All smiles on the West Coast for Nyadiew Puoch 😁 📸: @theportlandfire & @WNBA https://t.co/QbAlXey1OH Via @WNBL on X

What happened: Nyadiew Puoch continues to establish her presence on the West Coast, maintaining a consistent spot in the rotation during the early stages of the 2026 season. The Australian forward has transitioned into a defensive-minded role after being selected in the expansion draft earlier this year.

Why it matters: Puoch's athleticism and versatility have made her a fixture in the lineup, providing length on the perimeter. The same Nyadiew Puoch who drained a key 23-foot triple in mid-May is now focused on stabilizing her offensive consistency as she adjusts to the WNBA pace.

By the numbers: Puoch is currently averaging 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game across her first eight appearances. She recently logged 14 minutes in a Commissioner’s Cup matchup against Los Angeles as part of her ongoing rookie development.

What to watch: Puoch will continue to see significant minutes as her squad progresses through the June schedule and Commissioner's Cup play.

Sources

  • @WNBL