TIME is giving women’s sports its due, as the magazine highlighted top athletes and leaders in this week’s TIME 100 Most Influential People in Sports.
Olympic game-changers, WNBA superstars, soccer greats, coaching icons, and front office giants all made the cut, as multi-team owner Michele Kang, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, and Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai joined athletes like A’ja Wilson, Alex Morgan, and Alysa Liu.
“The inaugural TIME100 Sports list recognizes individuals who are not only excelling in their fields, but also shaping culture, expanding opportunity, and influencing the world far beyond competition,” said TIME CEO Jessica Sibley said in a statement.
TIME took special interest in the Winter Olympics, after the stars of Milan Cortina broke into the public consciousness this past February.
US and Canada hockey rivals Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin headlined the selection, while skiers Lindsey Vonn, Eileen Gu, and Mikaela Shiffrin, and Paralympian Oksana Masters joined Liu in the spotlight.
The WNBA also got the TIME treatment, as Wilson shared the honors with Caitlin Clark, Nneka Ogwumike, and Aces head coach Becky Hammon.
A'ja Wilson became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 6,000 career points on Monday night.
The Las Vegas Aces star hit the mark in her 278th game, 13 fewer than it took Diana Taurasi to get there. Wilson finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and three blocks as Las Vegas took the Aces vs Storm battle 101-91.
A'ja Wilson Beats Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart to WNBA Record
Wilson scored her record-breaking 6,000th point on a pull-up jumper with just under five minutes left in the Storm vs Aces game. She is now the 19th player in the league's 30-year history to cross that threshold. But she got there at a pace no one has matched.
Taurasi, the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, needed 291 games. New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, meanwhile, needed 293.
At 29, Wilson is also the youngest player to reach the mark. With her current WNBA scoring rate, she is on track to challenge Taurasi's all-time record before she retires.
And Wilson had plenty of help on her history-making night.
Aces Score Storm Win as Winning Streak Grows
Las Vegas's Jackie Young scored 29 points and dished out six assists, providing a reliable second option throughout the game. Meanwhile, NaLyssa Smith went a perfect six-for-six from the floor on her way to 16 points and nine rebounds.
Together, the Aces out-rebounded Seattle by 12 while controlling the pace from start to finish.
The win extends a strong stretch for the defending champions, as the team claimed its third title in four years last October after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury.
Vegas will next face the Portland Fire on Thursday, after the Storm host the LA Sparks on Wednesday night.
We’re just about one month into the 2026 WNBA season, and already A’ja Wilson has added to the record books, a couple rookies have gotten off to historic starts, and the Indiana Fever is playing at a breakneck speed.
It’s been a lot to keep up with, so here are some curated player stats that you might’ve missed as WNBA teams continue to shatter expectations across the league.
Top 2026 WNBA Scores and Player Stats
Through the first month, Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles leads all rookies in points, assists, and steals.
Despite her recent injury struggles, LA guard Kelsey Plum is leading the league in scoring with 26.8 points per game and a true shooting percentage of 72.9%.
After Tuesday’s win over the Sparks, Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson has more games with 25+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks than any player in WNBA history.
Fever superstar Caitlin Clark averaged 8.5 assists per game over the course of her career — that’s 1.8 more than anyone in WNBA history.
There are three players with a +/- above 10, and two of them are rookies: Olivia Miles (+12.3) and Azzi Fudd (+10.5).
Chicago forward Angel Reese tied the single-season record for offensive rebounds per game in 2024 with 5.1. This season, she’s averaging 5.4.
Rookie standouts Paige Bueckers (Dallas) and Olivia Miles (Minnesota) are the only players in the WNBA to make the Top 10 in total points and assists so far this season.
The Golden State Valkyries are holding opponents to the lowest number of points in the paint and points off turnovers of any team in the league.
If the season ended today, the Lynx’s +13 net rating would mark the 17th highest in league history. And captain Napheesa Collier has yet to play a single game.
New York has the highest assist percentage in the league at 73.7% while ranking second in true shooting percentage at 59.3%.
And Indiana is playing at a pace of 99.22 — on track to becoming the league’s speediest team since 2019.
Research done in coordination with Half Past Noon.
Atlanta Dream newcomer Angel Reese left Sunday's narrow 85-84 loss to Las Vegas disappointed, after the Aces spoiled the offseason addition's highly anticipated home debut.
