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Game Recap: Fever 109, Liberty 91

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Game Highlights: Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty (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. 
<hr />
<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. 
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;
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. 
&nbsp;

2026-preseason-previews

2026 Previews: Every Preseason Game, On Us

Press Release

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-259229" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/30logo-1.png" alt="" width="200" height="72" />
Broadcast Schedule Features Record 216 National Games Across Regular Season 
Expanded Access Across Linear and Streaming Platforms Features Games 
Delivered by ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock/NBCSN, Prime Video, 
CBS Sports, ION, USA Network and NBA TV 
ESPN To Broadcast New York Liberty at Los Angeles Sparks on June 21, 
Commemorating Date of  WNBA’s inaugural game in 1997
NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 – The WNBA announced today its national broadcast schedule for the 2026 regular season. With a record 216 games and tentpole events slated for distribution across multiple platforms throughout the regular season, fans will enjoy unparalleled access to WNBA action.
The broadcast schedule represents the tip-off of the WNBA’s new media rights deals which features the renewal of partnerships with The Walt Disney Company (ABC/ESPN), Amazon Prime Video, CBS Sports/Paramount+, and Scripps (ION), new partners NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN) and USA Sports (USA Network, and the continuation of distribution of games on NBA TV.
“The WNBA is coming off a landmark season in 2025, one that was defined by incredible basketball and countless memorable performances,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “With an incredible 2026 draft and so many notable free agency signings and trades now giving way to the start of the season, the WNBA’s unprecedented lineup of linear and streaming partners will shine a light on must-see matchups, and the remarkable skills the WNBA’s stars provide each time they step on the court.”
Each of the league’s 15 teams will play 44 games in the 2026 regular season, providing fans with a record total of 330 WNBA games in which to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level. A summation of the 216 games available by the league’s distribution partners and information on the WNBA’s tentpole events, is below:
Disney Networks to present 30 games in league’s 30th season: Now in its 30th year of WNBA coverage, Disney Networks will present 30 games and tentpole events across the regular season. ABC’s 13 broadcasts, including the 2026 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game, are tied for the most-ever by the network. ESPN will broadcast 17 games.
As part of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax, ABC will broadcast an opening weekend doubleheader on May 9, when the Indiana Fever hosts the Dallas Wings (1 p.m. ET), and the defending champion Las Vegas Aces host the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch of the 2025 Finals (3:30 p.m. ET). In addition, nine WNBA games will be featured in ESPN’s new consecutive nine-week primetime block dedicated to women’s sports, Women’s Sports Sundays, tipping off on June 21.
NBC’s Seven Sundays and Peacock Mondays: The WNBA returns to NBC, which broadcast the first-ever WNBA game in 1997. An all-Sunday lineup consists of seven games, featuring Dallas, Indiana, and Las Vegas. Highlighted among the NBC games are two primetime broadcasts: Indiana at Las Vegas on July 12 (9 p.m. ET) and Indiana at the Chicago Sky on August 23 (7 p.m. ET).
In addition to streaming 12 Monday matchups and three weekend games during the regular season, Peacock will stream every game of the WNBA Finals, with each game also telecast on NBC or USA Network.
Prime Video Schedule Includes 31 Games Across Regular Season: Six years after becoming the first women’s professional sports league to have its games streamed on Prime Video, the WNBA’s 30th season will include 30 regular season games on the streaming platform. In addition, Prime Video will, for the sixth consecutive year, exclusively stream the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Presented by Coinbase (Tuesday, June 30), the culmination of the WNBA’s marquee midseason tournament.
Prime Video Channels will also be the exclusive third-party digital distribution destination for WNBA League Pass, the WNBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games, in the U.S. and select international markets. 
CBS Sports / Paramount+ Primetime Games: After making history last year by airing the first two primetime WNBA regular-season games on broadcast television, CBS will deliver eight primetime games in 2026. Its complete slate of 20 broadcasts will air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.
CBS tips off its coverage with two games on May 23 when Chicago hosts the Minnesota Lynx (1 p.m. ET) and Las Vegas hosts the Los Angeles Sparks (8 p.m. ET). CBS will also air a day/night doubleheader on June 27 when Phoenix visits the Toronto Tempo (2 p.m. ET) and Los Angeles travels to Indiana (8 p.m.).
ION Puts the Spotlight on Friday Night Doubleheaders: Once again setting a standard for weekly coverage and appointment viewing, ION will broadcast the most games across the regular season (50) as part of its “State Farm WNBA Friday Night Spotlight” series. Fans can tune in to ION every Friday night for doubleheaders, bringing a consistent, high-energy schedule to their screens.
USA Network to Provide Second-Most Games: While USA Network’s 48-game slate will be anchored by games on Wednesday nights (28) and Monday nights (11), the network will bookend its coverage with two games featuring the reigning champion Aces – on tip-off weekend, Sunday, May 10, when Las Vegas visits Los Angeles, and on the final day of the regular season, Thursday, September 24, when Las Vegas is at Phoenix.
