WNBA preview: Angel Reese in a tear, fall in Nallysa Smith’s trade

With three days of empty sliding, July opening week did not have WNBA’s usual amount of action. However, the least days of games are not equivalent to a shortage of news.

WNBA Expansion Talk

In case you lost it, the WNBA curator Cathy Engelbert climbed the podium On the last day of June to announce “that the WNBA is expanding from 15 teams currently announced to 18 teams over the next few years”. Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) will follow Toronto and Portland, 14 and on the 15th, which will begin to compete in 2026.

The WNBA expansion of 12 teams by 2024 to 18 for a period of six years is exciting for the League and a clear reflection of the new heights that comes. Of course, additional plants will lead to more available places for players of all kinds: international players, drafts, etc. What will be interesting to see deploying is the almost annual expansion project, in which the select players of the existing WNBA will produce and will be in the new teams. Golden State’s quick start in his inaugural season could serve as the best case for these future expansion teams, but it is difficult to imagine that the level of success is the case with each incoming franchise. However, the growth of the league is positive.

Recent movement of WNBA players

It was also a remarkable week in the W in terms of the movement of the players, with news ranging from minors and media to seniors.

The minor: The least attractive stories, but still relevant, were that players have begun to return to the United States and join their WNBA teams after fulfilling their commitments abroad. Leonie Fiebich’s return to New York Liberty’s initial line felt important. Instead, McCowan TeacherThe return suddenly feels less consistent with a Dallas Wings team who has found its slot and added a center in its absence.

The means: Los Angeles sparks released Peddy item and giving up Odyssey Sims While claiming Julie Vanloo out of resignations. If you are like me, the transactions chain probably threw you through a loop: Sims had started the first 11 games of the season for and then lost five consecutive games for personal reasons before being cut after the first game. Peddy, who had replaced Sims in the spark opening unit, was released on the same day. Sims had been especially useful in the offensive end this season. Still, main coach Lynne Roberts spoke to the media And he stated that the reason for the transactions was that the team “begins to recover some of the players” Rae burrell and German Julie. While his reasoning is valid, the sudden caught me and I have a hard time passing.

The major: Las Vegas asos separated with a selection of the first round of 2027 to purchase Nallysa Smith of the wings through trade. Movement feels like a dallas agreement without problems, but my thoughts are a little more mixed when looking from the lens of the ACES. On the one hand, I understand moving all chips to the center to try to create a competitive list around A’ja Wilson As possible to compete for championships while in its early years, especially when the list is young, it provides a glittering need and still has a little potential without exploiting as a recent lottery selection. However, on the other hand, the way the current veteran version of this team is being made, there is the uncomfortable possibility that this team can be found in an unfavorable situation at the end of the 2026 season; Not owning his first round of 2027 in this scenario would be brutal.

2025 WNBA All-Stars revealed

Finally, we will put an arc on last week’s action playing the All-Star reserves of 2025. A great round of applause for all the first timers, specifically the veterans Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams – It is great to see that players evolve and overcome their roles in their career to reach new peaks. And what is the speech of all the stars without complaints about the name of which was not called (although it is always difficult to call the players who should replace)? So I will leave it to this: Here is a brief recognition Brittney Sykes, Brionna JonesAnd the other unnamed players who had legitimate cases to make it as reserves.

With this, we pass at five o’clock in the week.

The following week

Golden State Valkyries @ Atlanta Dream

(Monday, July 7 at 19:30 et on the WNBA League pass)

We approach the middle of the season and, in some ways, these two teams will face each other only for the first time. Atlanta had been shooting until recent weeks and now lost three of four games, with the last defeat without the services of Rhyne howard (arm). In the meantime, I was wrong about the Valkyries, which I claimed in one of my preseason only Be a fun team that plays a lot. They have been a joy to see and not only that, but it would be a playoff team if the post -season began today. His success has taken to Kayla Thornton becoming the first WNBA All-Star of the franchise.

When the two teams face Monday, it should be fun for three -point lovers: Valkyries and dreamers qualify for the most important teams in the league in relation to three -point attempts. The difference in the game could be any more hot team.

Chicago Sky @ Washington Mysticles

(Tuesday, July 8 at 11:30 am et on the pass of the WNBA League)

What happens to a quick hat tip to Angel reese And to a lesser extent, the sky? Reese has been an absolute tear for the last five games, which has naturally equated the team for Chicago, which has won two of its last four games. And although the Mysticles enter the game on Tuesday as losers of two in a row, they will also know that they have already passed this Sky team in the season. Brittney Sykes He scored a maximum of 32 points in this game and could also take the floor with a chip on his shoulder after not being named All-Star of 2025. Sykes’ deception, along with the desire of the Mysticles to finish his lost streak, could be well combined with the resurgence of the sky to create an entertaining game on Tuesday.

Las Vegas Aes @ New York Liberty

(Tuesday, July 8 at 8 pm et a espn)

At the time of this writing, the Aes do not resemble the donkeys we previously knew, and the injuries have demolished the Recent Champion of Freedom on their way, which resulted in six losses in the last nine games. However, these are the two most recent WNBA champions, which their stars lodging often offers a good visualization experience when they combine with each other. Although the confrontation may not be as expected as in the past, a A’ja Wilson v. BREANNA Stewart The face face is always first -level when it comes to WNBA matches. Both teams could really benefit from a great victory at this time of the season, which means that Tuesday’s game is worth adjusting.

Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury

(Wednesday, July 9 at 15:30 et on the WNBA League pass)

Mercury is a fixation group while writing these words, with Kahleah copper (hamstring), Lexi Hero (lung) and Satou Sabally (Ankle) All are not available to play against wings Monday. If they remain outside Wednesday, Phoenix would still be able to win this match (see Indiana without Caitlin Clark vs. Minnesota in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship), but it would not be one of the views as a potential game of the week. Copper and Alyssa Thomas each lost the first two coincidences between the two teams, while Naphesesa collier Did not adapt to the first meeting. But if these two teams can be found for the first time this season, we will be in a delight on Wednesday.

Dallas Wings @ Indiana Fever

(Sunday, July 13 at 1 pm Et a ABC)

Everyone had traveled the battle of June 27 between the wings and the fever, including me. However, injuries derailed the long -awaited duel between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. The good news is that there is another attack on the programming. The bad news is that we could lose again in the most recent two of the center’s sharing options, as Clark has not taken the court since before The end of June match. Thus, just as the Lynx-Mercury game mentioned above with injuries, the same is true for this wings fever competition, it is certainly an essential TV if the two headlines are available. Prepare the popcorn and prepare for either of the two scenarios.