The 10 Best WNBA Moments of June

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July 2, 2026July 2, 2026By Admin
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The 10 Best WNBA Moments of June

After an exciting opening month of the 2026 WNBA season, June somehow managed to raise the bar even higher.

Marina Mabrey, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, 2026
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The month delivered everything basketball fans could ask for. From record-breaking performances, unforgettable buzzer-beaters, and marathon overtime battles, June has been a crazy, yet exciting month that fans can appreciate. Marina Mabrey etched her name into the record books with a historic scoring outburst, Sonia Citron capped one of the wildest games in league history with a clutch game-winner after four overtimes, and Nneka Ogwumike provided a storybook ending to the WNBA’s 30th Anniversary celebration with a buzzer-beating three.

With all that being said, here are the 10 best moments from June of the 2026 WNBA season.

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10. Caitlin Clark’s First Buzzer-Beater Against Washington Mystics

While June was full of crazy moments, Caitlin Clark finally got her first professional buzzer-beater. In a wild back-and-forth game where the Fever almost blew a 17-point lead, Clark was able to launch a Hail Mary for a 78-76 victory for Indiana.

After battling through a tense fourth quarter, Clark took control in the final seconds and buried the shot with 1.3 seconds left, giving fans exactly the type of moment that defined her college career, now translating to the next level. It wasn’t just a win; it was a signature “arrival” moment in her pro journey, showing she’s already building a reputation for late-game greatness.

Clark would end the game with 19 points, three boards, and five assists. These are the moments the hype for Clark came from, and she is now delivering it in a professional setting.

9. Dominique Malonga Explodes For 37-Point Night Against Dallas Wings

At just 20 years old, Dominique Malonga has put the league on notice. Malonga had her breakout WNBA moment against the Dallas Wings, erupting for 37 points in a performance that showcased her full offensive potential.

Malonga dominated in multiple ways, finishing through contact, knocking down midrange jumpers, and running the floor with confidence. Her ability to impact the game at all three levels was on full display, especially as she took over stretches of the second half.

Although the game went into overtime, and the outcome wasn’t a Seattle Storm victory, Malonga’s efforts should not be overlooked. She ended the night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, shooting 14-of-24 from the field, and knocking down two 3-pointers.

At such a young age, Malonga has a bright future ahead of her, and she’s just getting started.

8. Indiana Fever Honor Pioneer of the League

The Indiana Fever transformed their night into a celebration of WNBA history, honoring the pioneers who helped build the league into what it is today. In their matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Fever hosted founding WNBA president Val Ackerman, who sat down with franchise legend Tamika Catchings to reflect on the growth of the league from its earliest days to its current era of record attendance, rising stars, and global visibility.

The conversation served as a powerful reminder of how far the WNBA has come, highlighting the players, executives, and advocates who laid the foundation for today’s generation. From uncertain beginnings to sold-out arenas and primetime broadcasts, the league’s evolution was on full display in a night that blended history with the present moment.

Beyond the action on the court, the evening underscored the cultural impact of women’s sports and the community it continues to build. It was a celebration not just of basketball, but of progress, representation, and the ongoing push to elevate women’s athletics on a larger stage.

7. 1,000 Rebounds? No Problem for Angel Reese

Angel Reese continued her dominant presence on the glass, reaching 1,000 career rebounds in a milestone moment that highlights her elite rebounding ability. In a 113-96 victory over the Indiana Fever, Reese would finish the game with 18 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and shoot 7-for-14 from the field.

Reese’s impact has been defined by her relentless activity on both ends of the floor, especially her ability to generate extra possessions through offensive rebounds. Reaching this milestone so early in her career underscores her consistency and physical dominance inside.

It’s a historic marker that reflects one of the league’s most reliable rebounders.

6. Brittney Griner Becomes All-Time Career Block Leader

Brittney Griner made history by becoming the WNBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots, recording her 878th blocked shot. Griner cemented her status as one of the greatest defensive forces the league has ever seen. It’s a full-circle moment as Griner surpassed Margo Dydek, who set the record with the Connecticut Sun.

Her rim protection has defined entire game plans for opposing offenses, consistently altering shots and deterring drives. This milestone reflects years of dominance in the paint and elite defensive consistency. In a dominant 92-63 win against the Chicago Sky, Griner would end the night with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four blocks.