NBA TV Highlights: In its 24th year of WNBA coverage, NBA TV’s 15-game slate will tip off and wrap by featuring the league’s expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. As part of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax, NBA TV will show Portland hosting Chicago on May 9 (9 p.m. ET). On Sept. 24, the final day of the regular season, NBA TV will present the Toronto Tempo at Connecticut (7 p.m. ET).
WNBA Direct to Consumer League Pass Product offers Access to Games Across the League: WNBA League Pass will deliver select live games throughout the season (local blackouts may apply), along with next-day access to every matchup. League Pass games can be streamed via the WNBA App or WNBA.com.
&nbsp;
Fan-Favorites and Defending Champions Dominate National Spotlight: Both teams with the last two consecutive first-round picks, Caitlin Clark/Aliyah Boston-led Fever, and the Paige Bueckers/Azzi Fudd-led Wings will receive significant national exposure, as will the 2024 WNBA champion New York Liberty and the defending 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
<ul>
<li>Indiana: Behind Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who combined for eight All-Star selections the past three seasons, all 44 Fever games will be showcased nationally, including appearances on ABC/ESPN, USA, Prime Video, ION, NBC/Peacock, CBS, and NBA TV.</li>
<li>Dallas: After adding No. 1 overall draft pick Fudd and 2025 co-Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith to a lineup featuring 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Bueckers and two-time AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game MVP Arike Ogunbowale, the Wings will appear in 36 national games.</li>
<li>New York: The Liberty, led by two-time Kia WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, 2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, and newly acquired three-time All-Star Satou Sabally, will be featured with 35 national games.</li>
<li>Las Vegas: With an eye toward winning the franchise’s fourth WNBA title in five years, the Aces, led by four-time Kia WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, three-time All-WNBA selections Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd, and two-time All-WNBA pick Jackie Young, will be highlighted in 33 national games.</li>
</ul>
Key Matchups, Debuts and Rivalries to Watch: Fans can look forward to exciting rivalries and must-see games, including:
<ul>
<li>Aces vs. Mercury: In a rematch of 2025 WNBA Finals opponents, Las Vegas and Phoenix will clash four times with every game broadcast or streamed nationally – May 9 on ABC; June 17 on USA Network; July 11 on Peacock; and on the final day of the regular season, Sept. 24, on USA Network.</li>
<li>Fever vs. Wings: In a matchup that features the last four No. 1 overall draft picks – Indiana’s Boston (2023) and Clark (2024) vs. Dallas’ Bueckers (2025) and Fudd (2026) – all three Fever-Wings games will be available nationally (May 9 on ABC; Aug. 14 on ION; and Aug. 20 on Prime Video).</li>
<li>Dream vs. Sky: Two-time All-Star Angel Reese, recently acquired by the Atlanta Dream in a trade with the Chicago Sky, will lead her new team against Chicago three times, all on national platforms (June 9 on ESPN; July 19 on CBS; and Sept. 19 on Prime Video).</li>
<li>Fever vs. Dream: Indiana will meet the Dream four times – twice on Prime Video (June 4 and June 18), and once each on ABC (June 20) and ESPN (Aug. 16).</li>
<li>Aces vs. Fever: Las Vegas, which defeated Indiana in a memorable five-game semifinals last season, will face the Fever three times, all on a national platform (July 5 on ESPN; July 12 on NBC and Peacock; and Aug. 6 on Prime Video).</li>
<li>Liberty vs. Lynx: New York and Minnesota, which in 2024 met in both the WNBA Finals and the Championship Game of the Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase, will play three times this season, all on a national stage (July 11 on ABC; and July 3 and Sept. 18 on ION).</li>
<li>WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally: Classic and budding rivalries between teams will come into focus when the second annual WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally takes place during a seven-day span in August. During that period, marquee matchups will be front and center and bragging rights will be on the line when the league’s network partners shine a special spotlight on WNBA stars and teams. </li>
</ul>
WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally tips off on Aug. 8 with Las Vegas at Minnesota (CBS; 1 p.m. ET) and Indiana at Chicago (ABC; 3 p.m. ET)
and concludes on Aug. 14 with an ION double header with Indiana hosting Dallas  at 7:30 p.m. ET) and Seattle hosting Portland at 10 p.m. ET).
<ul>
<li>“WNBA Court Origins”: As part of the league’s 30th season celebration, the “WNBA Court Origins” platform features four national broadcasts and streams involving four of the WNBA’s original franchises. The centerpiece of the series is ESPN’s broadcast of New York at Los Angeles on June 21, the date on which those two teams met in the WNBA’s inaugural game in 1997. Additional games include New York at Phoenix on Aug. 1 (ABC), Las Vegas at New York on Aug. 9 (ABC) and Los Angeles at Las Vegas on Sept. 22 (ESPN).</li>
<li>Debuts of Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo: The inaugural games for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will be available during WNBA Tip-Off weekend presented by CarMax. Toronto will host the Washington Mystics on May 8 (ION) and Portland will host the Chicago Sky on May 9 (NBA TV).</li>
<li>WNBA Pride presented by Coach: As part of 2026 WNBA Pride presented by Coach, for every free throw made during the 24 designated Pride Games played June 20-27, Coach will donate $100 to Athlete Ally, up to $200,000, to further Athlete Ally’s work around LGBTQIA+ rights.</li>
</ul>
