann January, Indiana – 18% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Olaf Lange (TOR); Brandi Poole (ATL); Roneeka Hodges (CON)
Which active player will make the best head coach someday? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 50% 
2. Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago – 17% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Allen (DAL); Veronica Burton (GSV); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Alyssa Thomas (PHX) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which retired player who isn’t already coaching in the W should be? 
1. Sue Bird – 36% 
T-2. Katie Smith – 14% 
T-2. Candace Parker – 14% 
T-2. Seimone Augustus – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Harding; Lisa Leslie; Diana Taurasi 
**Last year: Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Candice Dupree and Sue Bird – 18%
<hr />
<h3>MISCELLANEOUS</h3>
Which team will be the most fun to watch? 
1. Dallas – 36% 
T-2. Atlanta – 29% 
T-2. Indiana – 29% 
4. Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Indiana – 75%
Which team has the best home-court advantage? 
1. Golden State – 64% 
2. Indiana – 21% 
3. New York – 14% 
**Last year: New York – 50%
Which team has the most promising young core? 
T-1. Dallas – 31% 
T-1. Seattle – 31% 
3. Washington – 23% 
4. Indiana – 15% 
**Last year: Indiana – 50%
Which player is the most athletic? 
1. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 31% 
2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cameron Brink (LAS); Kahleah Copper (PHX); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); Saniya Rivers (CON); Gabby Williams (GSV); A&#8217;ja Wilson (LVA); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Kahleah Copper – 36%
Which player is the best passer? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 75%
Which player is the best leader? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 79% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Chelsea Gray (LVA); Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 42%
Who is the most versatile player in the WNBA? 
1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 36% 
T-2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 21% 
T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 21% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Allisha Gray (ATL); Satou Sabally (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 42%
Which player has the best basketball IQ? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line? 
T-1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 36% 
T-1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 36% 
3. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Paige Bueckers (DAL); Arike Ogunbowale (DAL) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 25%
Which 2 teams will lead their conference in the Commissioner’s Cup to reach the championship game? 
1. Las Vegas (West) vs. New York (East) – 43% 
2. Las Vegas (West) vs. Atlanta (East) – 29% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Las Vegas vs. Indiana; Phoenix vs. Atlanta; Dallas vs. New York; Los Angeles vs. New York 
**Last year: Minnesota (West) vs. New York (East) – 50%
Which change to the league this year will require the biggest adjustment? 
1. Development Player Spots – 42% 
2. New Expansion Teams – 25% 
3. New CBA – 17% 
4. World Cup Break – 8%

