Lexie Hull had Fever fans doing a double take before Indiana's game against Atlanta originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Lexie Hull is known for doing the little things that help the Indiana Fever win games. Whether it's locking down opposing guards, diving for loose balls or knocking down timely 3-pointers, Hull has become one of the most important role players on one of the WNBA's most popular teams.

But before Thursday night's showdown against the Atlanta Dream, it wasn't Hull's defense or hustle that had fans talking. Instead, it was her arrival outfit.

The Fever guard quickly became one of the biggest talking points on social media after photos of her pregame look began circulating online. Hull arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse wearing an all-black ensemble that immediately caught the attention of Fever fans.

The outfit featured a fitted black mini dress with intricate lace sleeves and a textured floral design that created a stylish sheer effect. The look was elegant, confident and hard to miss. And fans certainly noticed.

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Fever fans couldn't stop talking about Hull's latest look

The Fever routinely share pregame arrival photos on social media, and Thursday's post generated plenty of attention. While stars like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham often generate headlines for their fashion choices, this time many fans were focused on Hull.

The reaction was immediate.

Things such as "gorgeous" and "killing out" were pretty common responses to the post

Others praised the confidence and style Hull displayed as she walked into the arena ahead of one of Indiana's biggest games of the season.

The comments continued pouring in as fans highlighted everything from the outfit itself to Hull's growing reputation as one of the Fever's most fashionable players.

MORE: Caitlin Clark's pregame look had fans talking before Fever's loss to Dream

Hull continues to thrive in her role for Indiana

While the pregame attention centered on fashion, Hull's importance to the Fever goes far beyond social media. The fourth-year guard remains one of the most trusted players in Indiana's rotation. Her willingness to defend the opposing team's best perimeter players and contribute without needing the ball has made her a perfect complement alongside Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.

Hull entered Thursday averaging 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, but those numbers don't fully capture her impact. Indiana's coaching staff regularly relies on her energy, defensive versatility and basketball IQ in crucial moments. That's why Hull continues to earn heavy minutes despite playing alongside several All-Stars.

Another viral moment for the Fever

The Fever have become one of the most talked-about teams in professional sports, and nearly every game now generates headlines before the opening tip. Thursday was no different.

Clark's signature shoe debut generated plenty of buzz, but Hull managed to carve out a viral moment of her own. For a few hours before Indiana and Atlanta took the floor, fans couldn't stop talking about the Fever guard's head-turning arrival. And judging by the reaction online, Hull's latest fashion statement may have been one of her biggest off-court wins of the season.

More WNBA news:

• The biggest surprise in WNBA All-Star voting wasn't Caitlin Clark or A'ja Wilson
• Paige Bueckers is threatening one of Caitlin Clark's biggest WNBA crowns
• Lexie Hull summed up what everyone was thinking after Sophie Cunningham's shooting explosion
• Sophie Cunningham admitted she stole her new celebration from an NBA star

Caitlin Clark's pregame look had fans talking before Fever's loss to Dream originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever didn't get the result they wanted Thursday night against the Atlanta Dream, but the Fever star was already generating plenty of buzz long before tipoff.

As has become routine throughout her second WNBA season, Clark's arrival at Gainbridge Fieldhouse quickly became a talking point on social media. This time, it wasn't just because she was carrying her highly anticipated Nike signature shoes.

The Fever guard showed up wearing a cropped sweatshirt from her Nike collection that featured the phrase "Shoot More Threes," revealing her toned midsection and drawing immediate reactions from fans online.

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Clark's pregame outfit quickly goes viral

The WNBA shared photos and video of Clark's arrival ahead of Indiana's matchup with Atlanta, and fans wasted little time flooding the comments section.

Many supporters focused on Clark's confidence and style, while others couldn't help but notice the athletic physique that has helped make her one of the league's most dynamic stars.

Comments ranged from "She has the most aura in this league" to fans jokingly demanding the sweatshirt for themselves. Several users specifically pointed out Clark's abs, with reactions quickly piling up across social media.

The viral moment came as Clark continues to be one of the most recognizable athletes in American sports. Whether it's her on-court performances, signature shoe rollout, or pregame fashion choices, the Fever star consistently finds herself at the center of conversation.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham admitted she stole her new celebration from an NBA star

Signature shoe adds to the excitement

Clark's arrival generated even more attention because she was carrying her new Nike signature sneaker, the Caitlin 1.