The WNBA’s distribution partners will present a total of 17 games during this span. Coverage tips off on June 20 with three games &#8212; Indiana at Atlanta (ABC; 1 p.m. ET), Seattle at Phoenix (ABC; 3 p.m. ET) and Chicago at Dallas (CBS; 8 p.m. ET).
<ul>
<li>The 2026 Playoffs and Finals: The 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel will tip off on Sunday, Sept. 27, with first-round action delivered by Disney Networks (two series) and USA Network and Prime Video (one series each). Disney Networks will also provide coverage of one semifinals series, with coverage of the other semifinals provided by NBC, Peacock and NBCSN. All 2026 WNBA Finals games will air on NBC or USA Network and also be streamed on Peacock</li>
</ul>
A synopsis of coverage provided by each of the WNBA’s distribution partners is as follows:
<table style="width: 98.5924%" width="699">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">PLATFORM</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">GAMES</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">HIGHLIGHTS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">ABC Network</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">13</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">Ties own record-high for over the air broadcast games. ABC will broadcast the 2026 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game and, along with ESPN, will present one Semifinals playoff series.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">ESPN </td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">17</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">17 games on ESPN, 13 on ABC, gives Disney Networks a record 30 games and tentpole events in WNBA&#8217;s 30th season. Nine games to be featured in new, nine-week primetime block dedicated to women’s sports, Women’s Sports Sundays.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">NBC</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">7</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">The WNBA returns to NBC, which broadcast the first-ever WNBA game in 1997. Schedule features seven Sunday broadcasts, including two primetime games.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">Peacock / NBCSN</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">15</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">In addition to streaming 12 Monday matchups during the regular season, Peacock will stream every game of the WNBA Finals, with each game also airing on NBC or USA Network.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">Prime Video</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">30</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">Thursday night destination (26 games). Will exclusively stream Championship Game of WNBA Commissioner&#8217;s Cup presented by Coinbase. Prime Video Channels will also be the exclusive third-party digital distribution destination for WNBA League Pass, the WNBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games, in the U.S. and select international markets.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">CBS / Paramount+</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">20</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">After making history last year by airing the first two primetime WNBA regular-season games on broadcast television, CBS Sports will have eight such contests among its 20 over-the-air games in 2026, all of which will air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">ION</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">50</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">All-Friday schedule, weekly pregame studio show, and the most regular-season games of any partner puts the spotlight on ION&#8217;s “WNBA Friday Night Spotlight” series.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">USA Network</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">48</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">New partner USA Sports’ 48-game, regular season slate on USA Network is second largest and features heavy focus on Wednesday nights (28 games) and Monday nights (11 games).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">NBA TV</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">15</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">In its 24th year of presenting WNBA action, NBA TV will tip off and wrap its slate with action featuring the league’s two newest teams, Portland and Toronto.</td>
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<td style="width: 17.9091%" width="107">WNBA League Pass</td>
<td style="width: 8.81512%" width="72">TBD</td>
<td style="width: 89.6552%" width="520">WNBA League Pass will stream select live games (local blackouts may apply) and offer the largest vault of on‑demand games. Through the league’s direct‑to‑consumer service, fans can enjoy enhanced control with multi‑device viewing, live video controls, and home/away feeds where available.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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In addition, WNBA League Pass will stream select live games (local blackouts may apply) and offer the largest vault of on‑demand games. Through the league’s direct‑to‑consumer service and the introduction of WNBA ID, fans can enjoy an enhanced viewer experience, increased compatibility with multi‑device viewing, and home/away feeds when available. Fans can also take advantage of the WNBA’s “Tap to Watch” feature, which simplifies how they find and access live game telecasts across platforms.
The current U.S. national television and streaming schedules are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&amp;month=all">here.</a> Information on the Canadian television broadcast and streaming schedule will be released at a later date.
Additional highlights for the schedule of each broadcaster/streamer can be found <a href="https://pr.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2026/04/2026-WNBA-National-Broadcast-Schedule-Information.pdf">here</a>.
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WNBA Unveils National Broadcast Schedule for its 30th Regular Season

