2 months ago
The FIBA World Cup is a very big deal in women's basketball, and it only comes around every four years, so you'd like for it to work smoothly. That is hardly the case for the event that begins on Friday in Berlin.
The timing, as it relates to the WNBA, is absurd. Here we have a nine-day tournament that finds the WNBA suddenly going dark near the end of its regular season, then resuming with only four games remaining per team.
The Valkyries' season goes on pause on Sunday (against Portland) and doesn't restart until Sept. 18. That's nearly a three-week break for the league's hottest team - all the while uncertain about their playoff opponent, with the seedings still to be determined.
They'll have four players engaged in the World Cup: Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün (France), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) and Miela Sowah, a development player who has appeared in just five Valkyries games but was recently added to the Australian team.
Conveniently, the WNBA's eight-team playoff group is locked in, so that's one inconvenience out of the way. Certain teams and players could certainly use a break, but the league is understandably worried about injuries and, especially in the Valkyries' case, hard-earned momentum gone stale.
#team #case #season
The timing, as it relates to the WNBA, is absurd. Here we have a nine-day tournament that finds the WNBA suddenly going dark near the end of its regular season, then resuming with only four games remaining per team.
The Valkyries' season goes on pause on Sunday (against Portland) and doesn't restart until Sept. 18. That's nearly a three-week break for the league's hottest team - all the while uncertain about their playoff opponent, with the seedings still to be determined.
They'll have four players engaged in the World Cup: Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün (France), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) and Miela Sowah, a development player who has appeared in just five Valkyries games but was recently added to the Australian team.
Conveniently, the WNBA's eight-team playoff group is locked in, so that's one inconvenience out of the way. Certain teams and players could certainly use a break, but the league is understandably worried about injuries and, especially in the Valkyries' case, hard-earned momentum gone stale.
#team #case #season
2 months ago
This WNBA season has featured several impactful bench players who have helped shape their team's success. However, few have been as consistently impactful as Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun.
Whether it's knocking down three-pointers, providing instant offense, or bringing energy on both ends of the floor, Salaun has proven to be a reliable reserve for the Valkyries.
After going undrafted in 2021, Salaun earned a training camp contract with Golden State in 2025 after her performance in the 2024 Olympics. From there, she has developed into one of the most important pieces of the Valkyries' foundation and is building a compelling case for Sixth Player of the Year.
Salaun's greatest value off the bench is her scoring ability.
This season, she is averaging 13.1 points while shooting 42.6% from the field in just 22.3 minutes per game. She is also shooting 39.8% from three-point range while averaging 2.5 made three-pointers, making her one of the most dangerous shooters.
#salaun
Whether it's knocking down three-pointers, providing instant offense, or bringing energy on both ends of the floor, Salaun has proven to be a reliable reserve for the Valkyries.
After going undrafted in 2021, Salaun earned a training camp contract with Golden State in 2025 after her performance in the 2024 Olympics. From there, she has developed into one of the most important pieces of the Valkyries' foundation and is building a compelling case for Sixth Player of the Year.
Salaun's greatest value off the bench is her scoring ability.
This season, she is averaging 13.1 points while shooting 42.6% from the field in just 22.3 minutes per game. She is also shooting 39.8% from three-point range while averaging 2.5 made three-pointers, making her one of the most dangerous shooters.
#salaun
2 months ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Janelle Salaun scored 21 points, Kayla Thornton hit two quick 3-pointers and two more early in the second half on the way to 20 points, and the Golden State Valkyries held off the Toronto Tempo for a second straight game, 92-82 on Tuesday night.
Veronica Burton contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and seven ****** ists for Golden State in the second straight matchup of the teams at sold-out Chase Center after the Valkyries beat the Tempo 96-79 on Sunday night.
Thornton took an elbow from Aneesah Morrow to her throat area with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter that was ruled a Flagrant 1 upon replay review.
Morrow made her debut with Toronto after being acquired in a trade with the Connecticut Sun on Friday. She entered with 4:57 left in the first quarter and hit a 3 about a minute later for the first of her eight points to go with five rebounds.
Nyara Sabally scored 22 points and Maria Conde had 17 points and six rebounds for the Tempo, who welcomed back leading scorer Marina Mabrey after she sat out Sunday with a neck injury. Mabrey scored 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting over 35 minutes in Toronto's seventh straight loss and 11th in 12.
#second #rebounds
Veronica Burton contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and seven ****** ists for Golden State in the second straight matchup of the teams at sold-out Chase Center after the Valkyries beat the Tempo 96-79 on Sunday night.
