WNBA: Top 10 Moments of July 2026

After a historic first two months, July of the 2026 WNBA season someway discovered a technique to increase the joy even greater.

The month featured record-breaking performances, historic milestones, unforgettable finishes, and a celebration of every thing that has made the WNBA one of many fastest-growing leagues in sports activities. From Caitlin Clark delivering one of many biggest particular person performances in league historical past, to the most important stars coming collectively for a record-setting All-Star Weekend, July was crammed with moments that showcased the unbelievable expertise and progress of ladies’s basketball.

Rookies continued to make their mark, veterans continued including to their legacies, and the WNBA continued proving why this period of basketball is in contrast to another.

With that being mentioned, listed below are the ten greatest moments from July of the 2026 WNBA season …

The Lynx win a HIGH-SCORING battle towards the Mercury as Kayla McBride places up 37 PTS and Olivia Miles dropped a career-high 33 PTS! pic.twitter.com/JdhQeMkG8d

— WNBA on NBC and Peacock (@WNBAonNBC) July 14, 2026

10. McBride & Miles Shine in Win Over Mercury

The Minnesota Lynx have been one of many WNBA’s greatest groups all season, however certainly one of their newest victories confirmed the unbelievable depth and chemistry that has made them championship contenders.

In an exhilarating battle towards the Phoenix Mercury, Kayla McBride and rookie Olivia Miles mixed for the most effective performances of the month, main Minnesota to a 104-100 victory. McBride erupted for a season-high 37 factors, whereas Miles delivered a career-high 33 factors and eight assists, combining for 70 factors in probably the most spectacular backcourt performances of the 2026 season.

The sport was a back-and-forth battle from begin to end, that includes 23 lead adjustments as each groups traded momentum all through the evening. Phoenix appeared prepared to drag away late, however Minnesota’s guards took over when it mattered most. McBride supplied the veteran management, flattening clutch photographs, whereas Miles continued showcasing why she has rapidly develop into one of many league’s most fun younger gamers.

For Miles, the efficiency was one other milestone in what has already been a historic rookie season. The previous Notre Dame star continued proving that she is greater than only a proficient passer, exhibiting she will take over video games offensively when her workforce wants her most.

In the meantime, McBride reminded everybody why she stays one of many league’s most dependable veterans. Her capacity to create offense, hit massive photographs, and information Minnesota’s youthful gamers has been a significant purpose behind the Lynx’s success.

The victory was extra than simply one other win, it was a press release that Minnesota has probably the most harmful backcourts within the WNBA.

DOMINIQUE MALONGA THROWS IT DOWN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4CURnlcanb

— ESPN (@espn) July 26, 2026

9. Dominique Malonga Reveals Out With Dunk At All-Star Sport

Seattle Storm rookie Dominique Malonga delivered probably the most memorable moments of the summer time when she grew to become the youngest participant in WNBA All-Star Sport historical past to report a dunk. She grew to become simply the seventh participant to dunk within the All-Star recreation, and ninth participant in WNBA historical past to report a slam.

Already thought-about probably the most athletic younger gamers within the league, Malonga entered All-Star Weekend as one of many greatest names among the many subsequent technology of WNBA stars. Nevertheless, she left Chicago with a historic second that immediately went viral.

The dunk represented far more than only a spotlight.

For years, moments like these have helped showcase the continued evolution of ladies’s basketball. From elevated athleticism to a brand new technology of gamers pushing the boundaries of what’s doable, Malonga’s dunk grew to become one other image of how far the sport has grown.

The 20-year-old rookie has already proven flashes of superstardom all through her first season, however her All-Star efficiency gave followers a glimpse of the kind of affect she might have on the league for years to return. She would finish the evening with 12 factors and 13 rebounds.

Whereas All-Star Weekend featured a few of the greatest names in basketball, it was Malonga’s historic second that launched herself to an excellent wider viewers.

NAPHEESA COLLIER TODAY 🔥

• 24 POINTS • 10 REBOUNDS • 22 MINUTES PLAYED

WELCOME BACK PHEE pic.twitter.com/V8VuP9tBoU

— Girls’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) July 22, 2026

8. Napheesa Collier Returns From Damage

After lacking the beginning of the season with an ankle harm, Napheesa Collier wasted little time reminding everybody why she’s one of many league’s premier gamers.

Collier took to the courtroom in July towards the Seattle Storm and instantly appeared like she by no means left. She completed with 24 factors and 10 rebounds, serving to the Minnesota Lynx proceed their dominant run through the second half of the season with an 86-76 victory over the Storm.

Getting back from an prolonged absence isn’t simple, particularly for a participant carrying championship expectations. Nevertheless, Collier instantly supplied the affect Minnesota had been lacking, bringing again the scoring, protection, and management that made her probably the most full gamers within the league.

The timing of her return couldn’t have been higher.