The following is a press release from the New York Liberty:
NEW YORK (April 17, 2026) – The New York Liberty re-signed 2024 WNBA champions Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu to multi-year deals in open free agency, the team announced today.
“This is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Re‑signing Breanna, Jonquel, and Sabrina reflects the trust, sacrifice, and shared purpose that define what it means to represent the Liberty, this city, and our fanbase. These three cornerstone players chose to invest in each other and in the long‑term legacy of this organization, a rare commitment that has the chance to redefine the standard of excellence across basketball.”
Stewart earned All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2025 for her sixth consecutive season, garnering All-Defensive honors. The 6-4 forward was voted the 2023 Kia WNBA MVP after setting the Liberty single-season scoring record with 23.0 points per game and doubling the previous WNBA record for 40-point games in a single season with four. Stewart, a two-time Finals MVP and three-time WNBA Champion, is one of just three players in WNBA history with a career scoring average of at least 20 points per game (20.5) and one of two players in league history to win MVP on multiple teams. The Syracuse, N.Y., native has recorded averages of 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists,1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in 109 regular-season contests with the Liberty. Stewart is a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and was named the 2026 Unrivaled Championship MVP.
“Breanna Stewart is the personification of winning,” said Jonathan Kolb. “From the moment she arrived in New York, she redefined what winning looks like and relentlessly raised the bar across our organization. Stewie pushes everyone around her to be better, holds herself to the highest standard, and prioritizes winning the right way above all else. She is the embodiment of a superstar who puts the team first every day. Stewie continuing to play in New York, her home, is one of the most special storylines in WNBA history, and she is central to the legacy and championship standard we continue to define in this city.”
“I am staying in New York, my family is set up and solid here,” said Breanna Stewart. “I’m committed to the Liberty, and I’m excited to continue to invest in my teammates, in the community, and in a franchise that has already given me so much. I promise to keep fighting to bring more championships to the greatest city in the world.”
Jones won the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP with New York and recorded eight consecutive double-doubles in the 2023 playoffs to tie the longest such streak in WNBA postseason history. The 6-6 center and Freeport, Bahamas native is a five-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive selection who garnered All-WNBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2024. Jones has averaged 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 110 regular-season contests with New York and the Liberty posted a perfect 34-0 record in regular-season games where Jones finished with a double-double during her tenure with the team. The 2023 Commissioner’s Cup MVP is the only player in WNBA history to post at least 10 postseason double-doubles with multiple teams.
“From our 2023 Commissioner’s Cup championship and 2024 WNBA championship to a 34–0 record when she posts a double‑double, one constant in our biggest winning moments has been Jonquel Jones,” said Jonathan Kolb. “When you trade for a player, you always hope they feel a real sense of belonging, and it has been incredibly meaningful to see New York become a home away from home for JJ. Her versatility, dominance on the glass, leadership in the locker room, and status as one of the toughest matchups in the league have been major drivers of our success. JJ’s presence elevates everyone around her and raises our collective ceiling, and we are excited to continue building with her as we pursue more championships.”
“It was always about staying here in New York, because this is home,” said Jonquel Jones. “This is my foundation, and this is where I want to be.”
Ionescu rejoins the Liberty after earning All-WNBA honors for the fourth consecutive season in 2025 and averaging 18.2 points (10th in WNBA), 5.7 assists (7th in WNBA), and 4.9 rebounds, the third player in WNBA history to reach those marks in a single season. The Walnut Creek, Calif., native has posted averages of 16.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 181 regular-season games over six seasons with the Liberty after being selected by New York with the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Ionescu, a four-time All-Star, set the WNBA single-season record with 128 3-pointers made in 2023. The 5-11 guard ranks second in WNBA history with four career triple-doubles, became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 400 3-pointers made (151 games), and owns the Liberty’s all-time record for 3-pointers made (460).
“Sabrina Ionescu is the only No. 1 pick in our franchise’s history, and she has had a storybook journey in New York; a place that embraces its homegrown talent like no other,” said Jonathan Kolb. “Sab has earned everything she has through relentless work, a commitment to continually add to her game each year, and a mindset that is never satisfied. She has embraced this city as her own, helped establish the Liberty as a destination franchise, delivered a championship, and continues to push for more every day. We’re proud of the legacy she is building and look forward to the impact she will continue to have on this franchise in the years ahead.”
“Continuing to play for the New York Liberty means everything—this city is truly home,” said Sabrina Ionescu. “We’ve built something special here, and I’m locked in on bringing another championship to the city and our fans.”
In 1,733 regular season minutes with Ionescu, Jones and Stewart on the court together since 2023, the Liberty recorded a +16.8 net rating, and New York posted a 70-16 record (81.4 percent) in games with all three stars in the starting lineup, the best winning percentage by any trio with at least 50 starts together since at least 2002. Ionescu, Jones, and Stewart became the first trio of teammates in Liberty franchise history to earn All-WNBA Team honors in the same season in 2024.
The Liberty begin their historic 30th season at Barclays Center with a preseason contest against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, April 25, followed by the team’s home opener on Friday, May 8 vs. the Connecticut Sun. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. To learn more and explore additional ticketing options, including group tickets and partial season plans, visit <a title="file:///C:/Users/bflannery/Downloads/liberty.wnba.com/tickets" href="http://liberty.wnba.com/tickets" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">liberty.wnba.com/tickets</a>.