It’s a record built on timing, presence, and unmatched interior defense.

5. Kamilla Cardoso’s Perfect Night Against Portland Fire

It’s not often you see somebody have a perfect shooting night, but Kamilla Cardoso did it! Cardoso delivered one of the most efficient performances in WNBA history, setting a record for shooting 13-for-13 from the field.

She scored without missing, finishing every opportunity around the rim while controlling the paint on both ends. Her dominance came from positioning, patience, and elite finishing ability inside. Cardoso would help the Chicago Sky defeat the Portland Fire in a 124-94 victory, where she finished with 30 points and eight rebounds.

4. New York Liberty Win the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup

The New York Liberty captured their second Commissioner’s Cup title with a strong 93-85 win over the Las Vegas Aces, reinforcing their place among the league’s top contenders.

The Liberty controlled key stretches of the game with spacing, pace, and defensive discipline, limiting Vegas’s offensive rhythm. Their ability to execute in a high-pressure, nationally televised environment stood out as a major statement. While the game was close the entire first half, the Liberty would lean on their power duo in Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart.

Ionescu would end the night with 26 points, five assists, and five rebounds, including a dagger 3-point shot with 15.7 seconds left. Ionescu, who has been dealing with an injury to start this 2026 season, was able to shine at Barclays Center to the point that fans were chanting for her after the game.

Leadership from Cup MVP Breanna Stewart also willed the way for New York, who after the game said, “I’m just really proud of the mindset and the mentality of this team. We were going to do whatever it took to get this win.”

This was a huge win not just for team morale, but also for positive mentality as the second half of the WNBA season approaches.

3. Sonia Citron’s Quadruple-Overtime Game Winner Caps Instant Classic

It’s rare to see somebody play 53 minutes of basketball, but when there are four overtimes in one night, it happens. With just 0.3 seconds left, Carla Leite sent the Portland Fire and Washington Mystics into the first overtime of the night. Next would be two unsuccessful shots for the Mystics, who would have the ball last as time wound down in the second and third overtime.

However, luck would be on their side as Sonia Citron would have a clutch layup to put the Mystics ahead by two. The Mystics’ young core would play for over three hours, and their stat sheets were impressive.

Citron ended the night with 32 points, six rebounds, and four assists while knocking down 13-of-14 free throws. Forward Michaela Onyenwere finished with 30 points, five rebounds, five assists, and shot 9-of-16 from the field, 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. 

Kiki Iriafen also held her own; she did foul out, but erupted for 27 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

This was a valiant effort from everybody on the Mystics, but Citron has come through multiple times, and this time led to a 124-123 victory against the Portland Fire.

2. Marina Mabrey Ties the WNBA Single-Game Scoring Record (53 Points)

Offensively, nobody had a bigger night than Marina Mabrey against the Los Angeles Sparks. The veteran guard erupted for 53 points, tying the WNBA’s all-time single-game scoring record. She caught fire from every spot on the floor, knocking down deep threes, attacking the rim, and making difficult contested jumpers look effortless.

Every possession felt like history was about to be made, and it was. Furthermore, Mabrey has taken control of the Toronto Tempo since Brittney Sykes’s recent injury. In a 125-97 victory over the Sparks, Mabrey made sure her team was going to win. Mabrey would go on to shoot 60.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. Her shots were falling at an efficient pace, which is why the performance can’t be overlooked.

1. Nneka Ogwumike’s Buzzer-Beater Against the New York Liberty

There couldn’t have been a more fitting ending to the WNBA’s 30th Anniversary celebration. With legends from every era in attendance, Nneka Ogwumike drilled a game-winning three over the New York Liberty as time expired.

The shot capped one of the most emotional nights of the season and immediately became one of the defining highlights of the league’s anniversary campaign. Between the celebration of the WNBA’s history and one of its greatest ambassadors delivering the game-winner, it felt like a movie.

It was almost too perfect, as the Sparks came back from a 17-point deficit to win 98-97. Ogwumike would end the night with 24 points, six boards, three assists, three steals, and shooting 61.1 percent from the field. A perfect night for the Sparks to cap off with a win!

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