“It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful.” - Indiana coach Stephanie White on last night’s Fever vs Mercury officiating.

LA loses Kelsey Plum ahead of Tempo clash

No. 8 LA took a big hit this week, as Sparks star Kelsey Plum landed on the injury list with a lower leg knock ahead of tonight’s clash with No. 10 Toronto.

• With Plum expected to miss at least 10 games and Cameron Brink (ankle) out indefinitely, LA will lean on reserve guard Rae Burrell and newly signed Kiana Williams plus vets Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Ariel Atkins.

• Plum has been a force in 2026, averaging a career-best 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 80.6% from the stripe. (See full report)

Scouting report: The Tempo is also shorthanded, missing top scorer Brittney Sykes (plantar fascia) and rookie Kiki Rice (ankle).

• Marina Mabrey has been carrying the backcourt load, registering a game-high 23 points in Monday’s 94-87 loss to Atlanta to complement forward Izzy Harrison’s 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. 

• “As one of the leaders, I need to figure out a way to help us come out ready to play,” Mabrey said ahead of tonight’s matchup. “Then also everyone else in that starting lineup, we got to come out and just be ready to play.” (See full report)

Tune in: LA visits Toronto tonight at 7 PM ET, live on Prime.

WNBA eyes attendance record in Canada showcase

The WNBA is broadening its reach, as Dallas and Toronto head to Montréal’s Bell Centre next month in a bid to shatter the all-time women’s basketball attendance record.

• With a capacity of 22,114, a sellout would surpass the current record of 22,076, set during the 2007 WNBA Finals at the Palace, former home to the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.

• It would also leapfrog the regular-season WNBA record of 20,711, set at DC’s Capital One Arena in 2024, and January’s Unrivaled high-mark, when 21,490 fans packed Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena. (See full report)

Big draw: The news arrives amid a successful stretch for the Wings, as back-to-back No. 1 picks Paige Bueckers (2025) and Azzi Fudd (2026) attract crowds both at home and on the road.

• No. 5 Dallas is gearing up to face No. 2 Las Vegas tonight after climbing the WNBA standings at 11-6 on the season — including seven wins in its last 10 games and a 2-0 record against the Aces.

• “In this league, you’ve got to bring it every night,” coach Jose Fernandez said this week. “We’re going to get everybody’s best punch night-in and night-out, and that’s what our locker room has to understand.” (See full preview)

Stay tuned: Toronto faces Dallas in Montréal on July 10th at 7:30 PM ET, live on ION.

PGA Championship tees off as Korda eyes history

Nelly Korda has history in her sights, as the world No. 1 opens her 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship run with a record $13 million purse and a third straight 2026 major title on the line. 

• A win would see Korda join Babe Zaharias (1950) and Inbee Park (2013) as the only golfers in history to sweep the LPGA Tour’s first three majors, while also delivering the two points she needs to qualify for the Hall of Fame. 

• “Nelly has already won four times here in 2026,” said tournament director Laura Frick. “As she enters into the third major championship of the year, we’re so excited with all the different ongoing stories with her game.” (See full report)

Stiff competition: Korda’s path won’t come easy, as 2025 champion Minjee Lee plus top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Hyo Joo Kim, Charley Hull, and Lottie Woad headline this week’s field.

• “It just gets sorer and sorer every time I come second in a major,” Hull told Sky Sports Golf. “If I just get over the line and then have some confidence in me, I don’t feel like there’s any stopping me.” (See full field)

Tune in: The PGA Championship runs through Sunday, live on The Golf Channel.

Our annual Pride Collection has arrived, featuring limited-edition apparel inspired by the community that powers women’s sports.

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Buy now: Browse the 2026 JWS Pride Collection and stock up on the JWS Shop.

NWSL rolls out new league rules

The NWSL is revising its rulebook, as the league announced four key regulation updates this week — all set to take effect alongside Friday’s 2026 Challenge Cup.

• Fallen players are now required to leave the field for a one-minute treatment period, while subbed-off players are given 10 seconds to get off the field or face leaving their team short-staffed for a one-minute delay.

• Other in-game amendments simplify the hydration break process, limiting heat breaks to 2.5-3 minutes instead of the previous two-tiered, five-minute model. (See full updates)

Off the pitch: The NWSL also adressed fans, introducing a new Digital Code of Conduct that prohibits online threats, harassment, discriminatory language, and abuse directed at players, clubs, officials, and fellow fans. (See full code)

Roberts & Auriemma return to the broadcast booth

Two of the WNBA’s founding voices are back, as Robin Roberts and Geno Auriemma return to the ESPN broadcast booth for July 7th’s Wings vs Liberty clash — nearly three decades after their first called game.

• The Hall of Famers originally teamed up for the ESPN’s first WNBA telecast in 1997, calling two seasons together before building out decorated careers — Roberts as an Emmy-winning host and Auriemma at the helm of UConn’s NCAA dynasty.

• Veteran play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins also joins the booth, while three of Auriemma’s former Huskies — Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd — feature on the court. (See full report)

Stay tuned: “We want to lend our voice and our presence to remind people where it all began and where it comes from — I hope they don’t expect us to be Inside The NBA,” Auriemma joked. “We’re there to add some fun and some flavor to an already great telecast.” (See full release)

Number of the day 

1

Wednesday marked 1 year until the 2027 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Brazil.