The blue colorway is expected to be released later this year and represents another major milestone in Clark's rapidly growing partnership with Nike. The launch has been one of the most anticipated shoe releases in women's basketball and further highlights her impact on the sport.

Even before stepping onto the court, Clark had already become one of the biggest storylines of the night.

Fever's winning streak comes to an end

The social media buzz surrounding Clark's arrival eventually gave way to game action, where Indiana saw its four-game winning streak snapped by Atlanta.

Clark entered the contest averaging 20.4 points and 8.3 assists per game while helping guide the Fever near the top of the WNBA standings. She remains tied for the league lead in assists and continues to be one of the driving forces behind Indiana's resurgence this season.

While the Fever couldn't extend their streak Thursday night, Clark once again proved that she can command attention both on and off the court.

For many fans, the conversation started well before the opening tip, thanks to a cropped sweatshirt, a pair of signature shoes, and another viral Caitlin Clark entrance.

More WNBA news:

• The biggest surprise in WNBA All-Star voting wasn't Caitlin Clark or A'ja Wilson
• Paige Bueckers is threatening one of Caitlin Clark's biggest WNBA crowns
• Lexie Hull summed up what everyone was thinking after Sophie Cunningham's shooting explosion
• Sophie Cunningham admitted she stole her new celebration from an NBA star

On Thursday night, the high-profile rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese was renewed as Clark and the Indiana Fever took on Reese and the Atlanta Dream. This time, it was Reese and the Dream who came out on top, topping Clark and the Fever by a final score of 108-101.

The games between the two superstars usually produce a viral moment or two, going back to their NCAA title game matchup when Reese taunted Clark by pointing to her ring finger. Thursday’s game was no different as Reese had a little fun at Clark’s expense, mocking the Fever superstar after a foul call during the second quarter.

Reese Mocks Caitlin Clark

At the beginning of the second quarter of Thursday night’s game, Clark was trying to move through the court when she ran into Reese at the top of the key. When Clark made contact with Reese, she flailed her arms in the air, drawing a foul call on Reese.

Needless to say, Reese was not at all happy with the call, immediately throwing her hands up in frustration.

Angel pic.twitter.com/jV4IrEwH7W

— Shabazz (@ShowCaseShabazz) June 19, 2026

When a camera zoomed in on Reese after the play, it caught the Dream star mocking her rival by flailing her arms with a smile on her face, implying Clark flopped and exaggerated the contact to draw the foul.

Fans React to Reese’s Antics

As is usually the case with any interaction between Clark and Reese, the video of Reese mocking Clark quickly went viral on social media, racking up more than 600,000 views on the platform in under four hours.

The incident elicited a lot of reactions from fans, too.

“what a joke….” one fan wrote in a post on X.

“Really, Angel?? You wanna mock CC for flopping when its an obvious foul???” another fan wrote.

“Reese is a bully,” someone else added.

“She’s the last person that needs to be mocking anyone flopping,” another fan added.

“Angel Reese starting drama with Caitlin Clark and water is wet,” someone else commented.

“She disgusts me. This type of gross ball was why I stopped watching over 10 years ago,” another commenter wrote.

Others, however, came to Reese’s defense, believing that her antics were justified given the soft foul call.

“The way this isn’t even an exaggeration,” one fan added.

“She ain’t wrong,” someone else wrote.

“She’s absolutely right too,” another fan added.

As for the game itself, Reese led the Dream with 21 points and 11 rebounds as they topped Clark and the Fever. Clark, meanwhile, led her team with 26 points and seve assists in the losing effort.

The good news for fans is that they won’t have to wait long for a rematch as the two teams are slated to face off again on Saturday.

The post ‘She disgusts me’: Angel Reese caught mocking Caitlin Clark sparking outrage appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were back in the same spotlight during the Indiana Fever’s matchup with the Atlanta Dream, and one second-quarter moment quickly became the talking point.

The latest meeting between the two WNBA stars carried the usual attention, with every exchange between Clark and Reese clipped and debated online.

This time, the flashpoint came after a foul call involving the Fever guard and the Dream forward. Angel Reese did not hide how she felt about it.

Angel Reese mocks Caitlin Clark after foul call in Fever-Dream game

The clip shared by LakeShowYo on X showed Reese appearing to mimic Clark after the whistle, with the caption saying she was mocking Clark for foul baiting.

