Swish Appeal
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WNBA gameday discussion: How will playoff seeding shake out for the Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics?
Following Wednesday’s WNBA games, four of eight playoff seeds are now settled. After the Minnesota Lynx, with an (unwanted?) assist from the Portland Fire, locked down the No. 1 seed on Tuesday, the Atlanta Dream earned the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage in the first round with a second-straight win over the now-official No. […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Where does the race for playoff seeding stand with two days remaining in the regular season?
On Tuesday night, the WNBA delivered some delicious pre-playoff drama. Edwin Garcia covered the happenings with Minnesota Lynx, who clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs—despite an ominous loss to the Indiana Fever. The Portland Fire, immune to any tanking incentives, gifted Minnesota the top spot by upsetting the Golden State Valkyries in overtime. […]
Is it officially time to be worried about the No. 1-seed Minnesota Lynx?
All the Minnesota Lynx had to do to clinch the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs was to beat the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. That proved too tough for Minnesota, as they got blown out 96-77. Luckily for the Lynx, the Golden State Valkyries lost to the Portlanf Fire, securing the top spot […]
After two concussions, Satou Sabally is right to prioritize her health over everything—including the WNBA playoffs
The No. 1 concern for Satou Sabally is her health. She suffered a serious concussion during Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals last October while playing for the Phoenix Mercury. She was ruled out for Game 4, which ended up being the final game of the series. She was expected to play in Unrivaled […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Are the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever already feeling the playoff pressure?
It’s the unexpected that makes sports special. Any team can beat another, no matter the perceived gap between the two. Except, it seems, in the WNBA in September. Before the season paused for the FIBA World Cup break, all eight playoff spots were claimed. Since play resumed, only one non-playoff team, finally, defeated a playoff […]
By tying the franchise record for wins, the Washington Mystics have earned further belief in their future—and in their present
On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Mystics put up their second-straight victory of at least 15 points since returning from the FIBA World Cup. After beating the Chicago Sky by 30 points last Thursday, they took their dominance to Indiana and beat the No. 5-seed Fever 93-77. Although the Mystics secured their spot in the postseason […]
WNBA gameday discussion: After an up-and-down season, have the New York Liberty found their championship-winning script just in time for the playoffs?
Five seasons ago, the No. 6 seed won the WNBA title. That team was the 2021 Chicago Sky. After muddling through a .500 regular season that featured both a losing and winning streak of seven games, the Sky found their stride at the right time, defeating the Dallas Wings in the single-elimination first round, besting […]
The unveiling of Lisa Leslie’s statue was the perfection celebration of everything that makes the Los Angles Sparks legend special
Sunday was a historic moment for the Los Angeles Sparks franchise. No, not because they defeated the Portland Fire 105-84 to earn the season series sweep over the expansion team. It was because they honored the franchise’s first superstar—Lisa Leslie—by unveiling her statue, which now rests in Star Plaza right outside crypto.com Arena for everyone […]
WNBA photo essay: It was another Atlanta Dream win behind another record-making double-double from Angel Reese
State Farm Arena hosted an Atlanta Dream celebration on Saturday night. The home team not only earned the 106-81 win over the Chicago Sky, but also had the opportunity to once again revel in a number of achievements. Unsurprisingly, Angel Reese was the headliner, treating her former team to a 23-point and 10-rebound double-double. That […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Why Mystics-Fever is one of the most important games remaining in the regular season
On Sunday, the WNBA will be focusing on what was. Up in Uncasville, the Connecticut Sun will hold their second-to-last home game ever, hosting the Minnesota Lynx (1 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass). Out in LA, the Los Angeles Sparks will unveil Lisa Leslie’s statue in conjunction with the second-to-last home game of Nneka Ogwumike’s […]
A look back at the 2026 WNBA expansion draft. Did the Portland Fire or Toronto Tempo win the draft?
As the 2026 WNBA season winds down, neither of the expansion teams, the Portland Fire nor the Toronto Tempo, are preparing to head to the playoffs. However, the Fire started 5-3 and were pesky all season long. They are currently in ninth place, ahead of five non-expansion teams, which is meaningful. Meanwhile, the Tempo started […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Can Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and other stars strengthen their awards candidacies?
A three-game WNBA Saturday slate where no game has direct playoff implications serves as a great opportunity for players in contention for end-of-season awards to author a closing argument. So, here’s a look at the primary awards contenders in action on Saturday. In the comments, spill any of your thoughts on the award races. Phoenix […]
WNBA offenses have reached new heights during the 2026 season—and here’s why
Earlier this season, WNBA offenses were producing at a blistering rate. At the time, we wondered whether this was just the effect of a small sample size and teams would regress to the mean by season’s end. With just a couple of games left before the regular season concludes, we have our answer: The WNBA […]
After a 30-point blowout loss, what are the end-of-season goals for the Chicago Sky?
