After finishing the 2025 season at the bottom of the WNBA, the Dallas Wings flipped the script this year, emerging as a playoff team with the largest turnaround in the league’s history.

This season, they improved their record by 17 wins compared to the previous year, going from 10-34 to 27-17. This dramatic transformation wasn’t due to one factor, but a combination of changes.

The Wings needed to surround their star, Paige Bueckers, with the right support. From coaching changes to free agency signings, they did exactly that.

Jose Fernandez Replaced Koclanes and Led a Historic Turnaround

Chris Koclanes coached the Wings in 2025. It was his first WNBA head coaching job after serving as an assistant at USC.

Koclanes could only lead the team to 10 wins despite having first overall pick Paige Bueckers and acquiring Dijonai Carrington and Nalyssa Smith via trade in the offseason.

Ahead of the 2026 season, the Wings parted ways with Koclanes. General Manager Curt Miller explained the decision in a statement released by the team, saying “As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization.”

They soon announced Jose Fernandez as the new head coach. Fernandez spent 25 years leading the University of South Florida women’s basketball team. Miller described him as “one of the most respected veteran coaches in women’s basketball” and that “he is a proven winner and has built sustained success over two decades.”

And in his first season, Fernandez led the Wings to the most wins in franchise history.

Azzi Fudd Became a Defensive Weapon Nobody Expected

For the second year in a row, Dallas secured the first overall pick in the WNBA draft. In 2025, they selected Paige Bueckers out of UConn, and in 2026 they picked her former college teammate Azzi Fudd.

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The 5-foot-11 shooting guard entered the season known as an efficient scorer and proven threat from the 3-point line, finishing her senior year scoring 17.3 points per game, shooting 44.7% from three.

Despite previously being praised for her ability to shoot, she actually emerged as a crucial piece for the Dallas defense.  After a late win against Chicago, coach Jose Fernandez praised Fudd’s impact, saying “Her size and her defensive pressure really changes things.”

Fudd’s season ended short due to having to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on her right knee, causing her to miss the playoffs. She finished her rookie year averaging 13.1 points and 1.7 steals.

Shepard, Smith, and Clark Gave Dallas the Depth It Lacked

Dallas made some exciting signings in the 2025-26 off-season, most notably 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Alanna Smith. The year turned out to be a disappointing one for Smith due to multiple injuries, but the signing demonstrated Dallas’ willingness to bring in high-level talent.

Smith’s injury woes meant Jessica Shepard, another offseason signing, became one of Dallas’ main stars. After previously coming off the bench for the Lynx, Shepard blossomed into an All-Star for the Wings. She recorded a league-high six triple-doubles and went on to win the Most Improved Player award.

The veteran presence of Alysha Clark was vital in mentoring Dallas’ young core. Some questioned signing a 39-year-old, but Clark’s impact spoke for itself. She scored 21 points in an elimination game against the Valkyries, showing up for the team when it mattered most.

Kuier and Ogunbowale Brought Size and Experience Back

The second pick of the 2021 draft, Awak Kuier, returned to Dallas after spending two years playing overseas. Her 6-foot-6 frame provided much-needed defensive stability. She finished third in the league in total blocks, giving the Wings a reliable defensive presence as they made their push to the playoffs.

The Wings re-signed guard Arike Ogunbowale ahead of the 2026 season. She offered veteran experience to Dallas’ youthful backcourt, and despite posting career-low scoring numbers, she provided a spark with her ability to create her own shot in crucial moments.

Notably, in Game 2 against the Valkyries, Ogunbowale broke the WNBA playoff record for points in a game with 45 points, including a tough game-tying three in the final moments of regulation.

The Wings Went From Last Place to Playoff Contender in One Year

The Wings’ playoff run ended in the first round, falling 1-2 to the second-seeded Valkyries. But losing as a seven seed to a team that went on to sweep the Aces and reach the Finals is nothing to be ashamed of.

Combined with the new-look backcourt of Bueckers and Fudd and the emergence of Shepard, the Wings went from the bottom of the standings to a genuine playoff contender in 12 months. The 27-17 record speaks for itself, and this roster is only getting started.

The post How the Wings Pulled Off the Biggest Turnaround in WNBA History appeared first on The Lead.

The WNBA Finals is set. 

This series features the Defensive Player of the Year and the Sixth Player of the Year.

From the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries’ matchups, the film says:

• The DPOTY will overwhelm the Valkyries
• Valkyries’ bench shooting can be explosive or go ice cold at any given time
• Drawing or avoiding offensive fouls will be the deciding factor

The Angel Flies on Defense

Angel Reese won DPOTY having led the league in rebounds per game (12.1) and she was third in steals per game (1.8). 

She can hold her ground on the perimeter with quicker guards.

Watch Reese anticipate the drive going right before creating a deflection and steal. When the rest of the defense feels no need to overload the gaps or commit to helping on the ball, it becomes a nightmare for opposing guards to find an advantage.

Here’s another example of the 24-year-old switching onto guards:

Reese gives up some air space so she doesn’t get blown by easily. Once again, she knows where the drive is going early, sinks down to put pressure on the ball and comes up with another pickpocket.

Janelle Salaun Must Go Lights Out

Janelle Salaun won Sixth Player of the Year and is no question the x-factor for the Valkyries. 

Having set the record for most points total (12.7) and most 3-pointers by a reserve, Salaun has increased new standards for the award.

In a seven game series, typically the x-factors perform like a rollercoaster. The 25-year-old just needs to have four good shooting games and the Valkyries can take home the trophy. In three games against the Dream, Salaun hit 7 of 15 triples and averaged 9.3 points — that can contribute to four wins.

The Valkyries like to run this pick-and-pop for Salaun when the Dream sits in drop coverage.

Salaun sets the screen and with the Dream in drop coverage — the big stays in the lane to play the drive of the ball handler — Salaun pops out to the perimeter for a wide open 3-pointer.

