WNBA Commissioner’s Cup race comes down to the wire

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Commissioner’s Cup race comes down to the wire

Minnesota is hunting another Commissioner’s Cup title, sitting neck-and-neck with Las Vegas atop the Western Conference table ahead of tonight’s final slate.

• The Lynx blew out Portland to pull level with the Aces on a 5-1 Cup record — but it’ll take both a win over LA and Las Vegas losing to the Mercury to punch a ticket to the tournament final.

• “We were locked in, as we should have been,” said Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said after Monday’s victory. “Trying to win a home game and trying to stay in the hunt in the Commissioner’s Cup.” (See full standings)

Eyes on the prize: If the Lynx dispatch the Sparks, they’ll be banking on an upset in Phoenix and a quiet night for No. 3 Dallas to book a third consecutive Cup final.

• The Mercury has struggled since thumping the Aces 99-66 to open the season, carrying a three-game losing streak into tonight’s Commissioner’s Cup finale.

• “There’s definitely urgency,” said Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts. “We know that we need to be playing better. But at the same time, you’ve got to have patience.” (See full report)

Tune in: Both games tip off at 10 PM tonight, as Minnesota takes on LA (WNBA League Pass) while Las Vegas faces Phoenix (USA).

Olympic talent headlines PWHL draft

The next generation of PWHL talent has arrived, as the expanding pro hockey league continues its whirlwind offseason with tonight’s six-round entry draft.

• Vancouver holds the No. 1 pick, followed by Seattle at No. 2, and newcomers Las Vegas at No. 3, San Jose at No. 4, and Las Vegas again at No. 5.

• Expansion side Las Vegas’s first-round dominance comes via foundational signing Hilary Knight’s high-profile trade, as the Team USA captain heads to Detroit in exchange for another top draft pick. (See full draft order)

Taking stock: Pulling from both the college and international game, a roster of 2026 Olympians headline this year’s star-studded draft class.

• US gold medalists Laila Edwards (Wisconsin), Caroline Harvey (Wisconsin), Abbey Murphy (Minnesota), Kirsten Simms (Wisconsin), and Tessa Janecke (Penn State) are up for grabs, with Harvey projected to go No. 1.

• International standouts share the bill, including Switzerland’s Andrea Brandli, Finland’s Petra Nieminen, and Italy’s Laura Fortino. (See mock draft)

Tune in: The 2026 PWHL Draft starts tonight at 5 PM ET, live on YouTube.

Alysa Liu returns to the ice for Skate America

Alysa Liu is officially returning to the ice, as the 2026 Olympic gold medalist plans to join the US national team at November’s Skate America Grand Prix.

• Fellow Olympian Amber Glenn is also on board, while US teammate Isabeau Levito is set to compete alongside Liu in Helsinki later that month.

• Liu and Glenn could opt into lower-level lead-up events ahead of the Grand Prix, as the duo prepares to take on bronze medalist Ami Nakai and Worlds bronze winner Nina Pinzarrone. (See full lineup)

Back at it: Liu’s sign-on indicates a shorter break than anticipated, after she took two years off between the Beijing and Milan-Cortina Olympics.

• Liu sat out March’s 2026 World Championships, where three-time Olympic silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto retired with her fourth Worlds win.

• Skaters must participate in two Grand Prix competitions to qualify for the finals in December — with Liu’s appearance at both Skate America and the Finlandia Cup setting her up for a crowded 2026 schedule. (See full report)

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Upper Deck drops exclusive USWNT collection

The USWNT is getting the Upper Deck treatment, as the trading card giant became the official home of authenticated US Soccer memorabilia this week.

• In honor of the multi-year licensing deal, Upper Deck is releasing exclusive collections spotlighting US legend and brand spokesperson Alex Morgan’s 123 international goals and current star Trinity Rodman’s 2024 Olympic gold medal run. (See full report)

Big legacy: “Upper Deck has proudly supported the sport of soccer for more than 30 years,” said UD President Jason Masherah. “From our first ‘Upper Deck World Cup’ trading card set that released in 1993, to recently adding Alex Morgan, one of the greatest players to ever take the pitch.”

Get yours: Browse the drop and pre-order collectables via Upper Deck.

Chicago signs WSL champion Leila Ouahabi

The Chicago Stars are stocking up, signing WSL and UWCL champion defender Leila Ouahabi to a three-year contract this week.

• Ouahabi lifted the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2021, before winning both the league and FA Cup titles over four years at Manchester City.

• “This is a new challenge in my career,” Ouhabi said in a statement. “I look forward to bringing my soccer knowledge and experience to the team, and I want to give the best version of me and help my team do the same.” (See full release)

Big moves: The signing marks No. 15 Chicago’s first attempt at a midseason rebuild, with president Karen Leetzow serving as acting GM after the Stars fired Richard Feuz. (See full report)

Quote of the day

LA Sparks guard Kate Martin
on returning to Golden State after the Valkyries waived her last month.