The gap in the standings continues to widen

Today's results:

Kelsey Mitchell and Teaira McCowan led the way as the Fever edged the Sparks, 74-72.

Jonquel Jones and Brionna Jones powered the Sun over the Mystics, 85-75.

The Lynx overcame injuries to defeat the Liberty, 74-66.

The Mercury made work of the Sky, 103-83.

Phoenix clinched a playoff spot tonight, after New York and LA lost. Chicago took the L, but is still three games ahead of the Wings and Liberty. The gap between the top and bottom of the conference is large.........

WNBA team news:

The battle for playoff berths and byes is heating up.

The Sun are a confident group.

WNBA player news:

Sylvia Fowles and Layshia Clarendon sat out tonight's Minnesota game with injuries.

Dream guard Crystal Bradford underwent successful surgery for a broken foot and will miss the remainder of the season.

Kristi Toliver's career as a player and coach is coming full circle.

WNBA coach news:

Cheryl Reeve is battling injustice on and off the court.

College player news:

Oklahoma transfer Heavenly Greer has committed to Kansas State.

College coach news:

Rhode Island coach Tammi Reiss assesses her new team.

Jalen Powell is a new assistant coach at Ohio State.

Shhhh....it's Monday rest time

......before tomorrow's four-game slate

WNBA team news:

ESPN's new power rankings show a lot of movement.

WNBA player news:

Breanna Stewart and Marta Xargay on love, money and marriage.

Aerial Powers is looking for a strong end to her injury-shortened season.

Jonquel Jones and A'ja Wilson are locked in combat for MVP honors.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brionna Jones are the Western and Eastern conference players of the week.

College team news:

Bowling Green hopes to continue its hot streak this year.

College coach news:

How Cori Close navigated a USA Basketball championship run while dealing with the loss of her father.

Sky sweep series with Storm

Nothing much going on today, except for the world falling apart......

Today's result:

The Sky routed the Storm, 107-75. 

Candace Parker scored a season-high 25 points to lead six in double figures. Chicago has won three straight.

It was Seattle's largest margin of loss since their franchise home opener on June 1, 2000. They've gone 4-8 since the Commissioner's Cup, after the Olympic break.

How far will the Storm fall?

Aces, Sun keep winning

Today's results:

The Aces took care of the Fever, 87-71.

The Sun handled the Sparks, 76-61.

The Mystics rallied from 18 down to edge the Wings, 76-75.

WNBA team news:

The stumbling Storm need to fix their offense, with playoffs approaching.

WNBA player news:

Liz Cambage talks about her mental health battles and considers trading the Olympics for the WNBA.

Elena Delle Donne is day-to-day, and sat out today's game.

NCAA title, gold medal.....what's next for Jackie Young?

DiDi Richards is starting to add scoring to her defensive prowess.

Edwige Lawson-Wade's mark on the WNBA is deep, and she isn't done yet.

College team news:

Fordham's tragic year has brought them closer.

Where it stops, nobody knows

Today's results:

Skylar Diggins-Smith's 27 points paced the Mercury over the Liberty, 80-64.

The Sky downed the Storm, 73-69. It's the second straight loss for Seattle.

WNBA player news:

Angel McCoughtry took the court for a few seconds last night, and was cheered by Dream fans.

It was a special moment.

Riquna Williams has morphed from scorer to defender with the Aces.

Layshia Clarendon is changing the game.

Michaela Onyenwere leads the rookie of the year race.

College coach news:

Swarthmore coach Candice Signor-Brown has resigned amidst sexual misconduct allegations.

It's still anybody's trophy

Today's results:

The Aces took down the Dream, 78-71, to secure coach Bill Laimbeer's 300th career win in the league.

The Sun escaped the Sparks, 76-72.

The Wings surprised the Mystics, 82-77. Elena Delle Donne played just 12 minutes for Washington, as a precaution.

WNBA team news:

How the Sun's slow pace swallows opponents.

With their loss tonight, the Sparks have fallen out of playoff position.

WNBA player news:

Tina Charles will miss 3-5 games with a gluteal strain.

Brittney Griner has an ankle sprain and is questionable for tomorrow's game.

Sylvia Fowles is playing her way into the MVP discussion.