On this pick-and-pop, Salaun re-screens to help find a better driving angle.  

The Dream stayed in drop coverage. Perimeter shooting bigs will typically get a softer closeout where their counterparts do not leave their feet to challenge the shot because they are the last line of defense if they get blown by.

This gives Salaun time to launch a three ball without a threat of an aggressive closeout.

The Valkyries’ IQ for Drawing Offensive Fouls

In three regular season games against the Dream, the Valkyries drew eight offensive fouls. 

Plays like these can swing momentum:

Cecilia Zandalasini peel switches onto the ball handler to prevent any driving lanes.

Gabby Williams sees her teammate switch and she veerback switches onto Zandalasini’s assignment. 

Knowing that she is in legal guarding position, Zandalasini takes the elbow to the chest and that’s an easy offensive foul to call.

When things get chaotic, the Valkyries know how to eliminate it.

Keep an eye on Veronica Burton on this possession:

She can’t navigate a screen and has to guard a big trying to post her up. But keeping her eyes on the ball does wonders.

Burton does the next best thing: leave her assignment, see the drive and be in legal guarding position to draw a charge.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

The Valkyries are aiming to win the title in just year two as a franchise while the Dream have been swept in all three of their previous Finals appearances.

Atlanta in seven.

The post Who Will Win the WNBA Finals: Dream or Valkyries? appeared first on The Lead.

After an incredibly successful regular season, the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx were eliminated from the playoffs by the No. 8 seed New York Liberty in a round one sweep. 

Following the roster shakeup last offseason, the Lynx still entered the 2026 season as title favorites. So, what exactly happened to the buzzsaw team that ran through the regular season?

Olivia Miles’ Historic Season Ended With a Thud

The story of the Lynx’s season starts and ends with Olivia Miles.

The first-year guard out of TCU had a phenomenal regular season, unanimously winning Rookie of the Year and finishing second in MVP voting. Unfortunately for Minnesota, she had a rough go at it in her first playoffs. 

Miles’ efficiency was a primary catalyst behind her success. In the regular season, Miles shot 49% from the field on 14 attempts, and 38% from deep. In her two playoff games, however, she shot 4-of-20 from the field and 2-of-8 from long range.

With averages of just eight points, one assist, and five rebounds per game, Miles essentially played herself out of Minnesota’s rotation. In Game 2, she only logged 17 minutes, as coach Reeve turned to Nia Brodie down the stretch.

The Liberty Plugged the Paint and Took Away Miles’ Game

Miles’ poor efficiency could have something to do with the Liberty’s defense, specifically, their paint defense. Miles is a guard who excels in the paint, with flashy layups and passes galore. The Liberty’s response to that was to plug the paint with top defenders and big bodies. 

That started with Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart. The two former MVPs played pivotal defense on some of the Lynx’s best players, but also clogged the paint, preventing Miles from finding her rhythm. The Liberty also gave Han Xu extended minutes, a 6-foot-11 center, whose height alone makes finishing at the rim nearly impossible.

New York’s depth, which includes Xu, Marine Johannes and Rebecca Allen provided valuable minutes whenever the starters needed a rest. Despite only playing a combined 27 minutes in the closeout game, all three finished with a positive plus/minus. 

Contrasting that with some of the Lynx’s depth, like Dorka Juhász, who finished with a -16 plus/minus in the closeout game, it’s easy to see who made more of an impact. 

The Liberty’s Big Three Outplayed Minnesota’s Best

Despite their middling 26-18 record, the Liberty are far from a true No. 8 seed. Their roster features some of the best talent in the league, including Jones, Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. When fully healthy, their lineup also includes Satou Sabally, a former top-five MVP finisher. 

Jones, Stewart and Ionescu all outperformed their Lynx counterparts. Stewart especially was the engine of the offense, scoring 34 points in Game 1 and 21 points in Game 2. Ionescu was also her usual self, splashing deep threes at crucial moments in both games. 

Ionescu wasn’t efficient on paper, but she delivered in the moments that mattered.

Without Miles Firing, the Lynx Had No Offensive Answer

Despite the Lynx’s top-ranked defense, the Liberty’s star power was too much to contain.

Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard both made the All-Star team this year, and Napheesa Collier likely would have joined them had she not missed time with injury. But none of the three provided enough offense when the team needed it most. Only Williams scored more than 15 points in either game, and she did so on an inefficient 8-for-17 from the field.

All three feed off Miles’ playmaking. When she goes cold, the rest of the offense stalls with her.

The Liberty Just Have Minnesota’s Number

The Lynx are at their best when the ball moves and everyone scores. The Liberty are built differently, as they have a few stars surrounded by role players who know their jobs.

The talent gap showed on both ends of the floor. Dating back to their 2024 WNBA Finals matchup, New York has had Minnesota’s number. A historic regular season didn’t change that.

The Liberty’s offensive firepower, interior defense, and sheer size stifled everything the Lynx wanted to do. As a result, it produced the first-ever 8-over-1 upset in WNBA playoff history.

The post The Top-Seeded Lynx Had No Answer for the Liberty appeared first on The Lead.

When people discussed the WNBA Coach of the Year, they focused on the coaches who led their teams to the best records. This season, that conversation included Cheryl Reeve, Natalie Nakase, and Becky Hammon.

While those names were in the top tier, Washington Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson rightfully deserved more attention.

Coming into the season, Johnson’s main goal was to build on Washington’s 16-28 finish from the 2025 season. With a roster made up mostly of young players, the expectations weren’t necessarily for the Mystics to make the playoffs. However, in only his second year as head coach, Johnson led the Mystics to the playoffs while continuing to develop their young talent.

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Austin, Citron, and Iriafen All Took Major Leaps This Season

One player who took a major leap is Shakira Austin. Austin, who has faced several setbacks in her career because of injuries, is becoming the foundational piece the Mystics have been searching for.

