Whatever happened to the WNBA’s lost teams?

Utah & Portland clash in top-table NWSL battle

The NWSL is going out with a bang, as a top-table Saturday clash between No. 1 Utah and No. 2 Portland headlines the final slate before June’s midseason break.

• The Royals and Thorns sit atop the NWSL standings with 23 points apiece — though Utah has both a game in hand and undeniable momentum coming off a nine-game unbeaten streak.

• “[The game] will just require the same elements we’ve been doing really well,” Utah manager Jimmy Coenraets said ahead of the weekend showdown. “We’ll have to measure intensity.” (See full standings)

Taking stock: Potent attacking duos fuel both teams, as Portland’s Sophia Wilson and Olivia Moultrie attempt to offset Utah’s Chloe Lacasse and Mina Tanaka.

• Moultrie should play a major factor in the Thorns’ game plan, as she currently sits tied for league assists-leader while ranking fourth in goals scored with four through 10 games. (See full stats)

• “We have to be efficient in front of the goal,” added Coenraets. “All of the games we’ve been winning thus far, we’ve been efficient.”

Tune in: Utah takes on Portland on Saturday at 4 PM ET, live on ION.

Wings score statement win over Aces

The Wings continue to climb the WNBA ranks, taking down the 2025 champion Aces 95-87 last night in Dallas’s most complete win of the season so far.

• Wings center Jessica Shepard notched her second triple-double of the year with 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, backed up by 42 combined points from backcourt duo Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd — with Fudd earning her first career start.

• “Probably nobody believed that we’d have five wins right now," said Dallas head coach Jose Fernandez. “But I think everybody in that locker room and that staff believed it.” (Watch full highlights)

Falling short: Las Vegas appeared adrift after a hot start, suffering a second straight loss behind a relatively quiet night on both sides of the ball.

• “I think our defense sucked,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “And then we stopped moving the ball offensively, so it compounds.”

• “It’s frustrating because we know what we are capable of on the defensive end,” four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson said after leading her team with 21 points. “We can’t rely solely on outscoring teams. We have to get stops, and tonight we just didn’t bring that necessary edge.” (See full report)

Up next: The Aces will look to bounce back against Golden State on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET (NBC), while Dallas hosts Seattle on Monday at 8 PM ET (USA).

Sparks look to edge out Mystics despite Kelsey Plum injury

LA is banking on momentum, taking down Phoenix and Las Vegas to ride a two-game winning streak into tonight’s clash with a young and eager Washington side.

• The Sparks will face the Mystics without star Kelsey Plum, after the WNBA’s top scorer landed on this week’s injury report with a sprained ankle.

• However, LA is expecting to see Nneka Ogwumike back in the lineup, after the forward sat out Saturday’s win over Las Vegas with a hand injury.

Scouting report: Anchored by Ogwumike and fellow veterans Ariel Atkins and Dearica Hamby, the Sparks will rely on measured experience to disrupt rookie-fueled Washington.

• The Mystics are hunting back-to-back victories for the first time this season, after notching Wednesday’s 78-64 revenge win over Seattle behind a solid defensive showing.

• “I think [the win] was a reflection of the players’ commitment to the Mystics and our DNA,” said Washington head coach Sydney Johnson. (Watch full highlights)

Tune in: LA takes on Washington tonight at 7:30 PM ET, live on ION.

Catch up on the latest women’s soccer headlines, as all-new episode of 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 breaks down every pick in Emma Hayes’s latest USWNT roster — including some surprises and snubs — as the US gears up for next month’s friendlies in Brazil.

• Plus, why can’t Ashley Sanchez catch a national team break despite her MVP-caliber NWSL season?

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

Ally Bank, Member FDIC.

PWHL details 2026/27 expansion process

The PWHL is making plans, detailing its new roster-building process as Detroit, Hamilton, San Jose, and Las Vegas prepare to join the league next season.

• Moving away from prior expansion drafts, the process now spans six transaction phases instead of solely relying on strict signing periods or next month’s college draft to distribute talent.

• “Our priorities were clear: to give players a meaningful voice throughout the process while maintaining competitive balance across the league for all 12 teams,” said EVP of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford.

How it works: The expansion period officially opens June 1st, with existing teams able to protect three players via Phase 1’s two-day negotiation window, while expansion teams are allowed to sign unprotected players under contract.

• If any incoming team can’t complete its roster through the exclusive signing windows, a draft process could be introduced down the line. (See full rules)

Report: Serena Williams teases WTA return

Tennis icon Serena Williams is teasing a comeback, after the 44-year-old reportedly requested a doubles wildcard entry for June’s Queens Club Championships alongside world No. 9 Victoria Mboko.

• Williams hasn’t competed since the 2022 US Open, but has recently been spotting training in Florida after re-entering — and completing — the WTA’s six-month anti-doping testing protocol.

• “Me and Serena have stayed in touch,” Mboko said. “If she’s ready to come back on her own terms, then I feel like it’s up to her to announce that.”

Big picture: The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion’s return would create shockwaves across the sport, with current stars already voicing their excitement.

• “That would be really cool,” said No. 4 Coco Gauff. “I did say one of my biggest regrets was not being able to play her.” (See full report)

Number of the day

183

Paramount+ will broadcast 183 WSL games across the next four seasons, marking a new record-high US media deal for the English soccer league.