Phoenix Mercury suspends Alyssa Thomas for incident with Caitlin Clark
Phoenix Mercury suspends Alyssa Thomas for on-court incident with Caitlin Clark.
Event / Sports
WNBA Leadership and Growth
Coverage of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's tenure, retirement, and the league's expansion and development including viewership growth, salary increases, franchise valuations, media rights agreements, and organizational challenges.
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28 articles0 articles
2026-07-20 – 2026-09-16 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 20 Jul, 03:59 UTC
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What happened
Phoenix Mercury 11-19, six games behind playoff spot
The Phoenix Mercury currently have an 11-19 record and sit six games behind the eighth-place New York Liberty for the final playoff spot. They are coming off a WNBA Finals appearance last season.
Los Angeles Sparks acquired Plum in 2025 offseason trade
The Los Angeles Sparks acquired Kelsey Plum before the 2025 season in exchange for the No. 2 overall draft pick. The team hoped to accelerate a rebuild centered around Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Seattle used that pick on Dominique Malonga, who became an All-Star in her second season.
New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream showed interest in Plum
The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream expressed interest in acquiring Kelsey Plum before the trade deadline. However, conversations with New York stalled, and the Sparks ultimately traded Plum to Phoenix.
Kelsey Plum sidelined since June with lower leg injury
Kelsey Plum has been sidelined since June 21 with a lower leg injury. She was expected to return on a minutes restriction for the Sparks' game against Portland on Sunday before being traded.
Kelsey Plum averaging career-high statistics before injury
In 12 games this season before her June 21 injury, Kelsey Plum averaged 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game, both career highs. She led the league in scoring earlier in the season.
Los Angeles Sparks trade Kelsey Plum to Phoenix Mercury
The Los Angeles Sparks traded five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury late Saturday night ahead of Sunday's WNBA trade deadline. The Sparks received Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange.
Fourth All-Star trade in WNBA history during season
The trade of Kelsey Plum marks only the fourth time in WNBA history that an All-Star has been traded during the middle of a season.
Sparks missed playoffs in 2025 and currently 10-17
The Los Angeles Sparks missed the playoffs in 2025 despite acquiring Plum. This season, they sit at 10-17 with six consecutive losses and are five and a half games behind the eighth-place Liberty, in danger of missing the postseason for a sixth consecutive year.
Plum did not plan to re-sign with Sparks
Kelsey Plum informed the Sparks that she did not plan to re-sign with Los Angeles after the current season, making her the league's top trade target. She was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
Los Angeles Sparks replace general manager Raegan Pebley
The Los Angeles Sparks parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley in July, leaving assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen in charge on an interim basis.
WNBA announces players will not be punished for betting incident
The WNBA announced on Thursday that Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will not face disciplinary action for the $400 bet shown in the deleted social media post. A league spokesperson stated the post was intended to be lighthearted and missed the mark, and the matter was addressed internally. The league said it would reemphasize to players that conversations about wagering on WNBA games can have negative consequences.
WNBA collective bargaining agreement prohibits all player wagering on league games
According to Article XIV, Section 5(c) of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, any player found to have wagered money or anything of value on the outcome or any aspect of a WNBA competition can be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from further association with the league at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. Players receive training annually reinforcing these policies.
Atlanta Dream defeats Dallas Wings 82-81 with Angel Reese posting 22 points and 12 rebounds
The Atlanta Dream rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Dallas Wings 82-81 on Wednesday night. Angel Reese recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Dream, while Paige Bueckers finished with 16 points and six assists for the Wings.
WNBA deleted social media post showing Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers betting $400 on game
The WNBA posted a video on its official social media account on Wednesday showing stars Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers placing a $400 bet with each other on the outcome of their upcoming game between the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. The video was taken during All-Star Weekend in Chicago and showed the players joking about wagering $400 on the matchup. The WNBA deleted the post shortly after publication but not before it was widely shared on social media.
Marina Mabrey scores 23 points for Team Coop in All-Star Game
Marina Mabrey contributed 23 points for Team Coop in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Gabby Williams scores 18 points in WNBA All-Star Game
Gabby Williams chipped in 18 points for Team Coop in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Breanna Stewart records 13 rebounds in All-Star Game
Breanna Stewart had 13 rebounds and scored six points for Team Coop in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga score 12 points each in All-Star Game
Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga each scored 12 points for Team Coop in the WNBA All-Star Game. Malonga added 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Jonquel Jones leads Team Spoon to WNBA All-Star Game victory
Jonquel Jones powered Team Spoon to victory in the WNBA All-Star Game against Team Coop. Team Spoon defeated Team Coop in the matchup.
Azzi Fudd wins 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest as first rookie champion
Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd won the 2026 WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest on Friday, scoring 30 points in the final round to defeat Portland Fire's Bridget Carleton, who scored 19 points. Fudd became the first rookie in WNBA history to win the All-Star 3-point contest.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
WNBA Expands Player Safety Measures Amid Online Harassment Concerns
WNBA implements charter flights and addresses online harassment targeting players with operational safety improvements.
Engelbert's WNBA tenure ends as league expands to 15 teams
Engelbert retires as WNBA Commissioner as league expands to 15 teams amid historic player agreement.
Collier and Hayes clash in heated Valkyries-Lynx altercation
Collier and Hayes clashed physically during Valkyries-Lynx game.
Valkyries defeat injury-plagued Lynx behind Zandalasini's 18 points
Valkyries beat injury-hobbled Lynx 80-66 behind Zandalasini's 18-point performance.
Liberty's playoff push strengthens with victory over playoff-contending Fever
Liberty beats Fever 109-102 to strengthen playoff position with key players returning and performing.
Sparks, Mercury struggle to find playoff footing amid roster adjustments
Sparks and Mercury struggle with 10-17 and 11-19 records respectively, far from playoff positioning.
Plum traded to Mercury after injury-plagued Sparks tenure
Plum traded to Mercury after injury ended her Sparks season; fourth All-Star mid-season trade in WNBA history.
Dream Edge Wings in Thriller as Reese Records Double-Double
Dream edge Wings 82-81 behind Reese's 22 points and 12 rebounds.
WNBA clears players in betting incident, deletes social media post
WNBA cleared players in $400 betting incident despite league wagering ban in collective bargaining agreement.
All-Star performers shine: Jones, Mabrey lead standout individual efforts
Jones led Team Spoon to All-Star victory; Mabrey scored 23 points for Team Coop in standout performances.
Fudd drafted first overall by Dallas Wings in 2026 WNBA Draft
Azzi Fudd selected first overall by Dallas Wings in 2026 WNBA Draft.