Unlike last season, Austin has established herself as a legitimate all-around player who can impact the game in many ways. She has become a much better scorer, going from 12.7 points per game in 2025 to 17 points per game in 2026. She also took another step in her rebounding and rim protection numbers, averaging 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season.

The most notable addition to her game is the three-point shot. Austin is shooting 33.3% from three on 1.3 attempts per game. This is only modest volume, but the willingness to shoot it at all forces defenses to respect her out there.

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Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are two other players who have shown improvement.

Fans have seen Citron go from a promising rookie to a leader and another centerpiece. Her scoring and assist numbers improved by 1.9 points and 2.o assists, but the biggest development was her leadership. Before the season began, Citron told reporters on Media Day that she is trying to take initiative this year and become more of a leader. And she did just that.

Iriafen’s development has shown in both her numbers and her on-court chemistry with Austin. She’s become a more polished scorer and rebounder while stretching her range to the three-point line. She has averaged 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from deep. More importantly, her ability to complement Austin has helped make them one of the league’s most respected frontcourt duos.

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Johnson Proved Washington Could Rebuild and Make the Playoffs

When a franchise rebuilds and focuses on development, it usually continues to suffer from losing seasons. However, Johnson made sure that didn’t happen.

When the Mystics hired Johnson as head coach, an immediate playoff appearance wasn’t expected. Instead, the organization wanted to focus on player development and building a solid roster.

After the 2025 season, the Mystics front office decided to make Austin, Citron, and Iriafen the foundational core of the rebuild. Before this season began, Johnson told reporters on Media Day that their commitment was “full-out player development for everybody.” But few people expected the Mystics, who have missed the postseason the previous two seasons, to clinch a playoff berth while doing so.

Ultimately, the Coach of the Year award went to Minnesota Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve. But when the conversation is about coaches making the most out of their teams this season, Johnson still deserved to be included.

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The post Sydney Johnson Deserved More Coach of the Year Consideration appeared first on The Lead.

Often in basketball, if a team is up by 10 or more in the fourth quarter, the stands slowly empty out before the buzzer even hits zero. That wasn’t the case for the Connecticut Sun’s final victory, 95-81 vs. the Toronto Tempo on September 24. 

With the loudest “Go Sun” chants and the strongest “boo”s Mohegan Sun Arena heard that summer, no one would have guessed there was nothing on the line. No playoffs, no “See you next season,” just 40 minutes. If there is one word to describe the performance Connecticut Sun players delivered, it would be symbolic. 

A Game with Every Skillset

“I want to involve everyone tonight,” Head Coach Rachid Meziane said ahead of the matchup. One of this team’s biggest challenges this season was constant changes in rotations and team rhythm because of injuries. Their final game was no different. 

Heading into their final matchup against the Toronto Tempo, several leaders were injured. This included center Brittney Griner, forward Kennedy Burke, center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and guard Saniya Rivers. While there were missing pieces on the court, those with less experience continued to do what they did all season: show up. 

Throughout the season, there was a lot of discussion about the difficulties that come with injuries. That said, while some saw it as a setback, others saw it as an opportunity. Especially throughout the last few games of the Connecticut Sun’s final season, several rookies delivered. 

Taking Opportunity

By themselves, center Raegan Beers, guard Ashlon Jackson, and guard Gianna Kneepkens scored 47 points Thursday night. That accounted for just under half of the team’s 95. Beers scored her career high. Jackson scored her career high. Kneepkens scored her second-most points ever in a game. None of this came out of nowhere. 

This is what happens when the hard work that doesn’t get talked about during practice finally comes out onto the court. These girls, and the future the league has in store, define taking an opportunity and running with it, even if it is just for a few games. 

“[I’m] so proud of Gianna,” rookie guard Charlisse Leger-Walker said following Kneepkens’ career-high in their second-to-last home game. “Literally every time Gianna catches the ball, I’m like, ‘Shoot that.’ Every time she lets it go, in my mind, I feel like it’s going in.”

“As a rookie, any time on the court is really important for your career and you as a basketball player,” Kneepkens said following her career-high against the Minnesota Lynx. While her time was limited this season, the way she ended it in Connecticut Sun’s final week reminded the crowd that she’s only at the start of her career. 

New Beginnings

There’s been a lot of focus on the “last” s of the Connecticut Sun, when the performances these rookies delivered during the season’s final moments were a symbol of the new beginnings to come for this group. 

Jackson, a rookie, will go down in history as the final person to score a basket for the Connecticut Sun. 

“[Jackson] has been working her tail off,” Beers said in an exit interview. “Working from a developmental player all the way to now, so to see her end her rookie year like that was just so deserving.” 

Although Jackson wasn’t signed to a rest-of-season contract until August 15, the guard made the most of that time. There was no better way to symbolize what’s to come for season two than by doubling her previous season high for her final night in a Sun jersey. 

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“I love working with young players,” Meziane said during the team’s final postgame press conference. “I like seeing them migrate and be able to transfer that onto the floor.”

What’s to Come

All season long, press after press, Sun players emphasized the need to stay present. They constantly talked about work ethic, getting in the gym, and the work behind the scenes. Oftentimes, people are so caught up in what happens in 40 minutes that the hours upon hours go unnoticed. 

Ahead of their final matchup, Meziane encouraged his players not to get caught up in the emotions. Instead, he encouraged them to focus on the game. Players dealt with outside noise about the Houston relocation all season, and Thursday was no different. Players responded the same way: with focus, presence, and hard work. 

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The Sun is now officially set in Uncasville, Connecticut. With a beautiful sunset that Mohegan Sun Arena painted picture-perfectly Thursday night, come even more beautiful beginnings beyond the horizon. This is only the beginning – for athletes, for fans, for the league – and despite being in its 30th season, women’s basketball will only continue to rise. 

The post Despite All the ‘Last’s, CT Sun Players Are Just Getting Started appeared first on The Lead.

