Erin Achenbach Articles - Page 17

The U.S. national women’s basketball team finds itself in a familiar situation after losing to a team of WNBA All-Stars in an exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The All-Star team defeated Team USA 117-109 on Saturday, echoing a similar defeat before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. A’ja Wilson, who contributed 22 points […]

Midway through the WNBA season, the league has already drawn more than a dozen audiences exceeding 1 million, a milestone not reached since 2008. The remarkable increase in viewership is largely attributed to the arrival of rookie Caitlin Clark, whose popularity has propelled the Indiana Fever’s games to the top of the ratings chart. The […]

American swimmer Katie Ledecky shared her unique motivation heading into the Paris Olympics, emphasizing her determination to prove her initial success in London was no fluke. “I never dreamed of that as a young kid, to make an Olympics,” Ledecky said, as reported by Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic. “So, after London … I wanted […]

The WNBA All-Stars triumphed over Team USA in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, a result that left veteran player Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury visibly frustrated. Taurasi, who is set to represent Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France later this month, didn’t hold back her feelings after the loss, delivering […]

The WNBA is exploring the possibility of expanding its regular season to 44 games for the 2025 season, confirmed by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Saturday before the league’s All-Star Game. “We’re looking at the footprint for next year,” Engelbert said, as reported by Alexa Philippou of ESPN. “We don’t have an international competition like the […]

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson achieved a significant milestone Friday, tying Maya Moore for the sixth-most Player of the Week honors in WNBA history with her 20th award. Wilson’s latest accolade marks her as the third player in WNBA history to earn four or more Player of the Week honors in three different seasons, […]

The Phoenix Mercury unveiled their new state-of-the-art practice facility on Thursday ahead of the All-Star Weekend. The 58,000-square-foot performance center, which cost $100 million, was specifically designed to cater to the needs of the Mercury players and is located just three blocks from the team’s arena. “I wanted to make the best facility out there,” […]

Diana Taurasi is set to participate in her record sixth Olympic Games, leading Team USA women’s basketball in their quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics. At 42 years old, Taurasi continues to demonstrate her passion for the game. “Why not? I say this all the time: If I sign up […]

The WNBA confirmed that Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu declined invitations to participate in the 3-point contest during the league’s All-Star weekend. According to the league, both players opted out of the event, citing their respective commitments and personal reasons. Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner and New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones are among the notable names […]

The WNBA is reportedly set to expand its schedule for the upcoming season in 2025, increasing the number of regular-season games from 40 to 44. The development comes amid growing interest in the league and increasing attendance figures. An email obtained by Chicago Sun-Times indicated that the Chicago Sky’s home schedule would increase to 22 […]

The executive director of the WNBA players’ union, Terri Jackson, expressed concerns that the league is being undervalued with its new media rights deal. In a statement released Wednesday, Jackson criticized the $2.2 billion valuation over 11 years, arguing that the deal does not accurately reflect the WNBA’s growing popularity and success. “We have wondered […]

The WNBA trade deadline is still over a month away, but the Chicago Sky have already made a significant move by sending veteran guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun. The transaction on Wednesday was not just a routine shuffle but what could be a strategic maneuver that could have huge implications for both teams’ […]

Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White benched star forward Alyssa Thomas during the critical fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 82-74 loss to the New York Liberty. Despite Thomas’s impressive performance with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes, she was notably absent from the most pivotal part of the game. White addressed the […]

The WNBA is set to make huge strides with its upcoming national media rights package, securing approximately $2.2 billion over the next 11 years, averaging about $200 million annually. The substantial increase in revenue represents a significant boost from its current deals, which are valued at around $50 million per year. The new agreements provide […]

A’ja Wilson continues to etch her name into the WNBA history books, this time by matching the all-time record for most games with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a career – and she did it in just one month. Wilson has now recorded three such games in July, tying the records held […]

A hot mic caught A’ja Wilson expressing frustration with her teammates following a disappointing loss to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. The Las Vegas Aces star was captured on video reacting to her teammates’ eagerness to take photos with Usher, who attended the game, despite their poor performance on the court. After the game, a […]

Natasha Cloud made a memorable return to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as the Phoenix Mercury secured a 96-87 victory over the Washington Mystics. Cloud, who spent the first eight years of her WNBA career with the Mystics, contributed 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Mercury, narrowly missing a triple-double. Cloud, a 2015 […]

The Los Angeles Sparks paid a heartfelt tribute to Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, before their game against the Seattle Storm. The pregame ceremony featured a montage of photos on the jumbotron at Crypto.com Arena, shared in a video on X, formerly Twitter, by ClutchPoint’s David Yapkowitz. The montage honored […]

The New York Liberty announced Tuesday on social media that forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton successfully underwent a minor surgery on her right knee and is expected to return to action in approximately four to six weeks. The procedure was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery by Dr. Riley J. Williams III and Dr. Ben Nwachukwu. […]

New Balance announced a multiyear partnership with the WNBA on Tuesday, placing Los Angeles Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink at the forefront of the collaboration. The partnership will create broadcast, digital and retail content featuring Brink, who is a key figure in New Balance’s efforts to expand its presence in women’s sports. Even though my […]

