The ‘Ball-Knowers’ WNBA Watch Guide: Weekend of July 11-14
This is the last weekend of games before the All Star break and we have some good narrative driven battles to tap into.
Can you believe we’re just about halfway done with the WNBA regular season? We’ve had superstar performances, surprise contenders and enough think pieces to fill the back pages of a Sunday edition paper. It’s been a rollercoaster, but a fun one. There’s a packed slate of games this weekend so, before we hit pause on the season, let’s get you up on game about where, what and how to watch. This will be a quick one since yours truly is on vacation for a few days but rest assured you’ll still get all your hoop news from the rest of our incredible crew.
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Friday, July 11
Atlanta Dream (12-7) vs. Indiana Fever (9-10): 7:30 PM ET, ION
Why it’s worth a watch: As of Friday morning, Caitlin Clark is officially off the injured list and likely to make her return against the Dream. Hopefully she’s fully ready to go because Atlanta always seems to get up for Indiana. Rhyne Howard’s best performances of the year have come opposite Clark while I’m interested in seeing if this new look, DeWanna Bonner-less Fever have enough size up front to counter what the Dream like to do. I’m hopeful that Caitlin gets back to her usual form given the performance dip that seems equal parts injury and scheme related.
Must Watch Score: 8/10
Connecticut Sun (3-16) vs. Seattle Storm (12-8): 10:00 PM ET, ION
Why it’s worth a watch: The Sun pulled off a shocker win over Seattle already but I don’t anticipate seeing it happen twice. Tina Charles dropped 29 points and 11 rebounds, snapping a ten game losing streak while holding Nneka Ogwumike to 5-15 shooting from the field. The Storm are too good for that to happen again so I’d expect a bump in defensive intensity but I love what I saw out of Connecticut. In spite of the record, there’s still plenty of fight. Plus, watching Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers along with Seattle’s Dominique Malonga is always interesting.
Must Watch Score: 7.5/10
Saturday, July 12
Minnesota Lynx (18-3) vs. Chicago Sky (6-13): 1:00 PM, ABC/ESPN+
Why it’s worth a watch: We have to start getting a bit serious about what the Angel Reese point forward experiment is turning into. While the wins are still hard to come by and the roster isn’t where it needs to be, it’s clear that Tyler Marsh’s vision for Reese is starting to come to fruition. She’s all over the floor on both ends and will get a tall task in the Lynx and their deeply elite front court. I’m most interested in the Kamilla Cardoso of it all and how she fits into this new world in Chicago. We’ve seen them work well together before. Now it’s about unlocking the consistency.
Must Watch Score: 7.5/10
Golden State Valkyries (12-7) vs. Las Vegas Aces (9-10): 4:00 PM ET, CBS
Why it’s worth a watch: This feels like a matchup of two very different types of franchise vibes. The Aces feel tired, treading water on the greatness of A’ja Wilson but it just feels like Father Time has caught up to some players and the league has caught up to the rest. Golden State’s win over Vegas last time out felt like a turning of the page for Natalie Nakase, defeating her old team and boss in convincing fashion. But Vegas’ whole thing this year has been responding to blowout losses with solid performances against the same team. Watch for Veronica Burton, who is coming off a great game vs. Indiana, and is flourishing in the Bay.
Must Watch Score: 8/10
Sunday, July 13
Atlanta Dream (12-7) vs. New York Liberty (13-6): 3:90 PM ET, League Pass
Why it’s worth a watch: At this point, I think we know what Atlanta is (and how injured New York is) to the point where I’m not sure how much of a barometer this matchup is for the Dream anymore. Nearly halfway through the year and with one of the best five records in the league, I think it’s fair to say it wouldn’t be a surprise for Atlanta to win. I’m hoping to see a good Rhyne/Sabrina game, since both can be streaky. But when they’re both on, it is nothing but fireworks. I think sometimes because the 2024 and 25 drafts have proven to be so generational that we sometimes overlook these past No. 1 picks. But Howard and Ionescu have established themselves as stars, at minimum, and any time stars are playing, you gotta turn on the TV at least for a while.
Must Watch Score: 8.5/10
Dallas Wings (6-15) vs. Indiana Fever (9-10): 1:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+
Why it’s worth a watch: At long last, we get Paige vs. Caitlin. The original matchup was scuttled because of injuries but now we see the original rivalry. Long before Angel vs. Caitlin, PB vs. CC was the head to head that was supposed to change the landscape of women’s basketball. Given the seasons both have been having, with nearly identical stat averages in all but a few categories, it’s clear that this will be the must watch matchup now and into the future. The Fever have been inconsistent so I’m not super ready to proclaim that the game itself will be an easy win. But I am interested to see more of the off-ball Caitlin experiment with Aari McDonald in the starting lineup.
Must Watch Score: 9.5/10
Connecticut Sun (3-16) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (6-14): 6:00 PM ET, League Pass
Why it’s worth a watch: Another chance here for the Sun to stack wins and another game that feels important for what Lynne Roberts is trying to build. I’ll be honest, even considering the front court limitations in L.A, things just don’t look great. Rickea Jackson doesn’t feel like the same player and that’s alarming for someone with her clearly high ceiling. The offense can get stuck in the mud when Kelsey Plum occasionally plays hero ball and defensively there’s still a ton of holes. If Connecticut has managed to find some confidence in that win over the Storm, this could get wicked for L.A. I need to see a strong close to the first half of the year for the Sparks or we’re gonna need to start wondering how much this roster may need to be retooled come next year.
Must Watch Score: 6.5/10
Washington Mystics (10-10) vs. Seattle Storm (12-8): 6:00 PM ET, League Pass
Why it’s worth a watch: In terms of pure ball, this one maybe should be ranked a little higher. The frontcourt matchup here is awesome. Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen vs. Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike? Yes, please. I’m interested in the matchup between Skylar Diggins and Brittney Sykes while figuring out which version of Seattle we get in this matchup.
Must Watch Score: 8/10
Monday, July 14
Minnesota Lynx (18-3) vs. Chicago Sky (6-13): 8:00 PL ET, League Pass
Why it’s worth a watch: A rematch of Saturday’s game. What applies there applies here as well.
Must Watch Score: 7.5/10
Phoenix Mercury (14-6) vs. Golden State Valkyries (10-9): 10:00 PM ET, League Pass
Why it’s worth a watch: Honestly, I think this is the most interesting game of the weekend slate. Phoenix has passed every test put in front of them, finally dispatching the Lynx for the first time this season and asserting that they’re a legit Finals contender in every way. This game is going to be fun because it’s two teams that absolutely punish opponents who don’t give enough effort. I’m expecting a playoff type feel from this one and a great crowd in Phoenix. We’ve seen a lot of games where two of the Mercury’s big three have popped but I’m still waiting on the game when all three eat. Maybe this is the one.
Must Watch Score: 9/10