There are two home games to go until the end of the Connecticut Sun era.

Headlines have been made both on and off the court this season, making it essential to choose which memories and moments to keep.

How much of these moments should be about each of the team’s “lasts”s? 

Tuning Out the Noise

In its 30th season, the WNBA faced one of the largest and most disguised obstacles it could: noise.

More viewership, more commentary, more conversation – all of which leave a lot of room for non-sports conversation. Throughout the past few months, there was a lot of discussion online over what political or social issues should be associated with the WNBA. 

Noise about the transgender athlete debate. Commentary about physicality. Back-and-forth about relationships off the court. Ultimately, these viral moments on social media detracted from the league’s authenticity and what the players produce as a whole. 

Distractions from the Court

The Connecticut Sun, on the other hand, continue to deal with non-sports conversation in an equally destructive way. So many are focused on “the end” for this team that they’re failing to see what’s right in front of them: the present. 

“I think the media and everybody else is talking about Houston,” CT Sun guard Saniya Rivers said in an interview. “‘Are you guys excited?’ It’s like, we still have a season to finish here.” 

All season-long, several Connecticut Sun players used the phrase, “staying present”. They used the phrase to describe how they turned things around after hard losses, reflecting their mentality in the locker room and behind the scenes. They used it when talking about playing in front of a different crowd at TD Garden. 

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“We are focusing on our job and again on what we can control – and what we can control is the present,” Head Coach Rachid Meziane said ahead of the matchup in Boston. 

Yes, the Connecticut Sun have only two home games left. Those are two chances right there to treat these upcoming matchups like any other game, despite being out of playoff contention. 

“It does get a little bit bittersweet, but overall, we try to stay present,” CT Sun forward Diamond Miller said in an interview. 

In It for the Game

People come to watch basketball for what happens on the court, not to dwell on it. People pay real money not to catch a “viral” moment, but to see an exciting game. A lot of this season for the Connecticut Sun is about appreciating fans. 

CT Sun athletes want to appreciate fans by delivering good basketball to watch and enjoy, not a reality show. This is a smaller franchise that the media already tends to under-cover. The little coverage the team does receive doesn’t deserve to only cover its exit. 

Women’s sports can be a culture as long as they’re treated as what they are: sports. As soon as something newsworthy happens off the court is when the general public finds investing in women’s sports worth it. It doesn’t have to be controversial. All it has to do is distract from the product on the floor.  

Recognizing the Game

One positive of being a smaller franchise is that most of the attention they do get is basketball-based.

The CT Sun guard Leila Lacan just won a silver medal competing for France in the FIBA World Cup. CT Sun guard Charlisse Leger-Walker recently hit her career-high 17 points against the Dallas Wings. CT Sun forward Nell Angloma recently made her first career start. 

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Don’t let these headlines go unnoticed just because of what everyone chooses to focus on. The WNBA regular season has several weeks to go. That is several weeks where the media can balance sports coverage with sports culture. There is no point in heavily covering the destination if the journey isn’t talked about equally. 

“We’re trying to finish strong and kind of just black out the outside noise,” Rivers said. 

The post ‘Staying Present’ Became the Gift the Connecticut Sun Needed appeared first on The Lead.

With less than five home games to go, the Connecticut Sun are officially in their “Golden Hour” era. Now that the team is eliminated from playoff contention, there is still a lot to give – especially to give back. While there’s no hope for a future after September 24th, that’s not stopping them from staying in the present. Brittney Griner remains at the forefront of these efforts. 

A Season of Giving Back 

Throughout August, the Connecticut Sun hosted several give-back initiatives, two of which were largely led by Griner, the Sun’s center. That included the 2026 Heart and Sole Shoe Drive and the “Forever in Play” Initiative. 

Griner collaborated with the Connecticut Sun Foundation and the City of Groton to unveil the city’s new playground on August 21. With the foundation’s $15,000, paired with Griner’s own $10,000, the city matched to create a $50,000 total investment. 

The Foundation of the Connecticut Sun’s Legacy 

“Knowing that there’s not going to be the WNBA in Connecticut anymore, it’s important that we feel like we can leave our mark,” Jen Rizzotti, president of the Connecticut Sun, said.

These are moments that best support the argument that athletes are indeed human. Connecticut is a smaller organization in comparison to the rest of the league. That makes these kinds of actions have an even larger impact.

The team is moving to Houston within a few months. They didn’t have to do this, especially since they won’t see the effect. But they are what made it all happen. 

“Trophies collect dust, they rust, they fall apart,” Griner said. “Something like this lasts.” 

Using Platforms For Good

Female athletes are never going to be remembered solely for their basketball skills, especially how the media portrays them today. Through media coverage, athletes develop a platform. Griner is the epitome of using her platform for a much more community-based, though large, impact. 

“You know with all that ‘fame’ it comes with a price, and I want to do something good,” Griner said.

There’s no denying Griner gains attention through the media in all sorts of ways.

The same athlete who was all over non-sports-related media outlets when a Russian prison released her is the same athlete who made headlines in sports-related media outlets for becoming the league’s all-time leader in blocks.

Yet, despite the center’s athletic success, certain media coverage allows people to remember Griner only for her mistakes. 

Across the league, especially this season, athletes gain platforms from non-basketball conversations. This playground unveiling is an example of a non-basketball conversation. Women’s sports is a culture. Griner is an instance of recognizing that women’s basketball isn’t just a game, but not to the point of shifting the league in the wrong direction. 

Griner isn’t the only player across the league who chooses to give back. The Atlanta Dream’s forward Angel Reese just recently donated 1,000 backpacks through the Angel C. Reese Foundation. 

What a Legacy Really Means 

These actions, these good motives, are often turned away from. They’re not there to start drama across the league or get non-sports-related media outlets to give commentary. They’re there to do good. So long as something culture-wise isn’t causing controversy, people don’t care to share an opinion.

But it was never for their opinions in the first place. 

