CANDACE PARKER

It is her fifth All-WNBA selection and the third consecutive year she's been on the first team. Plum finished third in MVP award voting after averaging 20.2 points per game (second behind Stewart) and 5.1 assists per game (ninth). Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, is also on the second team after leading the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Ionescu earned her first All-WNBA selection after a comeback season following two years of ankle issues. It's her eighth All-WNBA selection of her 15-season career.

A’ja Wilson has earned WNBA MVP honors for the second time in her young career.

UNCASVILLE, Conn — (AP) — DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams each scored 19 points to help the Connecticut Sun rout the Chicago Sky 104-80 on Tuesday night and force a decisive Game 5 in their WNBA semifinal series. Alyssa Thomas added 17 points for Connecticut, which will travel to the second-seeded Sky for the winner-take-all game on Thursday night. Connecticut coach Curt Miller has been saying for the entire series that his team would have to make the game “messy” to beat the Sky. The All-Star forward had six points total in Game 3 and seven in Game 2 — both Connecticut losses. The UConn women's basketball team was in attendance, sitting a few row up from the Chicago Sky bench.

DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams each scored 19 points to help the Connecticut Sun rout the Chicago Sky 104-80 and force a decisive Game 5 in their WNBA playoffs semifinal series.

Good afternoon, Chicago. Here's what is happening today.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — (AP) — Candace Parker had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Kahleah Copper added 15 points and the Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 76-72 on Sunday in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals. The defending champion Sky lead the best-of-five series 2-1 and can advance to the finals with a win Tuesday night. Copper then made two free throws and Meesseman added a layup to make it 72-66 with under a minute left. After a missed layup by Chicago, DeWanna Bonner was fouled with 22 seconds left and made both free throws to get the Sky within 72-70. Parker restored a four-point lead by making two free throws with 15.2 seconds left.

Candace Parker had 16 points and 11 rebounds while Kahleah Copper added 15 points and the Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 76-72 in Game 3 of the WNBA playoffs semifinals.

The Connecticut Sun are finally returning home after spending almost two weeks on the road. The Sun will host the Chicago Sky for the next two games of their WNBA playoffs semifinal series, which is tied 1-1. Connecticut went to Dallas in the first round and beat the Wings in the decisive Game 3 to advance to the semifinals. Instead of coming home, the Sun flew to Chicago to get ready for the series with the Sky. “It’s a huge game, opportunity for us.” Sun head coach Curt Miller said.

The Connecticut Sun are finally returning home after spending 10 days on the road.

Chicago and Connecticut are no strangers to meeting in the postseason, having met now for three straight years. They'll face each other in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs when the best-of-five series tips off on Sunday in Chicago. The Sky won last season's playoff series 3-1 on their way to the championship and followed that up this year by going 4-0 during the regular season against Connecticut. “I think we probably snuck away with a couple games maybe we shouldn’t have won and we did," Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot said. Last season, Chicago won despite being the lower seed.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Candace Parker had 14 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Chicago Sky over the New York Liberty 90-72 Tuesday night in the deciding Game 3 to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs. Allie Quigley and Kahleah Copper each added 15 points while Courtney Vandersloot had 14 points and 10 assists for the second-seeded Sky. Chicago has now won four consecutive elimination games dating to back-to-back single-elimination games last year en route to the franchise's first WNBA championship. Chicago routed New York by a WNBA playoffs record 38 points in the second game, racing out to a 31-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looking back. Chicago led 25-20 after one and extended the advantage to 54-42 at the half as Parker had seven points, six assists and seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

Candace Parker had 14 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Chicago Sky over the New York Liberty 90-72 in the deciding Game 3 to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

The WNBA playoff picture is still unclear with two weeks left in the regular season.

The New York Liberty are currently two games out of a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

And Meesseman signed in free agency to play for the Chicago Sky alongside Vandersloot and Quigley. The Sky players have a similar chance at collecting hardware, though not as condensed as in Europe. In the span of 11 months, the Sky could win two WNBA championships and a Commissioner's Cup title. Charity of choice: The WNBA, WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) and teams selected organizations in each market that are tied to voting rights, registrations and advocacy. The game was the first WNBA game after the five-week Olympic break.

WNBA: JUL 12 Atlanta Dream at Chicago Sky CHICAGO, IL - JULY 12: Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) looks on during a WNBA game between the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky on July 12, 2022, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. Q&A with Chicago Sky forward Candace ParkerChris Haynes: You've had quite the week. CP: "I don't think it's allowing, I think it's empowering. When Malika [Andrews] introduces me as the two-time WNBA All-Star of the L.A. Sparks, people know I know my stuff. I don't know where Jalen started, but you know Jalen claims everything.

