Trust the process.

Dallas keeps battling

Last night’s WNBA return was mostly chalk, but the No. 12 Dallas Wings gave fans something to cheer for as they upset the No. 4 Seattle Storm in style.

• Wings rookie Paige Bueckers tied Caitlin Clark as the league’s fastest-ever player to reach 300 points and 100 assists in the 87-63 victory, scoring 14 points on the night.

• “She’s a true leader — she always has everybody’s best interest at heart,” Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale said of her rookie teammate.

Big picture: Dallas pleased the crowds, but Las Vegas powered the night’s biggest WNBA standings shift, shooting up to No. 6 after downing No. 5 Atlanta 87-72.

• Aces forward A’ja Wilson led her squad with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, while guard Dana Evans added 14 points off the bench.

• “We’re slowly creeping into the right place,” Wilson said after the win. “Our chemistry is starting to form in a better way.”

• Atlanta, however, is slipping in the opposite direction, falling to 13-10 on the season after dropping three of their last four games.

Up next: The Dream will look to right the ship against the Mercury tonight at 10 PM ET, live on CBS Sports.

England stages another comeback

The defending Euros champs have done it again, as England advanced to their second straight UEFA Women's Euro Final with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy — pulling off yet another knockout-stage comeback win.

• "We’re going to make a movie someday,” manager Sarina Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 after the Lionesses’ unlikely turnaround. “Well, this is a movie. My goodness, it’s unbelievable.”

How it happened: The Italian underdogs had the upset dialed in for most of the match, as Barbara Bonansea put Le Azzurre ahead 1-0 in the 33rd minute while the team locked into a sturdy defense, carrying them almost through the end of regulation.

• But 19-year-old England super-sub Michelle Agyemang played hero once again in final minutes of stoppage time, scoring her second late equalizer in as many games to force the game into extra time.

• As extra time drew to a close, England were awarded a somewhat controversial penalty — one that second-half sub Chloe Kelly sunk on her own rebound to put the Lionesses up 2-1.

• “Four years ago, I was just a kid throwing balls to some of these girls, now I’m playing with them,” said senior team newcomer Agyemang, who served as a ball girl during the 2022 Euros Final at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Up next: Eight-time European title-winners Germany close out the semis against 2023 World Cup champions Spain today at 3 PM ET, live on FOX.

Denver NWSL lands a name

The NWSL’s newest team has a name, with the Colorado addition announcing they’ve landed on Denver Summit FC ahead of the franchise’s 2026 debut season.

• “Denver Summit FC” earned top billing in the club’s Name the Team community outreach campaign, which generated over 15,000 votes.

• “Our crest, colors, and brand are representative of Denver and all of Colorado,” club president Jen Millet said in Tuesday’s statement. “It embraces our aspirational goals and pioneering spirit to build the best soccer club in the world.”

• “Much like the picturesque Rocky Mountains, our charge is to stand apart while always reaching for new heights,” said controlling owner Rob Cohen.

Full steam ahead: Awarded expansion in January 2025, Denver is navigating a shorter runway than fellow 2026 expansion side Boston Legacy, though the club already has plans for a dedicated training facility and stadium in the works.

• Denver has also been busy on the soccer operations side, with reports linking ex-Manchester City manager Nick Cushing to the club’s inaugural head coach hire.

WNBA All-Star does numbers on ESPN

2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend’s success extended beyond the court, as ESPN announced strong viewership across both nights of programming on Tuesday.

• Friday’s 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge averaged 1.3 million viewers, up 89% from 2024 to earn the largest audience in competition history.

• The events also ranked first in primetime coverage across several demographics, including viewers under 35 and adults aged 18 to 34.

Big picture: With superstar Caitlin Clark stuck on the sidelines, Saturday’s All-Star Game averaged 2.2 million viewers, a slight dip from last year’s 3.44 million.

• It did, however, build on previous gains to become the second-most watched WNBA All-Star Game on record.

Nigeria and Morocco advance to WAFCON Final

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Final is set, after nine-time champions Nigeria and hosts Morocco advanced past a pair of semifinal thrillers on Tuesday.

• Nigeria narrowly avoided extra time against defending champions South Africa, after a long-range game-winner from Houston Dash defender Michelle Alozie secured the 2-1 finish in second-half stoppage time.

• Morocco managed to escape a penalty shootout with Ghana after closing out extra time in a 1-1 stalemate, with the Atlas Lionesses prevailing 4-2 from the spot to advance to their second straight WAFCON Final.

Big picture: Neither team has yet to lose a game at this summer’s tournament — but the Super Falcons have the edge when it comes to international experience.

• Nigeria will be hunting their 10th WAFCON title in Saturday’s Final, while Morocco is still searching for their first.

Don’t miss it: The WAFCON Final kicks off at 4 PM ET, live on beIN Sports.

Number of the day 

709

45-year-old tennis icon Venus Williams earned her first WTA singles win in 709 days on Tuesday, after taking down Peyton Stearns in straight sets at the DC Open.