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Game Recap: Mercury 86, Japan National Team 60

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Game Highlights: Japan National Team vs. Phoenix Mercury (4/29/26)

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Game Highlights: Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury (4/25/26)

Preseason 2026

The WNBA’s 30th season officially kicks off on May 8 with three games tipping off to commemorate the occasion. Gelling with new teammates, showcasing draft picks, and figuring out a regular-season rotation are all possible during this time, which is what makes the WNBA’s upcoming slate of preseason contests all the more intriguing. 
WNBA ID members will receive a complimentary preseason preview of WNBA League Pass from April 25 through May 3. During this period, fans can stream all preseason games directly within the app with no subscription or credit card required.
Not a WNBA ID holder yet? You can join for free <a href="https://www.wnba.com/id?cid=wnba:id:digital:site:article:other:pre:26-058&amp;utm_medium=digital&amp;utm_campaign=id:pre&amp;utm_source=site:article:other&amp;utm_content=wnba:id:digital:site:article:other:pre:26-058">HERE</a> using your email address. If you’ve used NBA ID or had a WNBA account before, just log in with your existing info to activate your WNBA ID. If you have both, use your NBA ID password.
Let’s get into why you should catch each and every preseason contest coming up between April 25 and May 3, and how each game will prepare even the most novice fan for a huge WNBA season. 
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<h2>April 25</h2>
Nigeria @ Los Angeles Sparks
Nigeria will travel to Los Angeles to face the new-look Sparks to kick off the preseason. Ezinne Kalu had a spectacular showing at the Summer Olympics, most <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/womens-olympic-basketball-tournament-paris-2024/news/ferocious-defense-a-difference-maker-for-kalu-and-nigeria">notably with</a> a huge victory over the Australian national team in group play. Head coach Rena Wakama just finished up serving as the first head coach of the newly minted Unrivaled team Hive BC, and also serves as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky. 
 
Los Angeles will likely be testing out a roster that saw some major shakeups this offseason. The team traded 2024 4th overall pick Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky in exchange for veteran Ariel Atkins, as well as re-signing Nneka Ogwumike, a former championship-winning ry with the Sparks. 
Los Angeles also just drafted Ta’Niya Latson and Amelia Hassett, adding some rookie depth to their bench and ahead of their preseason. Defensively, they will be tested by D’Tigress. On offense, Los Angeles will be seeking to establish a much better offensive output than what they had in 2025 &#8211; a season in which they only averaged 33.7 percent from three-point range. 
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Chicago Sky @ Phoenix Mercury
The Sky just endured one of the biggest overhauls during an offseason that also didn’t quite signal a rebuild, but rather a reimagining. 
 
After trading Angel Reese, the Sky added a ton of firepower to the roster. Skylar Diggins and Dijonai Carrington are veterans the Sky added in free agency this offseason, while also re-signing veteran center Elizabeth Williams and 2021 champion Azurá Stevens. 
The team also landed young talent on the trade market in Jackson and guard Jacy Sheldon. And, in the draft, they took NCAA Tournament standout Gabriela Jacquez, adding to their fun guard room. 
The Mercury lost Satou Sabally on the free agent market, but they’ve got a core locked in long-term between Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, Monique Akoa-Makani, Natasha Mack, and Sami Whitcomb. They are closer to contenders than Chicago, but can still be tested with Carrington’s physicality and having to contain the offense that Jackson and Sheldon can generate with a point guard like Diggins on the floor.
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Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty 
New York reloaded this offseason, signing Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart to new deals, while also bringing on Sabally. They’re looking like the largest threat to a Las Vegas Aces repeat, although anything can happen come playoff time. They’ll likely be using the preseason to figure out, schematically, how all of their All-Star pieces fit together. 
As for Indiana, they’ll be tempering expectations for Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, as both suffered injuries last season that still need monitoring. Clark hasn’t suited up since July of last season for the Fever, but she looked good in FIBA play this offseason. 
 
