Welcome to another Saturday night of WNBA action, folks. It's a triple header that promises some intriguing matchups and a few potential fireworks. First off, the Toronto Tempo are heading to Minnesota to face the Lynx. These two teams have been on opposite trajectories lately - the Lynx are riding high after a three-game winning streak, while Toronto's struggled with consistency, losing three out of their last four. The Lynx's offense has been clicking recently, led by the dynamic duo of Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles. But don't count out the Tempo just yet; they've got Kia Nurse and Natalie Achonwa who can heat up at any moment.
Next, we've got a California clash as the Golden State Valkyries take on the New York Liberty. Both teams are in the middle of the pack, but the Valkyries have been showing signs of life lately, winning two out of their last three games. On the other hand, the Liberty have been stumbling, losing three straight. Keep an eye on Brittney Griner and A'ja Wilson for Golden State - they've been a force to be reckoned with. For New York, Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney will need to step up if they want to turn their fortunes around.
Finally, we have the Los Angeles Sparks traveling to Phoenix to face the Mercury. These teams are neck and neck in the standings, both with 8-6 records. The Sparks have been on a roll lately, winning four out of their last five games. The Mercury, however, have looked shaky, losing three out of their last four. If the Sparks can keep up their defensive intensity, they could walk away with a win. But don't underestimate the Mercury - they've got Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith who are always capable of putting up big numbers.
So there you have it, folks. Three games, three storylines, and plenty of basketball to keep us entertained tonight. Buckle up, (Oops, sorry about that.)
Today's WNBA Slate
- Toronto Tempo @ Minnesota Lynx (8:00 PM ET)
- Golden State Valkyries @ New York Liberty (8:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury (10:00 PM ET)
Matchup Breakdown
Toronto Tempo @ Minnesota Lynx — 8:00 PM ET
The Toronto Tempo are in desperate need of a win, having lost three out of their last four games. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx have been on a roll, winning three straight. This matchup could be a test for the Tempo's resilience.
MINNESOTA LYNX LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 86-87 | Avg margin: -1.0
May 17: L vs Chicago Sky 79-86 (-7) | May 14: W @ Dallas Wings 90-86 (+4) | May 12: W @ Phoenix Mercury 88-84 (+4) | May 09: L vs Atlanta Dream 90-91 (-1) | Sep 28: L @ Phoenix Mercury 81-86 (-5)
TORONTO TEMPO LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 90-85 | Avg margin: +4.8
May 19: W @ Phoenix Mercury 98-90 (+8) | May 17: W @ Los Angeles Sparks 106-96 (+10) | May 15: L @ Los Angeles Sparks 95-99 (-4) | May 13: W vs Seattle Storm 86-73 (+13) | May 08: L vs Washington Mystics 65-68 (-3)
MINNESOTA LYNX RECENT STATS86.8 PPG (L10) | 86.8 allowed (L10) | +0.0 diff | 5-5 L10
TORONTO TEMPO RECENT STATS90.0 PPG (L10) | 85.2 allowed (L10) | +4.8 diff | 6-4 L10
INJURIES — Minnesota LynxDorka Juhasz (Out — Sprain, return: 2026-05-23); Emma Cechova (Out — Surgery, return: 2027-05-01); Napheesa Collier (Out — Sprain, return: 2026-06-06)
INJURIES — Toronto TempoIsabelle Harrison (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-23); Temi Fagbenle (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-23); Julie Allemand (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-23)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Minnesota Lynx: #4, score: 70.3, L10: 5-5, ATS: 75% | Toronto Tempo: #7, score: 58.7, L10: 6-4, ATS: 80%
MINNESOTA LYNX KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Kayla McBride: 19.2 pts | 4.6 reb | 1.8 ast | +/-: -1.6
Courtney Williams: 16.6 pts | 4.4 reb | 4.6 ast | +/-: -1.2
Natasha Howard: 15.8 pts | 7.5 reb | 3.8 ast | +/-: +6.2
Olivia Miles: 15.5 pts | 4.2 reb | 5.8 ast | +/-: +3.8
TORONTO TEMPO KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Brittney Sykes: 25.6 pts | 4.6 reb | 4.8 ast | +/-: +1.8
Marina Mabrey: 20.8 pts | 4.2 reb | 2.4 ast | +/-: -1.0
Kiki Rice: 11.4 pts | 3.4 reb | 1.8 ast | +/-: +6.2
Laura Juskaite: 8.0 pts | 4.0 reb | 1.0 ast | +/-: +6.8
Golden State Valkyries @ New York Liberty — 8:00 PM ET
Both teams are fighting to stay afloat in the middle of the pack. The Golden State Valkyries have shown signs of life lately, winning two out of their last three games, while the New York Liberty have lost three straight. This game could be a turning point for one team's season.
