The Dallas Wings just got Paige Bueckers some major help
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.
This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the $1.19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.
Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.
This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx poses with the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on September 19, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Lynx just lost one of their cornerstones, as in one of the biggest moves of WNBA free agency so far, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year is signing a max contract to join Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Pick, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.
Paige, for one, was thrilled:
Paige Bueckers can’t believe this is her life “WE HERE BABY” ‼️ pic.twitter.com/TVuO358za9
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) April 12, 2026
Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+
This is a deal that works so well for both sides. For Smith, she goes from someone who was waived just a few seasons ago to being paid the $1.19 million max salary in year one of a three-year contract. Dallas gets a much-needed presence in their frontcourt and a boost in defensive power and rim protection.
Smith also has chemistry with Arike, having just won an Unrivaled championship together last month. Her signing immediately boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings team, and at +4,000, they now have the 8th best odds to win the 2026 championship, according to our friends at FanDuel.
This now shifts the offseason attention to the WNBA Draft, where there is no clear consensus on who the Wings will pick as they select No. 1 overall for the second year in a row. Before Smith signed, there was a clear need for a frontcourt presence, but now the situation is different. Will they pick a more traditional point guard option like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Build out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?
All eyes are on Dallas now.
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#Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #major
#Deadspin #Evanders #hat #trick #late #boost #Cincinnati #Fire">Deadspin | Evander’s hat trick, late PK boost Cincinnati over Fire
May 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
Evander converted a penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a hat trick and lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Evander collected a brace in the first half and then added his third goal for the late winner. A yellow card was issued to Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla for a foul in the box on Pavel Bucha, leading to the deciding penalty kick.
The winning goal came six minutes after Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers missed his own chance to complete a hat trick with a penalty-kick strike. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano (eight saves) made a huge save to deny Cuypers and preserve the 2-2 score.
FC Cincinnati (4-4-3, 15 points) won despite playing with only 10 men for most of the second half. Defender Kyle Smith was issued a straight red card in the 56th minute for an accidental kick to the face of the Fire’s Robin Lod.
Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last five (2-0-3) matches, including a 3-3 draw with the Fire two weeks prior.
The victory was Cincinnati’s first win in six road matches this season (1-3-2). FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Chicago.
The Fire (5-3-2, 17 points) have held leads in all three of their losses this season. Saturday’s defeat ended a five-match (4-0-1) unbeaten streak for the home side.
After going scoreless in his first six regular-season matches, Evander now has five goals in his last four matches.
Cuypers has 10 goals in seven league matches this season, scoring at least once in every appearance. Cuypers’ three straight matches with multiple goals ties the second-longest brace streak in MLS history.
The forward started early Saturday, as Cuypers converted a shot that deflected off Smith and into the net in the 16th minute.
Shaky defending also aided in Evander’s equalizer in the 24th minute. During a scramble in front of the Fire’s net, Chicago center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a poor touch on a clearance attempt that put the ball right at Evander’s feet for the finish.
Cuypers completed the brace four minutes later, but Evander provided another quick response in the 31st minute.
All week long, the incoming weather for Sunday was a major focus of discussion. With forecasts calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain late on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled start time for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 officials and even the drivers themselves wondering if the schedule would be altered.
This evening, that decision was made by race officials.
In a statement released Saturday night, following the qualifying session, the start time for the Miami Grand Prix was pushed up three hours, to 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The statement cites the forecasts of “heavier rainstorms” close to the original start time, and notes that the decision was made to “ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to [prioritize] the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff:”
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the current Drivers’ Championship leader, secured pole position for Sunday’s race. Four-time Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row.
All week long, the incoming weather for Sunday was a major focus of discussion. With forecasts calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain late on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled start time for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 officials and even the drivers themselves wondering if the schedule would be altered.
This evening, that decision was made by race officials.
In a statement released Saturday night, following the qualifying session, the start time for the Miami Grand Prix was pushed up three hours, to 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The statement cites the forecasts of “heavier rainstorms” close to the original start time, and notes that the decision was made to “ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to [prioritize] the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff:”
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the current Drivers’ Championship leader, secured pole position for Sunday’s race. Four-time Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row.
Weather forecasts have forced an earlier start to Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
All week long, the incoming weather for Sunday was a major focus of discussion. With forecasts calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain late on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled start time for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 officials and even the drivers themselves wondering if the schedule would be altered.
This evening, that decision was made by race officials.
