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Four WNBA contenders strengthened their 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup positions as the Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream all claimed wins, with standout performances from Natasha Howard, Breanna Stewart, Aja Wilson and Rhyne Howard shaping both conference races.
Minnesota remained top of the overall standings after a dominant result over the Seattle Storm, while New York and Las Vegas stayed unbeaten in Commissioners Cup play. Atlanta boosted hopes in the Eastern Conference as Washington, Indiana, Seattle and Golden State all slipped in the tournament picture.
The Minnesota Lynx, owners of the WNBA’s best record at 9-2, eased past the Seattle Storm 88-68 in Commissioners Cup action, improving to 3-0 in the tournament
and stretching their overall winning run to seven games, with six of those victories coming by double-digit margins.
Natasha Howard led Minnesota with 27 points, a season high, plus five rebounds, three steals and two blocks, while Olivia Miles added 19 points, six rebounds and six assists as the Lynx also stayed first in the Western Conference standings for the Commissioners Cup.
The @minnesotalynx defeat the Seattle Storm 88-68 for their seventh straight win Natasha Howard: 27 PTS (season-high) | 5 REB | 3 STL | 2 BLKS Olivia Miles: 19 PTS | 6 REB | 6 AST#WNBASeason30 | 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup | @coinbase pic.twitter.com/snaKtxyuoIWNBA (@WNBA) June 6, 2026
The Lynx, who captured the Commissioner’s Cup in 2024 and then lost the title game to the Indiana Fever last season, strengthened their chances of returning to the 30 June championship match. In contrast, Seattle, the 2021 inaugural Commissioner’s Cup winners, dropped to 0-3 in this year’s tournament and 3-9 overall after a fifth straight defeat.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Liberty remained strong in 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup play with an 83-75 home victory over the Indiana Fever, moving to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in the tournament, while the Fever slipped to a 5-5 season record and 1-1 in Cup games.
Breanna Stewart powered New York with 30 points, making 18 of 21 free-throw attempts, and also producing eight rebounds and four steals. Defensively, the Liberty restricted Caitlin Clark, who finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting, plus nine assists and seven rebounds for Indiana.
The @nyliberty win at home as they defeat the Fever 83-75 for their fourth straight win Breanna Stewart: 30 PTS | 8 REB | 4 STL | 2 AST Satou Sabally: 13 PTS | 5 REB Pauline Astier: 12 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST#WNBASeason30 | 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup | @coinbase pic.twitter.com/1OylxAz1wsWNBA (@WNBA) June 7, 2026
The Liberty, who lifted the Commissioners Cup in 2023, now hold the best tournament record in the East, while Indiana, champions in 2025, stay in contention at 1-1. The league’s in-season event runs from 1-17 June with 49 games, and conference leaders will meet in the final on 30 June.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream produced a strong offensive display during a 109-77 win over the Washington Mystics, lifting Atlanta to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the Commissioners Cup, while Washington moved to 4-5 on the season and 1-1 in tournament play.
THAT'S A DUUUUUUUUB, ATL! pic.twitter.com/NZlOmGRuHKAtlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) June 7, 2026
Rhyne Howard delivered 19 points and six steals for Atlanta, and Angel Reese added 18 points, 17 rebounds and four steals. For Washington, Kiki Iriafen posted a game-high 24 points and Sonia Citron contributed 18 points along with six assists as the Mystics could not slow the Dream’s attack.
WNBA Commissioners Cup: Aces stay perfect in the West
The Las Vegas Aces also maintained a perfect 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup record in the Western Conference, edging the Golden State Valkyries 84-79 to move to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in tournament play, while Golden State slipped to 6-5 and 1-2 respectively.
Aja Wilson led defending WNBA champions Las Vegas with 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Jackie Young backed up with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. Chelsea Gray handed out six assists in the Aces’ third straight win and reached 1,134 career assists with the franchise.
The @LVAces defeat the Valkyries 84-79 and move to 2-0 in Comm Cup play A'ja Wilson: 28 PTS | 14 REB | 3 AST | 2 3PM Jackie Young: 27 PTS (14 PTS in the 4Q)| 6 3PM | 5 REB | 5 AST#WNBASeason30 | 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup | @coinbase pic.twitter.com/oPJUfjhLO3WNBA (@WNBA) June 6, 2026
Gray’s total moved past current Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon, who recorded 1,133 assists with the club, giving Gray the franchise lead. The Aces, Commissioners Cup winners in 2022, held off Golden State despite a career-high 27 points from Valkyries guard Gabby Williams.
| Game | Score | Overall Record | 2026 Commissioners Cup Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx vs Seattle Storm | 88-68 | Lynx 9-2, Storm 3-9 | Lynx 3-0, Storm 0-3 |
| New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever | 83-75 | Liberty 7-4, Fever 5-5 | Liberty 2-0, Fever 1-1 |
| Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries | 84-79 | Aces 7-3, Valkyries 6-5 | Aces 2-0, Valkyries 1-2 |
| Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics | 109-77 | Dream 7-3, Mystics 4-5 | Dream 2-1, Mystics 1-1 |
With the tournament window running from 1-17 June and the championship game scheduled for 30 June, Minnesota, New York, Las Vegas and Atlanta strengthened their 2026 WNBA Commissioners Cup credentials, while Seattle, Golden State, Indiana and Washington now face increased pressure in the remaining group fixtures.
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