The play came in the second quarter as Clark tried to move across the court and contact was made while Reese was defending away from the ball. The referee called a foul on Reese, and she then appeared to throw her head back in imitation of Clark’s reaction.

That gesture was read by many viewers as Reese suggesting Clark had exaggerated the contact to draw the whistle. Others argued the foul was legitimate because there was enough of a forearm or body check to affect Clark’s movement.

The moment added another layer to a matchup that already brings extra scrutiny. The Dream beat the Fever 108-101, with Clark finishing with 26 points and 7 assists, while Reese had 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Caitlin Clark fans blast Angel Reese over mocking gesture

Clark’s fans reacted angrily to the clip, with several seeing Reese’s gesture as another example of the rivalry being dragged into unnecessary theatrics.

One fan wrote, “That player has always been extremely jealous of Caitlin.” Another pushed back on the idea that Clark had baited the call, saying, “How is that foul baiting? That’s a forearm push.”

Others mocked Reese’s gesture directly. One reaction read, “Caitlin should fall over, then pretend cry.” Another said, “The only time she gets attention is by associating with anything to Clark.”

The criticism also included a blunt attack on Reese’s game, with one fan writing, “Reese isn’t even an athlete.”

The play itself was brief, but the reaction showed how quickly any Clark-Reese moment becomes bigger than the possession. In a physical WNBA game, a single gesture was enough to turn a routine foul call into another viral debate.

Read more:

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese matchup history: How Fever and Dream stars have fared in college and WNBA games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's histories have been intertwined as members of the same WNBA draft class and rivals dating back to their college days.

Now as a pair of WNBA stars, eyes continue to follow the Clark vs. Reese matchup in the pros — and after Reese opened her career with the Sky, she now leads the Atlanta Dream, adding another wrinkle to her matchups with the Fever in 2026 and beyond.

While most know about the two unforgettable meetings between Reese's LSU Tigers and Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 national championship game (won by LSU) and the 2024 Elite Eight (won by Iowa), the two first faced off as freshmen in 2021 when Reese was still at Maryland.

After meeting once already in the 2026 season, Reese and Clark clashed once again on June 18 for Fever vs. Dream.

The second 2026 meeting marked the 12th time that Reese and Clark have gone head-to-head in the past six years, with almost half of the meetings coming in five months during the 2024 season. Here is a breakdown of how each head-to-head matchup went.

SN's WNBA HQ: Live WNBA scores | Updated WNBA standings | Full WNBA schedule

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese matchup history

At the collegiate level, Reese's teams won the first four meetings against Clark's Hawkeyes, including LSU's win over Iowa in the 2023 NCAA Tournament title game.

Clark ended the losing streak by scoring 41 points for Iowa in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament to advance to the Final Four over Reese and LSU.

When the two moved on to the WNBA, Clark continued her winning ways, with her Fever taking three of the four head-to-head meetings during their rookie season.

Below is a look at the head-to-head records, stats, and how each game played out.

WNBA head-to-head

College head-to-head 

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese game logs

In addition to two classic meetings at the collegiate level, the WNBA head-to-head meetings between Clark and Reese have not disappointed. Two of the first three matchups were decided by one point, and when they were rookies, they each turned in their fair share of highlights.

During the 2025 season, the Fever and Sky played a total of five games. However, Clark only played the opener on May 17 with injuries sidelining her through parts of June and from July 16 on.

They renewed their rivalry in June 2026, this time with Reese suiting up with the Dream.

Here is the game log of when both players took the court against each other:

WNBA game log

College game log

It's time to ask the Sophie Cunningham bench question for Indiana Fever originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Fever continue to bring Sophie Cunningham off the bench.

To ask a very blunt question: Why?

At this point, Cunningham is getting the minutes of a starter. She just isn't on the floor at the start of the game.

Sure, there are reasons coaches do this. They want to stagger certain lineups and whatnot.

But at this point, it's time to start Cunningham.

MORE: Caitlin Clark had one metric not in her favor

In Thursday night's 108-101 loss to the Atlanta Dream, Cunningham played 30 of the possible 40 minutes.

That was much more than starters Monique Billings (13 minutes) and Lexie Hull (11 minutes).

Hull would be the player to move out of the lineup for Cunningham, and while there are aspects to Hull's game to appreciate, too, Cunningham seems more polished at this point.

Against the Dream, Cunningham had 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. She shot 4-for-5 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range. She added 2-of-2 at the foul line.

