Borlase scores 13 as Aussies make WNBA debuts

• ‍Miela's 'Golden State-ment' is 14 points in 14 minutes‍
• Aussie Showcase: From Ballhalla to the Big Apple‍
• Every WNBA player and what they will earn in 2026

Reigning WNBL MVP Isobel Borlase, Maddi Rocci and Nyadiew Puoch are now WNBA players.

Borlase had 13 points for the Atlanta Dream in her first WNBA game, a preseason 87-84 win against the Chicago Sky, Rocci had 11 points including 7-of-7 from the free throw line in the Toronto Tempo first ever WNBA game under Australian Opals head coach Sandy Brondello, while Puoch had four points in 20 minutes in the Portland Fire's first WNBA game.

The Tempo lost 83-78 to the Connecticut Sun and the Fire 91-81 to Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne's Seattle Storm.

WNBA and WNBL veteran Sami Whitcomb delivered the most efficient scoring night, while Borlase and Rocci logged extended minutes as Australian players continued building cases for rotation spots.

Across the Day — Aussie Snapshot

• Whitcomb – most efficient scorer (12 points, 3-from-5 3PT)
• Borlase – highest workload (24 minutes, +11 impact)
• Rocci – elite efficiency at the line (7-from-7)
• Puoch – defensive activity across extended minutes
• Melbourne – steady playmaking in guard rotation

Phoenix Mercury 86 def. Japan National Team 60

🇦🇺 Australian Players

Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury)
Minutes: 21:25 │ Points: 12 │ FG: 3-5 │ 3PT: 3-5 │ FT: 3-3 │ Rebounds: 1 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ TO: 2 │ +/-: +20

Whitcomb provided elite floor spacing, knocking down three triples in a highly efficient scoring performance.

Atlanta Dream 87 def. Chicago Sky 78

🇦🇺 Australian Players

Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream)
Minutes: 24:15 │ Points: 13 │ FG: 4-14 │ 3PT: 0-4 │ FT: 5-5 │ Rebounds: 1 │ Assists: 3 │ Steals: 0 │ TO: 4 │ +/-: +11

Borlase logged one of the heaviest Australian workloads of the day, generating scoring at the line and maintaining a positive on-court impact.

Connecticut Sun 83 def. Toronto Tempo 78

🇦🇺 Australian Players

Maddi Rocci (Toronto Tempo)
Minutes: 13:55 │ Points: 11 │ FG: 2-6 │ 3PT: 0-0 │ FT: 7-7 │ Rebounds: 2 │ Assists: 3 │ Steals: 1 │ TO: 3 │ +/-: -13

Kristy Wallace (Toronto Tempo)
Minutes: 16:31 │ Points: 5 │ FG: 1-4 │ 3PT: 1-3 │ FT: 2-4 │ Rebounds: 2 │ Assists: 3 │ Steals: 0 │ TO: 1 │ +/-: -5

Rocci’s perfect free throw shooting highlighted an efficient scoring burst in limited minutes.

Seattle Storm 91 def. Portland Fire 81

🇦🇺 Australian Players

Nyadiew Puoch (Portland Fire)
Minutes: 20:45 │ Points: 4 │ FG: 1-5 │ 3PT: 0-1 │ FT: 2-4 │ Rebounds: 3 │ Assists: 2 │ Steals: 2 │ Blocks: 1 │ TO: 2 │ +/-: -16

Jade Melbourne (Seattle Storm)
Minutes: 17:36 │ Points: 4 │ FG: 1-5 │ 3PT: 0-2 │ FT: 2-4 │ Rebounds: 1 │ Assists: 3 │ Steals: 1 │ Blocks: 1 │ TO: 2 │ +/-: +6

Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm)
DND – Injury/Illness

Chloe Bibby (Portland Fire)
NWT – Not With Team

WNBL-Linked Players

Mackenzie Holmes (Seattle Storm)
Minutes: 21:10 │ Points: 8 │ FG: 2-7 │ 3PT: 0-1 │ FT: 4-4 │ Rebounds: 7 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 1 │ Blocks: 1 │ TO: 2 │ +/-: +6