Connecticut Sky v Las Vegas Aces LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 02: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Jonquel Jones #35 of the Connecticut Sun during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preseason predictions:Breanna Stewart (2), Kahleah CopperWho else but A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart leading the race for another MVP each? She's second in blocks (2.1 bpg), has the best efficiency rating and is vital to the Aces' league-leading offense. She's averaging 13.8 ppg on 58% shooting (best of any bench player to qualify for the award) and adds 4.6 rpg and 1.2 spg. The sides split the two games in Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend in May.

A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and the rest of the WNBA All-Stars lined up along the sideline after halftime, the No. 42 and the name Griner on the back of all of their jerseys.

Wintrust Arena is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game. But before Sunday’s game, there are plenty of events — and we are tracking it all.

WNBA All Star Basketball Basketballs sit in a rack during practice for the WNBA All-Star basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, July 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Allie Quigley won the WNBA 3-Point Contest for a record fourth time Saturday, putting together a perfect final rack. Going last in the final round, Quigley easily turned away Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard. It was one sweet victory for Quigley, who is from nearby Joliet, played college ball at DePaul and helped the Chicago Sky win the WNBA title last season. Sky teammate Candace Parker cheered her on in an Quigley DePaul jersey, and Quigley's wife, Courtney Vandersloot, another Sky guard, also clapped excitedly courtside.

Allie Quigley has won the WNBA 3-Point Contest for a record fourth time by putting together a perfect final rack.

Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are playing in the WNBA All-Star Game for the last time.

From Brittney Griner’s detention to fighting for LGBTQ and reproductive rights, WNBA players balance activist roles at All-Star weekend.

Chicago Sky merchandise is easier to find than it was after the team won its first WNBA title last fall.

Chicago is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time this weekend at Wintrust Arena. Here’s everything you need to know.

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have been linked for two decades.

CHICAGO — (AP) — Allie Quigley scored 19 points to lead five Chicago players scoring in double figures, Candace Parker added 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Sky never trailed in their 91-75 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. The game was a rematch of last season's WNBA Finals that Chicago won. The Sky have won both meetings between the teams this season. Diamond DeShields added 21 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes of action and Sophie Cunningham finished with 12 points. The Sky are 12-3 this season when scoring at least 80 points.

Breanna Stewart traded for her Seattle teammate Sue Bird in the WNBA All-Star draft Saturday. Bird was set to be a co-captain with A'ja Wilson before Stewart pulled off the deal to acquire Bird for Sylvia Fowles. Bird and Fowles are set to retire at the end of the season and were named co-captains with Stewart and Wilson. That was a good one.”Bird will be playing in her record 13th All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago. Stewart drafted the third Las Vegas starter Jackie Young with her first pick and Jonquel Jones with her second choice.

Sky Aces Basketball Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives around Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)NEW YORK — (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans, as the trio was selected Tuesday as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago. But Diana Taurasi won’t be in Chicago, left off the All-Star list for the first time in her career when healthy. Jones is the only player to make the All-Star Game this season while coming off the bench. Chicago's James Wade will coach one team, while Las Vegas' Becky Hammon will lead the other.

Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Candace Parker set a WNBA record with her third career triple-double Thursday night, leading the Chicago Sky past the Los Angeles Sparks 82-59. Parker finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and accomplished the feat in three quarters. It was her second triple-double of the season and the third of her career moved her past Sheryl Swoopes, Courtney Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu, who have two apiece. Parker, playing against her former team in Los Angeles for the first time, also moved into fifth place in league history for blocks (588) and eighth for assists (1,495). Nneka Ogwumike scored 15 points and Brittney Sykes added 13 for Los Angeles (6-10), which was 10 of 40 shooting (25.6%).

Brittney Griner will have a place at the WNBA All-Star Game.

Mercury Aces Basketball Las Vegas Aces forward Theresa Plaisance (55), forward Dearica Hamby (5) and forward A'ja Wilson, right, celebrate after winning a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) (Ellen Schmidt)Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year. “It just seems like it’s a breath of fresh air for all of us,” said Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson, who hit two 3-pointers in Monday's win. Las Vegas (7-1): All five starters are averaging in double figures in scoring which makes the Aces even more difficult to guard. Phoenix (2-4): The schedule hasn't been kind to the Mercury with three of their first six games against the Las Vegas Aces.

Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year.

Griner was arrested in Russia last month at a Moscow airport after a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges. The customs service identified the person arrested as a female player for the U.S. national team and did not specify the date of her arrest. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File) (Ralph Freso)A Moscow court announced it has extended the arrest of WNBA star Brittney Griner until May 19, according to the Russian state news agency Tass. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges. “The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19,” the court said, according to Tass.