The only three Fever players to get more minutes than Cunningham were the big three stars of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

MORE: Fever tie a brutal WNBA record in nightmare loss to Dream

Cunningham is a de facto starter, but is there any actually good reason to leave her on the bench at the start of games? 

At this point, it's worth changing it up for Indiana. The defense has been bad, and Cunningham at least has a positive reputation on that end of the floor, whether it is legitimate or not.

There's no reason not to try it. Indiana is 9-6, with its defense letting it down on multiple occasions.

It can't get worse with Cunningham in the starting lineup, and it might actually get better.

MORE: Angel Reese finally took the right approach against Caitlin Clark

Dream's Angel Reese finally took the right approach against Caitlin Clark originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It can be easy to try to do too much.

With everyone watching, against your main rival -- that's a prime recipe for overdoing it. 

Angel Reese, for all her skills on the basketball court, has been known to try to do too much.

When Caitlin Clark is on the other side? Yep, that'll get the energy flowing extra.

But on Thursday night, as the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever by an impressive 108-101 score, Reese didn't do that. And it's exactly what the Dream needed.

MORE: Caitlin Clark had one metric not in her favor

For maybe the first time, Reese just did exactly what the Dream needed her to do in a game against Clark, and it resulted in a win.

The final stat line was closer to ideal for Reese than usual.

Her 21 points weren't crazy, but it came on 8-for-14 from the field, great efficiency for Reese. She was also 5-for-8 from the foul line.

Reese grabbed 11 rebounds, notching her almost-standard double-double.

The four turnovers compared to one assist isn't great, but it's less crucial in a fast-paced game where Reese mostly resolved to stay in areas she could do damage.

Reese led the Dream in scoring, but it was one of those common Atlanta recipes this season -- again, all five players were in double figures.

That's going to work often, especially against an Indiana team that had one starter score 6 points and another score 2 points. 

Reese didn't have to do too much, and she didn't -- it's a strategy that works quite well.

MORE: Fever tie a brutal WNBA record in nightmare loss to Dream

Caitlin Clark put up big stats but also had one terrible metric in Fever loss to Dream originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The eyes of the WNBA are always extra tuned in when Caitlin Clark takes on Angel Reese.

That was the case on Thursday night as the Indiana Fever clashed with the Atlanta Dream, and it was Reese's Dream taking the 108-101 win despite solid stats from Clark.

A couple numbers of Clark's, though, might've told the story.

Yes, she dropped 26 points and dished out seven assists.

But she also had five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-13 in her minutes on the court.

So in the end, that tells a very mixed story.

MORE:Angel Reese mocks Caitlin Clark after foul in Dream's win vs. Fever

Clark had a relatively efficient game offensively. She shot 8-for-17 from the floor, 2-for-5 from 3-point range and 8-for-12 from the foul line. That will get it done on most nights.

And of course, this wasn't all about Clark. The Fever gave up 108 points. That's not going to work very often in a 40-minute game.

But there is a case to be made that Clark's five turnovers relative to seven assists simply isn't good enough. That ratio, and her plus-minus, point to a player who makes it a little too easy for the other team to score.

Clark has been criticized defensively all season long as teams attack her in pick-and-roll action, and a night like this won't help her cause.

MORE: Caitlin Clark's fit ahead of Angel Reese duel showed Fever fans exactly what they wanted to see

It's just one game, so it's not meant to necessarily be a judgment on the whole season.

Besides, the Dream are a good team. They aren't just Reese. They often have all five of their starters approaching double-figure scoring on the same night, which is proof of impressive balance.

Clark has talent around her, too, so really, these could be good matchups for years to come.

On this night, though, Clark didn't impact winning in the way the Fever would've liked, and so Indiana came up short.

MORE: Fever tie a brutal WNBA record in nightmare loss to Dream

Caitlin Clark entered Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Dream with a lot of hype surrounding her. She debuted her first Nike signature shoe, and WNBA fans around the country tuned in to the nationally-televised matchup.

The Indiana Fever superstar guard didn’t disappoint with her first-half performance. Clark recorded 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, along with three assists. Her highlights included a spin move that allowed her to convert an easy layup. The two-time All-Star’s elite skill set was on full display throughout the sequence.

MORE: Caitlin Clark flaunts abs, signature shoe ahead of Fever-Dream game

The WNBA captured it in slo-mo via its phantom cam, and the clip was posted on X.

