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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. 20,996 Fans Pack Bell Centre for Tempo-Wings đ¨đŚ
Fridayâs game between the Toronto Tempo and Dallas Wings drew 20,996 fans to Montrealâs Bell Centre, setting a new WNBA regular-season attendance record. Dallas won the first WNBA game ever played in Montreal, 108-95. (USA Today)
WHY IT MATTERS: The crowd topped the previous record of 20,711, set when Indiana played Washington in 2024. It was also the first of two games the Tempo are hosting in Montreal as part of a four-game Canadian tour that will also stop in Vancouver later this season. Filling one of Canadaâs largest arenas shows that excitement around the WNBA continues to grow, even beyond the United States.
2. Napheesa Collier Return is Imminent
Could we see Phee this week? Napheesa Collier appears to be getting closer than ever to her season debut for the Minnesota Lynx after undergoing surgery on both ankles during the offseason. Cheryl Reeve said Collier is "getting really close" after returning to practice. The Lynx host the Phoenix Mercury tonight at 9:00 PM ET on Peacock and NBC Sports. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Minnesota enters the week tied with Las Vegas for the league's best record at 17-6, and they've done it without one of the WNBA's best players. Collier will likely need time to find her rhythm once she returns, but adding a two-time MVP runner-up to a team that is already winning could make the Lynx even tougher to beat.
3. Reeve and Hammon Will Coach the All-Stars âď¸
Minnesotaâs Cheryl Reeve and Las Vegasâ Becky Hammon have earned the two coaching spots for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game. The honor goes to the head coaches of the teams with the leagueâs best records. (The Sporting Tribune)
WHY IT MATTERS: Coaching an All-Star Game is a well-deserved recognition of the work Reeve and Hammon have done through the first half of the season. Their teams are tied atop the WNBA standings at 17-6, and now both coaches will get a chance to lead some of the league's biggest stars later this month.
đ Celebrating 30 Years of the WNBA
The WNBA's first season tipped off in 1997, but the story really begins in 1996. I just started a short video series looking back at memorable moments from each season, beginning with the year that laid the foundation for everything that followed.
OVERTIME âąď¸
Magic Miles: Lynx rookie Olivia Miles is featured on the cover of the latest issue of SLAM, where she talks about her fast start, returning from an ACL injury, and learning to lead in her first WNBA season.
Record Debut: Las Vegas Aces rookie Justine Pissott set a WNBA record for most points in a single quarter in a WNBA debut after dropping 19 points in 10 minutes of play.
Change in LA: Los Angeles has parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley with the team sitting at 10-11.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Friday: We asked whether you plan to watch the upcoming ESPN docuseries "Life in the W" and 57% of you responded "definitely."