Arike Ogunbowale is unfazed.

Karlie and Katie Lou Samuelson are enjoying a "crazy" midseason reunion via the Seattle Storm.

How Natalie Achonwa fought to the return to the Olympics, and the Lynx.

After learning to win, Megan Walker is leading new athletes.

Jasmine Thomas received the June WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.

The WNBPA has a new strategy to get its players paid, and increase investment in women's sports.

College coach news:

UTEP has extended coach Kevin Baker's contract.

Farleigh Dickinson has extended the contract of coach Angelika Szumilo.

Bonus:

New data shows that women's sports have the most committed and innovative fans.

Good and bad news together

Today's result:

The Mercury routed the Liberty, 106-79.

WNBA news:

WNBA digital collectibles are here.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne took major steps in last night's game.

Brittney Griner was injured in the Mercury's road game tonight.

Crystal Bradford broke a bone in her foot in last night's game, and there's no timetable for her return.

The Mystics have signed Megan Gustafson for the rest of the season.

ESPN's top 25 under 25.

College coach news:

Kellie Lewis is a new assistant coach at San Diego State.

Shaking things up

Interesting night in the WNBA.......

Today's results:

The Sun topped the Aces, 76-62, to clinch a playoff berth and take the top spot in league standings.

The Lynx snapped their losing streak by beating the Storm, 76-70. Sylvia Fowles led the way with 29 points and 20 rebounds.

The Sky defeated the Dream, 86-79.

The Mystics shellacked the Sparks, 78-68.

WNBA team news:

Washington's playoff push will come without the return of Emma Meesseman.

WNBA player news:

A sprained ankle sustained in last night's game will keep Sami Whitcomb out of action for 10-14 days.

Diana Taurasi and Sabrina Ionescu are finally healthy at the same time for their first WNBA meeting.

WNBA coach news:

Bill Laimbeer said he was looking for alcohol after a recent hellish Aces trip.

College conference news:

The Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC will form a collaborative alliance.

The alliance is meant to stabilize a volatile environment.

It's not clear what the three conferences are doing, but they're doing it together.

College player news:

Caitlin Clark developed leadership skills with USA Basketball this summer.

College coach news:

New Wittenberg coach Tamika Jeter is excited about her first recruiting class.

White House guests

WNBA team news:

The Storm commemorated their 2020 Championship at the White House with the President.

Joe Biden went off script and gave the team a tour of the Oval Office.

The Aces had a long day of travel two days ago.

The home stretch of regular-season games looks good for the full-strength Lynx.

Minnesota are playing like contenders, but can they beat Seattle?

ESPN's new power rankings.

WNBA player news:

Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones are the Western and Eastern Conference players of the week.

Alysha Clark missed her trip to the White House after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Storm have signed Karlie Samuelson for the rest of the season.

College team news:

Breaking down the Louisville roster.

College coach news:

UNCW coach Karen Barefoot talks about her major battle with COVID.

Candice Jackson is the new recruiting director at Michigan State.

Intensity on the court

Today's results:

The Sparks held off the Liberty, 86-83.

The Storm beat the Mystics, 85-78.

WNBA team news:

Seattle showed today that they can win if the "Big Three" are having an off game.

Despite Elena Delle Donne's emotional return, Washington's losing streak continues.

WNBA player news:

Delle Donne returned to game action for the first time in two years.

Fever rookie Aaliyah Wilson is positioned for success after an unbelievable year.

WNBA coach news:

New York coach Walt Hopkins said his team lost today because "they didn't trust each other."

Moments and milestones

Today's results:

The Mercury ran past the Dream, 84-69.

The Lynx snapped a two-game losing streak with a 101-95 win over the Sky.

WNBA team news:

The Sparks are showing "a lot of resolve" as they embark on a long road trip.

At 25, the Liberty are celebrating magical moments.

WNBA player news:

Today Diana Taurasi became the first league player to reach 9,000 points and 2,000 assists.

Last night Sue Bird reached 6,500 points, becoming the sixth player in WNBA history to reach the mark.

Balancing motherhood and on-court success with the Storm is where Breanna Stewart wants to be.

Elena Delle Donne is expected to return to the court tomorrow after a nearly two-year hiatus.