The Connecticut Sun will play their last game in Mohegan Sun ever in just under a month, but a lot will be left behind. 

“It’s been a priority for us to have good people that care about things beyond the basketball floor,” Rizzotti said. “A lot of this season is emphasizing the team’s legacy. The clickbait on X isn’t what emphasizes a legacy. The tidbits from a press conference that’s used across multiple outlets isn’t what emphasizes a legacy. Actions speak louder than words, and that’s especially true for words across the media.”

“I want to be remembered by my heart,” Griner said. 

The post Brittney Griner is Proving Basketball Will Never Be Just a Game appeared first on The Lead.

When an expansion team enters a sports league, it is often expected to struggle initially. Building a competitive roster from scratch and establishing a strong front office is an enormous challenge.

However, the Golden State Valkyries have proven otherwise.

After making WNBA history during their inaugural season, the Valkyries have followed up with an even better second year. Sitting at 29-11 and second in the Western Conference standings, they have already clinched their second consecutive playoff appearance.

The Valkyries Made Playoff History in Year One

Unlike many expansion franchises, Golden State didn’t take long to make its presence felt.

The Valkyries went 23-21 in their inaugural 2025 season, becoming the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the playoffs in its debut season. They also set the WNBA expansion-team record for most wins in a debut season.

The Valkyries remained competitive throughout the season, including a five-game winning streak near the end. Their longest losing streak was only four games, with two losses to the New York Liberty and one each against the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury — all playoff-contending teams.

While the Valkyries were a respectable offensive team, their identity was built around defense. Throughout the season, they allowed 76.3 points per game, ranking first in the league. They also finished with a defensive rating of 99.8, good for third in the league.

The Valkyries weren’t going to let their inexperience as a franchise stop them. They wanted to compete immediately.

Veronica Burton Has Become the Face of the Franchise

Through the Valkyries’ first two seasons, few players have represented the franchise better than Veronica Burton.

Burton’s WNBA career started slowly. During her first three seasons with the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun, she averaged just 2.7 points per game and struggled to find consistency from the field and beyond the arc.

However, everything changed when Golden State selected her in the expansion draft.

During the Valkyries’ inaugural season, Burton averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. She won the Most Improved Player award while earning All-Defensive Second Team honors. She also finished ninth in voting for the Most Valuable Player award.

Burton is now showing that her breakout season was no fluke. This year, she is averaging 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.2% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.

While players like Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun have also performed at high levels, Burton’s leadership and consistency have made her one of the central pieces of the organization.

The Valkyries Have Built Something That Lasts Beyond Year One

The Valkyries’ success is no longer simply about exceeding expectations for an expansion team. They have established a winning culture, reached the playoffs in each of their first two seasons, and developed players who have become important pieces of their foundation.

With Golden State already sitting at 29-11 in its second season, the franchise has accomplished something few expansion teams have. If this level of success continues, the Valkyries’ first two seasons could ultimately stand among the strongest starts an expansion franchise has ever produced.

The post The Golden State Valkyries Are Making Expansion-Team History appeared first on The Lead.

Shakira Austin has been nothing short of a star for the Washington Mystics this season. 

Given a near seven-minute-per-game increase from last season, Austin has taken advantage, quickly becoming a team standout. Averaging over 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one block, Austin has shattered most of her career-highs.

Austin’s newfound role was a key reason for their 2026 playoff berth, but this drastic improvement didn’t come easy for the center.

Off-Season Work for Shakira Austin

Austin suffered multiple injuries early in her career. She had a hip injury that hindered her between 2022-24. Then she had an ankle injury in 2024.

With Austin’s injury history, most players would’ve taken the offseason to recover. But she took a different route, playing more basketball. She went to Unrivaled to work on certain aspects of her game.

She spent the rest of the offseason playing in China. She experienced some hardships there, but Austin believes that time is paying off this season.

“So just the patience and the grace that I learned to give out there, I didn’t think it would directly translate here, but it’s clear that it’s helped me in a way.” 

Austin’s Three-Point Shooting

Austin’s three-point shooting has improved significantly as well. Before this season, she was a non-factor on the perimeter, taking just 0.4 attempts a game in 2025 and shooting 13.3%. This season, she’s taking 1.3 attempts and hitting 34.0% from beyond the arc.

She talked about all the changes she had to make to her shot, which has now become a weapon in her arsenal. That skill set is important to how this team plays, with a lot of bigs on the roster. Her floor-stretching capabilities have opened up the Washington offense and created much easier scoring opportunities for the Mystics.

“And this offseason, I really put a lot of focus into that. Really, since I got drafted from my first rookie year, there was a lot of intentionality between just trying to fix my form, and that kind of caused some confidence problems. You can’t really change a form right at the beginning of the season. But now that I’ve had some healthy off-seasons under my belt, it’s just about continuing to put the work in and trust it.”

All of the work she put in is paying off this season. Austin is starting to put the league on notice with her play, earning recognition for it.

Season Recognition for Austin 

With all the work she has been putting in, Coach Sydney Johnson felt like his center should’ve been an All-Star. With the strong play she has shown, it was definitely a big snub for Austin not to make her first All-Star appearance.

“Shakira Austin, with all due respect to everybody else in the league, she’s probably the biggest snub All-Star-wise. She’s been outstanding…But as much as anything, just being a great leader and a great teammate,” said Johnson.

AP awarded Austin with their Player of the Week honors for the last week of July and the first week of August. She also won the Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first week in August.

“Absolutely thrilled, so excited for her, for other people,” continued Johnson. “We recognize and see the growth that she’s had from month to month, from season to season. She’s DC through and through. But to have the AP acknowledge her the way that they did was absolutely wonderful. It’s a really good moment for us to be able to celebrate that.”

The impact she is making on both ends of the floor has been crucial.