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New York Liberty Re-Sign Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu To Multi-Year Deals

Free Agency 2026

The following is a press release from the New York Liberty:
NEW YORK (April 16, 2026) – The New York Liberty signed three-time All-Star and 2023 All-WNBA First Team selection Satou Sabally to a multi-year deal in open free agency, the team announced today.
“Being in position to add a player and person of Satou Sabally’s caliber is a testament to what we are building here,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Her size, versatility, and basketball IQ give us incredible optionality and will unlock lineup combinations that will present significant problems for the opposition.”
Kolb continued: “Satou chose New York because she wants to be part of a winning franchise and recognized the championship culture that already exists here. That speaks to her selfless mindset and her belief in what we are building. We’re excited to see her thrive as a key part of a group that is committed to excellence and competing for championships year after year.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the New York Liberty and become part of an organization with such a strong championship DNA,” Satou Sabally said. “The winning culture here is unmatched and I am fully ready to contribute from day one. I can’t wait to get to work, connect with the fans and community, reunite with familiar faces, and do whatever it takes to help bring this city another WNBA title.”
Sabally, a 6-4 forward, was selected by Dallas with the second overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft and averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 97 regular-season games (87 starts) with the Wings. The Oregon alum spent the 2025 WNBA season with Phoenix, where she recorded averages of 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game in a career-high 39 games (all starts). Sabally put up 19.0 points per game in 10 playoff contests with the Mercury, the sixth-highest scoring average in the 2025 postseason. She has appeared in 19 career playoff games (15 starts) with averages of 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Sabally was named the 2023 Most Improved Player after averaging a career-high 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while dishing out 4.4 assists to join Candace Parker as the only players in league history to record such a stat line in a season. She shot 45.2 percent (38-for-84) from beyond the arc in 2024 to become the third player in WNBA history to shoot over 45 percent from 3-point range while averaging at least five attempts per game.
Sabally led Germany to the Quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics while ranking second among all players in scoring at 18.8 points per game, including a 33-point performance against Japan which was the highest individual scoring total since the 2016 Games and tied for the eighth-highest single-game scoring total in Olympic Games history. She won a EuroLeague Women’s Championship with Fenerbahçe in 2023 and is a three-time Turkish KBSL Champion.
The Liberty begin their historic 30th season at Barclays Center with a preseason contest against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, April 25, followed by the team’s home opener on Friday, May 8 vs. the Connecticut Sun. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. To learn more and explore additional ticketing options, including group tickets and partial season plans, visit liberty.wnba.com/tickets.