2026-wnba-gm-survey

2026 WNBA GM Survey: 42 Questions Ahead of the 30th Season

Season Preview

The stage is set for the league’s 30th season! 
Following a historic 2025 season highlighted by the Golden State Valkyries’ debut, A’ja Wilson’s KIA MVP run and the Las Vegas Aces’ third WNBA title in four years, Season 30 is set to tip off on Friday, May 8, 2026.  
With the 2026 WNBA Draft (tune in to ESPN on April 13 at 7:30 pm ET!) and the debut of two additional expansion teams on the horizon, the momentum is high. Check out some of the early storylines and key dates to look out for in the action-packed 2026 WNBA Schedule.  
<hr />
<h2>Season 30 Tips Off  </h2>
The WNBA enters its landmark 30th season with WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax on Friday, May 8, with a three-game slate. The action continues through the weekend with an additional three games on Saturday, May 9 and five games on Sunday, May 10, to kick off the 44-game regular season. 
Full weekend schedule: 
Friday, May 8 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">10 pm ET: Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm </li>
</ul>
Saturday, May 9 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 pm ET: Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3:30 pm ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">9 pm ET: Chicago Sky vs. Portland Fire </li>
</ul>
Sunday, May 10 (5 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 PM ET: Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3 PM ET: New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Atlanta Dream vs. Minnesota Lynx </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">8:30 PM ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Golden State Valkyries </li>
</ul>
Season 30 is also highlighted with a rematch of the league’s inaugural game in 1997, with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, on the anniversary of the original matchup.
<hr />
<h2>The Home Debuts: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo </h2>
The league is expanding to a 15-team field with the highly anticipated debut of the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Each team will make their home debut during the weekend of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax. 
Toronto: Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm ET vs. Washington Mystics 
Portland: Saturday, May 9 at 9 pm ET vs. Chicago Sky 
<hr />
<h2>Aces Begin Back-to-Back Campaign, Revenge for the Mercury </h2>
The 2025 WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces will begin their campaign for another back-to-back title (previously taking home the chip in 2022 and 2023) with their first home game on Saturday, May 9, hosting a 2025 WNBA Finals rematch against the Phoenix Mercury. The teams will face-off four times this season: 
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Wednesday, June 17 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, July 11 at 4 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, September 24 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Battle of the No. 1 Picks </h2>
2023 and 2024 No. 1 overall picks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are the Indiana Fever’s dynamic duo. Soon, the newest top selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft will join the Dallas Wings and team up with the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. The rookie duos will match up three times, with the first game coming Saturday, May 9. 
Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 2 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Friday, August 14 at 7:30 pm ET (@ Indiana) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, August 20 at 8 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
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<h2>Commissioner&#8217;s Cup Presented by Coinbase</h2>
The sixth annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase in-season tournament will take place Monday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 17. The Dallas Wings will kick off the two-game slate on opening night hosting the inaugural cup champions, the Seattle Storm. Following cup play, the top teams from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference will go head-to-head in the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship. Who will be crowned the next Cup champion? 
<hr />
<h2 data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 takes Chicago<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> </h2>
The W is heading back to the Windy City! AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 will take place Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, hosted by the Chicago Sky.<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> 
<hr />
<h2>Additional Key Dates: </h2>
Monday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 16: FIBA break 
Thursday, September 24: Last day of regular season 
Stay tuned for more updates around WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally, the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel and WNBA Finals dates!

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2026 WNBA Schedule Release: Key Dates and What to Know 

Redesigned Logos and Wordmarks Usher in Next Era of Mercury Basketball Ahead of Franchise’s 30th Season

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury today introduced a new modernized brand look with redesigned logos and wordmarks that celebrate the legacy of the past and embrace the future – ushering in the next era of Mercury basketball with the team’s first-ever rebrand. To celebrate the launch, the Mercury will host a Merc Merch Swap, a first-of-its-kind community giveback initiative that offers fans an opportunity to trade in merchandise for a Mercury T-Shirt with the new logo.“The new branding represents the Mercury’s championship legacy, devoted fanbase and the new era that began with a record-breaking season and memorable Finals run,” said Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns Chief Executive Officer Josh Bartelstein. “While our logos have been reimagined, the Mercury’s identity remains the same – our organization’s commitment to the community and the grit and joy of our team will continue to define Mercury basketball.”The primary logo is an evolution of the iconic Mercury “M,” positioned at an angle of 19.97 degrees, a reference to the Mercury’s inaugural season. The crescent shape echoes the shadowed side of planet Mercury and introduces a prominent splash of purple. The sharp right corner of the “M” serves as a nod to the original geometric rings, symbolizing an arrow to the future and forward momentum of the franchise.The global logo features the primary emblem at the center, with four rings positioned behind it, mirroring the planetary rings on the team’s original design. The “M” divides the four rings into eight individual lines that symbolize the Mercury’s status as one of the eight original WNBA franchises.For the first time ever, the Mercury has added a secondary logo. The mark features the outline of Arizona with seams of a basketball to celebrate the state as the epicenter of basketball and the team’s dedicated fanbase. The logo also includes the official introduction of the popular “Merc” moniker into the branding, a nickname players and fans have long used to refer to the team. The Mercury’s brand toolkit also consists of a revamped PHX alternate logo which was first introduced in 2021 on the Rebel uniform. The “X” highlighted in bright orange celebrates the X-Factor, the most avid fanbase in the WNBA whose nickname was coined by Cheryl Miller, the team’s first head coach and general manager. The new wordmarks were created in an original and modern “Mighty Mercury” typeface and feature a slightly curved baseline symbolizing the horizon on Planet Mercury.The Merc Merch Swap is taking place now through Dec. 5 at the Team Shop at Mortgage Matchup Center. Fans can exchange any Mercury, WNBA or WNBA team merchandise for new Mercury merchandise. Apparel collected will be donated to Goodwill, a partner of the Phoenix Mercury. Fans who participate in the merchandise swap will also receive a voucher for 20% off a new Mercury item.Mercury apparel and hats featuring the new branding are now available at the Team Shop and online at shop.phoenixmercury.com.For additional rebrand design details, visit phxmerc.com/newlook.