Austin’s Defensive Impact

Austin has been an anchor not only on offense but on defense as well. She leads her team in rebounds and blocks per game. Her rebound average ranks fourth in the league, while her block average ranks eighth. Those numbers can give Austin a case for winning Defensive Player of the Year.

The Mystics currently rank second in the league with a 103.3 defensive rating. They also lead the league in rebounds with 37.5 per game.

“She takes a lot of pride on the defensive end and vocal extra efforts, versatility there. She’s a wonderful player [in] that regard,” said coach Johnson.

With the way Austin has been performing on both sides of the ball, she should be considered for one of the awards at the end of the season—possibly the Most Improved Player of the Year, as well as DPOY.

There’s no doubt that Austin is the leader of this young Mystics team, who is turning a lot of heads while they prepare to make their first playoff appearance since 2023.

The post Shakira Austin’s Breakout Season Drove Mystics’ Playoff Berth appeared first on The Lead.

The rise of Women’s sports has been undeniable over the last decade. Viewership has reached record numbers, and there are more opportunities for women in sports than ever before. One of the biggest reasons for this surge is the efforts of one woman: former WNBA President Donna Orender.

Now, Orender is creating even more opportunities with The UPSHOT League, but her contributions to women’s basketball began decades ago.

I.) A New Yorker’s Love

Our story begins on Long Island, NY, where the Islanders reign supreme, and fans argue over who’s better between the Yankees and Mets. Athletics go hand in hand with prestige, especially in the Big Apple, where millions of people pursue the same goals. 

Growing up in the 70s as a basketball lover meant New York was heaven on earth. Anyone who was anyone was courtside in Madison Square Garden watching the Knicks dominate the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Walt Frazier and his cadre of Knickerbockers provided an electric atmosphere for the melting pot that was the inner city.

“I loved the New York Knicks growing up,” said Orender. “I just thought they were a fantastic team. They had captivated the imagination and the culture of New York, and I was a New York kid. Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, they were also great, but for my favorite, I would have to say it was Walt Frazier.” 

A 13-year-old Donna couldn’t ignore the fire in her belly after watching her favorite team win the 1970 NBA Finals. She had already begun playing basketball in her section of Long Island, and watching the Knicks win the championship only added fuel to her burning fire.

II.) The Athlete Of Long Island

“I ended up playing basketball because I just loved the fact that I was on a team, and that we were connected,” Orender said. “I loved everything about sports. They challenged me, both physically and emotionally. It also connected me to a greater world.”

Orender began practicing day after day and night after night. Her work ethic was insatiable, and she used every opportunity to hop on the court.

“I like the fact that it tested me,” she said. “I had to constantly decide how good I wanted to be, how much I was going to invest in how good I wanted to be. At the same time, I realized that I was part of something that was bigger than myself, and I loved that part of it.”

One of the best college teams in her area was the Queens College Knights. The women’s team was nicknamed the ‘Knightees’ due to their dominance on the court. 

They were coached by the legendary Lucille Kyvallos ,and finished the 1973 season with a 22-5 record. On March 25, the national championship was held at their maroon-and-cream-colored campus.

“I’ll never forget it,” said Orender. “I was 15 years old, and the Knightees were playing Immaculata for the national championship. I happened to go to the FitzGerald Gymnasium by myself, and the place was rocking.” 

Witnessing Kyvallos compete against the Immaculata Mighty Macs in a championship atmosphere captivated the wide-eyed teenager’s attention.

“The Immaculata nuns were beating their pails with their wooden spoons. The quality of the play, the fandom. I’m like ‘this is where I want to be.’ So, I talked to coach Kyvallos,” she said.

Although Kyvallos would leave the gymnasium without the illustrious AIAW Championship, she left the arena with a promising young prospect.

III.) Crowning Moment 

The next season, in 1974, the Knightees saw a sudden improvement with Orender on the roster and got their revenge against Immaculata during the regular season. It was a historic victory that saw the Knightees end Immaculata’s historic 35-game win streak.

Their upset marked the beginning of a war-filled four years with Kyvallos on the sideline and Orender on the court.

After experiencing a slew of ups and downs from her freshman year to her junior year, Oredner and the Knightees got off to a good start during her senior year.

It was the 1977-78 season, and the Knightees finished the year with an incredible 30-3 record. Their momentum carried into the postseason, where they defeated the Fordham University Rams to win the Manufacturer’s Hanover Invitational Championship in White Plains, NY.

After defeating the Rams, it was time for Orender’s fourth and final attempt at the AIAW Championship. On March 18, 1978, Game 1 saw the Knightees defeat the University of Mississippi 74-71, but their historic season came to an end on March 19 after losing to rival Montclair State.

Although it was a bitter ending to Donna’s college career, her relationship with Coach Kyvallos became cemented forever.

IV.) The Queen of Queens

“My coach is still around, which is so great. I can’t thank her enough for helping me shape the way I think. The way I compete and the opportunities she put in front of all of us. She set a level of performance and standards of excellence that we all felt inspired to meet.” 

The two built a bond through basketball, but Kyvallos’ teachings extended far beyond the hardwood. 

“All those lessons that she taught me are still very much a part of me,” Orender said. “I give her a lot of credit for my success in business. She was just extraordinary. Her basketball knowledge to this day still stands.” 

People often say, “Time flies by when you’re having fun,” and when their time together ended in the Spring of 1978, it was a tidal wave of emotions for the 21-year-old. 

“I wasn’t ready to end basketball after coming to the game late, and so by the time my four years in college were done, I was just beginning to understand my abilities,” Orender said. “Maybe I could have gone to Europe, I don’t know. I did get invited to play overseas, but then I enrolled in graduate school before I got a call saying, ‘Hey, there’s a new league.’ “

V.)  A Woman’s World 

The year 1978 ushered in a new era for women’s sports. The U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare IX Amendment was a landmark policy requiring schools to provide equitable funding, facilities, and scholarships for female athletes.

