Bueckers, Fudd Fall to Dream, Skyler Bell Making his NFL Training Camp Debut
Paige Bueckers/Azzi Fudd
The Dallas Wings led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but the Atlanta Dream stormed back to stun the Wings 82-81 on Wednesday night.
Paige Bueckers connected on a step-back three-pointer over former LSU standout Angel Reese with just under 90 seconds remaining to put the Wings ahead 79-73. However, with 18.7 seconds left and Dallas holding a four-point lead, Arike Ogunbowale was called for a flagrant 1 foul while closing out on an Alisha Gray three-point attempt. Gray went to the line and knocked down all three free throws. On the ensuing possession, Gray drilled a fadeaway jumper over Bueckers to give the Dream an improbable 82-81 lead.
With a chance to respond, Bueckers brought the ball up the floor before passing to Jessica Shepard. Shepard eventually found Awak Kuier, who missed a jumper, and Shepard’s tip-in attempt at the buzzer also fell short, sealing a heartbreaking loss for Dallas.
Azzi Fudd scored 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc, which is only fitting as the three-point contest champion from this past weekend. Meanwhile, Bueckers added 16 points, four rebounds, six assists and five turnovers.
The Wings’ (18-10) last two losses are both by one-point after falling to Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty 99-98 in overtime back on July 20th.
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart put together another masterclass performance as she poured in 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three and 5-of-6 from the free throw line, along with four rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks in the New York Liberty’s 113-109 victory at the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night.
Stewart’s two three-pointers are an encouraging sign, as her three-point shooting has been her biggest weakness not only this season, but throughout the past three seasons. Stewie hasn’t shot better than 33% from beyond the arc since her first season with the Liberty in 2023, including a 27.9% mark this season. However, over the last four games, Stewart has knocked down two three-pointers in each contest, shooting 8-for-16 (50%) from deep. New York is 3-1 during that stretch.
Long known as a capable outside shooter, Stewart shot 35.5% from three during her four years at UConn, including a career-best 42.6% as a senior.
As for the game, Stewart scored 11 points in the third quarter, including an impressive bucket off the dribble in the final seconds to give New York an 85-84 lead. Early in the fourth, the four-time national champion accounted for seven straight Liberty points by assisting on a Marine Fauthoux three-pointer. Later, Stewart backed down former Texas Longhorn Ariel Atkins in the paint for an easy layup before forcing a steal, racing the floor and finishing with another layup to extend New York's lead to 98-90 with just over six minutes remaining. Then, with just over three and a half minutes to play, Stewart knocked down her second three-pointer of the night to give the Liberty a 105-94 lead and deliver the dagger.
Kia Nurse at Napessa Collier/Dorka Juhasz
“On my home court, surrounded by the best fans in the league. It’s everything that I hoped it would be. It was amazing.”
That's what Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier had to say after her 2026 home debut on Tuesday night. It marked her first game in front of the home crowd since Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Semifinals on September 23rd, 2025. Collier underwent two ankle surgeries during this past offseason after tearing three ligaments in her left ankle during Game 3 of that series.
In her return, she led the Lynx to a 100-93 victory against the Toronto Tempo by contributing 15 points along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
Collier, who averaged more than 30 minutes per game in six of her first seven seasons, played 22 minutes in her season debut last week and logged 25 minutes on Tuesday, indicating she is still on a minutes restriction. The Lynx (23-6), winners of eight straight and owners of the WNBA's best record by three games, have the ability to ramp up Collier at their own pace.
Dorka Juhasz scored two points with two assists in 15 minutes off the bench. Kia Nurse scored three points and three assists in 14 minutes off the Tempo bench. The three-pointer capped off a 12-0 Toronto run to cut the deficit to 89-84 with 4:10 to play.
Golden State Huskies
After winning a franchise record nine games in a row, the Golden State Valkyries have now lost back-to-back games after falling to the Phoenix Mercury 91-89 on Wednesday evening.
Golden State (19-9) was without its leading scorer, Gabby Williams (conditioning), and the Valkyries held a double-digit lead for most of the third quarter. However, Phoenix's Kahleah Cooper (27 points) and Alyssa Thomas (25 points, eight assists) proved too much, as the Mercury rallied to defeat Golden State.
Tiffany Hayes scored 11 points and dished out five assists, while Kaitlyn Chen added four points and four assists. Kiah Stokes chipped in with two points, four rebounds and one block.
Aaliyah Edwards/Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Olivia Nelson-Ododa matched her season in both points (16) and blocks (3), but it wasn't enough as the Connecticut Sun fell to the Washington Mystics 92-84 on Tuesday night in D.C. The Sun (7-21) have now dropped three games in a row.
The former Husky star scored half of her points in the first quarter, helping Connecticut build a 33-26 lead after the opening frame. However, Washington pulled even at 54 by halftime and then outscored the Sun 25-10 in the third quarter to take control of the game.
Aaliyah Edwards did not play her second straight game due to a foot injury and was also already ruled out for the Sun’s next game on Thursday against the Chicago Sky.
Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm)
- TUESDAY: 5 points (2-5 FG, 1-4 3-FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals in 12 minutes. The Storm fell to the Indiana Fever 105-95.
Stefanie Dolson (Seattle Storm)
- TUESDAY: 5 points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3-FG), 6 rebounds, 1 assist in 16 minutes
Serah Williams (Portland Fire)
- TUESDAY: 4 points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist in 13 minutes. The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Fire 98-83.
Skyler Bell
On Wednesday afternoon, former UConn star Skyler Bell was seen catching passes from 2024 MVP Josh Allen during Buffalo Bills training camp. Since Allen arrived in Buffalo, the team has not always had the strongest wide receiver room. Bell, along with newly acquired D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir, have a chance to help change that this upcoming season.
The Bill’s first preseason game is slated for Saturday, August 15th against the Carolina Panthers.
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