Aces & Liberty preview Commissioner’s Cup final

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Aces & Liberty preview Commissioner’s Cup final

The Commissioner’s Cup final gets a trial run tonight, as the No. 2 Aces welcome the No. 5 Liberty to Las Vegas just one week before battling for the 2026 title.

• The Aces are hot off Sunday’s 92-73 blowout win over No. 7 Golden State, as Jackie Young averages 19.1 points in her last 10 games while WNBA scoring leader A’ja Wilson shoots 52.7% from the field.

• New York is looking to curb a two-game skid, falling to No. 9 LA in Sunday’s 98-97 buzzer-beater days after Friday’s 86-83 loss to No. 8 Washington snapped an eight-game winning streak. (See full recap)

Scouting report: Both teams have gone 8-2 across their last 10 games, entering their first meeting of the year averaging just under 90 points per game.  

• Injuries could make an impact, as Las Vegas remains without Dana Evans and Janiah Barker, while Chennedy Carter (illness) is listed as questionable.

• “I have to check in with her,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said Sunday, addressing Carter’s availability. “I think she might be ready to go. We’ll see how she’s feeling.” (See injury report)

Tune in: New York visits Las Vegas tonight at 10 PM ET, live on USA.

Offseason leagues lock in WNBA rookies

Offseason leagues are stocking up, as Wings rookie Azzi Fudd announced she’ll join Project B while Storm first-year Flau’jae Johnson signed a multiyear deal with Unrivaled.

• No. 1 draft pick Fudd follows Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, and other WNBA vets to Project B, as the six-team international league prepares to launch a Formula 1-style circuit tour this winter.

• “Basketball has always been global to me,” Fudd said. “Project B brings players and fans from everywhere together, and [I] can’t wait to get out there.” (See full report)

Familiar territory: Johnson became the second 2026 rookie to sign with Unrivaled, joining Minnesota’s Olivia Miles ahead of the 3×3 league’s third season. 

• Both standouts featured in last year’s Future is Unrivaled NIL program, alongside Washington’s Lauren Betts, LA’s Ta’Niya Latson, Toronto’s Kiki Rice, and Dallas’s Fudd.

• “From signing one of the first NIL deals with Unrivaled to now joining the league as a player, it’s been incredible to see this journey come full circle,” Johnson said. (See full report)

KC signs Temwa Chawinga through 2029

Temwa Chawinga is sticking with Kansas City, as the two-time Golden Boot winner signed a contract extension that keeps her on the Current through 2029.

• The Malawi international has been dominant since joining KC in 2024, going on to become the first player to earn back-to-back MVP honors in her first two seasons.

• Chawinga has notched 42 goals, 11 assists, and 15 game-winners across 56 regular-season appearances, while helping lead the Current to its first NWSL Shield in 2025. (See full stats)

Big numbers: Despite missing the first month due to injury, Chawinga’s tallied seven goals this season — putting her second behind Orlando’s Barbra Banda atop the Golden Boot race.

• “Temwa is truly special,” said Current co-owners Angie and Chris Long. “She displays an unwavering commitment to scoring goals under pressure and when it matters most. Combined with her defensive presence, she is, without question, one of the best players in the world.” (See full release)

Stay tuned: See the striker in action as Kansas City and Gotham kick off the 2026 Challenge Cup on Friday at 8 PM ET, live on Prime.

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PWHL lands 1st-ever outside investors

The PWHL is opening its books, welcoming first-ever outside investors Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies via a reported $100 million buy-in.

• It marks Toronto-based Kilmer Sports’s second women’s sports stake, after Larry Tanenbaum’s multi-team operation was awarded the WNBA’s Tempo ahead of its 2026 debut, while Chris Ilitch’s Ilitch Companies — parent to Detroit’s Tigers (MLB) and Red Wings (NHL) — already manages Little Caesar’s Arena, home to Detroit’s incoming PWHL expansion team.

• The league is gearing up to enter its fourth season amid record growth, seeing a 28% jump in attendance while continuing to operate under a single-entity model led by Mark and Kimbra Walter. (See full report)

Bright future: “Building world-class women’s sports organizations that inspire the next generation of athletes, fans, and leaders is how you create something that truly lasts,” said Tanenbaum. “We’re proud to deepen that commitment through this significant investment in the PWHL.” (See full release)

The Realest drops 1st-ever pro women’s baseball cards

Women’s baseball is leveling up, as authentication site The Realest partnered with the WPBL to launch the first officially licensed card and memorabilia program for an active US pro women’s baseball league.

• The cards will capture historic photos, action shots, and team gear, while game-used items like baseballs, jerseys, and more hit the auction block.

• The Realest is also co-designing the WPBL’s inaugural logo, plus custom Opening Day patches to honor the August 1st debut of the first US pro women’s baseball league since 1954. (See full report)

Big moves: The WBPL joins the PWHL, Unrivaled, and the USWNT’s ‘85ers in the online marketplace’s growing women’s sports portfolio.

• “Every young girl who plays this game dreams of one day seeing herself on a trading card,” said WPBL Commissioner Justine Siegal. “We will also be preserving the historical stories and memorabilia of the WPBL while inspiring the next generation.” (See full collection)

Quote of the day

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve
lamenting Sunday’s Pride Night loss to the Washington Mystics.