H2H LAST 4 (Golden State Valkyries vs New York Liberty)NEW YORK LIBERTY 3-1 | Avg margin: +7.0
Sep 02: L @ New York Liberty 58-66 (-8) | Jun 25: W @ New York Liberty 81-78 (+3) | May 29: W vs Golden State Valkyries 82-77 (+5) | May 27: W vs Golden State Valkyries 95-67 (+28)
NEW YORK LIBERTY LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 95-85 | Avg margin: +9.2
May 14: W @ Portland Fire 100-82 (+18) | May 12: L @ Portland Fire 96-98 (-2) | May 10: W @ Washington Mystics 98-93 (+5) | May 08: W vs Connecticut Sun 106-75 (+31) | Sep 19: L @ Phoenix Mercury 73-79 (-6)
GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 79-81 | Avg margin: -1.8
May 13: L vs Chicago Sky 63-69 (-6) | May 10: W vs Phoenix Mercury 95-79 (+16) | May 08: W @ Seattle Storm 91-80 (+11) | Sep 17: L vs Minnesota Lynx 74-75 (-1) | Sep 14: L @ Minnesota Lynx 72-101 (-29)
NEW YORK LIBERTY RECENT STATS100.0 PPG (L10) | 87.0 allowed (L10) | +13.0 diff | 8-2 L10
GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES RECENT STATS83.0 PPG (L10) | 76.0 allowed (L10) | +7.0 diff | 7-3 L10
INJURIES — New York LibertyRaquel Carrera (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-24); Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-24); Leonie Fiebich (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-24); Marine Fauthoux (Out — Surgery, return: 2026-06-03)
INJURIES — Golden State ValkyriesCecilia Zandalasini (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-22); Juste Jocyte (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-22); Iliana Rupert (Out — injury, return: 2027-05-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)New York Liberty: #8, score: 55.7, L10: 8-2, ATS: 50% | Golden State Valkyries: #6, score: 61.0, L10: 7-3, ATS: 67%
NEW YORK LIBERTY KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Breanna Stewart: 24.4 pts | 9.0 reb | 2.8 ast | +/-: +9.8
Pauline Astier: 16.8 pts | 3.8 reb | 4.0 ast | +/-: +4.2
Marine Johannes: 12.6 pts | 2.6 reb | 4.0 ast | +/-: +10.8
Alex Fowler: 12.0 pts | 0.0 reb | 1.0 ast | +/-: -6.0
GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Janelle Salaun: 14.8 pts | 3.2 reb | 0.8 ast | +/-: -0.6
Gabby Williams: 14.7 pts | 5.3 reb | 2.7 ast | +/-: +3.7
Veronica Burton: 14.4 pts | 3.8 reb | 7.6 ast | +/-: +0.4
Cecilia Zandalasini: 12.0 pts | 3.7 reb | 2.0 ast | +/-: -4.3
Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury — 10:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury are neck and neck in the standings, both with 8-6 records. With the Sparks on a four-game winning streak, this matchup could be a battle of momentum and defensive intensity.
H2H LAST 5 (Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury)PHOENIX MERCURY 4-1 | Avg margin: +3.0
Sep 09: L vs Los Angeles Sparks 83-88 (-5) | Aug 26: W @ Phoenix Mercury 92-84 (+8) | Jun 01: W @ Phoenix Mercury 85-80 (+5) | May 21: W vs Los Angeles Sparks 89-86 (+3) | Sep 17: W @ Phoenix Mercury 85-81 (+4)
PHOENIX MERCURY LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 89-86 | Avg margin: +2.6
May 19: L vs Toronto Tempo 90-98 (-8) | May 15: W vs Chicago Sky 91-83 (+8) | May 12: L vs Minnesota Lynx 84-88 (-4) | May 10: L @ Golden State Valkyries 79-95 (-16) | May 09: W @ Las Vegas Aces 99-66 (+33)
LOS ANGELES SPARKS LAST 51-4 | Avg score: 85-99 | Avg margin: -14.0
May 17: L vs Toronto Tempo 96-106 (-10) | May 15: W vs Toronto Tempo 99-95 (+4) | May 13: L vs Indiana Fever 78-87 (-9) | May 10: L vs Las Vegas Aces 78-105 (-27) | Sep 11: L vs Las Vegas Aces 75-103 (-28)
PHOENIX MERCURY RECENT STATS88.6 PPG (L10) | 86.0 allowed (L10) | +2.6 diff | 4-6 L10
LOS ANGELES SPARKS RECENT STATS87.8 PPG (L10) | 98.2 allowed (L10) | -10.5 diff | 2-8 L10
INJURIES — Phoenix MercuryMonique Akoa Makani (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-24); Sami Whitcomb (Out — Surgery, return: 2026-06-17)
INJURIES — Los Angeles SparksSania Feagin (Out — injury, return: 2026-05-23)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Phoenix Mercury: #5, score: 62.0, L10: 4-6, ATS: 40% | Los Angeles Sparks: #11, score: 31.1, L10: 2-8, ATS: 0%
PHOENIX MERCURY KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Kahleah Copper: 17.8 pts | 2.0 reb | 2.6 ast | +/-: +1.2
Alyssa Thomas: 16.6 pts | 7.2 reb | 8.4 ast | +/-: +5.2
Jovana Nogic: 15.4 pts | 1.2 reb | 2.0 ast | +/-: +7.6
DeWanna Bonner: 11.0 pts | 6.6 reb | 1.6 ast | +/-: +3.4
LOS ANGELES SPARKS KEY PLAYERS (last 5g avg):
Kelsey Plum: 24.4 pts | 2.0 reb | 6.0 ast | +/-: -11.4
Dearica Hamby: 16.6 pts | 7.0 reb | 2.4 ast | +/-: -9.8
Nneka Ogwumike: 16.5 pts | 6.8 reb | 2.0 ast | +/-: -5.2
Sarah Ashlee Barker: 15.0 pts | 2.0 reb | 2.0 ast | +/-: -30.0
Final Word
As we wrap up today's WNBA action, it's clear that the Toronto Tempo @ Minnesota Lynx game is one to keep an eye on. The Lynx have been on a roll, while the Tempo are in desperate need of a win. It'll be interesting to see if the Tempo can find their rhythm and pull off an upset.
No matter which games you're watching tonight, make sure to enjoy the basketball and the storylines that unfold. The WNBA is full of talented players and exciting matchups, so sit back, relax, and let the games begin!