With the playoffs approaching, Minnesota wanted its famous person again wholesome because the workforce appeared to take care of its place among the many WNBA’s elite. Collier’s presence offers the Lynx one other unstoppable offensive weapon whereas additionally anchoring one of many league’s greatest defensive items.

Her return additionally highlighted simply how particular Minnesota’s roster has develop into. With Collier main the best way alongside rising stars like Miles and veteran contributors like McBride, the Lynx all of the sudden look much more harmful.

⏰ Le buzzer-beater signé Jordin Canada cette nuit en WNBA !!

✅ Atlanta s’impose 93-91 pic.twitter.com/qXYol1hUBr

— Fade Away (@FadeAwayPodFR) July 20, 2026

7. Jordin Canada’s Buzzer Beater Towards Chicago

Some moments are outlined by statistics. Others are outlined by the sensation they create. Jordin Canada’s game-winning shot towards the Chicago Sky was a type of moments.

With the sport tied and the clock winding down, Canada took management of the ultimate possession and delivered a clutch layup on the buzzer to present the Atlanta Dream an 93-91 victory.

The dramatic end capped off an intense battle between two groups preventing for positioning and showcased why Canada has been one of many league’s Most worthy veteran guards. Atlanta had blown a 22-point lead within the recreation however they have been in a position to scrape by with the win due to Canada’s velocity.

All through her profession, Canada has constructed a status as an elite defender and playmaker, however moments like this present one other facet of her recreation. When Atlanta wanted a participant to create underneath stress, Canada stepped up and delivered. On this victory, she would finish the sport with 10 factors, 9 assists, three steals, and three rebounds.

KELSEY MITCHELL TONIGHT 🔥

• 33 POINTS • 4/6 3PM• 10/14 FG• 30 MINUTES PLAYED pic.twitter.com/fEIc9zEnLp

— Girls’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) July 19, 2026

6. Kelsey Mitchell On Fireplace In Again-To Again Wins

The Indiana Fever have been reliant on Kelsey Mitchell to get them excessive and he or she has delivered every time. In back-to-back wins over the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty, That was on excellent show in back-to-back wins over the Storm and New York Liberty, which noticed Mitchell report a pair of 30-point video games.

She would report 30 factors towards the Storm and get 33 towards the Liberty nearly 24 hours later. Within the victory over New York, a 108-88 triumph after Indiana fell behind early, Mitchell would have an environment friendly recreation capturing 10-for-14 from the sector, and 4-for-6 from past the arc.

That latter output was additionally her tenth straight recreation with 20 factors or extra, turning into the longest streak in franchise historical past (breaking her personal report set in 2024). Her streak has since prolonged to 14 video games, six behind A’ja Wilson for the longest of all-time.

On a workforce crammed with elite scorers, Mitchell continues to show herself as a prime veteran guard.

Jonquel Jones is the 2026 WNBA All-Star recreation MVP 🔥

She dropped 22 PTS, 13 REB, 8 AST & 4 3PM to guide Staff Spoon to victory!#WNBAAllStar2026 | @ATT pic.twitter.com/kgizBbz5dL

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 26, 2026

5. Jonquel Jones Earns All-Star MVP Honors In Staff Spoon Victory

The brightest stars gathered in Chicago, however Jonquel Jones stole the highlight.

Jones earned WNBA All-Star Sport MVP honors after main Staff Spoon to a 129-122 victory, delivering one other reminder of why she stays one of many league’s most full gamers. Her all-around efficiency helped separate Staff Spoon in a recreation crammed with offensive fireworks and spotlight performs.

The New York Liberty ahead would finish the evening with 22 factors, 13 rebounds, eight assists, whereas capturing 8-for-17 from the sector.

Past the trophy itself, Jones‘ MVP carried extra significance. Following an emotional week led to by the passing of her aunt and a season crammed with adversity, the veteran heart delivered probably the most memorable performances of All-Star Weekend, including one other prestigious accomplishment to an already outstanding profession.

Cheryl Reeve earns her 380th profession win 🤯

She’s now the WNBA’s all-time chief in profession wins 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lNlvjP9lxd

— Sloane Martin (@SloaneMartin) July 9, 2026

4. Cheryl Reeve Units WNBA Common-Season Wins Document

One other chapter of WNBA historical past was written by certainly one of its biggest coaches.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve grew to become the winningest coach in WNBA regular-season historical past, in a 86-80 victory over the Connecticut Solar on July 8. Reeve would surpass Mike Thibault after tying his report again in June.

Since taking on the Lynx in 2010, Reeve has constructed one of many league’s biggest dynasties, profitable 4 WNBA championships whereas constantly protecting Minnesota among the many league’s elite. Her newest milestone additional solidified her Corridor of Fame legacy and served as one other reminder of the sustained excellence she’s dropped at the group for greater than a decade.

