All Scores

Battle of the WNBA Superteams: New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces

Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson find themselves as leaders of two WNBA superteams. (Michael Reaves/Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

As soon as Breanna Stewart announced her intention to sign with the New York Liberty, a new era began in the WNBA: The era of superteams.

Stewart joins Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney in New York. And so will fellow free agent Courtney Vandersloot, who followed Stewart’s lead.

But the Liberty aren’t the only stacked roster that emerged during free agency. Earlier in the week, Candace Parker decided to sign with the Las Vegas Aces, joining A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. It’s hard to believe the Aces, who are fresh off their first title, could be even better than they were last season, yet here we are.

Barring any blockbuster trades or unexpected signings, expect 2023 to be the season of New York and Las Vegas.

The Liberty boast two former MVPs in Stewart and Jones, a former most improved player and All-Star in Laney, and of course Ionescu, who is coming off her first All-WNBA team appearance and her first All-Star appearance.

As for the Aces, they’ve got two former MVPs as well in Wilson and Parker, two All-Stars in Plum and Young, and last season’s Finals MVP in Gray.

On paper, these teams seem unstoppable. In real life, we will have to wait and see. But while we do, let’s break down each roster.

New York Liberty

Biggest Strength

The one-two punch of Stewart and Jones makes the Liberty an extremely tough matchup. Both players are versatile to the point of being essentially positionless, which makes them extremely tough to defend.

Both can score in the paint, from the outside and in the midrange on offense, and both are capable of creating for themselves and others. They also will be surrounded by excellent passers in Ionescu and Marine Johannès, which should lead to a creative, multi-dimensional offense.

Potential Weakness

Weaknesses for both these teams are hard to find because both are essentially All-Star teams. (Six of the 10 All-WNBA team selections from 2022 are evenly split between these rosters.)

Still, prior to the signing of Vandersloot, the Liberty needed a true point guard. Now they have one, rounding out a lethal starting five, and an excellent sixth player in Johannès. But this brings us to a potential issue for New York: depth. The team will need at least one scorer off the bench in order to compliment the first unit. If the Liberty can find that, then they become even more terrifying.

X-Factor

Laney missed a big chunk of last season after meniscus surgery, but when she was fully healthy in 2021, the forward had the best season of her career, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds and earning her first All-Star appearance.

In 2023, opponents will plan their defenses around Stewart, Jones and Ionescu, leaving Laney the opportunity to make a massive impact.

Las Vegas Aces

Biggest Strength

With a starting lineup of Parker, Wilson, Gray, Plum and Young, the Aces have a variety of different scoring options, all with their own strengths. They have a true post in Wilson, a versatile scorer in Parker, big-time shot makers in Plum and Young, and a guard with the ability to create and score on contested looks in Gray.

Everyone brings something different to the table. If one facet of the offense isn’t working, Las Vegas simply will shift to a new strategy. And if that doesn’t work, the Aces will have yet more options.

Potential Weakness

For the Aces, their biggest strength has the potential to become their biggest weakness as well. With so many talented players, continuity comes into question. How will these players feed off each other — and most importantly, when the Aces need a basket, who is their go-to option?

The answer could be Wilson, Parker, Gray, or Plum, and if Las Vegas isn’t on the same page about that, then fractures could surface in late-game situations. That being said, having too much talent to choose from is a problem any team would want.

X-Factor

Last season, the Aces had the strongest starting five in the WNBA, but there were questions about their bench. In the end, when they needed someone to step up, Riquna Williams provided an unexpected spark.

Next season, the bench could be just as important, and coach Becky Hammon already has taken steps to make it stronger. The Aces signed an elite defender in Alysha Clark, who brings a veteran presence to a bench unit that is likely to be relatively young. Kierstan Bell, Aisha Sheppard and Iliana Rupert are all players early in their careers who could make an impact off the bench for Las Vegas.

USC’s Aaliyah Gayles Opens Up About Her Journey Back to Basketball

USC Basketball - Aaliyah Gayles

As part of our 1-v-1 video series, USC’s India Otto sat down to interview her teammate Aaliyah Gayles. Here are five things to know from our conversation with the redshirt freshman guard from Las Vegas.

#1 Aaliyah suffered from a near-death act of violence in 2022.

The incident taught her a lot about herself and the support around her. “[USC] Coach Lindsay [Gottlieb] was one of the first people to fly out there and come see me. That means a lot to me off the court.” 

#2 Her favorite USC memory is when she surprised her teammates after getting out of the hospital.

She left her walker at the door to show she was on the road to returning to the court. “That was my favorite memory because it was family. It was my first time being able to walk to you guys and see you practice.”

#3 There's a reason she wears #3.

#3 was her grandpa’s favorite number and a golden number in her life. Plus, AG3 has a nice ring to it. 

#4 She has a list of basketball GOAT’s:

Candace Parker, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Cason Wallace.

#5 There have been many celebrity appearances at USC’s games over the years, especially this season.

Aaliyah’s favorites include Will Ferrell, Kehlani, and Saweetie. And she hopes Lil Durk will come to watch a game soon.

