WNBA players rarely get a chance to experience a memorable personal moment in between all the gameplay, but for Kathryn Westbeld and her sister Maddy, they're getting a chance to run back their historic feat. The Westbeld sisters are sharing the court for the second time in the 2025 WNBA season on June 22 when Kathryn's Phoenix Mercury take on Maddy's Chicago Sky.

“Being her older sister, I obviously want the absolute best for her, and for her just to be here with me at the same time, I know it's … divine timing,” Kathryn said pre-game.

“I've been … you know, out of college for six years, and to come back here and both be rookies at the same time, it's just something that's really special,” the elder Westbeld continued. “And to just be able to share it with her, and at this stage, is something that's unexplainable. But we're just both happy to be here.”

The feeling was clearly mutual, as the 22-year-old Maddy expressed a mutual respect for her older sibling.

“Personally, I'm very humbled. She's killing it in the league right now, so I'm just so blessed to be able to watch it firsthand,” Maddy said of Kathryn.

Article Continues Below
More Phoenix Mercury News
Kahleah Copper looking happy, and teammates Sami Whitcomb and Kalani Brown shooting balls of fire, and a background of the Sky's home arena.
Kahleah Copper gives Mercury teammates their flowers after breaking 3-point recordHayden Cilley ·
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) reacts during the second half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
Sami Whitcomb’s off-the-bench record powers Mercury past SkyJaren Kawada ·
Alyssa Thomas in a Mercury jersey looking hyped, with Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark next to her. There's also a picture of the WNBA MVP trophy in the background.
Why Alyssa Thomas can challenge Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark for MVPHayden Cilley ·
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts looking happy, with a background of the New York Liberty's home arena.
What Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts is most proud of after knocking off LibertyHayden Cilley ·
Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (1) dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Sun during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Mercury guard Lexi Held leaves Liberty game with concerning injuryAlex House ·
Alyssa Thomas smiling in a Phoenix Mercury jersey, with silhouettes of fans below her, and a background of the Connecticut Sun home arena.
Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas emotionally reacts to Connecticut returnHayden Cilley ·

The WNBA's only current pair of sisters took the court against each other for the first time on May 27. Ahead of the first tip-off, the Sky forward opened up on the sentimental meaning of the matchup with her big sister.

“Honestly, I keep calling it divine timing because this is both of our first years in the league, and so I just couldn't be more proud of her,” the younger Westbeld said.

Maddy was the Sky's 16th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, while the Mercury forward is just making her way back to the league after going undrafted in 2018 and building a solid overseas career.

Kathryn claimed an NCAA title during her senior year at Notre Dame in 2018 before spending that year's training camp with the Los Angeles Sparks. The 29-year-old then went on to play professionally in Puerto Rico, Spain, Australia, France, Italy, and Hungary. Maddy also spent five years with the Fighting Irish, winning three All-ACC honors.