Thornton took an elbow from Aneesah Morrow to her throat area with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter that was ruled a Flagrant 1 upon replay review.
Morrow made her debut with Toronto after being acquired in a trade with the Connecticut Sun on Friday. She entered with 4:57 left in the first quarter and hit a 3 about a minute later for the first of her eight points to go with five rebounds.
Nyara Sabally scored 22 points and Maria Conde had 17 points and six rebounds for the Tempo, who welcomed back leading scorer Marina Mabrey after she sat out Sunday with a neck injury. Mabrey scored 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting over 35 minutes in Toronto's seventh straight loss and 11th in 12.
#second #rebounds
2 months ago
One of the headlines from the start of the summer revolved around Draymond Green's decision to decline his player option with the Golden State Warriors and become a free agent. Green's move to become a free agent was based around giving the Warriors more flexibility when it came to pursuing LeBron James. With the James free agency saga coming to an end in Philadelphia, Green returned to the Warriors on one-year deal for his 15th season in the Bay Area.
With the noise around free agency quieting, Green made an appearance at Chase Center on Sunday evening in support of the Golden State Valkyries. Green was in attendance on Sunday for the Valkyries contest against the Toronto Tempo.
Green was spotted talking with Golden State Warriors principal owner Joe Lacob courtside at Chase Center during the Valkyries game on Sunday night.
With Green in attendance, the Valkyries showed off, running away from the Tempo, 96-79, improving their record to 20-9 on the season. Janelle Salaun came off the bench to lead the way for the Valkyries, scoring 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field in 30 minutes. Veronica Burton tallied 17 points with three made 3-pointers while Gabby Williams added 15 points against the Tempo.
At 20-9, the Valkyries are tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the second-best record in the WNBA, trailing only the Minnesota Lynx.
#valkyries #golden #free #around
With the noise around free agency quieting, Green made an appearance at Chase Center on Sunday evening in support of the Golden State Valkyries. Green was in attendance on Sunday for the Valkyries contest against the Toronto Tempo.
Green was spotted talking with Golden State Warriors principal owner Joe Lacob courtside at Chase Center during the Valkyries game on Sunday night.
With Green in attendance, the Valkyries showed off, running away from the Tempo, 96-79, improving their record to 20-9 on the season. Janelle Salaun came off the bench to lead the way for the Valkyries, scoring 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field in 30 minutes. Veronica Burton tallied 17 points with three made 3-pointers while Gabby Williams added 15 points against the Tempo.
At 20-9, the Valkyries are tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the second-best record in the WNBA, trailing only the Minnesota Lynx.
#valkyries #golden #free #around
2 months ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Janelle Salaun came off the bench to score 24 points, Veronica Burton contributed 17 points and six ***** ists, and the Golden State Valkyries used their stingy defense down the stretch to hold off the Toronto Tempo for a 96-79 win Sunday night.
Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes scored 15 points apiece in the first of back-to-back matchups between the teams at Chase Center, where a raucous sellout crowd cheered Golden State ending a two-game skid that followed a nine-game winning streak.
Salaun shot 9 for 15 with four 3-pointers, putting Golden State ahead 66-59 on a 3 with 1:30 left in the third. She just missed her career-high of 26 set July 8 at Toronto.
Burton converted a three-point play with 6:55 remaining in the game then a steal with 6:14 remaining that led to Salaun's three-point play moments later that put the Valkyries ahead 80-68.
Nyara Sabally had 19 points and eight rebounds for the expansion Tempo, who began a five-game road trip by losing their sixth straight game and 10th in their last 11.
#points #state
Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes scored 15 points apiece in the first of back-to-back matchups between the teams at Chase Center, where a raucous sellout crowd cheered Golden State ending a two-game skid that followed a nine-game winning streak.
Salaun shot 9 for 15 with four 3-pointers, putting Golden State ahead 66-59 on a 3 with 1:30 left in the third. She just missed her career-high of 26 set July 8 at Toronto.
Burton converted a three-point play with 6:55 remaining in the game then a steal with 6:14 remaining that led to Salaun's three-point play moments later that put the Valkyries ahead 80-68.
Nyara Sabally had 19 points and eight rebounds for the expansion Tempo, who began a five-game road trip by losing their sixth straight game and 10th in their last 11.
#points #state
3 months ago
All-Star weekend is always a busy couple of days for the WNBA, and this year's iteration was no exception.
On Friday, the Shooting Stars competition and 3-Point Contest occurred—and both lived up to the hype.