Redesigned Logos and Wordmarks Usher in Next Era of Mercury Basketball Ahead of Franchise’s 30th Season
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-205657 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image002.png" alt="" width="486" height="153" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image002.png 486w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image002-300x94.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px" />
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury today introduced a new modernized brand look with redesigned logos and wordmarks that celebrate the legacy of the past and embrace the future – ushering in the next era of Mercury basketball with the team’s first-ever rebrand. To celebrate the launch, the Mercury will host a Merc Merch Swap, a first-of-its-kind community giveback initiative that offers fans an opportunity to trade in merchandise for a Mercury T-Shirt with the new logo. “The new branding represents the Mercury’s championship legacy, devoted fanbase and the new era that began with a record-breaking season and memorable Finals run,” said Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns Chief Executive Officer Josh Bartelstein. “While our logos have been reimagined, the Mercury’s identity remains the same – our organization’s commitment to the community and the grit and joy of our team will continue to define Mercury basketball.” The primary logo is an evolution of the iconic Mercury “M,” positioned at an angle of 19.97 degrees, a reference to the Mercury’s inaugural season. The crescent shape echoes the shadowed side of planet Mercury and introduces a prominent splash of purple. The sharp right corner of the “M” serves as a nod to the original geometric rings, symbolizing an arrow to the future and forward momentum of the franchise. The global logo features the primary emblem at the center, with four rings positioned behind it, mirroring the planetary rings on the team’s original design. The “M” divides the four rings into eight individual lines that symbolize the Mercury’s status as one of the eight original WNBA franchises. For the first time ever, the Mercury has added a secondary logo. The mark features the outline of Arizona with seams of a basketball to celebrate the state as the epicenter of basketball and the team’s dedicated fanbase. The logo also includes the official introduction of the popular “Merc” moniker into the branding, a nickname players and fans have long used to refer to the team. The Mercury’s brand toolkit also consists of a revamped PHX alternate logo which was first introduced in 2021 on the Rebel uniform. The “X” highlighted in bright orange celebrates the X-Factor, the most avid fanbase in the WNBA whose nickname was coined by Cheryl Miller, the team’s first head coach and general manager. The new wordmarks were created in an original and modern “Mighty Mercury” typeface and feature a slightly curved baseline symbolizing the horizon on Planet Mercury. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205659" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image003.png" alt="" width="451" height="83" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image003.png 451w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/11/image003-300x55.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /> The Merc Merch Swap is taking place now through Dec. 5 at the Team Shop at Mortgage Matchup Center. Fans can exchange any Mercury, WNBA or WNBA team merchandise for new Mercury merchandise. Apparel collected will be donated to Goodwill, a partner of the Phoenix Mercury. Fans who participate in the merchandise swap will also receive a voucher for 20% off a new Mercury item. Mercury apparel and hats featuring the new branding are now available at the Team Shop and online at shop.phoenixmercury.com. For additional rebrand design details, visit phxmerc.com/newlook.

