Struggling Liberty braces for FIBA World Cup break

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Liberty braces for FIBA World Cup break

No. 8 New York is struggling to stack wins, sliding down the WNBA standings as the league prepares to hit pause for the 2026 FIBA World Cup.

• The Liberty suffered a season sweep at the hands of No. 2 Golden State last night, falling 79-60 to mark its second dropped result in three games.

• “It was definitely a disappointing one because I feel like today was a bit of a step backwards,” said guard Rebecca Allen. (Watch full highlights)

Scouting report: Thursday’s loss showcased a wealth of World Cup talent, as nine Berlin-bound players took the court in Brooklyn.

• New York’s Breanna Stewart (USA), Pauline Astier (France), Marine Johannès (France), Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Han Xu (China), Alex Fowler (Australia), and Marine Fauthoux (France) squared off against Valkyries Janelle Salaün (France) and Gabby Williams (France), putting in their second-to-last effort on US soil before next week’s international tipoff. (See full rosters)

Tune in: New York has one last chance to bounce back before the break, taking on eliminated No. 12 Chicago on Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS).

Gotham amps up Shield hunt against Thorns

No. 1 Gotham has the Shield in its sights, but the shorthanded Bats will first have to fly past No. 3 Portland in this weekend’s toughest NWSL clash.

• Gotham midfielder Rose Lavelle (head) will sit out tonight’s match, after a first-half collision saw her exit Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Angel City.

• “She’s going through the testing, but she’s in the concussion protocol, so she won’t be available,” said Gotham manager Shaun Harris. (See full report)

Scouting report: Gotham sits atop the NWSL table on a nine-game unbeaten streak, while the Thorns are carrying their own three-game winning streak despite losing star Olivia Moultrie to a season-ending ACL tear.

• Bolstered by Sophia Wilson and Pietra Tordin, Portland ranks third in goals scored — but will meet its match in the Bats’ league-best defense.

• “It’s about making sure we can control the game from early, establish good positions and good possession, and try to dominate as much as we can on the ball,” said Harris. (See full standings)

Tune in: Gotham takes on Portland tonight at 8 PM ET (Prime).

Top WTA stars headline US Open main draw

The WTA’s best has descended on New York, as the 2026 US Open kicks off its main singles draw on Sunday — marking the final Grand Slam of the year.

• Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is vying to become the third-ever player to win three straight US Open women’s titles, joining the likes of Chris Evert and Serena Williams.

• “I do like how she’s practicing right now, and what she’s doing on the court,” Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov told ATP legend Andy Roddick. “At the moment, I want her to be happy, and enjoy the process.” (See full clip)

Setting the field: Sabalenka has yet to win a Slam this season, putting her world No. 1 ranking in jeopardy as top competitors hit the court in Queens.

• No. 2 Elena Rybakina could overtake Sabalenka should she get past No. 8 Iga Świątek, while No. 4 Coco Gauff is a collision course with No. 5 Mira Andreeva, and No. 3 Jessica Pegula stares down No. 7 Karolína Muchová.

• Tennis icon Venus Williams will face fellow Slam winner Sofia Kenin in Sunday’s first round, before joining sister Serena for next week’s doubles campaign. (See full draw)

Tune in: US Open singles coverage begins on Sunday (ESPN).

Catch up on the latest women’s soccer headlines, as an all-new The Late Sub presented by Ally Bank dishes up host Claire Watkins’s hottest takes on all things USWNT, NWSL, Champions League, and more.

• In the episode, Claire takes a good look at North Carolina Courage standout Ashley Sanchez and her epic NWSL run.

• After falling out of the national team’s favor in years past, the Golden Boot leader can no longer be ignored — but is US coach Emma Hayes watching?

Tune in: Catch The Late Sub with Claire Watkins on YouTube.

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

Boston Legacy settles on Rhode Island

The Legacy has found a home, as Boston’s NWSL club announced it will play all 2027 home matches at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

• Ongoing delays have derailed a permanent move to Boston’s White Stadium, with the expansion team now targeting a 2028 debut.

• “We are deeply grateful to our fans, partners, the City of Boston, and Boston Public Schools for believing in this vision and helping us move it forward,” Legacy controlling owner Jennifer Epstein said. (See full release)

Dream deferred: The Legacy’s plans to partner with the City of Boston to overhaul the 10,500-seat Franklin Park venue dates back to its original 2023 expansion bid.

• Rising costs and legal challenges have impacted construction progress, with the team currently splitting its inaugural season between Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium and Pawtucket. (See full report)

DeWanna Bonner signs with Atlanta

WNBA vet DeWanna Bonner has landed, as the two-time league champion signed a rest-of-year deal with No. 4 Atlanta after departing Phoenix last week.

• The eliminated No. 12 Mercury agreed to a contract buyout, allowing Bonner to chase one more title in what’s likely her final year in the pros.

• In turn, the Dream waived guards Aaliyah Nye and Jaylyn Sherrod to free up roster room. (See full report)

Big moves: Hot off signing star forward Angel Reese, the Dream has secured a fourth straight playoff berth with six regular-season games remaining.

• “She’s probably been trying to get here for a couple of years now, and finally (her) being here when I’m here is really cool,” Reese said of Bonner. “She’s kinda been like a big sister to me while I’ve been in this league, always checking in.”

Tune in: Reshuffled Atlanta faces No. 1 Minnesota on Sunday at 3 PM ET (NBA TV).

Quote of the day

Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu
announcing she will officially sit out the 2026/27 figure skating season.