There were plenty of worthy shooters involved in the 3-Point Contest, but in the end, Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd took home the trophy. She became the first rookie ever to win the competition. She had 24 points in the first round and then upped the ante, scoring 30 in the final.
Fudd's 30-point performance defeated the Portland Fire's Bridget Carleton, who had just 19 points in the final round after scoring 27 points in the first round.
The four other participants who were eliminated in the opening round included the Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard (20), Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey (18), Seattle Storm's Natisha Heideman (17) and Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaün (19).
#Competition #rookie #final
On Friday, the Shooting Stars competition and 3-Point Contest occurred—and both lived up to the hype.
There were plenty of worthy shooters involved in the 3-Point Contest, but in the end, Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd took home the trophy. She became the first rookie ever to win the competition. She had 24 points in the first round and then upped the ante, scoring 30 in the final.
Fudd's 30-point performance defeated the Portland Fire's Bridget Carleton, who had just 19 points in the final round after scoring 27 points in the first round.
The four other participants who were eliminated in the opening round included the Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard (20), Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey (18), Seattle Storm's Natisha Heideman (17) and Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaün (19).
#Competition #rookie #final
3 months ago
What time does the WNBA 3-Point Contest start? TV channel, schedule, live streams to watch Azzi Fudd and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Six of the WNBA's best shooters are heading to Chicago for Friday's 3-point contest during All-Star Weekend, and the field is stacked.
Wings rookie Azzi Fudd headlines the group, becoming just the fourth first-year player ever to get a shot at the ***** le. She'll be shooting for history, too, as no rookie has actually won it yet.
Rhyne Howard (Dream), Marina Mabrey (Tempo), Bridget Carleton (Fire), Natisha Hiedeman (Storm) and Janelle Salaun (Valkyries) will also compete. All of six rank among the league's top 11 in threes made per game this season.
Notably absent are reigning champ Sabrina Ionescu, along with Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride, who all reportedly turned down invites, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.
#azzi #preferred
Six of the WNBA's best shooters are heading to Chicago for Friday's 3-point contest during All-Star Weekend, and the field is stacked.
Wings rookie Azzi Fudd headlines the group, becoming just the fourth first-year player ever to get a shot at the ***** le. She'll be shooting for history, too, as no rookie has actually won it yet.
Rhyne Howard (Dream), Marina Mabrey (Tempo), Bridget Carleton (Fire), Natisha Hiedeman (Storm) and Janelle Salaun (Valkyries) will also compete. All of six rank among the league's top 11 in threes made per game this season.
Notably absent are reigning champ Sabrina Ionescu, along with Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride, who all reportedly turned down invites, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.
#azzi #preferred
3 months ago
Despite being an All-Star snub, Azzi Fudd will still head to Chicago this weekend to participate in the WNBA's 3-point contest. She'll be joined by the Portland Fire's Bridget Carleton, the Seattle Storm's Natisha Hiedeman, the Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard, the Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey and the Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaun.
As a rookie with the Dallas Wings, Fudd is only shooting 38.8 percent from deep, though she's tied for the 10th-most makes in the league with 50. She's also made at least three shots from behind the arc in four consecutive games, the second-longest streak by a rookie since 1998.
During her senior year at UConn, Fudd knocked down triples at a 44.7 percent clip and finished five threes away from the program's single-season record. Throughout her career, she owned a 42.2 3-point percentage, tied for sixth-best in team history.
The 2026 3-point contest will feature two rounds with five shooting locations around the arc. The first four racks will have five game ******* worth one point each along with one money ball worth two points. The final rack will only have money ******* . The two players with the highest scores in the opening round will advance to the final.
Fudd previously participated in a high school 3-point contest back in 2021, which she won despite wearing a walking boot. While she has proven herself to be more than just a shooter, that's still the hallmark of her game.
#fudd #only #percent
As a rookie with the Dallas Wings, Fudd is only shooting 38.8 percent from deep, though she's tied for the 10th-most makes in the league with 50. She's also made at least three shots from behind the arc in four consecutive games, the second-longest streak by a rookie since 1998.
During her senior year at UConn, Fudd knocked down triples at a 44.7 percent clip and finished five threes away from the program's single-season record. Throughout her career, she owned a 42.2 3-point percentage, tied for sixth-best in team history.
The 2026 3-point contest will feature two rounds with five shooting locations around the arc. The first four racks will have five game ******* worth one point each along with one money ball worth two points. The final rack will only have money ******* . The two players with the highest scores in the opening round will advance to the final.
