Alanna Smith won on Dallas debut while Anneli Maley spoiled Las Vegas\u2019 championship ring night.<\/p>\n
Australian forward Alanna Smith opened her Dallas Wings career with a win, helping Dallas edge Indiana 107\u2013104 in a high-scoring thriller. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Anneli Maley made her Phoenix Mercury debut as the Mercury crushed Las Vegas 99\u201366 to spoil the Aces\u2019 2025 championship ring night in dominant fashion.<\/p>\n
Phoenix Mercury 99 def. Las Vegas Aces 66\u200d<\/p>\n
Michelob ULTRA Arena \u2013 Las Vegas
2026 WNBA Season<\/p>\n
The Phoenix Mercury spoiled the Las Vegas Aces\u2019 2025 championship ring night with a dominant 99\u201366 season-opening win on May 10, 2026 (AEST).<\/p>\n
Australian guard Sami Whitcomb<\/a> missed the game through injury, while fellow Australian Anneli Maley was active after being claimed off waivers by Phoenix but played limited minutes in her Mercury debut.<\/p>\n Phoenix led by 21 points at halftime before blowing the game open with a 27\u201310 third quarter to silence the home crowd on a night Las Vegas received its 2025 WNBA championship rings.<\/p>\n Alyssa Thomas controlled the game with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while Natasha Mack dominated inside with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Jovana Nogic added 19 points on 4-from-5 shooting from three-point range.<\/p>\n The Mercury shot 46% from beyond the arc and finished with a 37\u201335 rebounding edge while forcing 17 Las Vegas turnovers.<\/p>\n Maley played six minutes after arriving in Phoenix via waivers earlier this week, finishing with one point and two rebounds.<\/p>\n Australian forward Stephanie Talbot<\/a> started for the Aces and had two points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.<\/p>\n A\u2019ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 19 points, while Jackie Young scored 12 points and NaLyssa Smith added 11.<\/p>\n The Aces shot just 21% from three-point range and managed only 10 points in the decisive third quarter.<\/p>\n Before tip-off, Las Vegas players and coaches received their 2025 championship rings during an on-court ceremony at T-Mobile Arena. The Aces will officially raise their championship banner on May 23 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.<\/p>\n Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: 27\u201321, 29\u201314, 27\u201310, 16\u201321Largest Lead: Phoenix by 35Game Flow: Phoenix controlled the game after quarter-time and buried Las Vegas with a dominant third-quarter burst.Australians<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Anneli Maley (Phoenix Mercury) \u2013 6 mins \u2502 1 pt \u2502 0\u20132 FG \u2502 1\u20132 FT \u2502 2 reb Key PerformersAlyssa Thomas (Phoenix) \u2013 20 pts \u2502 9 ast \u2502 6 rebNatasha Mack (Phoenix) \u2013 10 pts \u2502 15 reb \u2502 +34Jovana Nogic (Phoenix) \u2013 19 pts \u2502 4\u20135 3PTA\u2019ja Wilson (Las Vegas) \u2013 19 pts \u2502 4 rebJackie Young (Las Vegas) \u2013 12 pts \u2502 6 rebBy the Numbers<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury: 49% FG \u2502 46% 3PT \u2502 37 reb \u2502 23 ast \u2502 11 stl Dallas Wings 107 def. Indiana Fever 104<\/p>\n \u200dGainbridge Fieldhouse \u2013 Indianapolis2026 WNBA Season Opener<\/p>\n Australian forward Alanna Smith<\/a> made her Dallas Wings<\/a> debut as the franchise opened the 2026 WNBA<\/a> season with a 107\u2013104 win against the Indiana Fever on May 10, 2026 (AEST).<\/p>\n Dallas survived a late Indiana push after rookie Paige Bueckers and veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale combined for 42 points in a high-scoring season opener featuring 11 lead changes.