College conference news:

The Big 10's AD says the conference is looking for more than money in possibly aligning with the Pac-12 and ACC.

WBHOF induction ceremony:

Tamika Catchings, Lauren Jackson and Swin Cash were among tonight's inductees.

David Stern was also inducted.

Various themes

Today's results:

In Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart's return, the Storm topped the Liberty, 99-83.

The Fever edged the Wings, 83-81.

WNBA team news:

With the trade deadline looming, Indiana must decide on a direction for the rest of the season.

The Storm will be the first WNBA to visit the White House since 2016.

Weekly power rankings from CBS Sports.

WNBA player news:

Breanna Stewart is thrilled to be a mom and add a daughter to her family.

WNBA coach news:

Cheryl Reeve challenges WNBA referees and says she'll have to change how she coaches.

WNBA owner news:

Aces owner Mark Davis is connecting the past to the present.

College player news:

With an eye on the Final Four, Caitlin Clark's story is just beginning.

Clark is bringing newfound appearances to Iowa for her sophomore season.

Alexia Mobley has arrived in Louisville early, and will redshirt.

Big performances on this night

Today's results:

DeWanna Bonner's season-high 31 points and 11 rebounds paced the Sun past the Lynx, 82-71.

The Mercury ran by the Mystics, 77-64, behind Brittney Griner's 30 points and 12 rebounds.

The Sparks pulled out a close one, 66-64, on a game-ending offensive board and put-back by Nneka Ogwumike.

WNBA team news:

The Storm have been invited to the White House to celebrate their 2020 Championship.

Seattle is primed for another title run.

Indiana Fever notes.

Fanatics has added Liberty gear to its retail line.

Team-by-team updates.

WNBA player news:

Candace Parker is day-to-day after suffering an ankle injury in yesterday's game.

How will Elena Delle Donne's return affect the playoff race?

A'ja Wilson says fans don't see the mental toll that athletes go through.

The NBA's Dallas Mavericks are hiring Kristi Toliver as an assistant coach.

Barbara Turner is embracing her role with the NBA's Houston Rockets.

WNBA news:

The WNBA is finally catching up on mental health.

How the WNBA became such a community-focused league.

College player news:

Which college players can benefit most from the NIL?

College coach news:

Meet Vonn Read, acting Syracuse head coach.

The plots thicken

Today's result:

The Liberty ran past the Storm, 83-79, despite a career-high 35 points from Jewell Loyd.

WNBA player news:

Sue Bird is savoring her trip home to New York.

Candace Parker was injured again last night. Could the Sky win without her?

College player news:

Caitlin Clark's first NIL venture is with a women-owned Des Moines brand.

Laura Salmeron is the latest player to leave Syracuse.....Shalexxus Aaron is also out.

College coach news:

North Carolina A&T has extended Tarrell Robinson's contract through 2025-2026.

Purdue coach Sharon Versyp has been accused of creating a hostile and toxic environment.

Kate Popovec has been promoted to associate head coach at Northwestern.

Hot game night

Today's results:

The Sun snapped the Lynx's eight-game winning streak, as Jonquel Jones surpassed the 2,000-point career mark.

The Wings edged the Sky, 80-76.

The Aces ran past the Mystics, 80-76, behind 24 points from Kelsey Plum.

The Mercury held off the Fever, 84-80.

The Sparks got by the Dream, 85-80, in OT.

WNBA team news:

WNBA teams are ready for the sprint to finish the regular season.

The Liberty and actress Nia Long are teaming up for youth mental health.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are preparing for the birth of their second child.

Kayla McBride on how a FIBA-approved ball helped get her out of a slump.

Ariel Atkins talks about her Olympic experience.

WNBA coach news:

Two decades later, coach Curt Miller still stands alone.

College coach news:

Dawn Staley now says she might return as Team USA coach.

Doug Novak is a new assistant coach at Mississippi State.

Pause for the cause

WNBA team news:

The Lynx begin a critical stretch of games on the road in Connecticut.

Four Sky storylines to look out for.

Six games yesterday, no games today, five games tomorrow. It's feast or famine........

WNBA player news:

Breanna Stewart and wife Marta Xargay announced the birth of their daughter.