Clark has taken the league by storm since the Fever drafted her at No. 1 in 2024. Injuries to her ankle, hip and quad limited her to just 13 games last season. However, she is back to 100% this season and ready to lead the Fever in their championship quest.

Caitlin Clark’s performance against the Dream

Clark scored 26 points on 8-for-17 shooting, along with two rebounds and seven assists. Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston also played well for Indiana, combining for 49 points and nine rebounds. However, their efforts weren’t enough to secure a win. All five Dream starters scored in double digits, with Angel Reese leading the way with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double.

The 108-101 defeat snapped the Fever’s four-game winning streak. Clark and Co. will look to return to their winning ways and avenge Thursday’s loss when they visit Atlanta two days later.

Fever tie brutal WNBA record in nightmare loss to Dream originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There are some records you want.

The one the Indiana Fever tied during Thursday night's loss to the Atlanta Dream does not qualify as one of those.

The Fever are now tied for the WNBA's record for most times in a season losing while scoring at least 100 points.

On Thursday night, the loss was 108-101.

It's the third time the Fever have scored at least 100 points and lost. It's taken just 15 games to get that mark.

The Fever have tied a WNBA record for most losses in a season when scoring 100+ points (3).

They're only 15 games into the season. pic.twitter.com/kgVKkZx7Kx

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 19, 2026

MORE:Caitlin Clark's fit ahead of Angel Reese duel showed Fever fans exactly what they wanted to see

The bad defense has been a narrative around the Fever all season.

They've previously spoken about not being able to install varied schemes yet as players work to get up to speed.

It's a bit weird, though, because very few players are different with the Fever this season from last season, and Stephanie White is still the head coach.

MORE: Lynx's Olivia Miles might as well get Rookie of the Year right now

Regardless, it's a nightmare to be dealing with this right now. The Fever are 9-6, but if they had a better defense, they'd be really rolling.

The Dream shot 54% from the floor on Thursday night, along with 39% from 3-point range. It's going to be tough for Indiana to win games when they give up marks like that.

They'll be hoping they don't set this record outright for a while, but at this rate, it may be soon.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham is taking steps toward her next career

The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday night, marking the team’s fourth-straight win after a pedestrian 5-5 start to the 2026 campaign. However, as positive as Indiana’s momentum has been of late, Tuesday’s win, which saw Fever superstar Caitlin Clark go off for a 21-point, 14-assist double-double, was largely overshadowed by the unveiling of Clark’s debut signature shoe with Nike.

 

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Dubbed the Caitlin 1, the sneaker is set to hit retail shelves on October 1, begging the question: What took so long? Clark is entering her third season as a professional, and the shoes won’t hit shelves until after her season concludes, five years after she signed her first deal with Nike.

ESPN’s Dan Wetzel appeared on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday to discuss what he feels has been a massive failure on the part of Nike.

“I was shocked when I go: ‘She doesn’t have a signature shoe?’ What’s the backstory here?” Patrick asked.

“Well, there’s a lot, and it’s not just the signature shoe, which can take a while to develop and you want to design it right and construct it and all that. And it’s a big investment. There’s only been one brief Caitlin Clark television commercial,” Wetzel responded.

“There’s very little promotion in stores. There’s very little pop-up events. There’s almost nothing that links Caitlin Clark, arguably, at least for a while, if not still, the most popular athlete in the country, male or female, to Nike, who built their entire business on seizing people like Caitlin Clark…”

@DanWetzel discusses Nike’s failure in marketing Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/L3UjhRZb4r

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 18, 2026

“The shoe is one part of it, but even on their social media, they barely play her. So she has been on the back burner for Nike for most of these four years.”

Wetzel went on to note how the other companies Clark has sponsorship deals with, such as Gatorade and State Farm, have featured her heavily in their own national advertising campaigns, making Nike’s reluctance to highlight her all the more puzzling.

“She’s everywhere except with Nike, and that’s been the weirdest thing,” he said. “The signature shoe is part of it. It’s going to come out in October. That’s five seasons they’ve had her, and they’re finally getting the shoe out… But it goes into all the other stuff of like, ‘Why? What were we waiting for?'”

Wetzel went as far as to call Nike a “poorly run company the last five years,” citing the Swoosh’s massive loss in market valuation and revenue while its competitors are thriving, whilst also acknowledging the negative optics that could’ve come from debuting Clark’s signature shoe before Las Vegas Aces’ star A’Ja Wilson, a significantly more accomplished Black player.