It led to an influx of opportunities. One of the biggest accomplishments was the creation of the Women’s Professional Basketball League. Once established, Orender didn’t hesitate to hit the court alongside the other ladies.

Her destiny was written in the stars: she would become a professional basketball player. The WBL’s inaugural game took place on December 9, 1978, and her journey began with the New York Stars on December 17. Fans from all around the Big Apple packed the Garden and Felt Forum to watch the ladies shoot some hoops.

Playing for the Stars befitted the former All-American, and when Donna suited up, she was the biggest star of them all. Whether passing like Nate Archibald or pulling up in the mid-range like Jerry West, there was no stopping her. 

She shined as the starting point guard, and Orender’s on-court charisma made her a hot commodity. Everyone wanted to see the brunette with a killer crossover.

VI.) An All-Star Affair

The Stars were soaring high, but their run of ’79 would end after losing to the Houston Angels in the semifinals. Although they came up short, Donna’s notoriety skyrocketed after an electric rookie season.

By 1980, she was the star player for the New Jersey Gems and was invited to the first-ever WBL All-Star game due to her skill on the court. Although she was lighting it up on the floor, her glory wouldn’t spread to her teammates. The Gems missed the playoffs entirely, leaving a bitter taste in Orender’s mouth.

In an attempt to return to her winning ways, the 23-year-old joined the Chicago Hustle. It was her third year, and she was ready for real glory. After living the life of a No. 1 option, she took a backseat and focused on feeding her teammates.

Her sacrifice was not in vain, as she got what she wanted: a shot at the WBL World Championship trophy. Unfortunately, luck was not on the Hustle’s side as they were eliminated by the Nebraska Wranglers, who claimed the trophy for themselves later that spring. Shortly after they raised the trophy in celebration, the league would fold in 1981.

VII.) Windy City Chronicles

Although the league played only three seasons, the WBL’s impact on Orender would last a lifetime.

“Being part of the first league was quite an honor, but just having a chance to be a professional athlete was incredibly special,” Orender said. “ And listen, it’s something you could say you did that not many people in their careers said they did. Everybody loves sports. They wanted to be great; they wanted to be the best, and I got to compete at the highest level. I loved it.” 

Being an athlete was all she ever knew, so it was difficult figuring out her next steps. There were many different avenues to the game that she cherished, but leaving her family to play overseas made her homesick just thinking about it.

If the former All-Star couldn’t play the game, she thought sports media would be a good alternative. Orender was still living in Chicago after the WBL folded, and she used her industry connections for a seamless career change. 

“I had my own little cable television sports show in Chicago, so when I came back to New York, I did some sports announcing, and then ultimately got a job working for ABC Sports, which was the pinnacle of sports television at the time, so I worked at the highest level,” Orender said. “I worked for the Dolans and Challenger companies, like Rainbow Programming and Sports Channel, and then, ultimately, I had my own company. So, from a business perspective, I had opportunities to learn at the big, macro-level corporate public company, the smaller, more challenging company level, and then working out of my own pocket.”

ABC was an absolute powerhouse with shows like Monday Night Football, ABC SportsBeat, Wide World of Sports, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Alongside their dynamic programs, they had superstars for their on-air talent, including Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, Al Michaels, and Frank Gifford. 

It was the right place at the right time for Orender, who was already accustomed to the big leagues. She would steal the show from behind the camera as a production assistant. 

VIII.) Hardwood Hiatus 

Just being around multiple legendary journalists provided many lessons that she would learn over the next six years. The job expanded her horizons beyond basketball, and in the Spring of 1987, her phone rang with a new opportunity. 

“I got a call that the PGA TOUR wanted to create its own production company, much like NBA Entertainment and NFL Films, and they asked me if I’d be interested in working and helping to lead that,” she said.

After finding success during her first three years on the job, Donna Orender packed everything up in 1990 and moved down to Jacksonville, FL, for the sake of her future. For the next 15 years, she helped the PGA grow its fanbase by securing various TV deals and negotiating on behalf of the PGA production company.

“I thought it was a really interesting opportunity. I didn’t have any experience in golf, but I had a lot of experience in media and sports. So, ultimately, that’s how I ended up at the PGA Tour.” 

By 2005, Orender made it to the Office of the Commissioner. Her name rang bells across the sports world, and Donna’s reputation would eventually bring her back to her true love — basketball. 

IX.) Presidential Expedition

All of her life, Orender had been a fierce competitor, but athletic tribulations would pale in comparison to the challenges in her future. On February 15, 2005, the WNBA announced that she would become the second WNBA president, succeeding Val Ackerman.

It wasn’t until April 1 that she would officially take over, and with the WNBA struggling financially, her task was to pull the league out of its darkest time.

“When I first started, every single day, people said, ‘ You’re gonna fail, the league is gonna fail,’ and then Sports Business Journal was asked what the first league that’s gonna fold? and they put the WNBA,” Orender said. “And I would call them up and say, ‘ How could you do that? They think they’re doing their job, but I’m doing my job.”

The New Yorker was up to the challenge, but she still faced unimaginable adversity. 

“With the Great Recession, there was racism, sexism, and this whole idea that we were not worthy. I mean, there was really a whole ‘anti-women’s sport’ thing going on. It was the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it was the most rewarding,” Orender said. “There’s something about stepping into a place where everyone tells you that you can’t do something, or it’s not worthy of moving forward, or all the reasons that are wrong, and knowing that they were wrong.”

She secured TV deals as viewership was at an all-time low, with an average rating of 300,000 viewers per game. In 2007, she triggered a paradigm shift in women’s sports after securing an eight-year TV rights deal for the W. It was the first of its kind, but the deal wouldn’t go into effect until 2009. 

During that time, the legendary Houston Comets folded in 2008 during the Great Recession because the league couldn’t find a new buyer. In 2009, the deal felt like divine timing.

The league added new high-definition cameras, giving viewers at home a proper experience like fans in the arena. The exposure put the girls on the world stage, changing the trajectory of every player in the league. 