Stewart's golden journey to motherhood.

Spelling bee champ Zaila Avant-garde got to meet her favorite player yesterday - Wings guard Moriah Jefferson.

A'ja Wilson's dyslexia is helping her to build an off-court legacy.

WNBPA news:

The WNBPA has joined with a bank as their social responsibility partner.

College player news:

Caitlin Clark's U19 World Cup tourney MVP highlights her dominance.

College coach news:

Dawn Staley left Team USA in a familiar place: atop the podium.

Some close games on the first day back

Today's results:

The Sky slipped past the Storm in OT, 87-85.

The Aces rallied from 21 down to nip the Mystics, 84-83.

The Sun ran past the Wings, 80-59.

The Mercury stopped the Dream, 92-81.

The Sparks outlasted the Fever, 75-70.

WNBA team news:

The influence of Black culture in the WNBA.

WNBA player news:

Liz Cambage says she rested a lot during the break.

Jantel Lavender champions representation and hard work through her WNBA career.

U19 news:

The USA routed Australia, 70-52, to take the World Cup - their ninth. Caitlin Clark was named Tournament MVP.

Ready to go

All 12 teams are back in action tomorrow.......

WNBA team news:

The Aces are ready to resume the season after a successful Olympic break.

The Sky are locked in on a championship push.

The Mystics are edging back to full strength, and they are set to contend.

The post-Olympic pressure to win is on for the Mercury.

The Dream have a completely different team to open the second half of the season.

The Sun begin the next part of the season in Dallas.

WNBA player news:

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart will sit out of tomorrow's game against the Sky.

Bird and Stewart define winning.

Nneka Ogwumike is excited to return to action.

Sami Whitcomb has always been improving, and has nothing to prove.

Layshia Clarendon thrives on the court while embracing many roles.

Aari McDonald is excited to return to Arizona as a WNBA player.

U19 news:

The USA beat Hungary, 75-42, and Australia put away Mali, 62-50, to advance to the final tomorrow.

Other scores:

Canada 66, Russia 58

Czech Republic 66, Spain 63

Japan 88, Italy 51

France 103, Egypt 35

Chinese Taipei 86, Brazil 70

Korea 57, Argentina 48

College coach news:

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley will get a new contract and a pay raise.

Second half vibes

WNBA team news:

WNBA power rankings: it's about to get interesting.

Second half of the season storylines.

The Lynx, who entered the break on a seven-game winning streak, resume Sunday against the Liberty.

The Sparks resume the season with healthy stars and playoff hopes.

WNBA player news:

Alanna Smith's Olympic foes are now friends again as the WNBA season resumes.

Lauren Cox is embracing her opportunity with LA.

U19 news:

Hot results..........

Mali 69, Russia 47 (!!)

Australia 72, Canada 61

USA 98, Spain 64

Hungary 78, Czech Republic 71

Japan 111, Chinese Taipei 42

Italy 71, Brazil 43

France 64, Argentina 39

Egypt 63, Korea 62

College conference news:

Are the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC forming an alliance?

College coach news:

Dawn Staley discusses her interview with the Portland Trailblazers.

Tired? Nope.....Storm easily win Commissioner's Cup

Commissioner's Cup:

The Storm routed the Sun, 79-57, to win the inaugural Commissioner's Cup.

Bonus checks are on the way.

WNBA player news:

Breanna Stewart has added a WNBA title to her summer checklist.

Stewart and Sue Bird are one of the greatest duos in league history, and they're not done winning together.

Jonquel Jones is back, and the Sun are contenders again.

One-on-one with Sylvia Fowles.

Jackie Young reflects on her participation in Olympic 3X3 basketball.

Sheryl Swoopes and the legacy of her signature shoe.

College conference news:

Under a new policy, Pac-12 teams that can't play next season must forfeit.

College team news:

With three new transfers, Detroit Mercy's roster stands at 13.

The Commissioner's Cup is tomorrow

WNBA team news:

Big money is on the line for tomorrow's Commissioner's Cup.

Everything you need to know before tipoff.

Seattle and Connecticut come into the Commissioner's Cup off of very different Olympic breaks.

The Storm's Olympians return as they get set for the Cup game.

