Portland Fire struggle defensively in June WNBA play
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last updated Jun 20, 2026
The Portland Fire, after a strong start to the season, are facing challenges in June with a 2-5 record. The team has suffered significant losses to top opponents, highlighting issues with their defense, which ranks last in the WNBA for efficiency. They are allowing over 111 points per 100 possessions, and their struggles to manage fast breaks and rebounds are contributing to their woes. Coach Alex Sarama's squad must improve defensively if they hope to stay in playoff contention as they move deeper into the season.
- •Portland Fire started 2026 season 6-4 but are now struggling at 2-5 in June.
- •Fire's defense ranks last in WNBA, allowing 111.8 points per 100 possessions.
- •Team has allowed over 100 points in multiple losses to top competitors.
- •Defensive issues include high fast break points and poor rebounding.
- •Coach Alex Sarama emphasizes the need for defensive improvement.
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — If the Fire are going to right the ship, they’re going to have to get a few more stops
"The Fire will need to improve considerably on defense if they’re going to make the playoffs.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 1:33 AMKelsey Mitchell breaks Rhyne Howard's recently-set WNBA single-season 3-point record
WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 1:27 AMSun execs Rizzotti, Tuck to remain with team when it relocates to Houston- WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 1:14 AMCT Sun win final game, defeating Toronto and giving fans a parting gift
WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 1:05 AMIndiana Fever star Aliyah Boston exits finale vs Lynx. What we know
WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 1:00 AMHow to watch Padres vs Dodgers: MLB live stream, TV channel
WNBA•Sep 25, 2026, 12:47 AMSophie Cunningham flaunts leather fit for Indiana Fever regular season finale