It’s not too late for Nike to capitalize on having Clark, arguably the biggest athlete in the country, male or female, but Wetzel sees it as a head-scratching blunder to not capitalize on the peak of her popularity in 2024.

“It’s just one of the great marketing failures, sports marketing failures, and it’s from Nike of all places, who almost invented sports marketing.”

The post Dan Wetzel blasts Nike’s treatment of Caitlin Clark: ‘One of the great marketing failures’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Lynx's Olivia Miles might as well get Rookie of the Year right now originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After she decimated the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night, Olivia Miles might as well be handed the WNBA's Rookie of the Year award already.

True, Miles and the Minnesota Lynx have played just 15 games together. And Azzi Fudd is finding her feet in Dallas with the Wings.

But even at this stage, with two-thirds of the season left to play, few rookies have ever been as good as Miles has been.

MORE: Lynx's Olivia Miles revealed a hidden talent during a blowout win

Miles scored 24 points in the first half and 30 for the game on Wednesday as the Lynx wrapped up their Commissioner's Cup campaign with a 99-83 win over the Sparks.

Olivia Miles in the FIRST HALF

24 PTS
3 REB
2 AST
2/2 3PT
10/11 FG pic.twitter.com/tFga8BzKuA

— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) June 18, 2026

Miles became only the second rookie in the past 26 years to score 30 or more points on 80 percent shooting or better.

The other one isn't Caitlin Clark: it's Paige Bueckers, who achieved the feat against the Sparks last August.

Olivia Miles vs Los Angeles:

31 PTS
4 REB
4 AST
12-15 FG

Joins Paige Bueckers as the only rookies this century with 30+ PTS on 80+ FG%. pic.twitter.com/8APsgtRMQD

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 18, 2026

Miles through 15 games played has the most points of any rookie to make their debut in the past 20 seasons. She's scored 285 points to date, compared to Fudd's output of 178 points.

Last year, Bueckers had 273 points scored across her first 15 games. In 2024, Clark scored 242 for the Indiana Fever over her first 15 WNBA games.

Olivia Miles has the most points by a guard through their first 15 career games since 2006. pic.twitter.com/BVpeZAzCWX

— Real App (@realapp) June 18, 2026

Making Miles' start to life in The W even more impressive is the way in which she has taken a leadership role on a championship contender.

Ordinarily, the Lynx would not have had the ability to draft Miles second overall. Minnesota was the league's best regular season team in 2025 and played in the WNBA Finals in 2024.

But the Lynx made a fortuitous trade with the Chicago Sky to acquire the first-rounder that would eventually settle at second overall, where Miles went off the board in April.

Miles has proven to be a seamless fit on a Lynx team that again has the league's best record, its best offense and its best defense by efficiency. 

When All-Star Napheesa Collier returns from ankle surgery in the next month, Minnesota will be even scarier as its pursuit of a first championship in nine years continues.

Even if the Lynx don't win the title this year, Miles has already secured some silverware for herself.

More WNBA news:

• Will Caitlin Clark start the WNBA All-Star Game? Fan votes point to one outcome
• Wings' Azzi Fudd is back on track since Lynx's viral trolling
• Caitlin Clark's signature shoe is finally here and has a Billboard-topper's approval
• Why Sophie Cunningham is broadcasting WNBA game for USA Network

Sophie Cunningham admitted she stole her new celebration from an NBA star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Sophie Cunningham couldn't miss on Tuesday night. The Indiana Fever veteran delivered her best offensive performance of the season, knocking down six 3-pointers and helping lead Indiana to a dominant 113-91 victory over the Toronto Tempo at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

But while fans were focused on Cunningham's shooting display, many also noticed something else: her now-familiar celebration after draining a shot from beyond the arc. As it turns out, the celebration wasn't originally hers.

After the game, Cunningham revealed exactly where she got the idea, and it came from one of the NBA's brightest young stars.

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A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

Cunningham's career night powered another Fever win

Indiana's offense was firing on all cylinders against Toronto, and Cunningham played a major role in making sure the Fever never lost control of the game. The eight-year veteran finished with a season-high 24 points while shooting 6-for-7 from 3-point range. She also added six rebounds and two assists in one of her most complete performances since joining Indiana.

It was another encouraging sign for the Fever, who have continued to build momentum heading into a crucial stretch of games. Cunningham's scoring outburst came just days after she delivered one of the biggest moments in Indiana's win over the Connecticut Sun, scoring 11 points in the final two minutes to help seal an 85-75 victory.