In a statement released Saturday night, following the qualifying session, the start time for the Miami Grand Prix was pushed up three hours, to 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The statement cites the forecasts of “heavier rainstorms” close to the original start time, and notes that the decision was made to “ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to [prioritize] the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff:”
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the current Drivers’ Championship leader, secured pole position for Sunday’s race. Four-time Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row.
“It felt very good, in the changing room before the game we knew today was important for us, chasing European football for next season. The points are crucial, we keep dreaming and believing,” Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said.
“It was a tough game, Brighton are a good team. Today for everything we have done, we deserve the win. They had a lot of chances. In the first half we were better but second half they were better. I am glad we could keep three points.”
Newcastle climbs to 13th place with 45 points from 35 games, now five points behind seventh-placed Brighton.
“We are looking up not down. We can still play European football next season, we must win the next three games,” Guimaraes said.
Newcastle travels to Nottingham Forest and Fulham, and has a home game against West Ham United remaining this season.
“It felt very good, in the changing room before the game we knew today was important for us, chasing European football for next season. The points are crucial, we keep dreaming and believing,” Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said.
“It was a tough game, Brighton are a good team. Today for everything we have done, we deserve the win. They had a lot of chances. In the first half we were better but second half they were better. I am glad we could keep three points.”
Newcastle climbs to 13th place with 45 points from 35 games, now five points behind seventh-placed Brighton.
“We are looking up not down. We can still play European football next season, we must win the next three games,” Guimaraes said.
Newcastle travels to Nottingham Forest and Fulham, and has a home game against West Ham United remaining this season.
Published on May 02, 2026
#Premier #League #Relief #Howe #Newcastle #ends #losing #run #home #win #Brighton">Premier League 2025-26: Relief for Howe as Newcastle ends losing run with home win over Brighton
There was relief for Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe in a week in which he met chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan to discuss the club’s future plans as it defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 in the Premier League at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The victory ends a run of five straight defeats in all competitions for Newcastle and will ease the pressure on Howe, at the same time catapulting the side back into the equation for European football next season.
Goals from William Osula, Dan Burn against his former side and Harvey Barnes sealed three points against an in-form Brighton team that had won six and drawn one of its previous eight Premier League fixtures.
Newcastle rode its luck at times with uncertain goalkeeping from Nick Pope and several misses from Brighton, not least Yankuba Minteh, who blazed over from a few metres out at the back post with the score at 2-1.
“It felt very good, in the changing room before the game we knew today was important for us, chasing European football for next season. The points are crucial, we keep dreaming and believing,” Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said.
“It was a tough game, Brighton are a good team. Today for everything we have done, we deserve the win. They had a lot of chances. In the first half we were better but second half they were better. I am glad we could keep three points.”
Newcastle climbs to 13th place with 45 points from 35 games, now five points behind seventh-placed Brighton.
“We are looking up not down. We can still play European football next season, we must win the next three games,” Guimaraes said.
Newcastle travels to Nottingham Forest and Fulham, and has a home game against West Ham United remaining this season.
![Miami Grand Prix: Forecasted weather forces earlier start Weather forecasts have forced an earlier start to Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.All week long, the incoming weather for Sunday was a major focus of discussion. With forecasts calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain late on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled start time for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 officials and even the drivers themselves wondering if the schedule would be altered.This evening, that decision was made by race officials.In a statement released Saturday night, following the qualifying session, the start time for the Miami Grand Prix was pushed up three hours, to 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The statement cites the forecasts of “heavier rainstorms” close to the original start time, and notes that the decision was made to “ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to [prioritize] the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff:”Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the current Drivers’ Championship leader, secured pole position for Sunday’s race. Four-time Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row. #Miami #Grand #Prix #Forecasted #weather #forces #earlier #start](https://i2.wp.com/platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/gettyimages-2274207014.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C10.738219895288%2C100%2C78.523560209424&w=1200&ssl=1 "Miami Grand Prix: Forecasted weather forces earlier start Weather forecasts have forced an earlier start to Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.All week long, the incoming weather for Sunday was a major focus of discussion. With forecasts calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain late on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled start time for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 officials and even the drivers themselves wondering if the schedule would be altered.This evening, that decision was made by race officials.In a statement released Saturday night, following the qualifying session, the start time for the Miami Grand Prix was pushed up three hours, to 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. The statement cites the forecasts of “heavier rainstorms” close to the original start time, and notes that the decision was made to “ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to [prioritize] the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff:”Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the current Drivers’ Championship leader, secured pole position for Sunday’s race. Four-time Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start alongside him on the front row. #Miami #Grand #Prix #Forecasted #weather #forces #earlier #start")
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