WNBA legend Sue Bird is being honored with her own Barbie doll. Mattel announced Tuesday that Bird, a former Seattle Storm player and five-time Olympic gold medalist, is part of their Barbie Role Model collection. The initiative celebrates the 65th anniversary of the fashion toy and the company’s summer of sports campaign. “I was really […]

Decorated U.S. gymnast Aly Raisman confirmed she will not be returning for a third Olympics in Paris. In an interview with BBC’s Katty Kay on Monday, Raisman discussed her decision, stressing the importance of life beyond the Olympics and her commitment to advocacy and mental health. “The media kept asking if I was coming back […]

The Phoenix Mercury faced a tough blow Sunday with a 96-69 loss to the Connecticut Sun. As the WNBA season gets closer to the All-Star and Olympic break, Phoenix is hoping to finish the first half of the season on a positive note despite the recent setbacks. The Mercury’s struggle against the Sun was characterized […]

The Minnesota Lynx faced a tough defeat Sunday, falling 84-71 to the Indiana Fever at the Target Center. Despite a solid defensive performance, the Lynx’s offensive struggles were apparent, especially in the final quarter. The loss was marked by a fourth-quarter collapse, where the Lynx were outscored 28-14, overshadowing the largest regular-season crowd in Lynx […]

Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd will be among the first players to join Unrivaled Basketball, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league co-founded by New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. The announcement was made on  X, formerly known as Twitter, where Unrivaled Basketball shared the news Saturday. “THE GOLD MAMBA […]

Former WNBA champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner shared her thoughts on Caitlin Clark’s transition to professional basketball. Griner, who only played 11 minutes in Friday’s game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever due to an apparent leg injury, took an opportunity to empathize with Clark’s rising stardom. “I […]

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson had a succinct reaction after winning the ESPY for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports on Thursday, beating out fellow nominee Caitlin Clark, rookie star of the Indiana Fever. Wilson, who could not attend the ceremony, posted on social media, “God is working … top tier blessings.” Wilson’s award is […]

Angel Reese, the standout rookie forward for the Chicago Sky, has been making headlines with her extraordinary performances in the WNBA this season. Reese has recorded 16 double-doubles in her first 22 career games, a feat that places her in elite company. The last player in either the WNBA or NBA to achieve such a […]

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley delivered a moving speech at the ESPYs on Thursday night, where she was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Staley used the platform to advocate for pay equity and address other social justice issues. “How do I not fight injustice when I ask them to do […]

The New York Liberty solidified their hold on the top spot in the WNBA standings with a narrow 71-68 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The win improved the Liberty’s record to 18-4, maintaining their edge over the second-place Sun (17-5). The teams will face each other again on Tuesday […]

A’ja Wilson’s drive for her third WNBA MVP title is rooted not in rivalry with New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart but rather in personal motivation stemming from a surprising fourth-place vote she received in last season’s MVP race. Wilson, a standout player for the Las Vegas Aces, opened up about her determination following her […]

A’ja Wilson had a standout game Wednesday, scoring 24 points and grabbing 20 rebounds to lead the Las Vegas Aces to an 84-79 victory over the Seattle Storm. The game marked Wilson’s first career 20-20 game, making her the second player in Aces history to achieve this feat, following Natalie Williams in 2001 when the […]

The Connecticut Sun suffered a narrow 71-68 loss to the New York Liberty on Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Arena, marking another regular-season defeat to their Eastern Conference rivals. Sun head coach Stephanie White did not hold back in her post-game assessment, emphasizing the critical mistakes that cost them the game. “You just can’t make a […]

The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 82-67 on Tuesday night, despite the absence of their star player Napheesa Collier. Coach Cheryl Reeve had high praise for Bridget Carleton, who played a crucial role in the win. “It was on defense where she was most impactful,” Reeve said, as reported by Kent Youngblood of […]

Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby reached a career milestone in the team’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx, scoring her 3,000th point during Tuesday night’s game. Despite Hamby’s personal accomplishment, the Sparks fell 82-67 to the Lynx at Crypto.com Arena, continuing a challenging season for the team. Minnesota, playing without their star forward Napheesa Collier […]

Playing without MVP-caliber forward Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx barely avoided an upset by the Washington Mystics on Saturday, ending a two-game skid with a 74-67 victory in Minneapolis. The West-leading Lynx (15-6) are set to face the Los Angeles Sparks Tuesday night. In Collier’s absence, guard Courtney Williams has emerged as a crucial leader […]

The Los Angeles Sparks have secured their home court for the foreseeable future, signing a five-year extension to continue playing their games at Crypto.com Arena through 2029. The deal with arena owner AEG was announced Tuesday. The Sparks, one of the WNBA’s original eight teams, have called the downtown arena home since 2001. Over the […]

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has two primary goals for the Paris Olympics: win a gold medal and get a picture with Simone Biles. Adebayo, along with his fellow U.S. men’s basketball team members have never attended a gymnastics meet, but are eager to support her in Paris. “To be that good — well, excuse […]

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon is no stranger to the “underdog” label. Throughout her career, she has proven herself as a coach through hard work. “If you want to put me as an underdog, I’m perfectly comfortable in that role,” Hammon said, as reported by Mark Anderson of The Associated Press. “I’m not […]