Cunningham's comments draw White House support and league pushback
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham became a focal point in the U.S. debate over transgender athletes in women's sports after telling ESPN, in an interview published July 22, that she wants to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men," and reiterating those views to reporters before the Fever's 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun in Indianapolis on July 23. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 24 called the "left-wing" backlash against Cunningham "ludicrous" and "astonishing," saying President Trump "is following the story" and "feels strongly about" the issue, consistent with his 2025 executive order restricting transgender athletes in women's sports. The comments came a month after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws in more than two dozen Republican-led states barring transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports. Cunningham, who rose to fame as the Indiana enforcer for Caitlin Clark, said she is "not a very political person" and "very much in the middle," but felt compelled to speak as a top female athlete and emphasized Title IX's role in expanding women's sports. The Indiana Fever on July 23 issued a statement saying its "players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own," and the WNBA has not adopted a ban on transgender athletes comparable to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Washington Mystics arrive as a surprise WNBA contender
The Washington Mystics capped a grueling six-game, 11-day intercontinental stretch by beating the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 100-99 at home on July 23, finishing that run at 4-2 and entering the All-Star break at 14-12 — good for the eighth and final playoff spot. The win made Washington the only team this season with victories over all three of the league's top teams (Minnesota, Golden State and Las Vegas), and underscored the rise of a roster built around young frontcourt players Kiki Iriafen (6-foot-3), Shakira Austin (6-foot-5) and Lauren Betts (6-foot-7), who combined for 50 points and 19 rebounds while limiting Aces star A'ja Wilson to 38 points. Guard Sonia Citron added 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter as the Mystics rallied from nine points down. With the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaching, the team is reported to be searching for a veteran point guard and a three-point shooter, with Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins among possible targets.
WNBA clarifies 3-Point Contest invitation process after Ionescu speaks out
Two-time WNBA 3-Point Contest champion Sabrina Ionescu drew attention when she was left off the announced contestant list, then said she "can't decline an offer I never officially got invited to." A WNBA spokesman, quoted by ESPN's Alexa Philippou on July 24, said the league's "general process is to reach out to agents to determine a player's interest, and some accept and some decline." Lynx guard Kayla McBride, also absent from the roster, said she received only an informal invitation relayed through her agent via text. Ionescu, who holds the all-time combined WNBA-NBA record for most points in a single 3-point contest round and famously challenged Stephen Curry in the NBA version, said she remains excited to watch this year's competition.
Lakers continue to pursue free agent Jonathan Kuminga
Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka "keeps calling" about unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, NBA Today reporter Anthony Slater said on the July 24 program. The Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga's team option, and earlier sign-and-trade discussions between the teams stalled after the Lakers reportedly offered a two-year, $20 million deal. Los Angeles has since added wings Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, but Slater said the franchise still feels "a little weak on the wing position" and views Kuminga as a potential starter. Kuminga's market is tied in part to LeBron James's free-agency decision, with several teams reportedly waiting on that domino before making further offers.
Lithuania's basketball pipeline runs through Chicago
The Lithuanian national team, featuring Chicago-area products Matas Buzelis, Kasparas Jakučionis and Domantas Sabonis, will play reigning NCAA champion University of Michigan in an exhibition Aug. 23 in Vilnius. Lithuania's modern basketball tradition is rooted in 1930s Chicago: players Juozas Žukas, Konstantinas Savickas, Feliksas Kriaučiūnas and Frank Lubin helped Lithuania win EuroBasket in 1937 and 1939, and the country's Olympic identity was cemented when members of the Grateful Dead helped fund the 1992 Barcelona trip that produced a bronze medal — the story behind the 2012 documentary "The Other Dream Team." Lithuanian Basketball Federation president Mindaugas Balčiūnas said Chicago "is one of the most important towns in the United States" for Lithuanian basketball and acknowledged ongoing efforts to counter population decline with creative recruiting.
Upcoming milestones to watch
The WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago and Friday's Shooting Stars competition feature Mystics trio Iriafen, Citron and Austin, while the Aug. 2 trade deadline looms for contenders like Washington. Lithuanian national team exhibition action against University of Michigan is scheduled for Aug. 23 in Vilnius. The Lakers' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga remains contingent on LeBron James's free-agency decision.
Share this article