phoenix-mercury-unveil-new-brand

Phoenix Mercury Unveil New Bold and Modernized Brand

Analysis

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-199787" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png" alt="" width="2560" height="100" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-300x12.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1024x40.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-768x30.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-1536x60.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/2560-x-100-1-2048x80.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Editor&#8217;s Note: Read more WNBA coverage from the Athletic <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/wnba/">here</a>. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.
***
Editor’s note: This article is part of the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/tag/programbuilders/" data-index="0">Program Builders</a> series, focusing on the behind-the-scenes executives and people fueling the future growth of their sports.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-203966" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134232.906.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134232.906.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134232.906-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134232.906-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134232.906-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />
Early in the third quarter of their seventh game of the season, the Atlanta Dream trailed the Seattle Storm by 17 points on the road. For much of the first half, the Dream played at a slow pace, using a stagnating offense. The ball stuck and players didn’t attack downhill the way first-year WNBA coach Karl Smesko had wanted.
Smesko called a timeout just over a minute after halftime. He reminded his players — a group that he had been coaching for less than six weeks — that the game was far from over. If they could attack the rim and get stops on defense, they would have a chance to be back in the contest.
Following the regroup, three-time All-Star Rhyne Howard attacked right, hitting a 10-foot floater and drawing a foul as well. On the ensuing Atlanta possession, Howard broke Storm center Ezi Magbegor down off the dribble, sinking another floater and drawing a foul. A 17-point deficit became 11. The Dream had life.
Atlanta went on to win by seven that night. Howard finished with 33 points, while her backcourt partner, Allisha Gray, added 28 points. That night in Seattle, Dream general manager Dan Padover reflected on what he had seen so far. “That was the first time I really started to think, ‘OK, we might have something here,’” he said.
Padover’s inclination proved true.
What the Dream turned out to have was a roster capable of amassing the most wins (30) in franchise history. Smesko won the most games for a first-year WNBA head coach, and Atlanta finished with a top four playoff seed for the first time since 2018. With a win on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Indiana Fever, the Dream could move to the league semifinals for the first time in seven years. “Big thing for us is understanding that the job is not done in this series,” Smesko said after their series-opening 80-68 victory.
When Padover was hired in October 2021, after winning executive of the year twice in three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, he said that Atlanta owner Larry Gottesdiener told him to treat the franchise as if it were an expansion team, insofar as the general manager had an ability to shape the roster however he saw fit. Padover saw the Dream’s rebuild as needing time. “Don’t skip steps,” he said. But unlike expansion teams, Atlanta lacked players. It had just three players under contract heading into the 2022 offseason.
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“We were just gonna have to do things differently,” Padover said.
Without lottery luck, that meant trades — 10 to be exact. Since 2022, the Dream acquired key draft picks (including the No. 1 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, which was used to select Howard, and a second-round selection that same year used on likely 2025 Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon) and players (including Gray and guard Jordin Canada) in deals with other teams.
There was no magic switch that flipped inside the Dream organization this season, just a gradual build that needed a steady steward.
Smesko came to Atlanta with the reputation as an offensive guru and a winner at Florida Gulf Coast. Entering the 2024 college season, he boasted the third-highest winning percentage among active coaches, behind UConn’s Geno Auriemma and LSU’s Kim Mulkey. But it’s his intentional methods that struck players right away. “Everything he says has a reason, has a purpose, and it all makes sense,” four-time All-Star center Brionna Jones said.
Smesko doesn’t put together practice plans, instead calling them “progress plans.” In training camp, he routinely stopped intra-squad scrimmages when he saw Atlanta players leaking out in transition without ensuring they saw a teammate grab a defensive rebound with two — not one, but two — eyes. (The focus has paid off, as the Dream are the No. 1 defensive rebounding team in the league.)
