Stewart and Collier plan to start a new women's league to play in WNBA offseason
WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are starting a new womenโs basketball league to give top players another option to play in the U.S. in the offseason once the leagueโs prioritization rules go into effect next year.
College players will need to opt-in to upcoming WNBA Draft
The WNBA and the Players' Association have agreed to an opt-in process for this season's draft, the league confirmed to The Associated Press, late Sunday, March 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)NEW YORK โ The WNBA and the Players' Association have agreed to an opt-in process for this season's draft, the league confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday night. In the past, players who have run out of college eligibility are automatically entered into the draft. While this is a new situation in the WNBA, itโs unclear what the NCAA will do as far as allowing players to pull out of the draft. The NBA implemented similar rules, making players opt-in for the draft.
Game on! Seattle, Minnesota set to start WNBA playoff series
The Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx will take the court Tuesday night, two days after Game 1 of their WNBA playoffs semifinals was postponed because of inconclusive COVID-19 tests. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said three players on the Storm had inconclusive results Sunday from tests they took the day before, so the league decided to postpone the scheduled opener of the best-of-five playoff series. โWe are closely monitoring the situation and are coordinating with medical specialists.โThe Storm players had undergone additional testing and two of the three had been cleared to rejoin the team. The league said all players and staff remaining in the playoffs will continue being tested under the health and safety protocols. While those players had to miss a game, no contests were canceled until Sunday's because of coronavirus fears.
WNBA: Recap of the three matchups on Wednesday
Half the league went head to head on Wednesday with three teams adding a win to their win column. Connecticut Sun 70, Dallas Wings 66DeWanna Bonner scored 18 points and Alyssa Thomas added 17 as the Connecticut Sun defeat the Dallas Wings. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 19 points and Allisha Gray had 15 points and eight rebounds. Chicago Sky 89, Phoenix Mercury 71Allie Quigley scored 20 points and Kahleah Cooper poured in 15 points as the Chicago Sky get an impressive win over the Phoenix Mercury. Sophie Cunningham and Skylar Diggins-Smith led the way for Phoenix with 15 points apiece.
WNBA: Recap of the three games on Monday
The WNBA had three competitive games on Monday and has a even sharper line up of games on Tuesday. DeWanna Bonner scored 12 points for Connecticut (2-6), and grabbed nine rebounds to move into 20th on the WNBA career list. Brittney Griner had 22 points and 13 rebounds while Briana Turner added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Phoenix. Sami Whitcomb added 17 points for Seattle and Ezi Magbegor scored 13 points and Alysha Clark had 12 points. Allie Quigley led Chicago with 13 points andCheyenne Parker added 12 points.
WNBA: Recap of the three games from Tuesday
Six teams went head to head in WNBA action on Tuesday, but only three came out on top. Aja Wilson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Kayla McBride scored 15 points for Las Vegas. Rookie Crystal Dangerfield added 12 points and Napheesa Collier had eight points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota. Myisha Hines-Allen led Washington with 12 points while Tianna Hawkins and Emma Meesseman each scored 10 points. Candace Parker added 16 points for Los Angeles while Brittney Sykes scored 15 points and Nneka Ogwumike poured in 11 points.
WNBA: Preview of the 3 Friday night games
Three games are set for Friday night action to begin a weekend filled with notable games. Yet the team recently fell to the Las Vegas Aces but is looking to get a win. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty have lost the last two games after getting blown out by Minnesota recently. Los Angeles Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces, 9 p.m. With out star Nneka Ogwumike, the Sparks will try to keep the Las Vegas Aces from a third straight victory.
WNBA: Recap of Wednesdays three games
Minnesota Lynx 92, New York Liberty 66Bridget Carleton scored 25 points and second year player Lexie Brown had 15 points and swiped seven steals, as the Minnesota Lynx beat the New York Liberty. Amanda Zahui B. led a winless New York team with 13 points. Eastern conference player of the week Myisha Hines-Allen added 18 points and 10 boards and Leilani Mitchell scored 11 points. Riquna Williams added 13 points for the Sparks along with Sydney Weise who had eight points. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 24 points, veteran Candice Dupree scored 16 and Teaira McCowan had 13 points.
WNBA: Preview of three Wednesday night games
ETLooking to run their winning streak to three games, the Minnesota Lynx look to keep the winless New York Liberty at bay. Both have been a spark in the Minnesota offense and will be relied upon to help the Lynx pick up a win. Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics, 8 p.m. They both were key in a recent win over the Dallas Wings. On Sunday, Kelsey Mitchell had 23 points and Candice Dupree scored 21 in a recent win over Atlanta.