<\/p>\n Ogunbowale finished with 22 points and five assists, while Bueckers had 20 points on an efficient 8-from-10 shooting night in her WNBA debut. Odyssey Sims added 20 points and Jessica Shepard flirted with a triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.<\/p>\n Smith started at forward in her first regular season game for Dallas following her off-season move from the Minnesota Lynx and contributed six points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Dallas shot 59% from the field and 52% from three-point range, helping offset Indiana\u2019s 40 made field goals and a 30-point performance from Kelsey Mitchell.<\/p>\n The Fever threatened late after Caitlin Clark missed a deep potential game-tying three with seven seconds remaining before Mitchell\u2019s final attempt at the buzzer also missed.<\/p>\n Dallas took permanent control midway through the fourth quarter when rookie Aziaha James converted a four-point play to give the Wings an 84\u201382 lead with 9:09 remaining.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have the group that was in at the end of the game \u2013 that\u2019s a veteran group with Alanna and Jess and Odyssey and Arike and Paige, right,” Wings coach Jose Fernandez said.<\/p>\n “So tried to rest them as much as we could in fourth.\u201d<\/p>\n Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: 27\u201325, 33\u201326, 20\u201329, 27\u201324Largest Lead: Dallas by 12Game Flow: Dallas dominated offensively early before Indiana rallied in the third quarter behind Mitchell and Clark.Australians<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings) \u2013 20 mins \u2502 6 pts \u2502 2\u20136 FG \u2502 0\u20131 3PT \u2502 2\u20132 FT \u2502 3 reb \u2502 2 ast \u2502 2 stl \u2502 1 blk<\/p>\n Key PerformersArike Ogunbowale (Dallas) \u2013 22 pts \u2502 8\u201315 FG \u2502 5 astPaige Bueckers (Dallas) \u2013 20 pts \u2502 8\u201310 FG \u2502 4 astOdyssey Sims (Dallas) \u2013 20 pts \u2502 8\u201311 FGKelsey Mitchell (Indiana) \u2013 30 pts \u2502 11\u201322 FGAliyah Boston (Indiana) \u2013 23 pts \u2502 9\u201314 FGCaitlin Clark (Indiana) \u2013 20 pts \u2502 7 ast \u2502 5 rebBy the Numbers<\/p>\n Dallas Wings: 59% FG \u2502 52% 3PT \u2502 17\u201324 FT \u2502 28 reb \u2502 26 ast \u2502 15 TO Atlanta Dream 91 def. Minnesota Lynx 90\u200d<\/p>\n Target Center \u2013 Minneapolis Australian guard Isobel Borlase<\/a> made her WNBA debut as the Atlanta Dream<\/a> rallied from a 16-point deficit to edge the Minnesota Lynx 91\u201390 on May 10, 2026 (AEST).<\/p>\n Atlanta trailed for almost the entire game before Jordin Canada scored inside and rookie Te-Hina Paopao knocked down a pull-up jumper with 12 seconds remaining to give the Dream their first lead at 91\u201390.<\/p>\n Angel Reese and Allisha Gray then produced back-to-back defensive stops in the closing seconds to secure the comeback win.<\/p>\n Gray scored 24 points, including 16 in the second half, while Reese recorded a double-double in her Atlanta debut with 11 points and 14 rebounds after arriving from Chicago in the off-season.<\/p>\n Borlase played three minutes in her first WNBA appearance but did not record a statistic.<\/p>\n Minnesota appeared in control after leading 58\u201341 midway through the third quarter before Atlanta stormed back with an 18\u20134 run.<\/p>\n No. 2 draft pick Olivia Miles impressed in her WNBA debut for Minnesota with 21 points, eight assists, two steals and two blocks, while Kayla McBride added 20 points.<\/p>\n The Lynx were without five-time All-Star Napheesa Collier, who continues recovering from off-season ankle surgery.