Mystics rally to snap Valkyries’ record winning streak

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Mystics rally to end Valkyries’ 9-game run

Washington spoiled the party last night, as Kiki Iriafen’s 23 points and 12 rebounds powered the No. 8 Mystics’ 90-82 comeback win over No. 3 Golden State — snapping the Valkyries’ franchise-record nine-game winning streak.

• Center Shakira Austin added a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double, while Sonia Citron chipped in 17 points and six assists, propelling the young Mystics above the playoff line on a 13-12 record. 

• “You don’t win that many games without handling adversity well,” Golden State guard Kaitlyn Chen said postgame. “Today was just sort of a tough one… But I think we’re gonna bounce back.” (Watch full highlights)

Taking stock: Chen served as the home side’s lone bright spot, dropping a career-high 20 points and six assists off the bench to become the first reserve player leaguewide to post at least 20 points and five assists this season. 

• “She doesn’t have to start — that’s not important to her,” coach Natalie Nakase said of Chen. “The minutes that she’s on the floor, she’s impacting her teammates.” (See full report)

Big ups: Before tipoff, Golden State congratulated Gabby Williams on becoming the 2025 expansion team’s first-ever All-Star starter with a tribute video and framed jersey.

• “V [Veronica Burton], she’s just so mindful and said, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we watch Gabby for the All-Star Game and cheer her on and support her,’” Nakase added. “We’re definitely going to do that. I told them I’m going to miss them over the next six days.” (See full quote)

Sabrina Ionescu erupts in OT to snap Liberty skid

Sabrina Ionescu saved the best for last, as the Liberty guard put up 12 of No. 7 New York’s 16 overtime points to escape No. 4 Dallas 99-98 on Monday — curbing a four-game losing streak.

• Ionescu shot just 3-of-20 from the field through regulation, before going a perfect 5-for-5 in the extra period, tying a league record for most points scored in OT.

• Forward Breanna Stewart carried the Liberty with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, getting to the line late in the fourth quarter to keep New York in contention. (Watch full highlights)

Down the stretch: Wings forward Arike Ogunbowale tied it up with 3.9 seconds left to force overtime, but her winning attempt came up short as the buzzer sounded. 

• Ogunbowale led the team with 29 points, six assists, and five rebounds, as guard Paige Bueckers rode the bench despite passing concussion protocol after exiting Sunday’s win over the Sparks with an apparent head injury. 

• The loss ended Dallas’s franchise-record six-game winning streak, with both teams on the hook for one last battle before breaking for All-Star Weekend.

Up next: The Liberty host No. 12 Chicago tomorrow at 7 PM ET (WNBA League Pass), before the Wings visit No. 9 Portland at 10 PM ET (USA).

All-Star ticket demand smashes records

The Windy City is bracing for a crowd, as StubHub reported 2026 WNBA All-Star Game ticket sales are up 32% over last year’s record and nearly eight times higher than Chicago’s previous 2022 All-Star Game.

• Fans are making the trip, with purchases spanning more than 40 states while 63% hail from outside Illinois.

• The audience is both loyal and expanding, as two-thirds of buyers are repeat StubHub customers — the highest share of any All-Star Game to date — while nearly 80% have never purchased tickets to a Chicago sporting event.

Track changes: The demand surges as StubHub deepens its investment in women’s sports with HerSportsHub, a curated marketplace designed to help fans find women’s sports tickets as the category booms.

• The platform launched in March, coinciding with Women’s History Month, NWSL season kickoff, and USA Hockey’s Olympic gold medal win.

• “We’re seeing fans embrace women’s sports like never before, whether they’re following their favorite teams all season or traveling for marquee events,” said StubHub’s Jill Gonzalez. “That growing enthusiasm is exactly why we launched HerSportsHub.” (See full report)

Chase Freedom’s Cashback Courts is headed to Chicago’s Complex Market for the ultimate celebration of women’s basketball, brining a live recording of hit JWS show Between the Lines to WNBA All-Star Weekend.

• Gear up from appearances from GOATs of the game, including BTL host and WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, basketball icon Candace Parker, and more.

• This isn’t just a moment — it’s a movement. Come fuel your fandom with Freedom as we celebrate the big plays and bigger stars on and off the court.

Be there: Meet us on the Courts on Friday, July 24th at 5:30 PM CT at Complex Market (2429 W 14th Street, Chicago).

NCAA conferences form officiating alliance

College hoops is overhauling its refereeing, as the ACC spearheads a new officiating alliance alongside the Big East, American, Atlantic 10, Ivy League, CAA, Big South, and Metro conferences.

• Former DI referee and ACC, Big East, and American Supervisor of Officials Pualani Spurlock-Welsh will oversee the partnership, which aims to recruit and retain staff, coordinate travel, and beef up referee training and evaluation. 

• Spurlock-Welsh officiated DI basketball for 18 years — including four Final Fours — asserting her experience as NCAA officiating has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. 

Big picture: The alliance is looking to construct a tiered pipeline that allows newer refs to work their way up from mid-majors to powerhouse conferences. 

• “You have a chance to move up as you get experience and become more familiar,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips told USA TODAY. “It’s a training mechanism for women’s college basketball overall.” (See full report)

WTA mandates genetic testing

The WTA is hopping on the testing train, shifting to require all players to undergo genetic testing in order to participate in any tour event, including Grand Slams.

• Starting today, players must submit to a one-time SRY gene test via blood sample or cheek swab, with a positive result rendering a player ineligible unless she can prove she has Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or another qualifying Difference of Sexual Development. 

• The news arrived quietly, with the WTA declining to issue a press release, disclose its reasoning, or say if it consulted medical experts or athletes before instituting the mandate. (See full report)

Following suit: The move follows the IOC’s recent inclusion policy reversal, which drew criticism from both doctors and athletes who warned it would harm Olympic competition, while World Boxing and World Athletics adopted similar rules in 2025.

Quote of the day

Wings star Paige Bueckers
responding to admin’s question of the day during Dallas’s practice this week.