The Sun have many stories to tell.

Healthy and whole for the first time, the Liberty can make a second-half run.

WNBA player news:

Nneka Ogwumike was in tears at Monday's press conference.

Sparks center Lauren Cox will meet her former team in Sunday's re-opener.

Crystal Dangerfield is enjoying life in Minnesota after spending her rookie year in the WNBA bubble.

ESPN ranks the best players for every jersey number in league history.

Becky Hammon on the Commissioner's Cup and the kind of team she wants to coach.

Hammon hopes it becomes the norm for women to get NBA jobs.

WNBA coach news:

Assistant coach Latricia Trammell is bringing light, energy and defense to the Sparks.

College coach news:

Buffalo coach Felisha Legette-Jack will have her jersey retired at Syracuse.

Julie Plank is a new assistant coach at Florida.

U19 news:

The USA tied the single-game scoring record in their win over Chinese Taipei today, 129-45.

Canada stunned unbeaten France, 79-72.

All scores:

Spain 71, Japan 64

Hungary 54, Italy 48

Czech Republic 74, Brazil 64

Australia 66, Argentina 35

Russia 85, Egypt 55

Mali 87, Korea 46

Countdown to season resumption

WNBA team news:

How the WNBA is affecting basketball globally.

The Lynx have lifted crowd restrictions as the season resumes.

Commissioner's Cup specs.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne is back to practicing, but her return time is unknown.

Can anyone slow down Tina Charles this season?

Charles is waiting for the Mystics to get healthy and share the workload.

Nneka Ogwumike is determined to rise after an injury and an Olympic snub.

When Candace Parker talks, we listen.

Katie Lou Samuelson discusses the mental health struggles she went through after missing the Olympics.

Perspectives of Atlanta Dream veterans.

U19 news:

Today's results.......the USA has been kicking butt and taking names.

NCAA news:

The NCAA could have fixed Tournament discrepancies by putting employees on equal footing.

College team news:

Three transfers have landed at Detroit Mercy.

College coach news:

Jodie Kaczor Berry has been promoted to associate head coach at Oregon.

Getting back into the WNBA grind

WNBA team news:

The Sparks are stressing resiliency in the second half of the season.

WNBA player news:

Nneka Ogwumike is expected to be back playing for the Sparks Sunday.

Elena Delle Donne is back practicing with the Mystics......and she is nearing her return.

Liz Cambage has returned to the Aces after sitting out the Olympics.

Katie Lou Samuelson discusses how she got through missing the Olympics, and how she's moving foward.

Allisha Gray on the future of 3X3 basketball.

WNBA coach news:

Cheryl Reeve is noncommittal about coaching USA Basketball.

Post-medal musings

More on the Olympic basketball win:

Team USA won their seventh straight gold.

Dawn Staley says she is "done" as Olympic coach.

Staley recommends Cheryl Reeve as her replacement.

A street will be named for Staley in her hometown of Philadelphia.

Sue Bird is the oldest basketball player in the 85-year history of the event at the Games to win gold.

Five golds later, Bird and Diana Taurasi leave USA Basketball in top shape.

Bird and Taurasi made sure that their final USA Basketball moment was golden.

A'ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray represented the Aces in the win.

Sylvia Fowles diary.

International news:

Spain coach Lucas Mondelo has been fired, and present and former players, including Marta Xargay, are alleging he was abusive.

College AD and athletics news:

Missouri has named former UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois to the same position there.

How did Syracuse athletics miss signs of trouble in women's basketball?

Golden, baby

Olympic gold medal game:

The USA beat Japan, 90-75, to claim their historic seventh gold medal.

Five-time gold medalists Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are great teammates.

France downed Serbia, 91-76, for the bronze medal.

WNBA player news:

Sky guard Diamond DeShields has a new outlook this season.

USA and Japan to face off for gold medal

Olympic results:

The U.S. cruised past Serbia, 79-59. 

Japan downed France, 87-71, to continue their dream journey in these Games and advance to the championship round. Rui Machida set an Olympic single-game assists record, with 18.

Team USA is one step closer to getting their seventh straight gold medal.

The gold medal game is tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Olympic player news:

The U.S. can send Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi out in style.