“And here we are 30 years later, and look at all the success. I mean, it’s about hanging in there, and making sure to live another day, and prove another point, and continuing to grow,” Orender said.

X.)  Family First

By 2010, Donna had proven herself to the entire sports world. The WNBA had a beating heart fueled by her efforts and the love of its new fans. 

Orender could finally sit back and smile as she admired the new superstars who were inspiring the next generation. Before Donna knew it, it was the holiday season, and she enjoyed the time with her family. Although her love for the powerful women of the WNBA was immeasurable, her body, mind, and soul felt the need to rest after six rigorous seasons.

She wanted to take some time for herself, and on December 3, Orender announced that she was stepping down as WNBA President. 

“I think it was just time,” she said. “I was a little bit tired. It was exhausting. I like to say things were exhilarating and exhausting; both can be true. And so, coming back home to be around my family more, my kids growing up, I felt like that was probably the next best thing for me to do.” 

As the sun rose on New Year’s Eve, she officially resigned. Even with her biggest accomplishment in the rearview mirror, it wasn’t like her to sit idle. Donna went into business for herself and created her advisory firm, Orender Unlimited. 

She helped businesses grow via brand strategies, and it was another massive success. With yet another goal in mind, she created Generation W.

XI.) Generation W

“I was invited by one of our WNBA partners to attend a conference hosted by Maria Shriver,” said Orender. “When I got there, they pulled me in to do some stuff on the stage, which was really exciting, but I looked around, and there were 15,000 women there, and I said, ‘Wow. This is amazing. I want to do something like this for Jacksonville, and that’s really when it started.”

Orender saw a future where she could blend fun and fellowship. She kicked off the first event in 2011, and 15 years later, Generation W has reached unimaginable heights.

“I think that we had a unique vision and a unique culture that was able to embrace everyone who came,” she said. “To this day, people say, ‘I can go to any event or conference in the world, and yet I choose to come back here year after year’ because there’s just this certain feeling of authenticity, the quality of the content, the integration of all other kinds of creative entertainment elements that people leave wanting more, but mostly they leave feeling infused with the spirit that inspires them moving forward.” 

Now in 2026, 1,500 women attend the annual Leadership and Women’s Empowerment event. It’s a powerful movement for all women, not just athletes, and Orender still has plenty of ideas for the future.

“We do have plans, as you probably know. Generation W spun out ‘Generation WOW’ in our second year. We said, ‘Wow, if we’re going to do all this, we really need to talk about girls.’ I think there’s a girl in all of us, whether you’re a male or a female,” Orender said.

“So that was in 2013, and so we’ve completed 13 years of working with girls in Generation WOW. We’ve touched over 14,000 girls in their lives. We have year-round programs in schools. So, when I look at moving ahead, I want to deepen, broaden, and build on that work.”

As the modern era of basketball continues to expand with new opportunities for women, there will always be those who push the game forward. For Donna, her work had saved the careers of hundreds of millions to come in the distant future. Her work will withstand the test of time, but her newest creation, The UPSHOT League, will prove to be something truly special as time goes on. 

XII.) The UPSHOT League

The UPSHOT League is a women’s professional basketball league that features four inaugural teams as of August 2026: the Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, Jacksonville Waves, and Savannah Steel.

All four rosters consist of 11 players each, and the teams use a traditional five-on-five format. The league has impressed many spectators during its first season, which is expected given who’s involved. Many legends of the game invested in the project, including Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers Drysdale, and Tamika Catchings.

The UPSHOT League is approaching the end of its inaugural season, and it’s clear their investment will pay off.

“I was working with my friend, Andy Kaufman, who has an operating sports company, generally working in minor league hockey and some baseball,” Orender said when asked about where the idea for the league’s inception came from.

“We were looking to work with investment groups for women’s basketball. Everybody wanted a WNBA team. They still do, and I love it. I can’t tell you how wonderful and gratifying that is. It became obvious that Jacksonville wasn’t going to get one, and I have a real passion for our city. So Andy called me one day and said, ‘Why don’t we just do it ourselves?’ And I didn’t even blink. I said, ‘yeah, let’s do it.’”

XIII.) The Process Of A Pioneer

Starting from scratch in basketball is harder than ever before, whether aiming for the glory of a player, journalist, or commissioner. There are numerous competitors in every field who enter the industry every day.

With millions of dollars involved at every level, from athletes to media members, millions of people want to carve out a life in basketball. So, creating a whole new league was bound to come with adversity, given that the WNBA, WNBL, WCBA, and Euroleague Women already exist.

Donna was up to the challenge regardless of these competitors. Before the UPSHOT executives could get the ball rolling, they needed a name, and it had to be perfect.

“I came up with the UPSHOT name,” she said. “Yeah, it’s funny. Andy was telling me the other day, he goes, ‘I think you nailed it on that one.’”

“It just seemed like the right thing. It just popped in my head, and just like Generation W, that seemed like a really good name. What was so interesting is that whoever I mentioned the name to loved it. 

XIV.) A Bright Future In Basketball

Creating The UPSHOT League has opened a floodgate of opportunities for women of the present and the future. The four ball clubs have set the foundation, but it’s only the beginning stages of their blueprints. 

“We have four teams right now, so maybe in eight to 10 years, we’d like to see about 30 teams.”

Orender shared her ultimate goals for the future of her new league:

“We have a collective goal of creating high-quality sports opportunities and entertainment in communities that would otherwise not have either of these. I talk about this as an opportunity league, which is the opportunity for the athletes on the court. It’s for the coaches, referees, and people in the front office. Mostly, it’s an opportunity for communities to be elevated.” 

It’s funny how Orender’s acts of passion have been at the heart of multiple milestones in women’s sports, but if you ask her, they were all just another day in the office.

The post UPSHOT League Founder Donna Orender Has Lived at Center of Women’s Basketball appeared first on The Lead.