When Cunningham is knocking down shots, Indiana becomes an entirely different team.

MORE: A'ja Wilson's simple pregame outfit had WNBA fans saying the same thing

Sophie Cunningham revealed who inspired the celebration

After the game, Cunningham was asked about the celebration she has been using after hitting 3-pointers. Her answer immediately connected the Fever to the NBA Finals.

"You know, I don't know," Cunningham said. "I think I gotta need a little shoutout to JDub from the Thunder. He was starting it, so I was like, 'I like that.'"

The celebration has become one of Cunningham's signature reactions during her recent hot streak, but she admitted the idea came from Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams. Williams has become one of the NBA's fastest-rising stars and one of the biggest reasons Oklahoma City has emerged as a championship contender. Now his influence has apparently made its way to the WNBA.

Cunningham joked that she and her teammates are constantly searching for new ways to celebrate.

"We're getting creative with our three celebrations," she added. "But I gotta make 'em first. So I need to dial in on my shot. We'll see what happens."

The timing couldn't be better for Indiana

The Fever are beginning to look like one of the hottest teams in the league. Indiana has won consecutive games and continues to get strong contributions from multiple players around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

Cunningham's emergence as a consistent perimeter threat could be especially important as the Fever prepare for a challenging back-to-back set against the Atlanta Dream. The two teams will meet Thursday in Indianapolis before facing each other again Saturday in Atlanta.

Those games could have major implications for the Eastern Conference standings, and if Cunningham keeps shooting the way she did against Toronto, Fever fans may be seeing a lot more of that Jalen Williams-inspired celebration. For now, at least, Cunningham has made one thing clear: the move may have started in the NBA, but she's making it her own in Indiana.

More WNBA news:

• A'ja Wilson's simple pregame outfit had WNBA fans saying the same thing
• Paige Bueckers is threatening one of Caitlin Clark's biggest WNBA crowns
• Lexie Hull summed up what everyone was thinking after Sophie Cunningham's shooting explosion

PHOENIX — When Becky Hammon first took over as the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, the WNBA regular season consisted of 36 games. In 2027, the number of regular season games will expand to 50.

"We just keep tacking on games," Hammon said on Wednesday ahead of the Aces' matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. "More money, more games. That's the way it works."

On Wednesday, the league announced its regular-season schedule will expand from 44 games to 50 games in 2027 as "demand for the WNBA has never been greater," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. Additional details about the 2027 season schedule, including key dates and timelines, will be released at a later date, which Hammon said she's interested to learn more about.

"We'll have to see if they allow even some more roster spots and stuff like that because that's a lot of wear and tear on a group, especially when you start mixing World Cup and all this other stuff," Hammon said, referring to the 2027 FIBA Women's AmeriCup tournament in El Salvador in July 2027. "It is good. I mean, it is what it is. It's the growth of the league and so when you look at it at, that lens, it's good."

Becky Hammon’s reaction to the WNBA increasing the season to 50 games in 2027.

“I mean, it is what it is. It’s the growth of the league. When you look at it in that lens, it’s good. We’ll have to see if they allow even more roster spots and stuff like that, because that’s a lot… pic.twitter.com/VscjGnGa8H

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) June 18, 2026

More: WNBA expansion soars with historic 50-game season in 2027

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts echoed the same sentiment on Wednesday, adding he's curious what "the window ... where the games are played" will be for a 50-game regular season.

"Our league is continuing to expand, more people are seeing it, so I think more games is good, but there's going to be some challenges as far as the scheduling in that window that they've played in or that we've played in over the last couple of years," Tibbetts said. "The more games you play, the less practices you have. So there's a delicate balance there and finding the rhythm of that."

The number of regular season games has steadily increased over the years as the league soars in popularity. The regular season jumped from 32 games in 2021 to 36 games in 2022 and 40 games in 2023 and 2024. The slate of games increased to 44 games in 2025 and 2026. And more games are on the way.

"Expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league," Engelbert said in a statement on Wednesday. "This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA.”

According to the landmark CBA deal signed earlier this year, the 2027 season can end no later than Nov. 21 in 2027 and Nov. 30 in 2028. There is also an option for the league to expand to 52 regular-season games by 2029.

Contributing: Meghan L. Hall

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Becky Hammon reacts to WNBA expansion to 50-game regular season