Fudd previously participated in a high school 3-point contest back in 2021, which she won despite wearing a walking boot. While she has proven herself to be more than just a shooter, that's still the hallmark of her game.
#fudd #only #percent
3 months ago
The WNBA's 3-point contest field is officially set.
The league announced the six contestants for the 3-point contest on Friday during All-Star weekend on Tuesday afternoon. Bridget Carleton, Azzi Fudd, Natisha Hiedeman, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey and Janelle Salaün are set to compete in the event.
According to USA Today's Meghan L. Hall, Caitlin Clark, Kayla McBride and Sabrina Ionescu were all invited to participate but declined. Specifics there are not known.
Ionescu won the 3-point contest last season, and is one of only two multi-time winners in the event's history.
Mabrey and Howard will enter as the favorites in the 3-point contest after what's been a dominant shooting start to the season. Mabrey has averaged 3.3 made 3-pointers per game with the Toronto Tempo while draining 82 3-pointers as of Tuesday night, both of which lead the league. Howard has made 79 3-pointers this season while draining 3.2 per contest.
#contest #howard #made
The league announced the six contestants for the 3-point contest on Friday during All-Star weekend on Tuesday afternoon. Bridget Carleton, Azzi Fudd, Natisha Hiedeman, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey and Janelle Salaün are set to compete in the event.
According to USA Today's Meghan L. Hall, Caitlin Clark, Kayla McBride and Sabrina Ionescu were all invited to participate but declined. Specifics there are not known.
Ionescu won the 3-point contest last season, and is one of only two multi-time winners in the event's history.
Mabrey and Howard will enter as the favorites in the 3-point contest after what's been a dominant shooting start to the season. Mabrey has averaged 3.3 made 3-pointers per game with the Toronto Tempo while draining 82 3-pointers as of Tuesday night, both of which lead the league. Howard has made 79 3-pointers this season while draining 3.2 per contest.
#contest #howard #made
3 months ago
Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard headline the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest that will be contested Friday night in Chicago.
Mabrey and Howard are 1-2 in 3-pointers made this season for Toronto and Atlanta respectively. Joining the pair are Dallas rookie Azzi Fudd, Seattle's Natisha Hiedeman, Portland's Bridget Carleton and Golden State's Janelle Salaun. Mabrey tied the WNBA record by hitting nine 3-pointers in a game twice this season, including in her 53-point effort that tied the league record for most points in a game.
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about it.
Last year Ionescu topped Allisha Gray to win the ******* le.
The new CBA will give the 3-point contest winner $20,000 and each participant $10,000.
#ionescu #tied
Mabrey and Howard are 1-2 in 3-pointers made this season for Toronto and Atlanta respectively. Joining the pair are Dallas rookie Azzi Fudd, Seattle's Natisha Hiedeman, Portland's Bridget Carleton and Golden State's Janelle Salaun. Mabrey tied the WNBA record by hitting nine 3-pointers in a game twice this season, including in her 53-point effort that tied the league record for most points in a game.
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about it.
Last year Ionescu topped Allisha Gray to win the ******* le.
The new CBA will give the 3-point contest winner $20,000 and each participant $10,000.
#ionescu #tied
3 months ago
Sophie Cunningham earns surprising WNBA award recognition amid career-best Fever season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sophie Cunningham may not start for the Indiana Fever, but her impact has become increasingly difficult to overlook. Cunningham was named the runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year in The Ringer's 2026 WNBA midseason awards, trailing only Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun. The recognition came as part of a league-wide awards breakdown published by Seerat Sohi on Monday.
The main article from The Ringer praised Cunningham for the energy, shooting and defensive versatility she has brought to Indiana's second unit. It also raised an intriguing possibility for the second half of the season: Cunningham may be playing well enough to force her way into the Fever's starting lineup.
"If Tyasha Harris continues to emerge as a floor general who can lead the second unit, I would not be shocked if Cunningham eventually started," Sohi wrote.
That would be a significant development for a Fever team with championship expectations.
#season
Sophie Cunningham may not start for the Indiana Fever, but her impact has become increasingly difficult to overlook. Cunningham was named the runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year in The Ringer's 2026 WNBA midseason awards, trailing only Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun. The recognition came as part of a league-wide awards breakdown published by Seerat Sohi on Monday.
The main article from The Ringer praised Cunningham for the energy, shooting and defensive versatility she has brought to Indiana's second unit. It also raised an intriguing possibility for the second half of the season: Cunningham may be playing well enough to force her way into the Fever's starting lineup.