Judge James Linn sentenced Jussie Smollett to 150 days in the Cook County Jail for fabricating a hate crime, and Smollett erupted in an outburst as he was taken away. CBS 2's Brad Edwards, Irika Sargent, Political Investigator Dana Kozlov, and Legal Analyst Irv Miller have analysis.

Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle has thanked everyone for their support of the WNBA star, who was arrested last month in Russia.

It’s tough for WNBA players to turn down that kind of money despite safety concerns and politics in some of the countries where they play. In 2015, Taurasi’s team, UMMC Ekaterinburg — the same one Griner plays for — paid her to skip the WNBA season and rest. The WNBA has made strides to increase player salaries and find other ways to compensate players in the last CBA, which was ratified in 2020. More than a dozen WNBA players were playing in Russia and Ukraine this winter, including league MVP Jones and Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the champion Chicago Sky. From purely a basketball stand point, the CBA will make it more difficult for WNBA players to compete overseas in the future.

Russia has been a popular destination for WNBA players like Brittney Griner over the past two decades because of the money they can make playing there in the winter.

Griner was arrested in Russia last month at a Moscow airport after a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges. The customs service identified the person arrested as a female player for the U.S. national team and did not specify the date of her arrest. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File) (Ralph Freso)WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia last month at a Moscow airport after a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges. The customs service identified the person arrested as a player for the U.S. women's team and did not specify the date of her arrest. She last played for her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.

WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested last month at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges.

She is the only WNBA player to win the AP Female Athlete of the Year award. She hopes that changes soon as the league continues to get more exposure.

Candace Parker staved off Father Time to help the Chicago Sky win the franchise’s first WNBA championship and capped off 2021 by being named The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year for a second time.

ESPN said the 2021 WNBA Finals between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury attracted an average of 548,000 viewers throughout four games.

The Chicago Sky rallied from behind to beat the Phoenix Mercury and bring home the city's first-ever WNBA title. They're being celebrated by their hometown, including former President Barack Obama.

WNBA Finals Basketball Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) shoots against Chicago Sky's Azura Stevens (30) during the first half of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago. Allie Quigley scored 26 points and Parker added 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and Chicago beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 on Sunday in Game 4. Chicago scored the next nine points to take a two-point lead on Stefanie Dolson's layup. “Their defense went to another level trapping BG,” Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello said. ... Phoenix had been 4-0 in the WNBA Finals after losses until Sunday's defeat.

WNBA Finals Basketball Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) shoots against Chicago Sky's Azura Stevens (30) during the first half of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (Paul Beaty)CHICAGO — (AP) — Candace Parker returned home to bring Chicago a championship. Allie Quigley scored 26 points and Parker added 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and Chicago beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 on Sunday in Game 4. Chicago scored the next nine points to take a two-point lead on Stefanie Dolson's layup. ... Phoenix had been 4-0 in the WNBA Finals after losses until Sunday's defeat.

Allie Quigley scored 26 points and Candace Parker added 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to help Chicago win its first WNBA championship with a 80-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

Kahleah Copper scored 20 of her 22 points in the first half and Chicago used a dominant defensive effort to reach a record rout of the Phoenix Mercury 86-50, moving the Sky one victory away from the franchise’s first WNBA title.

Candace Parker wore a wire as she dropped 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists against the Phoenix Mercury during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

With the game tied at 93, Candace Parker scored on a layup off a neat pass from Vandersloot for her record-breaking assist. Connecticut couldn't recover, scoring only its second basket of the second OT on Brionna Jones' jumper with 13.7 seconds left that made it 98-95. With the game tied at 91 in the first OT, the Sky dribbled the clock down before Brionna Jones stole the ball. I want to be visible,” said Miller, who was honored as the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. “I didn't want to be the gay coach," he said.

Jonquel Jones is no stranger to winning Associated Press WNBA awards.

The WNBA playoff chase may come down to the final day of the regular season on Sept. 19.

The WNBA honored its past and present when it announced the league's top 25 players Sunday. The “W25” has 10 current players, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart. Former stars Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, Katie Smith and Sheryl Swoopes are among 15 retired players selected by a panel of media members and women's basketball pioneers and advocates.

Elena Delle Donne and Chiney Ogwumike will have a major impact on the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks playoff chances now that they're back on the basketball court.

A’ja Wilson scored 22 points and Breanna Stewart added 17 to help the U.S. beat France 93-82.

Arike Ogunbowale scored 26 points and the WNBA All-Star team beat the U.S. Olympic team 93-85 in the league’s All-Star Game.

"Representation matters, so this is a special moment of progress for the sport and the series," Parker said.

