It’s official: The WNBA is returning to Houston.

Fever win spoils Sparks at home

Indiana is on the board, as the Fever earned its first win of 2026 in last night’s 87-78 handling of LA — extending the Sparks’ early frustrations at home.

• Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark’s combined 47 points managed to offset center Aliyah Boston, who uncharacteristically fouled out with just 4 points on the night.

• “I feel like my speed and my burst is back, and that helps me get downhill,” Clark said afterwards. “My shot feels great, and I feel like it’s right there. The best thing I can do for this team is play-make.” (Watch full highlights)

Early skid: LA now drops to 0-2 on the season, struggling to contain the Fever’s offense despite balanced scoring led by Kelsey Plum’s 25 points.

• Third-year forward Cameron Brink saw some positives, putting up 11 points and three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.

• “I’m a defensive-minded player,” Brink said. “If I’m super locked in and just loud and talking on defense, I feel like that can fuel the team.” (See full report)

Up next: Both teams are live on ION tomorrow, as Indiana hosts Washington at 7:30 PM ET before LA welcomes Toronto at 10 PM ET.

Young stars square off as Dallas hosts Minnesota

A new generation takes center stage tonight, as Dallas gears up to host Minnesota for a Texas-sized showdown behind youth firepower.

• 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers enters averaging 17.5 points per game through three Wings clashes, while 2026 No. 2 draft pick Olivia Miles is averaging 17 points for the Lynx through two.

• “She’s gonna be a heck of a player,” said Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts, singing Miles’s praises before Minnesota topped the Mercury 88-84 on Tuesday. “She’s just got elite-level vision.” (Watch full highlights)

Injury report: Dallas’s own star rookie remains in question, after No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd missed Tuesday’s loss to Atlanta with a lingering knee issue.

• “Out of an abundance of caution and her long-term health, we’re keeping her out tonight,” Wings coach Jose Fernandez said before the game.

• Fudd is questionable going into tonight’s game, as the former UConn star looks to bounce back from Saturday’s quiet, three-point pro debut. (See full recap)

Tune in: Minnesota takes on Dallas tonight at 8 PM ET, live on Prime.

Report: Gotham eyes move to Queens

The Bats might be taking flight, as Sportico reported reigning NWSL champion Gotham FC is exploring a move to MLS side NYCFC’s planned $780 million Etihad Park in Queens.

• Gotham has played at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium since 2021, with the state serving as the team’s home base since its 2009 inception as Sky Blue.

• “Like many clubs, especially in the NWSL as the league rapidly grows, we regularly evaluate options to best support our players, supporters, and organization,” the club said in a statement. (See full report)

Big picture: Despite earning two NWSL championships in the last three years, Gotham has struggled with attendance, averaging just 8,892 fans per game last year.

• Set to open in 2027, Etihad Park will be New York City’s first pro soccer-specific stadium, part of a complex that includes the US Open’s Flushing Meadows and MLB’s Citi Field — host to Gotham’s Queens Classic this July.

• The venue will seat some 25,000 — similar to Sports Illustrated — with easy access to public transportation playing a key role.

The 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Finals has arrived, as Canadian titans Montréal and Ottawa hit the ice for the best-of-five championship series — now live on ION.

• It all kicks off tonight, as the No. 1 seed Victoire host Thursday’s Game 1 and Saturday’s Game 2 at Place Bell, before the series moves to the No. 4 Charge’s Canadian Tire Centre for a Monday night Game 3 showdown.

• Watch all of the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Finals exclusively on ION, broadcast for free via antenna or your favorite streaming platform.

Tune in: Don’t miss a minute of the action, as Montréal faces Ottawa tonight at 7 PM ET, live on ION.

UCLA extends coach Cori Close’s contract

Fresh off a program-first NCAA title, UCLA announced it’s extended women’s basketball coach Cori Close’s contract through the 2029/30 season.

• Close led the Bruins to a 37-1 record last season, going on to win the 2026 championship behind a history-making senior class.

• “What truly stands out with Cori is the character, leadership, and daily commitment she and her staff bring to help developing her players into the best versions of themselves,” said athletic director Martin Jarmond. (See full release)

Big impact: Close has produced a 358-144 career record over 15 years at UCLA, spanning 10 NCAA tournament runs and sustained success in the NIL era.

• “I love being here in Westwood, and I am so excited for what the future holds,” said Close.

Manchester City unveils £10 million women’s facility

The WSL champions are upping the ante, as title-winner Manchester City unveiled its new £10 million women’s team facility this week.

• The 17,000-square-foot space features locker rooms, gyms, and medical and rehab areas, plus deeper integration into City’s larger ecosystem.

• “This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar,” said managing director Charlotte O’Neill. “It is about creating an environment where our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level, and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.” (See full release)

Big picture: The women’s team has primarily played at the City Academy’s Joie Stadium for the last 10 years, at times sharing resources with the youth men’s side prior to the new construction.

• “This new facility marks the next logical step in our long-term commitment to Manchester City Women,” said club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Number of the day 

1

WNBA expansion side Toronto won its first-ever game on Wednesday, as the Tempo topped Seattle 86-73 at home.