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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. All-Star Weekend Felt Like a Celebration đ
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend delivered. A record 19,783 fans packed Wintrust Arena in Chicago as Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122. The weekend celebrated the league's current stars while honoring its 30-year history. (Yahoo Sports)
Some of the biggest moments included:
Jonquel Jones earned All-Star Game MVP after posting 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists off the bench. She's now the only player in WNBA history to win an All-Star MVP, regular season MVP, Commissioner's Cup MVP, and Finals MVP.
Dominique Malonga brought the crowd to its feet with a first-half dunk.
Nneka Ogwumike passed Maya Moore to become the All-Star Game's all-time leading scorer with 127 career points.
Azzi Fudd became the first rookie in WNBA history to win the All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest.
Shakira Austin, Elena Delle Donne, and high school standout Jezelle "GG" Banks won the league's inaugural Shooting Stars competition representing Washington.
WHY IT MATTERS: Last year's All-Star Weekend felt like it was overshadowed by looming CBA negotiations. This year felt completely different. The weekend celebrated today's best while also recognizing the players who helped build the league and introducing fans to what's next. It was the kind of atmosphere that showed just how much excitement surrounds the WNBA.
đłď¸ Which All-Star Weekend moment was your favorite?
2. Sarah Ashlee Barker's Season Ends Early đĽ
The Portland Fire announced that Sarah Ashlee Barker will miss the rest of the 2026 season after tearing her ACL during last week's loss to Dallas. Barker was averaging career highs of 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. (KPTV)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a tough loss for Barker and the Fire. Portland will have to finish the season without one of its starting guards and most popular players, while Barker begins a long recovery. She has already shared a positive outlook and will remain in Portland to rehab with the team's medical staff.
3. UPSHOT League Sets Championship Date đ
The UPSHOT League announced that its inaugural championship game will be played on Saturday, August 29, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The top two teams in the final regular-season standings will play in a single winner-takes-all championship game. (JAX Today)
WHY IT MATTERS: The UPSHOT League is in its first season as a women's basketball development league, giving players another opportunity to compete and continue building their professional careers. With no playoffs, every remaining game matters because only the top two teams in the standings will earn a chance to play for the championship.
đź Rewind to the First WNBA All-Star Game
The WNBA All-Star Game is now one of the league's biggest celebrations, but it all started with the very first one in 1999. I just released a short video looking back at that inaugural game and some of the coolest moments.
đ Watch the video
OVERTIME âąď¸
Seat Fillers: The Valkyries lead the WNBA at the All-Star break in both total attendance (270,960) and average attendance (18,064 per game).
Dream Barbie: Mattel unveiled its new Angel Reese Barbie during All-Star Weekend, complete with a pink leg sleeve and pink headband. Reese joins Sue Bird as the only WNBA players to receive signature Barbie dolls.
Rookie Return: Toronto Tempo rookie Kiki Rice returned to full practice Sunday after missing the past two months with an ankle injury.
