What to expect from the first-ever WNBA game at the United Center

The 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup continues with three games this Saturday, June 7, two of which will be broadcast nationally.

The Las Vegas Aces (4-2) and Golden State Valkyries (2-5) will kick things off at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, followed by the Indiana Fever (3-4) and Chicago Sky (2-4) at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Finally, the Seattle Storm (4-4) will take on the Phoenix Mercury (6-3) at 10 p.m. ET.

Do the Valkyries stand a chance against the Aces? How will the Sky perform in the first-ever WNBA game played at the United Center? Can the shorthanded Mercury keep winning? All of these questions will be answered on Saturday; in the meantime, let’s run through some more storylines to follow for the day’s slate of games.

The Valkyries look to upset the Aces and end their losing streak

It’s not often that an expansion team enjoys success right off the bat, and the Valkyries are currently stuck in their first major rut. After an 86-77 loss to the Mercury on Thursday, Golden State has now dropped four-straight games, and hasn’t scored 80 points in a game since May 23.

The Valkyries will now get their first crack at the Aces, who present a challenge Golden State hasn’t faced yet: A’ja Wilson. The reigning MVP has gotten off to another tremendous start, averaging 22.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game, and she’s poised to record another big stat line against the Valkyries, who prefer to play smaller lineups that likely won’t be able to match Wilson physically.

Not many WNBA defenses have had an answer for A’ja Wilson so far.

Photo by Mike Kane/NBAE via Getty Images

Those smaller lineups would be much more effective, of course, if they made some outside shots. The Valkyries are leading the WNBA in 3-point attempt rate at 49.9 percent but rank last in 3-point accuracy at 27.9 percent, resulting in far too many empty possessions for them to field an efficient offense.

Will the Valkyries change their offensive approach on Saturday? While their best chance against Las Vegas may simply be to win the jump-shooting battle, they probably don’t want to get into an up-and-down type of game with the Aces, either; guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young are still among the best offensive players at their position, and while we haven’t yet seen the best of Jewell Loyd in her first season with the Aces, it wouldn’t be shocking to see her have a big game, either. Golden State will need a big game from its own backcourt, as well as forwards Janelle Salaün and Temi Fagbenle, if it’s going to end its losing streak and upset the Aces.

The Sky seek payback against the Fever

The last time the Sky played the Fever, it wasn’t much a contest. Indiana turned in a dominating performance on its home court, defeating the Sky 93-58 in its season opener and looking every bit the team many expected to compete for a WNBA championship in 2025.

Since then, the Fever have struggled to maintain that winning pace. Hampered by injuries to guards Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Indiana’s depth has been tested, and though the team still has the star power to endure these setbacks, there’s still been a noticeable drop-off. In three games without Clark, the Fever are 1-2 and averaging 81.7 points per game, down from the 88 points they were scoring with her in the lineup.

The Sky, who have had their own fair share of struggles early on, will look to take advantage. Chicago got off to an 0-4 start to the season but has won its last two games (both against the Dallas Wings), and now stands primed for payback against its biggest rival. The Sky may still be trying to establish their new identity under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, but a third-straight win would go a long way not only in building the team’s confidence, but also climbing out of the early hole in the standings that it has dug for itself.

WNBA: MAY 29 Dallas Wings at Chicago Sky — Ariel Atkins leads the Sky in scoring at 15.3 points per game.

With its towering frontcourt of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, it’s a given that rebounding and paint play will be a factor for Chicago, but don’t overlook the contributions of their guards. Ariel Atkins, in particular, has been everything the Sky had hoped when they traded for her in the offseason, leading the team in scoring (15.3 points per game) and shooting 44.4 percent on 3-pointers while guarding the top scorer on Chicago’s opponents. She’ll likely draw the defensive assignment on Kelsey Mitchell, who is averaging 17.4 points per game for the Fever, on Saturday.

How the Sky defend Aliyah Boston is another matter entirely. The Fever’s starting center has been outstanding to begin her third WNBA season, averaging 15.9 points, 8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting a league-best 67.6 percent from the field. With Clark still out, Boston becomes Indiana’s most dangerous offensive player, so the Fever will need to make a concerted effort to get her the ball often enough for her to make an impact. Look for veteran forward DeWanna Bonner to take on more of a scoring role and for newcomer Aari McDonald to fill in at point guard for Indiana.

Can the Mercury continue their winning ways against the Storm?

The Mercury may be shorthanded, but they just keep winning. Down two stars in Kahleah Copper (knee) and Alyssa Thomas (calf), Phoenix prevailed yet again on Thursday, pulling off a fourth-quarter comeback against Golden State thanks to several big shots by rookie guard Lexi Held.

Phoenix’s season thus far has been one of resilience, highlighted by some unlikely names meeting the moment. Held, whose 24 points on Thursday were a personal best, is one of several previously unproven players the Mercury have been relying on to play key roles; Monique Akoa Makani, Kitija Laksa and Kathryn Westbeld have also been tasked with supporting All-Star Satou Sabally and helping keep the team afloat while Copper and Thomas recover from their respective injuries.

Golden State Valkyries v Phoenix Mercury — Satou Sabally (center) was a huge offseason acquisition for the Mercury, but don’t overlook the contributions of her teammates.

Who for the Mercury will play hero on Saturday? The first time they played the Storm, it was Sabally, who scored 27 points in 26 minutes in her Mercury debut—a decisive 81-59 Phoenix victory in which Seattle shot just 33 percent from the field. The Storm got revenge the second time around, winning 77-70 on May 23.

Which team will have the edge in the third matchup? The steady veteran duo of Skylar Diggins (16.8 points and 6.4 assists per game) and Nneka Ogwumike (16.5 points and 9 rebounds per game) is one that Seattle can always count on; they had matching 24-point performances in the Storm win. And if Gabby Williams continues playing at her career-best pace (14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2 steals per game), the Storm should again present a tough challenge to the Mercury, especially if Thomas is still out.