When New Jersey and LA share a court in Orlando, there is more than just points on the line.
This matchup brings together Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, two of the sport’s biggest names, for what would be their first meeting of the 2026 season. Fans have been waiting for this one, and for a league still building its national profile, a marquee matchup like this is exactly the kind of moment that draws new eyes to the sport.
Layered on top of that is a trade storyline with real edge to it. New Jersey enters this week with newly acquired Federico Staksrud, brought over from Orlando in the season’s biggest trade. On the other side, LA is fielding Connor Garnett, picked up from Utah in a separate deal earlier in the trade window. Both players are getting their first extended look with new teams this week, and both could end up on the same court at the same time.
For New Jersey, the goal is clear. The team is tied for first place in the league standings and already has a playoff bye locked up, so this match is really about chasing the number one overall seed, which comes with home-court advantage and the ability to pick opponents in the playoffs. St. Louis is New Jersey’s main rival for that top spot, but a strong statement win over LA would not hurt.
For LA, the stakes are just as high, if not higher. A win here helps push LA toward the points total it needs to catch Columbus for the final bye spot.
Add it all up, and this match has a bit of everything: star power, fresh trades, and real playoff stakes on both sides of the net. It is easily one of the matches to watch this week.
Written by Aradhya Mohan