The Fever will probably be relying a ton on their bench and, specifically, 2026 draftee Raven Johnson, in the preseason. They shouldn’t risk the health of their star backcourt prior to the regular season tipping off, but Johnson’s play should be well worth the price of admission in this contest. 
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Seattle Storm @ Golden State Valkyries
It feels pretty clear what the pull of this contest would be: seeing if Flau’jae Johnson treats this as a revenge game against the team that traded her on draft night. The former LSU star was nearly headed to the Bay Area when a shocking trade went down between Golden State and Seattle, sending Johnson to the Storm and Marta Suarez to the Valkyries. 
These are two teams on very different paths. The Storm are in a full rebuild, having landed Awa Fam Thiam and Johnson on draft night to surround Dominique Malonga on the floor. The Valkyries, on the other hand, are looking to continue to establish themselves as a tough-nosed defensive team after signing Gabby Williams in free agency and trading for Suarez. 
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Minnesota Lynx @ Washington Mystics
A battle between two very fun rookie classes will take place in this contest. Minnesota, despite being a perennial postseason presence, landed the 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft. They took Olivia Miles at that spot, which is an unbelievably great fit for her, and for star forward Napheesa Collier. They also netted a sharp shooter in Lani White at the very end of the draft. 
Washington, on the other hand, went big. They drafted Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić, Cotie McMahon, and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs to add to their frontcourt depth. They also re-signed Shakira Austin in free agency, adding even more competition to a loaded roster. 
This game should be a fun showing of rookie talent in the league, as well as a mini-UCLA Bruins showcase. 
<hr />
<h2>April 26</h2>
Japan @ Las Vegas Aces
The Aces re-tooled this offseason, bringing back NaLyssa Smith and Jackie Young in free agency, as well as re-signing superstar A’ja Wilson to a multi-year, supermax extension. They also added an overseas star and, most recently, Chicago Sky star guard Chennedy Carter to their roster, bolstering their guard room.
As for Japan, they will be missing a recently drafted member of their national team in Kokora Tanaka, who was taken by the Valkyries at 38th overall. Still, the squad has a defensive stalwart in Yuki Miyazawa, who can muck things up for Las Vegas’ frontcourt in this contest. Assuming Wilson doesn’t get much playing time, we could be in for a battle between Miyazawa and Smith, Bri Turner, Steph Talbot, or recently drafted Janiah Barker. 
<hr />
<h2>April 27</h2>
Nigeria @ Minnesota Lynx
Nigeria will continue its preseason play stateside against the Lynx. These are two teams with strong paint scoring, with Nigeria shooting an efficient 52.8 percent from the field, per <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-afrobasket-2025/teams/nigeria#statistics">their FIBA team profile</a>. The Lynx found 52.4 percent of their scoring from 2-point range, per the <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/teams/scoring/?sort=PCT_PTS_2PT&amp;dir=-1">WNBA stats site</a>, which makes sense given Collier’s, Bridget Carleton’s, and Alanna Smith’s presence there in 2025. Of course, Carleton and Smith are gone, leaving a spot or two open on the team’s offense alongside Collier. 
A new look Lynx team versus an up-and-coming FIBA powerhouse should make for some great play. 
<hr />
<h2>April 29</h2>
Japan @ Phoenix Mercury
This should be another great battle between two teams with great bigs. Mack just re-signed with the Mercury, while Japan will have Miyazawa in the paint to discourage Phoenix from any paint scoring. That shouldn’t be an issue for a team with as versatile a scoring profile as the Mercury, though, with Copper, Whitcomb, Thomas, and Akoa-Makani all threats on different levels. 
&nbsp;
Atlanta Dream @ Chicago Sky
The Dream shook up the offseason with a huge trade for Reese, while also keeping their core intact. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Reese, Naz Hillmon, and Bri Jones are just a few of the key members Atlanta managed to keep and bring on board. They’re suddenly contenders, in the same tier as the Aces, Liberty, Lynx, and Mercury. 
As for the specific appeal of this game, the pull is obvious: seeing if Reese gets any time on the floor against the team that just gave her up. If she doesn’t, we still get another interesting rookie showcase with the Dream having Madina Okot as their biggest get in the 2026 draft. For Chicago, getting some time from Gabriela Jacquez, Lattasha Lattimore, and Tonie Morgan will be critical for their bench construction. 
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Connecticut Sun @ Toronto Tempo
The Tempo are taking the floor for the first time, somewhat officially, in this preseason game. That’s already worth catching, especially considering the excitement the city of Toronto has had about tipping off their teams’ inaugural season. Of course, some high-level signings should also attract a crowd, with Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes on board alongside head coach Sandy Brondello. 
For the Sun, 2026 seems to be another interesting gap season with some great talent worth catching in the preseason. Saniya Rivers, their best rookie from last year, is back in the fold, while the team also signed future Hall of Famer Brittney Griner in free agency. Nell Angloma and Gianna Kneepkens are sure to get some decent playing time in this contest, with both first-rounders seeking to crack head coach Rachid Meziane’s rotation. 
And, if there are any Kiwis catching preseason, Charlisse Leger-Walker should be getting some action in this game. She’s the first player from New Zealand to ever be drafted into the WNBA. 
