WNBA gameday discussion: When the Minnesota Lynx visit the Dallas Wings, all eyes will be on Olivia Miles

Miles will not be the only player with a statement-making opportunity on Thursday evening.

This offseason, both Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard chose to sign with the Wings instead of remaining with the Lynx, possibly due to Minnesota not furnishing them with the more generous contract offers presented by Dallas.

Smith’s start in Dallas has been rocky, with moments that showcase her co-Defensive Player of the Year impact balanced by foul trouble and inefficient offense. Shepard, installed as starter for the first time in her career, has compiled the kind of box-score impact she had when given extended opportunity in Minnesota, averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and six assists in more than 31 minutes across Dallas’ two games.

Jess getting to it! pic.twitter.com/XB8RmUkAsX

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) May 9, 2026

What are your expectations for this game?

Will Miles again be sensational, or is she due for a rookie stinker? Can Lan stay out of foul trouble and make an impact? Will Shepard maintain her efficient production against her former team? And due to all these connections, could this become a bit of a rivalry?

Will the Fire again light up the Liberty?

On Tuesday, the New York Liberty’s #LIGHTITUPNYL mantra described what the Portland Fire did to New York’s defense.

Portland’s 98-96 win, earned via Sarah Ashlee Barker’s putback buzzer beater, was the second-most efficient offensive performance of the season across the league, with the Fire racking up an offensive rating of 124.1. Sure, the Liberty also scored at will on the Fire, registering a 121.5 offensive rating, the fourth-best of the season, in the two-point loss.

"the togetherness, the passion, the love, the grit"

Sarah Ashlee Barker's sensational buzzer-beater, Bridget Carleton's career-high in points, and Carla Leite's energetic return to the 4th quarter were all the ingredients for the FIRST WIN in our debut season!

watch the full… pic.twitter.com/OJ74ZSNo73

— Portland Fire (@theportlandfire) May 14, 2026

The Fire, however, are an expansion team, one that is intentionally prioritizing the development of their offensive system over wins (or defense). The Liberty want to win a championship. Even as they remain less than whole, with Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally sidelined with injuries and Leonie Fiebich still overseas, New York has high standards that they must maintain.

Yet, reaching them in their current state likely requires the Liberty to ask even more of Breanna Stewart, already overtaxed in this young season. Stewie has approached 40 minutes in New York’s last two games, an overtime win in Washington and the last-second loss in Portland.

To avenge that loss in the rematch with the Fire on Thursday (10 p.m. ET, Prime Video), first-year head coach Chris DeMarco might again have to ask too much of his two-time MVP. That her scoring efficiency was subpar on Tuesday, while her 3-pointer remains absent, is not an encouraging sign three games into a season in which the plan was to ease the burden on Stewart.

Breanna Stewart alluded to there being a lack of discipline when it came to the Liberty's defense. She took accountability herself knowing that she has to "get the rest of the group ready to go" for Thursday. pic.twitter.com/X4YiFDJ7z9

— Jackie Powell (she/her) (@ClassicJpow) May 13, 2026

As it always is difficult to beat the same team two times in a row, regardless of the quality of the opponent, it would be surprising if the Fire again took down the Liberty, even with all these concerns. In all likelihood, a more motivated and still more talented New York side will take care of business, and hopefully with Stewart logging around 30 minutes.

What are your thoughts? Do you expect New York to win big? Are you worried that the team is again too dependent on Stewie? Among the Liberty, who needs to step up? Or, are you more focused on the Fire? Which players have impressed you so far in this new team context?