Azzi Fudd has defeated Bridget Carleton to win the 2026 WNBA 3-point competitors 🏆

She is the primary rookie in WNBA historical past to win the 3-point contest! https://t.co/4Jx0z2GGc0 pic.twitter.com/ceKiblkvu5

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 25, 2026

3. Azzi Fudd Turns into First Rookie and Huskie To Win 3-Level Contest

Azzi Fudd added one other historic accomplishment to an already spectacular rookie marketing campaign throughout All-Star Weekend.

The Dallas Wings guard grew to become the primary rookie and the primary former UConn Husky to win the WNBA 3-Level Contest, defeating one of many deepest fields in latest reminiscence. Identified for possessing certainly one of basketball’s purest capturing strokes courting again to her school profession, Fudd showcased that very same confidence underneath the brightest lights.

Within the first spherical of the competition, Fudd would have 24 factors, sufficient to maneuver on to the ultimate spherical. Fudd placed on a present within the latter exhibiting towards Portland’s Bridget Carleton, scoring 30 factors, the second highest rating in a finale within the WNBA 3-Level Contest. She additionally grew to become the primary Wings participant to earn a win

The victory not solely earned her a spot in WNBA historical past but in addition supplied one other glimpse into the brilliant way forward for one of many league’s rising stars.

CAITLIN CLARK TONIGHT 🔥🔥🔥

• 45 POINTS • 10 ASSISTS • 4 STEALS• 2 BLOCKS• 6/10 3PM• 11/18 FG• 29 MINUTES PLAYED (!!!!!) pic.twitter.com/QNpRHfOIHE

— Girls’s Hoops Community (@WomensHoops_USA) July 18, 2026

2. Caitlin Clark Information Historic 45-Level Masterpiece

Simply days after getting back from harm, Caitlin Clark reminded the basketball world precisely the kind of participant she will be.

The Indiana Fever famous person delivered the defining particular person efficiency of July, erupting for a career-high 45 factors and 10 assists in an exhilarating 110-107 victory over the Seattle Storm. Whereas her offense was within the highlight, she additionally had two blocks and 4 steals, her defensive efforts gave the Fever one other edge of their victory.

Clark grew to become the primary participant in WNBA historical past to report at the least 40 factors and 10 assists in a single recreation, whereas additionally setting a brand new Fever franchise report for factors in a recreation.

What made the efficiency much more outstanding was the timing. After lacking a number of video games with harm, questions surrounded how rapidly Clark would return to peak kind. She answered these questions with ease, capturing effectively from all three ranges whereas orchestrating Indiana’s offense from begin to end. Each time Seattle threatened to take management, Clark responded with one other deep three, tough end, or pinpoint help. Clark would finish the sport capturing 11-for-18 from the sector, and 6-for-10 from past the arc.

The historic outing was extra than simply one other scoring explosion, it represented one other milestone in Clark’s already record-breaking profession. She additionally grew to become the quickest participant in WNBA historical past to succeed in 200 profession three-pointers, additional solidifying herself as one of many league’s most electrifying offensive skills. In a month crammed with unforgettable moments, Clark’s masterpiece stood above almost each regular-season efficiency and immediately entered the dialog as one of many biggest particular person video games the WNBA has ever seen.

19,783 followers 🙌

Tonight broke the @WNBA All-Star Sport attendance report 👏 pic.twitter.com/R52ti18Jme

— espnW (@espnW) July 26, 2026

1. All-Star Weekend Turns into Greatest Showcase in League Historical past

The WNBA has skilled unprecedented progress over the previous few seasons and nowhere was that extra evident than through the league’s 2026 All-Star Weekend.

Chicago grew to become the middle of the basketball world as followers packed United Heart for a record-setting All-Star crowd of 19.873 whereas hundreds extra attended WNBA Dwell and different fan occasions all through the weekend. The celebration marked the league’s thirtieth anniversary, bringing collectively Corridor of Famers, present superstars, rising rookies, celebrities, and followers to honor the WNBA’s previous whereas showcasing its future. Attendance, fan engagement, and nationwide consideration all mirrored a league reaching new heights.

The weekend itself delivered unforgettable moments from begin to end. Along with the sterling examples of Fudd, Jones, and Malonga talked about above, stars like Clark, Mitchell, Wilson, Paige Bueckers, and Breanna Stewart showcased the unbelievable depth of expertise presently defining the league.

Past the highlights, All-Star Weekend symbolized one thing a lot larger than basketball. It served as a celebration of three many years of progress, resilience, and progress for the WNBA whereas illustrating how far the league has come each competitively and culturally. From sold-out arenas and report tv audiences to unprecedented fan interplay and social media engagement, the weekend mirrored a league that continues to succeed in new milestones 12 months after 12 months. This 12 months’s All-Star Sport additionally surpassed the NBA’s All-Star in-person attendance, the latter getting 15,973 again in February.

For one weekend, the WNBA wasn’t simply celebrating its historical past, it was showcasing its future. That’s the reason no second higher outlined July than the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend.