All articles tagged with #wnba
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White drew criticism after she subbed Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston early in the first quarter of a 16-point loss to expansion Portland Fire, with White calling it proactive workload management; a tense exchange between White and Clark and a mid-game substitution of Raven Johnson kept the spotlight on the star duo as Indiana tries to build momentum this season.
Three weeks into the WNBA season, the Minnesota Lynx sit atop the standings at 5-2, buoyed by Olivia Miles and smart signings, with the Las Vegas Aces (4-3) and Golden State Valkyries (5-2) close behind. Atlanta Dream (4-2) and Dallas Wings (5-3) occupy the upper tier, while Indiana Fever (4-3) and Portland Fire (5-3) show promise from young rosters. The rest of the league has been inconsistent—New York Liberty and Toronto Tempo sit at 4-4, but injuries and coaching look to shape outcomes, and Los Angeles Sparks (3-3), Chicago Sky (3-4), Washington Mystics (3-3), Seattle Storm (3-5), Phoenix Mercury (2-6), and Connecticut Sun (1-8) are still chasing rhythm, with Connecticut hopeful Leila Lacan’s return offering a spark.
Clark scored 16 on 3-of-12 shooting and added six assists in Indiana's 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, then declined to speak with reporters after the game, highlighting ongoing media-access questions under the WNBA rule allowing individual interviews outside postgame press conferences and the potential fines for players who skip media obligations.
The Connecticut Sun waived guard Hailey Van Lith to clear a roster spot for Leila Lacan, who is set to debut after winning the title with Basket Landes and earning Finals MVP. Van Lith, a former 11th overall pick by the Chicago Sky in 2025, averaged 8.1 points in 9 games with Connecticut this season. Lacan averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals as a rookie for Connecticut and is expected to be an instant contributor. Van Lith may pursue another opportunity or a developmental contract with the Sun.
Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500 career assists, but the Indiana Fever fell 90-88 to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco; she finished with 16 points, six assists and four rebounds, bringing her season totals to 1,118 points and 503 assists in her 59th game.
Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500 career assists in the second quarter, finishing with 16 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals as the Indiana Fever fell 90-88 to the Golden State Valkyries. Cunningham added 11 points off the bench, with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. The Fever led late but Aliyah Boston missed a potential tying shot with three seconds left, sealing the narrow loss; the Valkyries improved to 5-2 while Indiana dropped to 4-3.
The Connecticut Sun waived guard Hailey Van Lith after nine games this season, the second time this month she’s been cut (she was released by the Chicago Sky earlier). Van Lith averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists for the Sun; her 2025 rookie year numbers were modest (3.5 PPG in 29 games for Chicago as a reserve). With questions about playing time, potential landing spots named include the Phoenix Mercury, Toronto Tempo, or Portland Fire, though minutes may still be limited as teams recalibrate for 2025.
UFC President Dana White dismissed comparisons between fighter pay and the WNBA’s $270,000 minimum, arguing UFC contracts are designed to test newcomers before big guarantees while promising ongoing earnings growth under a new seven-year Paramount deal, with boosted post-fight bonuses (up to $100,000) that aim to broaden pay for more fighters, even as some fighters say changes have been slow since the deal began.
Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum sprained her ankle in practice and will miss at least a week, forcing the team to lean on its depth as they prepare for a clash with the Washington Mystics (and a matchup with the Connecticut Sun). Plum, who leads the league with 26.8 PPG and adds 6.3 assists on high efficiency (58.9% FG, 48.8% 3PT), will be evaluated in a week, prompting teammates like Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby to step up as Sparks adjust offensively.
Azzi Fudd erupted for 17 of her season-high 24 in the third quarter as Dallas turned a one-point halftime deficit into a 91-76 win over New York, aided by seven wings in the period. Paige Bueckers added 24, Satou Sabally 20, and Arike Ogunbowale 19 for Dallas. Sabrina Ionescu, returning from a foot injury, had 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in her season debut for the Liberty (3-3). Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was out for personal reasons. Dallas improves to 4-3 and hosts Las Vegas next; New York hosts Portland.
Caitlin Clark piled up 22 points and 9 assists as the Indiana Fever defeated the Golden State Valkyries 90-82, with Sophie Cunningham contributing 11 off the bench. Indiana’s starting five combined for 70 points to control the game, while the Valkyries’ bench—led by Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen—kept it close. The Fever improve to 4-2 and the Valkyries drop to 3-2, with a rematch set in the Bay Area on Thursday.
Clark was scratched with a back injury after the Fever hadn’t listed her on the prior day’s injury report, drawing WNBA scrutiny. Clark later said the decision came down to her confidence and health, stressing there was no pre-arranged load management and praising her medical team as she works to return when she’s 100%.
The WNBA issued an official warning to the Indiana Fever for failing to disclose Caitlin Clark’s injury ahead of a game vs. Portland, as the league requires injury designations by 5 p.m. the day before. The Fever described Clark’s absence as a back issue being managed, with no monetary penalty imposed. Clark later returned to play, and Indiana won 90-73, underscoring her impact on attendance and the league’s focus on injury reporting.
Media and fans are demanding clearer injury reporting after the Indiana Fever listed Caitlin Clark as inactive for a game due to a back issue, prompting debate over whether the WNBA should mandate standardized injury designations and more transparent player availability.
Indiana Fever expect Caitlin Clark to potentially return Friday against the Golden State Valkyries after being sidelined with a back injury for Wednesday’s game; the team is taking a cautious approach for 2026. Clark previously played 31 minutes in the season opener after briefly consulting medical staff for back tightness and has posted strong early numbers (about 24.3 PPG, 9.0 APG, 5.0 RPG) as the Fever boast a higher net rating with her on the floor.