The GIST: Three-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby has filed a federal lawsuit against the league and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, alleging unlawful workplace discrimination in relation to her second pregnancy.

The no-background: Hamby first signed with the Aces (then the San Antonio Stars) back in 2015 and was an integral member of the organization, contributing to their first championship in September 2022. Three months prior to that title run, Hamby signed a two-year extension to stick with the Aces.

• She later publicly announced her second pregnancy during the squad’s championship parade.

The turning point: Hamby was abruptly traded to the LA Sparks (her current team) in January 2023. She immediately voiced her displeasure, alleging she was “lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against,” prompting an investigation by the WNBPA.

• Hamby gave birth to her son, Legend, in April 2023 and went on to play all 40 Sparks games last season. Following the WNBPA’s investigation, the WNBA suspended Aces head coach Becky Hammon for two 2023 games and rescinded the team’s 2025 first-round draft pick.

The latest: Hamby filed a federal lawsuit against the league and the Aces on Monday, with Hammon’s alleged actions at the center of the suit, including claims that the Hall of Fame coach questioned Hamby’s devotion to the team, asked her if she planned the pregnancy, and did not deny that Hamby was being traded because of her pregnancy.

• Additionally, the suit alleges that the Aces incentivized Hamby to decline free agency in June 2022 by offering to pay her elder daughter’s private school tuition. According to Hamby, that promise was not fulfilled after she announced her second pregnancy.

The response: The WNBA has stated it’s reviewing Hamby’s complaint, while the Aces have not yet commented — though Hammon denied all accusations of wrongdoing in the past. Meanwhile, Hamby is averaging career-high points for the Sparks and just won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic 3x3 team. Needless to say, we’ll be staying tuned to this evolving story.

The GIST: The Olympic break is in the rearview mirror, the trade deadline is looming, and the playoffs start in just over a month. It’s all systems go as the WNBA returns to action tomorrow — here are the top-of-mind questions before the second half tips off:

Can the Las Vegas Aces three-peat? The two-time defending champs uncharacteristically struggled in the first half, but rediscovered their form just before the break. That said, the Aces are currently fifth in the league standings, notably behind last year’s runners-up, the NY Liberty, and the perennial playoff contender Connecticut Sun.

• With Chelsea Gray back in the lineup and the rest of their full house of Olympians — A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young — Vegas appears to be playing their cards right, but it’s a crowded race at the top.

Will anyone beat out Wilson for MVP? The aforementioned Wilson leads the league in scoring and a whole host of other categories, making her the clear MVP frontrunner through the first half of the season.

• If the two-time league and Paris Olympic MVP continues her A’One play, she’ll surely lock in her third career league honors, but keep an eye on NY’s Sabrina Ionescu and Connecticut’s Alyssa “the Engine” Thomas, who’ll be looking to close the gap.

Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese for Rookie of the Year? This transformational NCAA rivalry has carried over to the W, where superstars Clark of the Indiana Fever and Reese of the Chicago Sky remain the favorites for Rookie of the Year.

• When it comes to the tale of the tape, Clark leads the league in assists, while Reese tops all W hoopers in offensive rebounds. If the stats remain close, this one could come down to which rook (if either of them) can lead their team to the postseason. Just heating up.

With the most elite international sporting event of the year behind us, the regular summertime sports are back and better than ever. Ally’s Sports Spotlight is coming in hot with the must-watch women’s sporting events to get you through the dog days of summer:

• 🏀 WNBA: NY Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces, Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (CBS): Half of USA Basketball’s gold–winning team came from these two squads, and they happen to have one of the spiciest rivalries in the W. Can’t wait.
• 🚲 Tour de France Femmes finale, Sunday, 10 a.m. ET (Peacock): The final stage of this iconic race will almost certainly make you want to spend the rest of the day cycling — start oiling up that chain.
• ⚽ NWSL: San Diego Wave vs. Angel City FC, August 24th at 4 p.m. ET (CBS): It’s an all-California rivalry matchup, but these SoCal squads are working together to grow the game off the pitch.

Whether you’re looking for a women’s sports viewing guide or help growing your financial future, you can count on Ally. They’ve been investing big in women’s sports for years and want to help you meet your financial goals. Cha-ching.

Algerian boxer and Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif filed a harassment complaint over the online harassment she experienced during the Paris Games. Good for her.

This article on the Intuit Dome, the new home of the LA Clippers. Will a new arena bring a championship? Owner Steve Ballmer sure thinks so.

Filipino gymnast and Olympian Carlos Yulo, who took home two golds from Paris. His reward? Free lunch buffets for life. Delish.