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Portland Fire @ Seattle Storm 
Fire and Storm fans have to be clamoring for these clashes to eventually turn into a proper Northwest rivalry. With both teams obviously in rebuild mode, or in Portland’s case, a build-up, this should be a good game to catch rookies fighting for roster spots. The Fire notably snagged a ton of great role players in the expansion draft, and also selected two international prospects with high ceilings in the college draft: Iyana Martín Carrión and Frieda Bühner. 
Seattle, again, is looking to see what they’ve got in their extremely young core of Malonga, Fam Thiam, and now Johnson. It’ll be hard for Portland to recreate the expansion magic that the Valkyries had last year, but they should still be competitive with how much veteran depth they now have. 
<hr />
<h2>April 30</h2>
Dallas Wings @ Indiana Fever
The Wings, after selecting Azzi Fudd first overall in this year’s draft, suddenly roster three top-5 picks in their backcourt, and two first overall picks. Paige Bueckers, who was taken first overall in 2025, is returning after winning Rookie of the Year and putting on a show during Unrivaled in the offseason. Ogunbowale returned to Dallas on a multi-year extension, hoping to bounce back after an uncharacteristically down year for her shooting. Fudd is now added to the roster, likely as a starter, to create even more offense. 
The Wings also made some key signings this offseason, bringing in Smith and Jess Sheppard from the Lynx, in addition to veteran Alysha Clark. They also brought back Odyssey Sims for backcourt depth. 
Of course, the Fever roster includes multiple first-rounders: Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Mitchell. While these players may not get a ton of time in the preseason, it’ll still be a fun preview of the future of star-studded matchups between the two clubs. 
<hr />
<h2>May 1</h2>
New York Liberty @ Connecticut Sun 
The Sun’s farewell tour of Uncasville will kick off in this preseason match against the Liberty. New York has had Connecticut’s number for a few years now, but they could easily be out-run by a younger Sun team in this preseason game. Rivers had some especially great showings against the Liberty in 2025, so we should expect her to get up just the same for a preseason match. 
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Washington Mystics @ Atlanta Dream 
While the Mystics did load up on bigs, they also snagged one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects in Rori Harmon at 34th overall. Defensively, she’s shown elite traits despite her size. On offense, there’s room for improvement, but she also averaged 6.2 assists per game in her last season with the Texas Longhorns. She could end up in a nice bench role after the Mystics traded Jacy Sheldon to the Sky. 
For Atlanta, its guard room is facing some decisions as well. Jordin Canada is back in the fold after re-signing in free agency, but she’s also dealt with some injury woes that have kept her sidelined for a good portion of her tenure with the Dream. Te-Hina Paopao is seeking a Year 2 boost to her stock, which could be helped along with a strong preseason showing. This battle between two young guards, Harmon and Paopao, should be entertaining. 
&nbsp;
Los Angeles Sparks @ Portland Fire
This is yet another preseason matchup where a former player could really make their former team hurt for letting them walk. In this case, it’s Barker, who was left unprotected by the Sparks in this year’s expansion draft. The guard was a great defender in her first season with Los Angeles, but couldn’t find a consistent shooting touch alongside Kelsey Plum. 
As for the Sparks, they’re in the midst of some restructuring that’s added some more shooting to their frontcourt and from long range. Trading for Atkins while also re-signing Sparks legend Ogwumike should help create even more spacing for a Sparks squad desperate for some better offensive output. 
Latson was the Sparks’ 2nd round selection in this year’s draft, and she should have a big role for Los Angeles off their bench if she can impress in the preseason. She’ll be facing off with quite a veteran-heavy squad in Portland, so doing well in this contest would speak volumes to her pro-readiness. 
&nbsp;
Las Vegas Aces @ Dallas Wings
The Aces’ most exciting selection from the draft, Barker, could see some ample playing time in this final preseason bout before the tip-off to the regular season. As for Dallas, their rookies &#8211; Fudd and Zee Spearman &#8211; should be getting some burn in this contest for the same reason. 
 
One final look at both teams’ benches and rookie talent should be a good window into their final roster and into how they plan to rotate between so much talent in the regular season. The Aces and Wings loaded up in free agency with key depth signings, and this is a good opportunity for both teams to feel themselves out in a final dress rehearsal. 
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2026 Previews: Every Preseason Game, On Us

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Charisma Osborne

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Jaz Shelley

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2024

WNBA Draft 2024

Jaime Nared was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.

Aisha Sheppard was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.

Maggie Doogan was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.

Yarden Garzon was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.

Kalani Brown signed a Contract Amendment - Mutual Termination with the Phoenix Mercury.

Pick	Name	Position	College/Country
25	Charisma Osborne	Guard	UCLA / USA
29	Jaz Shelley	Guard	Nebraska / Australia

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