"If Tyasha Harris continues to emerge as a floor general who can lead the second unit, I would not be shocked if Cunningham eventually started," Sohi wrote.
That would be a significant development for a Fever team with championship expectations.
#season
3 months ago
Janelle Salaün scored 26 points as the Golden State Valkyries beat Toronto Tempo 83-75 for their sixth straight win, a franchise record and first victory over Toronto.
Golden State led 44-31 with 8:55 left in the third quarter, but Toronto responded with a 15-2 run to take the lead. Julie Allemand's jumper put Toronto ahead, and Maria Conde's 3-pointer boosted their lead. Toronto was ahead 59-57 entering the fourth, and Golden State finished on a 26-16 run to win.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said adversity has become a theme for her team lately.
"Playing through adversity has been the key. The last two games, specifically, we didn't start out really well," Nakase said. "The second unit came to life again, so credit to them for staying ready. That to me is the biggest takeaway right now. We need everybody."
Salaün shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, going a perfect 3-of-3 from deep in the fourth quarter alone. Kaitlyn Chen added 16 points off the bench, tying her career high for made field goals with seven, and Kayla Thornton had 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden State's reserves outscored Toronto's 52-20, and the Valkyries won the rebounding battle 31-23, including an 11-4 edge on the offensive glass.
Golden State led 44-31 with 8:55 left in the third quarter, but Toronto responded with a 15-2 run to take the lead. Julie Allemand's jumper put Toronto ahead, and Maria Conde's 3-pointer boosted their lead. Toronto was ahead 59-57 entering the fourth, and Golden State finished on a 26-16 run to win.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said adversity has become a theme for her team lately.
"Playing through adversity has been the key. The last two games, specifically, we didn't start out really well," Nakase said. "The second unit came to life again, so credit to them for staying ready. That to me is the biggest takeaway right now. We need everybody."
Salaün shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, going a perfect 3-of-3 from deep in the fourth quarter alone. Kaitlyn Chen added 16 points off the bench, tying her career high for made field goals with seven, and Kayla Thornton had 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden State's reserves outscored Toronto's 52-20, and the Valkyries won the rebounding battle 31-23, including an 11-4 edge on the offensive glass.
4 months ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Veronica Burton scored 19 of her 25 points in the first half as Golden State quickly built a big lead and also dished out eight ****** ists, Gabby Williams added 25 points, and the Valkyries held off the Phoenix Mercury for an 87-81 win Tuesday night.
Burton made 5 of her 7 shots in the initial two quarters and finished 7 for 15 from the floor. Janelle Salaun contributed 11 points and five rebounds off the bench for the Valkyries, who shot 57.1% on the way to a 49-32 lead at intermission and 44.3% for the game.
Williams' 3-pointer with 5:58 to play put the Valkyries ahead 74-67, then she found Kaila Charles for a key layup with 2:26 left. Kayla Thornton's 3 the next time down helped seal it before Williams converted a three-point play moments later.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes went down with 5:13 left in the second quarter after a collision but later returned. The Valkyries had lost two in a row and led by as many as 18 but were threatened in this one after Phoenix's 29-point third quarter cut the lead to 66-61 going into the final 10 minutes.
Alyssa Thomas started and finished with 22 points, nine ****** ists and eight rebounds for the Mercury after dealing with a left calf injury and missing Friday's game at Portland. She was whistled for a technical foul 1:47 before halftime, then Kahleah Copper got a technical with 56 seconds remaining.
Burton made 5 of her 7 shots in the initial two quarters and finished 7 for 15 from the floor. Janelle Salaun contributed 11 points and five rebounds off the bench for the Valkyries, who shot 57.1% on the way to a 49-32 lead at intermission and 44.3% for the game.
Williams' 3-pointer with 5:58 to play put the Valkyries ahead 74-67, then she found Kaila Charles for a key layup with 2:26 left. Kayla Thornton's 3 the next time down helped seal it before Williams converted a three-point play moments later.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes went down with 5:13 left in the second quarter after a collision but later returned. The Valkyries had lost two in a row and led by as many as 18 but were threatened in this one after Phoenix's 29-point third quarter cut the lead to 66-61 going into the final 10 minutes.
Alyssa Thomas started and finished with 22 points, nine ****** ists and eight rebounds for the Mercury after dealing with a left calf injury and missing Friday's game at Portland. She was whistled for a technical foul 1:47 before halftime, then Kahleah Copper got a technical with 56 seconds remaining.
