Fire starter Nyadiew Puoch makes WNBA history

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Australian Nyadiew Puoch helped create a slice of WNBA history today (AEDT) as the expansion Portland Fire claimed the franchise’s first-ever win, beating the New York Liberty 98-96 in a dramatic finish in Oregon.

The 191cm forward from Hobart started for Portland in just the second game of the Fire’s existence after being selected in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft.

Puoch, nicknamed played 22 minutes and contributed three rebounds, including two offensive boards, in the breakthrough victory.

Portland sealed the win when Sarah Ashlee Barker grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a buzzer-beating putback after Bridget Carleton’s missed three-point attempt. Teammates flooded the floor in celebration moments later.

Carleton delivered a career-high 26 points and five triples, while Carla Leite added 21 points and six assists as Portland improved to 1-1 in its inaugural WNBA season.

Portland Fire 98 def. New York Liberty 96

Australian rookie Nyadiew Puoch and the Portland Fire stunned the New York Liberty 98-96 behind a red-hot perimeter shooting display in Portland.

The expansion Fire knocked down 15-from-33 from three-point range and closed with a 28-point fourth quarter to hand New York its first road loss of the season.

Puoch started for Portland and played 22 minutes, finishing scoreless but contributing three rebounds, two offensive boards and solid defensive minutes in the upset win.

Bridget Carleton led Portland with 26 points on 5-from-11 shooting from downtown, while rookie guard Carla Leite added 21 points and six assists.

New York received 24 points from Pauline Astier and 18 from Marine Johannes, but the Liberty were unable to contain Portland’s ball movement and three-point shooting late.

Portland shot 45% from beyond the arc and a perfect 15-from-15 at the free throw line.

🇦🇺 Australians

Nyadiew Puoch (Portland Fire)

• Minutes: 22
• Points: 0
• Rebounds: 3
• FG: 0-from-5
• 3PT: 0-from-2
• OREB: 2

By the Numbers

• Portland shot 15-from-33 (45%) from three
• The Fire were perfect from the free throw line at 15-from-15
• Bridget Carleton scored a game-high 26 points
• New York shot 53% from the field in the loss
• Portland outscored New York 28-19 in the fourth quarter

Atlanta Dream 77 def. Dallas Wings 72

Allisha Gray scored 26 points as the Atlanta Dream held off the Dallas Wings 77-72 on the road, spoiling Australian Opals forward Alanna Smith's first game in front of her new home fans.

Atlanta closed the game with a dominant defensive fourth quarter, holding Dallas to just 13 points while improving to 2-0 on the season.

Australian rookie Isobel Borlase played four minutes off the bench for Atlanta, scoring three points on 1-from-2 shooting, including a made three-pointer. It was the first points of her WNBA career.

Smith battled through a difficult shooting night for Dallas, finishing with two points, six rebounds, three assists and a block in 27 minutes. She shot 1-from-8 from the field and missed all six attempts from beyond the arc.

Atlanta’s frontcourt controlled the glass behind Angel Reese, who had 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Jordin Canada added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Dallas led 41-38 at halftime before Atlanta edged ahead in the third quarter and closed strongly late.

The Wings struggled from long range, shooting just 4-from-26 (15%) from three-point territory.

🇦🇺 Australians

Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings)

• Minutes: 27
• Points: 2
• Rebounds: 6
• Assists: 3
• Blocks: 1
• FG: 1-from-8
• 3PT: 0-from-6

Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream)

• Minutes: 4
• Points: 3
• FG: 1-from-2
• 3PT: 1-from-1

By the Numbers

• Atlanta won the rebounding battle 44-34
• Dallas shot just 15% from three-point range
• Allisha Gray scored a game-high 26 points
• Angel Reese pulled down 16 rebounds
• Atlanta finished 16-from-17 from the free throw line

Minnesota Lynx 88 def. Phoenix Mercury 84

Kahleah Copper scored 30 points but the Phoenix Mercury faded late as the Minnesota Lynx closed the game on a 12-4 run to win 88-84 in Phoenix.

Australian veteran Sami Whitcomb remains sidelined with a left knee injury, while Anneli Maley was a DNP-Coach’s Decision for the Mercury.

Minnesota’s balanced attack proved the difference with five starters scoring in double figures, led by 14 points and 11 rebounds from Natasha Howard and 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds from rookie guard Olivia Miles.

Phoenix led 45-41 at halftime behind 17 first-half points from Kahleah Copper before Minnesota flipped momentum with a 27-point third quarter.

The Lynx dominated the glass 43-31 and shot 50% from the field compared to Phoenix’s 37%, overcoming Copper’s efficient scoring night and 10 rebounds from Natasha Mack.

🇦🇺 Australians

Anneli Maley (Phoenix Mercury) – DNP-Coach’s Decision

Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury) – DNP-Left Knee

By the Numbers

• Minnesota won the rebound battle 43-31
• Phoenix shot just 37% from the field
• Kahleah Copper scored 30 points on 9-from-21 shooting
• Minnesota had five players score 11 points or more
• The Lynx outscored Phoenix 20-17 in the fourth quarter