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24. July 2026

WNBA Enters All-Star Weekend After Record Performances, Stunning Comebacks and Late-Game Drama

Article written by Shemaiah Reed in the category News

By Refocused Newsroom
July 24, 2026

The WNBA has officially reached its All-Star break, but the league did not ease into the weekend quietly.

Wednesday’s final regular-season slate delivered a franchise scoring record in Indiana, two one-point finishes, multiple triple-doubles and the long-awaited return of Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.

There are no regular-season WNBA games scheduled for Friday, July 24. Instead, the spotlight shifts to Chicago for the Shooting Stars competition and 3-Point Contest tonight, followed by the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday. The league’s official calendar lists July 23 through July 27 as its All-Star break.

Latest WNBA Final Scores

The most recent completed games were played Wednesday, July 22:

Indiana Fever 123, Connecticut Sun 88
Dallas Wings 101, Portland Fire 97
Phoenix Mercury 86, Los Angeles Sparks 82
Minnesota Lynx 86, Seattle Storm 76
New York Liberty 95, Chicago Sky 94
Washington Mystics 100, Las Vegas Aces 99

The six-game slate provided an explosive closing chapter before the league paused for its midseason celebration.

Fever Set Franchise Scoring Record

Indiana produced the loudest result of the night, overwhelming Connecticut 123-88 and setting a new franchise record for points in a game.

Caitlin Clark finished with 27 points and 11 assists, while Aliyah Boston added 22 points. The Fever improved to 17-10 and carried strong momentum into the All-Star break.

The victory also arrived with a warning light. Clark received her seventh technical foul of the season following an exchange with Connecticut rookie Saniya Rivers. Under league rules, another technical foul could trigger a one-game suspension.

Indiana’s offensive eruption was not simply a win. It was a full-volume announcement that the Fever may be developing into one of the league’s most dangerous second-half teams.

Ionescu Produces a Miracle Minute in New York

The New York Liberty appeared headed toward another frustrating loss when they trailed Chicago by eight points with less than one minute remaining.

Then Sabrina Ionescu turned the final minute into her own highlight reel.

Ionescu scored nine consecutive points, including two difficult 3-pointers and a three-point play, helping New York erase the deficit. Jonquel Jones later made the decisive free throw with 3.4 seconds remaining to secure the 95-94 victory. Ionescu finished with 29 points.

Chicago rookie Sydney Taylor scored 31 points and nearly powered the Sky to the upset, but New York’s late defensive pressure and Ionescu’s shot-making completely flipped the ending.

The Liberty improved to 15-12 with their second consecutive victory, offering signs that the defending contenders may finally be stabilizing after an uneven first half.

Mystics Shock Aces in Final Seconds

Washington delivered another dramatic finish by defeating Las Vegas 100-99.

The Mystics trailed 91-82 late in the fourth quarter before launching a furious comeback. Shakira Austin scored 16 points during the final period and completed the game-winning three-point play after grabbing an offensive rebound with 12.8 seconds remaining. She finished with 25 points.

A’ja Wilson recorded 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks for Las Vegas. Jackie Young also played a major role as the two Aces stars combined for 62 points, but Chelsea Gray’s potential game-winning shot missed at the buzzer.

Washington’s victory was one of the biggest surprises of the pre-break slate and continued the Mystics’ growing reputation as a team capable of disrupting higher-ranked opponents.

Triple-Double History in Phoenix

Alyssa Thomas added another milestone to one of the most versatile careers in WNBA history.

Thomas recorded 19 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds as Phoenix defeated Los Angeles 86-82. It was her 20th regular-season triple-double and 26th when postseason games are included, extending her league record.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 21 points, while the Mercury improved to 10-18. Los Angeles fell to 10-16 after suffering its fifth consecutive loss.

The Mercury remain outside the league’s top tier, but Thomas continues to operate as basketball’s version of a control room, moving points, rebounds and assists through every wire on the floor.

Collier Returns and Immediately Changes Minnesota

Napheesa Collier made her 2026 season debut after missing Minnesota’s first 27 games while recovering from an ankle injury.

She needed only 22 minutes to record 24 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Lynx defeat Seattle 86-76. Kayla McBride added 20 points as Minnesota closed the game with a 9-0 run.

The victory extended Minnesota’s winning streak to seven games and improved the Lynx to 22-6, the best record in the league entering the break.

The Lynx were already rolling without Collier. Her return adds another All-WNBA weapon to a roster that had already built the league’s strongest record. That is less a roster upgrade and more a thunderstorm receiving additional electricity.

Wings Survive Portland Rally

Dallas held off Portland 101-97 behind another triple-double from Jessica Shepard.

Shepard finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, while Arike Ogunbowale scored 24 points and Paige Bueckers contributed 21 after returning from a one-game injury absence.

Portland reduced a nine-point deficit to two during the final minute, but Dallas sealed the game at the free-throw line. The Wings improved to 18-9, while the Fire fell to 11-16.

What Is Happening Later Today?

There are no standard WNBA games Friday, but All-Star competition begins tonight at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

ESPN’s schedule is:

6 p.m. Central: WNBA Countdown on ESPN
7 p.m. Central: WNBA Shooting Stars and State Farm 3-Point Contest on ESPN, Disney+ and the ESPN App
9 p.m. Central: Life in the W premieres on ESPN2

The 3-Point Contest field includes Azzi Fudd, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Janelle Salaun. Fudd is the only rookie in the competition.

The revamped Shooting Stars event will connect multiple generations of women’s basketball. Legends Lauren Jackson, Elena Delle Donne, Rebekkah Brunson and Deanna “Tweety” Nolan will participate alongside current WNBA players and standout high school athletes.

Saturday’s Main Event

The WNBA All-Star Game will be played Saturday, July 25, at the United Center in Chicago.

Coverage begins at 7 p.m. Central with WNBA Countdown on ABC. The game between Team Coop and Team Spoon tips off at 7:30 p.m. Central on ABC, Disney+ and the ESPN App.

Team Coop features Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams among its stars. Team Spoon includes A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Olivia Miles.

The regular season may be paused, but the basketball is not. After a chaotic slate of records, comebacks and buzzer-level drama, the WNBA now moves from the pressure of the standings to the bright lights of its biggest midseason celebration.