13
Aug
Aussies in the WNBA
Smith's double-double both good and bad for Brondello
Australian Alanna Smith #8 of the Dallas Wings is defended by Isabelle Harrison #21 of the Toronto Tempo during the fourth quarter at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on August 13, 2026 (AEST). Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Highlights
Twenty-two days from Berlin, an Opals forward went for 13 and 11 against the coach who picked her.
- Track Australians in the WNBA through our Player Hub
- Visit our Latest Aussie News hub for WNBA signings and updates
- Check the WNBA Schedule + Results for every game and score
Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith put up 13 points and 11 rebounds in a season-high 33 minutes as the Wings beat Australian Opals head coach Sandy Brondello's Toronto Tempo 94-88 in Arlington on Thursday, August 13, 2026 (AEST).
Brondello named Smith in her Final 12 for the FIBA Women's World Cup, and Australia open against Puerto Rico in Berlin on Friday, September 4.
"While our preparation is short with this full group, we trust the work we've done over the past few years, we believe in each other, and now it's about being at our best when it matters most," Brondello said.
"With only three days together before the World Cup, continuity was an important factor.
"We weren't just looking at talent - we were looking for players who fit our style of play, embrace what it means to represent Australia, and put the team first.
"I'm very confident in this group. We have a great mix of experience, talent and chemistry."
Three days, which makes a WNBA night like this one the closest thing to a look Brondello gets at Smith before the mini-camp before the start of the World Cup.
Smith went 5-from-7 from the field, 2-from-4 from three and 1-from-2 from the charity stripe, adding four assists, a steal and a block. She was plus-20, the best mark of any player in the game.
The Berlin build has been the story of her August. This was her second double-double of the season and both have landed inside nine days, after 21 points and 11 rebounds against Washington on August 5. It was also her fifth straight start and her heaviest workload of the year, in a season where she has played 26 of Dallas's 34 games and started 12.
Dallas move to 20-14 and fourth in the Western Conference. Toronto are 10-23 and sixth in the East. Marina Mabrey led the Tempo with 23 points, and Paige Bueckers had 22 points and eight assists for the Wings.
Puoch starts again as Portland's late surge falls short
Portland Fire forward Nyadiew Puoch, 22, started for the sixth game in a row and finished with four points on 1-from-6 shooting, one from four from deep, one rebound and a steal in 23 minutes.
The Fire lost 85-81 to the Minnesota Lynx at the Moda Center, and the final margin flatters the first three quarters. Portland trailed by 29 midway through the third before outscoring Minnesota 30-17 in the fourth.
Bridget Carleton top-scored for Portland with 16. Napheesa Collier had 20 for a Minnesota side now 28-7, the best record in the league. Portland are 13-20 and fifth in the West.
The start itself is not new for Puoch. It was her 18th of the season across 32 appearances, and she is averaging 17.3 minutes a game.
Bibby and Sowah watch on
The billed Australian head-to-head did not happen. Chloe Bibby, 28, was in Minnesota's game-day list against Portland but did not play, listed as out for personal reasons.
Miela Sowah, 26, was not in Golden State's game-day 12 for the Valkyries' 91-71 win over the Chicago Sky. Golden State are 24-9 and second in the West.
The Australians on tomorrow's card
Five Australians are scheduled on the next slate. Isobel Borlase and Atlanta are at Connecticut from 9:00am AEST, Rebecca Allen and Anneli Maley host the Los Angeles Sparks with New York from 10:00am, and Georgia Amoore's Washington visit Stephanie Talbot's Las Vegas from 12:00pm.
More: Australians in the WNBA | Yesterday's wrap | Brondello, from suspension to the hunt for gold
KEY DETAILS
Results
- Dallas Wings 94 def Toronto Tempo 88
- Golden State Valkyries 91 def Chicago Sky 71
- Minnesota Lynx 85 def Portland Fire 81
Australians who played
- Alanna Smith (Dallas): 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 33 minutes, plus-20
- Nyadiew Puoch (Portland): 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 23 minutes, minus-2
Australians who did not play: Chloe Bibby (Minnesota, personal)
Australians not in the game-day 12: Miela Sowah (Golden State)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