<\/p>\n Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: 24\u201312, 28\u201325, 19\u201326, 19\u201328Largest Lead: Minnesota by 17Game Flow: Atlanta erased a double-digit second-half deficit and took its first lead with 12 seconds remaining.Australians<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream) \u2013 3 mins \u2502 0 pts \u2502 0 reb \u2502 0 ast<\/p>\n Key PerformersAllisha Gray (Atlanta) \u2013 24 pts \u2502 8 rebAngel Reese (Atlanta) \u2013 11 pts \u2502 14 reb \u2502 3 blkRhyne Howard (Atlanta) \u2013 15 pts \u2502 6 reb \u2502 5 astOlivia Miles (Minnesota) \u2013 21 pts \u2502 8 ast \u2502 2 stlKayla McBride (Minnesota) \u2013 20 ptsBy the Numbers<\/p>\n Atlanta Dream: 42% FG \u2502 24% 3PT \u2502 46 reb \u2502 22 ast \u2502 9 stl Chicago Sky 98 def. Portland Fire 83\u200d<\/p>\n Moda Center \u2013 Portland Australian forward Nyadiew Puoch<\/a> made her first start for the expansion Portland Fire<\/a> as the Chicago Sky<\/a> spoiled Portland\u2019s WNBA return with a 98\u201383 win on May 10, 2026 (AEST).<\/p>\n The game marked Portland\u2019s first WNBA home game in 24 years, with the Fire returning to the league for the first time since the original franchise folded after the 2002 season.<\/p>\n Puoch finished with five points, two assists and three steals in 17 minutes, knocking down a three-pointer in an encouraging two-way performance.<\/p>\n Chicago built a 17-point first-half lead before Portland rallied to tie the game at 70 midway through the fourth quarter on a Bridget Carleton three-pointer.<\/p>\n The Sky responded immediately, regaining control behind Kamilla Cardoso and Skylar Diggins to pull away late.<\/p>\n Cardoso dominated inside with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Diggins posted 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.<\/p>\n Portland guard Carla Leite scored 18 points in her WNBA debut and Bridget Carleton added 13 points with three made threes.<\/p>\n The Fire shot 31% from three-point range and were out rebounded 46\u201324.<\/p>\n Game SnapshotQuarter Scores: 19\u201318, 31\u201319, 18\u201330, 30\u201316Largest Lead: Chicago by 17Game Flow: Portland erased a large deficit in the second half before Chicago closed strongly in the fourth quarter.Australians<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Nyadiew Puoch (Portland Fire) \u2013 17 mins \u2502 5 pts \u2502 2\u20133 FG \u2502 1\u20131 3PT \u2502 1 reb \u2502 2 ast \u2502 3 stl<\/p>\n Key PerformersKamilla Cardoso (Chicago) \u2013 22 pts \u2502 14 rebSkylar Diggins (Chicago) \u2013 21 pts \u2502 11 reb \u2502 7 astRickea Jackson (Chicago) \u2013 19 pts \u2502 7 rebCarla Leite (Portland) \u2013 18 ptsBridget Carleton (Portland) \u2013 13 pts \u2502 3\u20137 3PTBy the Numbers<\/p>\n Chicago Sky: 48% FG \u2502 35% 3PT \u2502 46 reb \u2502 22 ast \u2502 8 blk
\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Stephanie Talbot (Las Vegas Aces) \u2013 19 mins \u2502 2 pts \u2502 1\u20136 FG \u2502 0\u20134 3PT \u2502 2 reb
\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury) \u2013 DNP (injury)<\/p>\n
Las Vegas Aces: 41% FG \u2502 21% 3PT \u2502 35 reb \u2502 19 ast \u2502 17 TO<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever: 52% FG \u2502 29% 3PT \u2502 17\u201321 FT \u2502 27 reb \u2502 23 ast \u2502 14 TO<\/p>\n
2026 WNBA Season<\/p>\n
Minnesota Lynx: 50% FG \u2502 28% 3PT \u2502 25 reb \u2502 20 ast \u2502 15 TO<\/p>\n
2026 WNBA Season<\/p>\n
Portland Fire: 41% FG \u2502 31% 3PT \u2502 24 reb \u2502 20 ast \u2502 8 TO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Alanna Smith won on Dallas debut while Anneli Maley spoiled Las Vegas\u2019 championship ring night. Australian forward Alanna…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":661824,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-661823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=661823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661823\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=661823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=661823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=661823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}