The WNBA returned on Thursday night after a more than two-week break for the FIBA World Cup in Berlin. The Chicago Sky were back at home to face the playoff-clinched Washington Mystics. From the opening tip, it was clear that the Mystics were in control in every aspect of the game. The combined effort of […]
WNBA gameday discussion: Ahead of the playoffs, what do the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty need to see from their stars?
On Thursday, the four WNBA playoff-bound teams were able to ease into their return to regular-season action, as the Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces all won in blowout fashion. Tonight, a similar script should play out for the Indiana Fever and Golden State Valkyries. While the Fever, currently the No. […]
WNBA photo essay: Led by a 30-point and 10-rebound double-double from Angel Reese, the Atlanta Dream earned their biggest win ever
The Atlanta Dream exhibited little rust in their return to action on Thursday, routing the visiting Connecticut Sun for the 103-59 win—the largest in franchise history. Newly-minted FIBA World Cup gold medalist Angel Reese continued her run of excellent play, leading the way with a 30-point and 10-rebound double-double. Atlanta’s other gold medalist, Rhyne Howard, […]
As a lost season ends for the Los Angles Sparks, there are still two important things for fans to celebrate
With only four games left and eliminated from playoff contention, there is not much for Sparks fans to get excited about on the court. Thankfully, two events are happening in the final home games that will add some juice inside crypto.com Arena: Lisa Leslie’s statue unveiling and Nneka Ogwumike’s final game. On Sunday, Sept. 20, […]
Amidst a disappointing season, have the Los Angeles Sparks found their future star in Rae Burrell?
Los Angeles Sparks fifth-year wing Rae Burrell has quietly started racking up points consistently. She’s been a double-digit scorer with regularity. In 23 of 39 appearances this year, Burrell has reached 13-plus points, including in seven of her last eight games, with the one exception being a 12-point outing. The last eight games also featured […]
WNBA gameday discussion: What matters most as the regular season resumes for the Dream, Mystics, Wings and Aces
The WNBA (finally) resumes tonight, with five games kicking off the final, one-week sprint to the end of the regular season. With four games remaining for all teams, there could be some consequential shifts in the standings, as the eight confirmed playoff teams strive to improve their seed and, in turn, first-round prospects. As a […]
2026 WNBA awards: Should Angel Reese or a Golden State Valkyrie be the Defensive Player of the Year?
The WNBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation has largely been a footnote in the minds of the women’s basketball public. Are the usual, leading frontrunners actually the most deserving of this award? Two candidates stand out with the strongest case for this year’s DPOY award. Here’s more on those two contenders. In the comments, […]
2026 WNBA awards: Will an all-but-guaranteed fifth MVP award solidify A’ja Wilson’s GOAT status?
The WNBA returns on Thursday night, and the final days of the season will give players one last chance to push their own agendas for regular season awards. The league’s most touted accomplishment, however, won’t see much competition for the third-straight year. A historic rookie season from Olivia Miles just wasn’t enough to stop an […]
Almost two weeks after Cathy Engelbert announced her forthcoming retirement, what’s the status of the search for the next WNBA Commissioner?
Almost two weeks ago, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that she would retire at the end of 2026. Her decision instantly sparked conversation and speculation about who would assume leadership of the WNBA. But, don’t expect a new commissioner to be named any time soon. In a press conference following this week’s NBA Board of […]
Texas football’s treatment of Holly Rowe is reflective of the rampant backlash toward successful women in sports
The late, great Gloria Steinem once said about domestic violence and violence against women, “There was no word for it; it was called life.” It was just the way that it was. Thankfully, in large part due to the women’s liberation movement, we have laws on the books, protections for abuse victims and survivors, 24/7 […]
2026 WNBA awards: The all-round growth in Shakira Austin’s game makes her the pick for Most Improved Player
Oftentimes, debates about major individual awards in sports can become debates about semantics. What does it mean to be or do the “most”? The 2026 Most Improved Player (MIP) race is illustrative of the mushy malleability of “most,” and how one’s definitional parameters could produce a different, deserving winner. Let’s break it down. A quick […]
2026 WNBA awards: Janelle Salaün remains the runaway favorite for Sixth Player of the Year
Basketball fans and the media often deem being a starter important. However, in a single game and over the course of a season, depth and role can matter far more than who starts. This year, Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün has been the runaway favorite as the Sixth Player of the Year (6POY). During […]