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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Portland and Toronto Are Ahead of Schedule 😳
Expansion teams are usually expected to struggle right away, but both the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo have looked competitive early this season. Portland sits at 5-3 behind a defense-first style, while Toronto at 4-4 has leaned on the high-scoring backcourt duo of Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. (Swish Appeal)
WHY IT MATTERS: New teams usually need time to build chemistry, especially with new coaches and players learning to play together. But Portland and Toronto already look more connected than most first-year teams. Portland has quickly built a strong defensive identity under head coach Alex Sarama, while Toronto’s guards have helped the Tempo stay competitive. Both teams are showing that expansion franchises do not automatically belong at the bottom of the standings anymore.
🗳️ Have the Fire and Tempo exceeded your expectations so far?
2. Jessica Shepard Has Two Triple-Doubles in Four Games 🤯
Jessica Shepard recorded her second triple-double in the last four games Thursday night, finishing with 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Dallas Wings win over the Las Vegas Aces. She's now the first player in Wings history with multiple triple-doubles, and her two are the only triple-doubles in the WNBA this season. (USA Today)
WHY IT MATTERS: Sometimes all a player needs is an opportunity. After spending five seasons mostly in a reserve role with Minnesota, Shepard joined Dallas and stepped into the starting lineup. She's averaging a double-double, leads the WNBA in rebounding, and has helped the Wings get off to a 5-3 start after the team won just 10 games all of last season.
3. New Roster Moves Lean Into International Talent 🌍
The Toronto Tempo and Connecticut Sun both made notable roster moves Thursday involving international players. Toronto signed French guard Tima Pouye after a strong season in Europe and waived Lexi Held, while Connecticut activated French guard Leïla Lacan, fresh off a championship and Finals MVP run in France, and waived Hailey Van Lith. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: WNBA teams are still adjusting their rosters a few weeks into the season, and international players are becoming a bigger part of those decisions. More overseas stars now see the WNBA as the top league in the world, and expansion has created additional roster spots. Many expected those new roster opportunities to go to young players entering the WNBA from college, but so far teams have often chosen experienced international players instead.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Welcome Back: The Minnesota Lynx signed 6-7 center Teaira McCowan, who returns to the WNBA after being waived by Dallas last August.
Fast Company: Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists, breaking Sue Bird's record by 23 games.
Make Your Free Throws: Breanna Stewart passed Lisa Leslie for 7th on the WNBA's all-time free throws made list with 1,478.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if you're watching more WNBA now than you were in 2022, and the answer was pretty clear. A whopping 84% of you said you're spending more time with the W these days.