Five things to know about Olympian Jewell Loyd.

Olympic coach news:

How an Olympic snub launched Dawn Staley to the doorstep of Olympic history.

WNBA news:

The Mercury are preparing for the return of their Olympians, and for the rest of the season.

Semifinals are about to go down

Olympic team news:

Team USA plays Serbia tonight in the semifinals.

Is the U.S. peaking at the right time?

Tom Hovasse and Japan are making hoops history.

Olympic player news:

A'ja Wilson wasn't supposed to be Team USA's MVP this soon, but here we are.

Olympic coach news:

The Gamecock connection with Wilson is a comfort to Dawn Staley in Tokyo.

WNBA team news:

Fever GM Tamika Catchings feels that the team can build momentum after the Olympic break.

WNBA player news:

Teresa Edwards can identify with Simone Biles.

WNBA coach news:

The Storm have signed Noelle Quinn to a multi-year contract extension.

NCAA news:

The NCAA's shameful neglect of women's basketball has been exposed, and it starts at the top.

There are solutions, with some imagination.

Afterburners

About last night's quarterfinals:

The U.S. routed Australia, 79-55.

Japan squeezed by Belgium, 86-85.

Serbia rallied to oust China, 77-70.

France edged Spain, 67-64.

Olympic team news:

The U.S. team is handling the pressure of perfection.

Olympic athlete news:

Katie Lou Samuelson is devastated about missing the Olympics.

College team news:

Maryland and South Carolina will play one another in the Jimmy V Classic in December.

College player news:

Paige Bueckers has signed with the Wasserman Media Group as an NIL client.

Two top recruits have decommitted from Syracuse.

College coach news:

Longtime associate head coach Vonn Read will be acting head coach this season at Syracuse.

Former Washington State and Washington coach June Daugherty has passed away.

NCAA news:

Joint statement on the Kaplan Report from the Women's Basketball Committee and Women's Basketball Oversight Committee.

The NCAA can't let the report sit on the shelf.

The Pac-12 and Big 12 are considering creating an alliance.

Game prefunk

USA vs. Australia in 55 minutes.........

Olympic team news:

Team USA has a Notre Dame-flavored back court.

Former UConn players are also making their mark.

Olympic coach news:

Dawn Staley on the Games: "I've had feelings that I've never had before as a head coach."

NCAA news:

Kaplan, Hecker and Fink released their independent review and recommendations around NCAA Championships around gender issues.

Executive summary.

The gender gap was driven by March Madness.

The NCAA's gender equity review recommends a combined Final Four for women and men.

The NCAA undervalued women's basketball by millions.

WBCA executive director Danielle Donehew reacts to the Kaplan Hecker report.

College coaches say it's time to strike while the iron is hot.

College team news:

The ACC/Big Ten women's basketball challenge pairings are out.

WNBA player news:

Q&A with Candace Parker.

Just a dusting

Olympic news:

New Olympic team power rankings.

U.S. dominance in Olympic basketball is no longer a given, and coaches know it.

WNBA team news:

The Atlanta Dream is pushing for the playoffs with new faces and a new vibe.

WNBA news:

The WNBPA has launched a "Bet on Women" campaign with the Gaming Society.

College coach news:

Buffalo coach Felisha Legette-Jack is "very interested" in the Syracuse job.

Catching up on last night

Olympic news:

The U.S. got past France, 93-82, but still isn't in sync.

USA isn't dominating the Olympics. Get used to it.

Tournament pairings were announced earlier: China-Serbia; USA-Australia; Japan-Belgium; Spain-France.

Olympic play is the blueprint for WBB success.

College coach news:

Quentin Hillsman has resigned as Syracuse head coach amidst a conduct investigation.

While we wait for Team USA vs. France

Tipoff is in 50 minutes.......

Olympic team news:

If Team USA prevails tonight over France, it will be their 52nd win.

Team Canada and its Lynx players have been pushed to the edge.

With their loss to Spain, Canada's quarterfinal hopes are in limbo........the wait is agony.

Olympic athlete news:

Sylvia Fowles diary.

Gabby Williams said the French team is "where she's supposed to be."

How Puerto Rico's Isalys Quinones achieved her Olympic dream.