WNBA: Recap of the weekend action
The weekend was full of WNBA action, both on Saturday and Sunday with teams getting into the swing of things. Chicago Sky 88, Washington Mystics 86Gabby Williams and Cheyenne Parker each scored 16 points as the Chicago Sky barely beat the Washington Mystics. Jewell Loyd added 17 points, Jordin Canada poured in 16 points and rookie Ezi Magbegor had a career-high 12 points for Seattle. Diana Taurasi had 18 points, nine assists, three steals and two blocks and Brittney Griner added 16 points for Phoenix. Kia Nurse led the Liberty with 16 points while Layshia Clarendon added 12 points and Amanda Zahui B. scored 11.
WNBA: Recap of the four games on Tuesday
Alyssa Thomas scored 28 points and 11 rebounds while DeWanna Bonner had 29 points and nine rebounds for the Sun. Cheyenne Parker added 12 points and Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot and Gabby Williams scored 11 each for Chicago. Seattle Storm 90, Minnesota Lynx 66Breanna Stewart had 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Seattle Storm defeated the Minnesota Lynx. Damiris Dantas led Minnesota with 18 points. Sylvia Fowles finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but also passed former teammate and current Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson on the all time rebounding list.
WNBA: Four games set to tip off the weeks action
Coming off a successful opening weekend, the WNBA tips off four games to begin the weeks action with some of the top teams in the league. Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun, 7 p.m. EST MondayThe Mystics are coming off a win against the Indiana Fever on Saturday. Myisha Hines-Allen, Emma Meesseman and Aerial Powers of the Mystics will be relied upon for the Mystics to get a second win. Naphessa Collier and Sylvia Fowles lead the way for the Lynx squad in the first game and will be needed to capture another win. All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird of Seattle will need to rally the team together to get a victory over the Lynx.
WNBA announces 2020 season is dedicated to social justice
The mission of the Social Justice Council is to be a driving force of necessary and continuing conversations about race, voting rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and gun control amongst other important societal issues. Players will lead Justice CouncilThe work of the Social Justice Council will be led by players such as Layshia Clarendon, Sydney Colson, Breanna Stewart, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Aja Wilson and Satou Sabally, among others. The expanded list of Social Justice Council members, advisors, and programming will be announced at a later date. Players to wear social justice messagesThroughout the season, players will wear NIKE-branded warm-up shirts that display Black Lives Matter on the front. We are incredibly proud of WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspiring voices and effective actions in the leagues dedicated fight against systemic racism and violence, said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
WNBA: 7 players test positive for COVID-19
NEW YORK CITY With the WNBA planning to begin its season later this month, teams along with personnel had to get tested before entering training camp. With almost 140 players being tested in that timeframe, only seven tested positive for COVID-19. According to the WNBA, players who have tested positive will remain in self isolation until she has been cleared by a physician and has followed public health protocols. Players and staff will be arriving at the bubble location, which is IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The 12th team -- the Indiana Fever -- will not be arriving for another five days due to CDC health protocols.
Here are the latest WNBA team power rankings for the upcoming season
Player-wise, none of the squad has opted out and they will be returning WNBA veteran Sue Bird. With a 22-12 record in 2018, the Sparks added some new faces to the squad including WNBA star Kristi Toliver, Tea Cooper and Reshanda Gray. The team signed WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith creating the leagues Big 3 which is comprised of the all-star along with WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi and center Brittney Griner. The squad brings back Victoria Vivans, who had a good rookie season in 2018 but was out last season due to a knee injury. The team added newcomer Layshia Clarendon, whos entering her eighth WNBA season.
WNBA: Recap of tight games for Dream, Aces, and Lynx while Mercury dominate
Renee Montgomery added 12 points and Alexis Betley haad 11 points. For the Sun, Courtney Williams had 13 points while Jasmine Thomas added 12 points five assists. The Aces were led by Liz Cambage, who had 16 points and six rebounds, A'ja Wilson added 12 points. For the Fever, Candice Dupree scored 13 points and rookie Teaira McCowan had 11 points and 12 rebounds. For the Sky, Allie Quigley scored 24 points and Diamond Deshields added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Gabby Williams scored 12 points.
WNBA: 4 matchups between teams from the Eastern and Western conferences
It's East vs. West and North vs. South in four games that are in action in the WNBA. Sitting at second in the Eastern Conference behind the Washington Mystics, the Sun need to find a way to win. Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics Preview (tip-off 11:30 p.m. EST)The Phoenix Mercury are coming off a close win over the Atlanta Dream. A'ja Wilson leads the team in scoring with 16 points per game while Liz Cambage adds 15 points per game. Sitting at fifth in the Eastern Conference and a 6-9, record the Fever are looking to climb the standings.