Atlanta is No. 2 in defensive rating, but its offensive evolution has been key, too. The Dream went from 12th in offensive rating in 2024 to second. But more than any overriding philosophy, Smesko said he has tried to keep things simple.
“I try to be careful not to overcomplicate things too much,” he said. “Let the best players in the world play, teach them how they can utilize their skills a little bit better to even become more efficient with their talents.”
For no player has that approach been more evident than Gray, who went from an All-Star-level player to the league’s best guard in 2025. She started in this year’s All-Star Game. “Just a clarifying moment of what a big-time player she’s become,” Padover said. She is likely to finish in the top four in MVP voting, averaging career-highs in points (18.4), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.5) per game.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-203967" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134506.017.png" alt="" width="2000" height="1125" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134506.017.png 2000w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134506.017-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134506.017-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/Thumbnail-2025-09-16T134506.017-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />
Atlanta acquired Gray via a trade in January 2023 with the Dallas Wings. Padover said that at the time, Atlanta’s analytics model showed she was one of the most undervalued players in the WNBA. The Dream sent Dallas their No. 3 pick and a first-round pick in 2025 in return. “I was very bullish on what she could become here,” Padover said. “I knew that she had a much higher ceiling than she currently was playing at in Dallas.”
But it would have been hard to predict this exact leap.
Padover saw a player with not only All-Star potential, but one who might want to stay in Atlanta. Gray grew up two hours south of the city and attended South Carolina. With the Dream, Gray has felt the most comfortable. “I feel like I’ve had the ultimate green light,” she said earlier this season.
It helps that she does not have to star alone. Alongside Howard, who is now one of her closest friends, Gray can feed off another play-making wing. The duo has a plus-8.7 net rating this year, the highest mark in their three years playing together. Howard has also assisted Gray 36 times this season, tied for fourth most league-wide among guard pairs.
Part of Padover’s recognition that this year might be especially notable for the Dream stems from seeing his players want to be in Atlanta. That might sound like a simple concept, he said, but as a franchise that isn’t a traditional free-agent destination, buy-in is important.
“Our foundation is coming from Atlanta,” he said. “Continuity on teams is just as big of an advantage as talent.”
The Dream signed future Hall of Famer Brittney Griner and Jones this past offseason — both moves paying dividends. Such signings have been more anomalous than expected. It’s why Padover called it a “monumental moment for our franchise.”
Last winter, Padover recognized that the job ahead was not only to win, but to convince Griner and Jones — and frankly, the rest of the league — that Atlanta could be more than a plucky story.
“Our job is day in, day out to show these players why not only they should come here, but why they should stay here,” he said. “And I’ve always said the most important thing is to recruit your own players.”
But no pitch will be stronger than a deep playoff run.
Smesko was clear in their first training camp meeting that he felt the Dream could be the league’s most improved team — they were — and that they expected to be in the playoffs — they are. He told players they had the personnel to win a championship.
“We’re not the only team that’s capable of going on a run and winning this,” he said. “So somebody’s gonna play really well, (and) you’re gonna have to probably make your own breaks a couple (of) times. But we definitely have a team that’s capable of winning the whole thing.”
He’s been asked repeatedly to reflect on their lack of postseason experience as a group.
“If you can win that first series, suddenly you’ve got experience winning a playoff series, and then you build off it from there,” he said.
“Build” is the apt word. They take pride in constructing a contender. What remains to be seen is what exactly the ceiling is.
Program Builders is part of a partnership with Range Rover Sport. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/ben-pickman/" aria-label="Ben Pickman's Author Page">Ben Pickman</a> is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the WNBA and women’s college basketball. Previously, he was a writer at Sports Illustrated where he primarily covered women’s basketball and the NBA. He has also worked at CNN Sports and the Wisconsin Center for Journalism Ethics. Follow Ben on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/benpickman" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Follow Ben on Twitter">@benpickman</a>
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Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Playoff Chase was Part of a ‘Progress Plan’

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