The latest installment of the video game franchise pays tribute to the 25th anniversary of the WNBA.

"I hope that there's many more young women and young girls that look and say 'We can do this.'"

Candace Parker grew up playing video games and now she’ll be the first female basketball player on the cover of one.

Both the U.S. Olympic team and the WNBA All-Stars expect a competitive game in the league’s showcase.

Parker, who was not chosen for the 2016 Olympic team after helping the U.S. win gold medals in 2008 and 2012, was chosen for her sixth All-Star appearance. The WNBA team will be co-coached by Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson. It's a record 12th All-Star Game for Bird and 10th for Taurasi — tying her with Tamika Catchings for second most all-time. This is the first time that the league has held an All-Star Game in an Olympic year since 2000. The WNBA played an exhibition in New York in 2004 at Radio City Music Hall, but it wasn’t considered an All-Star Game.

The Chicago Sky are at full strength and moving up the WNBA standings after a slow start due to injuries.

The WNBA season is only a few weeks old and there already have been five games that have decided in overtime.

The WNBA will tip off its 25th season on Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)NEW YORK — (AP) — The WNBA is back and celebrating its silver anniversary. It was a busy offseason for the longest running women's professional sports league that will tip off its 25th season Friday night. After 14 years with the Lynx, she played her final season with the Los Angeles Sparks last year. VIEWING OPPORTUNITIESThe WNBA will have 100 of its games on national television this season, as well as dozens of games on Twitter, Facebook and Amazon.

The WNBA is back and celebrating its silver anniversary.

NEW YORK — (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces fell just short of the WNBA championship last season while missing three key players. Now with Liz Cambage, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby back as well as free agent addition Chelsea Gray to help league MVP A'ja Wilson, the Aces sit atop the preseason Associated Press WNBA poll Wednesday. “We grew up last year, we added other pieces," Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said. Seattle, the defending WNBA champions, garnered the other four first-place ballots and was picked second. Seattle star Breanna Stewart was picked as the AP preseason player of the year for the second straight season.

The WNBA will tip off its 25th season on Friday, May 14, 2021, after an eventful offseason that was full of player movement, including Candace Parker returning home to Chicago. “We’re working with the players' association and teams to create a plan to safely conduct our season amid this pandemic," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. SOCIAL JUSTICEThe league also plans to continue to support the WNBA Justice Movement. “It’s one of the important things I know to the players,” Engelbert said of the social justice movement. HAPPY ANNIVERSARYThe WNBA will unveil over the course of the season the league’s 25 greatest moments, 25 game-changing players and other things to commemorate its 25th anniversary.

The WNBA will tip off its 25th season on Friday after an offseason that was full of player movement, including Candace Parker returning home to Chicago.

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)CHICAGO – Candace Parker talked about seeing her grandmother hold up the newspaper during their call, thrilled she is coming home to play for the Chicago Sky. “I'm so excited to be home and I say that from the bottom of my heart,” Parker said during a Zoom conference Tuesday. “When she decided, she told me even before, ‘If I come, I’m coming to ball,'” he said. She said she started thinking about playing for the Sky a few weeks ago and would not have left Los Angeles for any other team. “(I) have obviously evolved, and a lot of it had to do with me living in Knoxville and me living in Los Angeles and Russia and Istanbul and China.

Taurasi is staying in Phoenix while Alysha Clark is heading across the country to join the Washington Mystics. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)NEW YORK – Diana Taurasi is staying in Phoenix while Alysha Clark is heading across the country to join the Washington Mystics. Unlike Parker, there was no real expectation the 38-year-old Taurasi would leave the team that drafted her No. Clark also led the WNBA in 3-point field goal percentage (52.2) for the second consecutive season. Change is never easy but having teammates and an organization excited to have you join their family makes it better,” Clark said.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday, Jan. 27, because no official announcement is allowed until Feb. 1. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)Candace Parker is headed home and Kayla McBride is getting a fresh start in Minnesota. that she would be signing with the Lynx once free agents can officially ink deals Monday. Nearly 75% of the players on the Sparks' roster are free agents. That’s led to increased player movement from our roster.”Two players who are free agents but won't be moving are Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.

FILE - In this July 10, 2019, file photo, Laila Ali arrives at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. Ali will host the Womens Sports Foundation awards show featuring Candace Parker, Tom Brady and Carli Lloyd. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Laila Ali will host the Women’s Sports Foundation awards show featuring Candace Parker, Tom Brady and Carli Lloyd. In 1974, King created the Women’s Sports Foundation, which provides sports programming and grants for young athletes. The Czech team says 16 others have to be re-tested after the results of their tests were inconclusive.