Flau’jae Johnson nailed the perfect World Cup crossover in Seattle.

Skylar Diggins blindsided by Sky bench role

Sky guard Skylar Diggins says she was caught off guard by news she’ll come off the bench in Phoenix tonight, ending a decade-long run as a WNBA starter just 19 games into her two-year deal with Chicago. On Instagram, she wrote, “Now I’m coming off the bench?????? Cool,” then followed with a video saying the “crazy part is that she’s been so good and quiet” all season.

Coach Tyler Marsh has framed the move as his call and declined to detail conversations with Diggins, while outside analysts question the timing for a 6–14 Sky team still searching for an identity after a splashy veteran-heavy offseason.

Big picture: This is the second high-profile backcourt shake-up in Chicago this year, after the team waived Hailey Van Lith over “style of play” concerns, and it raises fresh questions about the Sky’s long-term plan around a roster with playoff expectations that isn’t winning. For Diggins, the move lands like a gut punch: just months after choosing Chicago, signing a two-year, $1.8 million deal and being sold as the veteran leader of a retooled Sky, she’s now coming off the bench 19 games into the season. Frustrations are also likely connected to a lack of team resources compared to other franchises.

• “I was thinking we were going to be in a practice facility, and other things that were told to me, and that’s not been the case,” she said. “It’s hard to perform at a certain level without those [resources].”

• “Maybe it’s time to take a step back and see what’s going on to see if I need to continue to make those sacrifices without having the proper resources to play at an elite level,” she continued.

Tune in: Chicago takes on Phoenix tonight at 10 PM ET, live on League Pass.

Dallas challenges New York for WNBA top four

The Dallas Wings are ready to challenge the WNBA’s top teams, as they carry a two-game winning streak into tonight’s matchup against the New York Liberty, who are fresh off their second Commissioner’s Cup victory.

• Dallas most recently defeated the Tempo 89-76 on Sunday, pulling even with New York at 13-8 behind a 22-point performance from All-Star guard Paige Bueckers.

• Bueckers has scored at least 20 points while shooting above 50% in her last five games, tying Katie Smith for the longest such streak for a guard in WNBA history, per ESPN.

Big picture: The Liberty are still growing into the 2026 season themselves, following up their Commissioner’s Cup victory with a win over the league-leading Lynx 99-86 on Friday.

• “I feel like we’re a completely different team from who we were when we first saw [Dallas],” Sabrina Ionescu told media. “We’ve continued to get better every game, and I feel like we’re at a different pace now than we were then.

• The Liberty will still be without forward Satou Sabally, who remains in concussion protocol after suffering her second concussion in eight months in late June.

Tune in: Dallas faces New York tonight at 8 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Matsukubo transfer rocks the NWSL

Chelsea has nabbed another rising NWSL talent, as North Carolina announced the immediate transfer of 2025 MVP finalist Manaka Matsukubo to the WSL titans on Saturday.

• The reigning NWSL Midfielder of the Year, Matsukubo signed a five-year deal with Chelsea upon this weekend’s transfer, having already scored five goals during the 2026 NWSL season.

• "I'm so excited to be joining Chelsea, a club with a lot of history," she said in a statement. "As a small child, I followed Chelsea because it is a club everyone in the world knows about.”

Big picture: Matsukubo’s transfer echoes former Angel City standout Alyssa Thompson’s midseason move to the Blues in 2025, as the NWSL attempts to compete in a global market with a salary cap.

• The 21-year-old had been set to become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, with a clause in her contract requiring the Courage to approve any transfer at or above a particular unknown threshold.

• Matsukubo might not be the only player on the move: USWNT forward Emma Sears has reportedly asked to be traded from Racing Louisville, as the club sits last in the league standings.

If you're making the trip for the biggest weekend in basketball, make JWS Spot your first stop. Expect player appearances, exclusive merch, free drinks, free bucket hats, ‘90s giveaways, and a room full of people who love women’s basketball as much as you do.

📍 Bottom Lounge, Chicago

⏰ July 25th | 2-6 PM

Be there: Grab your free tickets before they’re gone.

AUSL young stars stand out in merch sales

The young stars of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League stand out beyond their style of play, as merchandise sales for five of the league’s top-10 selling players have come from the 2026 rookie class.

• No. 1 overall 2026 pick Karlyn Pickens of the Carolina Blaze leads the league in merchandise sales this season, joined by fellow rookies Sam Landry and Reese Atwood in the top-three.

• AUSL merchandise sales have expanded exponentially since 2025, with revenue exceeding 200% of sales from the first month of the season last year.

Big picture: The popularity of this year’s AUSL rookie class underlines potential stardom for players immediately going pro after the NCAA Women’s College World Series, as fans follow their favorite athletes to the professional level.

• Texas Volts ace Nijaree Canady sits fourth in merch sales, while former UCLA slugger Megan Grant of the Portland Cascade sits in seventh place — with only Montana Fouts representing the league-leading Talons at sixth.

Check it out: AUSL merchandise can be found at the AU Pro Shop, as well as in-venue pop up shops in each league market.

LA Sparks sign Kate Martin to standard contract

A WNBA fan favorite may have found her permanent home this week, as the LA Sparks announced on Monday that guard Kate Martin has signed with the team on a standard contract after previously competing in the team’s developmental player pool.

• "Kate has made a meaningful impact on our group both on and off the court," said Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley. "She brings versatility on both ends of the floor, competes at a high level and consistently puts the team first."

• The Sparks subsequently waived rookie Ta’Niyah Latson, selected by LA at No. 20 in the 2026 draft.

Big picture: Originally drafted to Las Vegas in 2024, Martin spent a season in Golden State in 2025 before suffering one of the team’s final cuts prior to the 2026 season tip-off, making her return to the court as a development player in LA.

• “I feel very grateful for the opportunity,” Martin told the Long Beach Press-Telegram on Monday. “I think coming here has been great for my career.”

Number of the day

20

Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd became the fastest guard to register 20 career blocks this week — as she averages more blocks per game than any player under 6’ in WNBA history.