Watch the full conversation on the Just Women’s Sports YouTube channel.

Gotham, USWNT forward Midge Purce out with ACL tear

(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Midge Purce announced on Wednesday that she has torn her ACL. 

The Gotham FC and USWNT forward went down with the injury on Sunday during Gotham’s 1-0 win after tweaking it earlier in the game. Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós did not have any immediate updates following the match, with further evaluation revealing the tear. 

“It’s a reality I’m still struggling with and has left me with not too much to say,” Purce wrote in a statement on social media. “I’m heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT – know I’m rooting for you both all year long. 

“Though you may not see it, I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field.”

Purce is just the latest women's soccer star to tear her ACL, and joins USWNT teammate Mia Fishel in having torn her ACL in the last couple of months. Other notable players include Catarina Macario and Christen Press, with Macario only just returning to the USWNT lineup after tearing hers in 2022. 

International stars such as Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered ACL tears. 

Purce’s injury caused Amorós to call out the international schedule, which has been a growing point of concern as more players fall victim to injuries and the playing schedule becomes more packed. Kansas City’s Debinha suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s opening game, while both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have yet to play for Gotham due to injuries picked up during the W Gold Cup. 

“We lost Midge during the game which for me is a bittersweet flavor,” Amorós told reporters after Sunday’s game. “By the way, it’s another player that came from the Gold Cup. Last week, it was Debinha. We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldn’t have happened.”

“We’re talking about protecting the players, [who shouldn’t] go to play an international competition after one week of preseason,” Amorós continued. “We’ve seen the consequences now. We’ve got Rose, Lynn, last week it was Debinha in Kansas [City] and now we have Midge. From my experience, the clubs are going to keep paying for that competition."

In her statement, Purce said that “so many friends, teammates and even players I’ve only ever competed against” reached out to offer support. 

“I am so blessed,” she wrote. “Your messages have meant so much to me throughout this process, you have consoled what, for a moment, felt inconsolable. Thank you for reminding me that our football world is not only full with incredibly talent but also, incredible kindness.”

Lauren Jackson included on Australia Olympics roster

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Lauren Jackson of Australia celebrates with team mates after playing her final Opals game during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Lauren Jackson has come out of retirement once again to compete for a spot on Australia’s Olympic roster. 

Jackson was included on the 26-player roster named by coach Sandy Brondello on Tuesday that will take part in training camps, tours and games in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. The roster will eventually be whittled down to just 12 players selected from the 26 named on Tuesday.

Jackson helped Australia qualify for the Olympics with a win over Germany in February. After that, she announced her retirement, revealing that she struggled to spend so much time away from her two young children. 

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that Jackson and the basketball federation had come to an agreement in which they would help cover costs for her children to travel with the team for training camps and the Olympics. 

She’s largely expected to make the Opals’ Olympic roster. 

"It's always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes," Opals coach Sandy Brondello said. "They all know what it means to play for Australia and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics. Our squad is full of exceptional talent and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult."

At the 2022 FIBA World Cup, Jackson helped Australia win a bronze medal with 30 points against Canada. She had previously retired in 2016 due to knee injuries, but slowly made a return in a domestic Australian league the last few years.

Jackson has won four Olympic medals, including three consecutive silver medals starting with Sydney in 2000 when she was a teenager. 

First two rounds of NCAA tournament boast record attendance, viewership

(David K Purdy/Getty Images)

The first two rounds of the women’s NCAA tournament broke attendance and viewership records set just last year – and it wasn’t even close. 

The NCAA announced on Tuesday that attendance for the first two rounds of the tournament was more than 292,000 – up from last year’s record, when almost 232,000 fans attended the first two rounds.

Among the host sites, Iowa had the biggest crowds with nearly 29,000 fans packing Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the first and second rounds. 

"We expected the historic success and quality of play and high level of competition from the regular season would carry through into March Madness. Our championship is again delivering," NCAA vice president of women's basketball Lynn Holzman said in a statement. "Record crowds, ratings, incredible performances and evolving storylines will continue to make the next two weeks a must-see for fans across the world."

And for those that couldn’t attend the sold-out Iowa games, they watched on television. Monday’s matchup between Iowa and West Virginia drew 4.9 million viewers, setting a record for a women’s D-I tournament game prior to the Final Four. 

It is also the third most watched tournament game in the last 20 years, behind last year’s national championship between LSU and Iowa (9.92 million) and Iowa’s Final Four win over South Carolina (5.6 million).

Iowa’s game against Holy Cross in the first round drew 3.23 million viewers. 

But it wasn’t just Iowa drawing big viewership. ESPN’s five games on Monday averaged 2.25 million viewers. UConn and Syracuse drew 2.05 million viewers while LSU and Middle Tennessee on ABC drew 2.01 million viewers on Sunday. 

The full, 16-game slate for the second round averaged 1.4 million viewers – a 121% increase from last year and the highest average ever for the second round.

The full tournament so far is averaging 812,000 viewers per game, a 108% increase from last year.

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.