Historic Night in the Rose City: Portland Fire Ignite WNBA Return
For the first time in 24 years, the WNBA has returned to the Pacific Northwest, and the city of Portland made sure the league felt the heat. On Saturday night, the Portland Fire made their long-awaited 2026 season debut at a sold-out Moda Center, drawing a massive crowd of 19,335 fans.
The attendance marked a historic milestone, officially becoming the second largest crowd for a home opener in WNBA history and setting a new record for an expansion team’s debut.
A Star Studded Celebration
The atmosphere in downtown Portland was electric long before tip-off. American singer-songwriter and actress Justine Skye set the tone for the evening with a stirring rendition of the national anthem.
The momentum carried into halftime, where Grammy-nominated R&B icon Ashanti took the stage. As a defining force of the early 2000s, Ashanti’s performance served as a symbolic bridge between the original Fire era (2000–2002) and the new generation of basketball taking root in Oregon.
Game Summary: Chicago Sky 98, Portland Fire 83
While the energy in the "Fire Pit" was unmatched, the visiting Chicago Sky ultimately spoiled the party with a disciplined 98-83 victory.
The Fire showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the third quarter. After trailing by 13 at the half, Portland surged back, fueled by the deafening roar of the home crowd to tie the game late in the third. However, Chicago’s veteran composure proved too much.
Key Performers:
Carla Leite (POR): Led the Fire with 18 points, including the historic first basket of the new franchise.
Bridget Carleton (POR): Sparked the second-half comeback with timely shooting, finishing with 13 points and 4 assists.
Kamilla Cardoso (CHI): Dominated the paint for the Sky, racking up a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Skylar Diggins (CHI): Orchestrated the offense with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Voices from the Court
Despite the loss, the Fire players were moved by the city's reception.
“It was incredible to have a sell-out... The fans were in it the whole game. We were down by 13 at half and came out in the third quarter with so much energy. The crowd was so into it, it was so much fun.”
Bridget Carleton, on the home debut.
Carleton also noted that the "surreal" support started long before game day: "This past week, feeling it on social media, feeling it in the city... people recognize me already and I hadn’t even played a game."
Sarah Ashlee Barker echoed those sentiments, impressed by the sheer volume of the Portland faithful. "The Fire Pit was really lit, it really was," Barker said. "That was probably one of the loudest things I’ve ever heard being on a court. The energy they brought in... leaning into that and having their support means a lot to us."
Looking Ahead
The Portland Fire won't have to wait long for a chance at redemption. Their four-game season-opening homestand continues this Tuesday, May 12, as they host the New York Liberty at the Moda Center. If Saturday night was any indication, Portland is more than ready to keep the fire burning.