In the NBC broadcast, the Aces escaped State Farm Arena behind by a banner night from guard Chelsea Gray. The veteran sealed her team's win by hitting a clutch 12-foot jumper with just 3.6 seconds remaining.
Reese helped attract a sellout crowd to Atlanta. However, she struggled to find her rhythm on the floor.
While the third-year forward finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds, she shot just 1-for-8 from the field and committed a game-high eight turnovers against a physical Las Vegas defense.
Reese was eventually benched by head coach Karl Smesko. And she wasn't the only Dream player to hit a scoring slump against the reigning WNBA champions.
Atlanta trailed Las Vegas for most of the game before going on a 20-2 run in the third quarter. Rookie center Madina Okot ignited that second-half surge, dominating the paint while recording 14 points and 11 rebounds across 16 minutes of play.
But those stats just weren't enough to stave off a hungry Aces offense.
Along with Gray's late-game heroics, 2025 MVP A'ja Wilson logged 20 points, six rebounds, and two blocks to keep her team steady throughout the contest. Chennedy Carter also provided a spark off the bench for Las Vegas, scoring 21 points to offset a scoreless afternoon from teammate Jackie Young.
Where to Watch Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream This Week
Reese and the Atlanta Dream return Friday, hosting the Dallas Wings for a 7:30 PM ET tipoff. The matchup airs live on ION.
The WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces showed out behind star A’ja Wilson this weekend, taking down Connecticut and Atlanta to reach 4-1 on the season after a lackluster opening game.
The reigning MVP averaged 32.5 points in her last two games, dropping 45 on the winless Sun on Friday before contributing 20 to Sunday’s tight 85-84 victory over the Dream.
“I want to be efficient,” Wilson said. “It’s beautiful to rack up all these points, but to be efficient, that’s what’s key.”
The Aces needed more than Wilson to take down surging Atlanta, with veteran point guard Chelsea Gray hitting the game-winner after the Dream erased a 19-point deficit.
“That’s who she is,” coach Becky Hammon said of Gray’s performance. “The bigger the moment, the bigger she gets. I have the ultimate trust in the group down the stretch.”
Atlanta’s was also a team effort, with four players finishing in the double-digits behind Allisha Gray’s game-leading 25 points.
Where to Watch A'ja Wilson & the Las Vegas Aces This Week
Las Vegas has some downtime before hosting LA on Saturday. The Aces tip off against the Sparks at 8 PM ET, live across CBS and Paramount+.
The Las Vegas Aces delivered a dominant 98-69 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. The win was powered by an electric performance from Chennedy Carter, who scored 27 points off the bench, and a historic double-double from 2025 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson.
How Carter and the Aces Bench Stunned the Connecticut Sun
Carter was the game’s standout performer, tallying points via a hyper-efficient 13-of-16 shooting (81.3%) from the field. She also added 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the Aces vs. Sun blowout. That effort, coupled with her impressive display against the LA Sparks, should silence any doubts surrounding coach Becky Hammon's masterplan. In April, Las Vegas signed the veteran guard to a training camp contract. The acquisition marked her WNBA return after a one-year stint abroad.
"I've grown, matured, and I took time to myself to find out where I need to be," Carter said of her comeback.
Hammon emphasized the Aces' need for a productive, downhill player — a role Carter consistently delivers on despite past off-court noise.
"I think she's in a great frame of mind," Hammon said. "She just got done cooking people overseas. So, we want her to come over here and cook people over here."
A'ja Wilson Records 121st Career Double-Double in Aces' Win
While Carter led the scoring, Wilson anchored the interior. Wilson finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. The performance marked Wilson’s 121st career double-double, moving her further up the WNBA's all-time leaderboard.
She dominated the third quarter specifically, scoring 14 points to help Las Vegas outscore Connecticut 30-16.
Overall, the Aces' bench defined the win with a massive 48-point contribution. Their defense also stifled the Sun, holding them to a dismal 33% shooting from the field.
The win propels the Aces to a 2-1 record as they continue their pursuit of a historic three-peat. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun fell to 0-3 amid shooting struggles and the franchise’s upcoming relocation to Houston.
Aces vs. Sun Rematch: Where to Watch WNBA Matchup
Fans won't have to wait long for a rematch, though. The two teams face off again at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, May 15th, at 7:30 PM ET on WNBA League Pass.
The Aces’ title defense is off to an up-and-down start, as 2025 runner-up Phoenix humbled Las Vegas 99-66 on Saturday — setting up Sunday’s 105-78 bounce-back win over LA.
Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson began the 2026 season where she left off, turning in two 19-point performances in both games despite her team’s early struggles against a formidable Phoenix offense.
“We know what it’s like to have a long offseason,” Wilson after falling to the Mercury. “You’re just like, ‘I don’t care who’s in front of us this first game, we have to redeem ourselves.’”
The Aces righted the ship against a Sparks team in flux, as LA integrates veteran talent like forward Nneka Ogwumike — plus reserve signing Kate Martin — into a developing squad.
2024 No. 2 pick Cameron Brink only played eight minutes off the bench in the defeat, as the Sparks lost pace despite a 27-point night from star guard Kelsey Plum.
“We need Cam to bring that defensive energy,” said LA head coach Lynne Roberts.
“We have so much confidence and belief in her. She's gotta get out on the floor with some confidence, and do what she's capable of doing.”
Las Vegas Aces Headline USA's Wednesday WNBA Doubleheader
Las Vegas tips off USA’s Wednesday doubleheader against Connecticut at 8 PM ET, before LA hosts Indiana at 10:30 PM ET.
Las Vegas opens its WNBA title defense on Saturday, going up against 2025 runner-up Phoenix in a rematch of last year’s cutthroat finals series.
The Aces swept the Mercury to win the league’s first-ever best-of-seven finals, lifting a third trophy in the last five years after just four games.
“We just got swept — you would have some motivation too, right?” Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper said this week. “That’s big time, 1,000%.”
With both teams retaining key talent, the clash features reigning four-time MVP A’ja Wilson going head-to-head with six-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas.
“First and foremost, it’s just about starting day one, laying the foundation for us,” Thomas said. “We let one go in the finals, something we definitely don’t forget.”
“I like making people mad. I like proving people wrong,” Wilson said, detailing her WNBA motivations. “I like to let people just burn because me and my team are doing great.”
Where to Watch Las Vegas vs. Phoenix in WNBA Opening Weekend
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday at 3:30 ET, live on ABC.
WNBA execs are spilling the tea, as the league’s annual GM survey provides anonymous predictions for expected standouts, top roster moves, and the season’s projected champion.
33% of GMs tapped Dallas guard Paige Bueckers as the best player to build a franchise around, leapfrogging 2025 nominee Caitlin Clark (20%).
Lynx rookie Olivia Miles got 73% of the 2026 Rookie of the Year vote, while execs pegged the Wings as both most improved (67%) and most fun to watch (36%).
40% chose defending champion Las Vegas to win the 2026 title, followed by New York (33%) and Atlanta (27%) — with no mention of last year’s predicted winner Minnesota.
Aces star and four-time MVP A’ja Wilson stole 60% of the 2026 MVP vote, while also picking up best defender, forward, center, and leader.
Other races were tighter, as Seattle’s Dominique Malonga and Chicago newcomer Rickea Jackson shared “most likely to have a breakout season” with 15% each. Similarly, Connecticut’s Nell Angloma and LA’s Ta’Niya Latson split “biggest rookie steal” at 21%.
Lindsey Vonn, A'ja Wilson, Venus Williams, and Eileen Gu were among the many top athletes turning heads with 2026 Met Gala looks on Monday night.
Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Met Gala stands as one of the year's biggest nights for fashion, art, and culture.
Williams helped lead the night as co-chair, alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour. The seven-time Grand Slam champion wore a black gown inspired by her portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. She paired it with a neck piece reminiscent of Wimbledon’s “Venue Rosewater dish” trophy.
The WNBA also had a strong presence.
Wilson — along with Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers — delivered some of the most talked-about Met Gala looks of the night. Wilson sported a gold off-the-shoulder gown with flowing sleeves, set ablaze by a slicked-back, golden-blonde hairstyle.
For Vonn, the night brought an especially significant moment.
In one of her first public appearances since her 2026 Winter Olympics crash, the decorated US skier arrived wearing a Thom Browne gown. Vonn also walked in without her crutches, marking a recovery milestone just three months after her injury.
Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu wore a glass bubble dress that weighed 30 pounds. Additionally, her look was complete with a bubble machine that trailed behind her.
"I lift weights, don't worry. I'm good," Gu told USA TODAY, explaining her Met Gala look with a laugh.
"There's a sense of whimsy. You can't help but poke and play with them. I like bringing that sense of fun wherever I go."