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New York Liberty Sign Three-Time All-Star Satou Sabally to Multi-Year Deal

Power Rankings

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2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Offseason Moves

Analysis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: March. Where superstars are made. Where shots become historic. Where teams hoist trophies. As we gear up for a month-long women’s basketball frenzy with today’s stars like UConn’s Azzi Fudd, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts, let’s flash back to some WNBA greats who made their mark during the Big Dance in the 1990s before they were pros. 
These players deserve their due for how they captivated audiences en route to winning a national championship. As a nod to the viral social media trend, “What were you like in the ‘90s?” let’s go down memory lane while “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls serenades in the background. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Jennifer Azzi, Stanford (1986–1990)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-257751" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-688x1024.jpg" alt="" width="538" height="800" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-688x1024.jpg 688w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-202x300.jpg 202w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-768x1143.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-1032x1536.jpg 1032w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-1376x2048.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-314250-scaled.jpg 1720w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px" />
Before Azzi was an Olympic gold medalist with the 1996 Dreamers and a member of the WNBA Top 20@20, the point guard led Stanford to its first women’s basketball National Championship in 1990. They defeated Auburn, and her future Olympic teammate and WNBA foe Ruthie Bolton, in a thrilling 88-81 victory. Stanford trailed in the first half, but rallied back thanks to Azzi’s 17 points.  
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer knew her Cardinals were going to win it all that 1990 season. She hung a sign on the locker room door: “1990 National champions. Get comfortable with it.” 
“Not winning never entered our minds,” Azzi <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/In-Tara-they-trusted-Stanford-s-1990-16053720.php">said</a>.
That year, Azzi racked up the awards. She was named the Wade Trophy winner, Naismith Player of the Year, and the tournament’s most outstanding player. Azzi was drafted fifth overall in the 1999 WNBA draft by the Detroit Shock, who reached the playoffs in her first season. She then played three seasons with the San Antonio Silver Stars, leading the league in the 3-point percentage in both 1999 and 2001.
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Sheryl Swoopes, Texas Tech (1991–1993)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-257752" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="800" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-295331-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px" />
Swoopes was on a mission in 1993. Her Texas Tech Lady Raiders entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the West Regional and demolished everyone in their path to reach the National Championship game. They’d face No. 1 overall seed Ohio State, and future WNBA legend Katie Smith, for the title. 
Swoopes scored a Final Four record of 47 points (16-24 from the field and 11-11 from the free-throw line) in the upset, being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Her 144 total tournament points (35.4 ppg) in a five-game stretch still holds 30 years later. It was her 17th 30-plus game. 
“There are no words to describe what a great player she is,” head coach Marsha Sharp <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-04-05-sp-19403-story.html">said of Swoopes then</a>. “I’ve never seen a player who can dominate a game like she can. She’s the greatest player of her time, and she does everything with so much class. She has a certain charisma—it’s why all our people love her so much.”
It was not only women’s basketball’s first title, but it was also the first National Championship in any sport at Texas Tech. 
The Texas native would go on to win the first four championships in WNBA history with the Houston Comets, and would finish her Hall-of-Fame career as a three-time MVP, six-time All-Star, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Charlotte Smith, North Carolina (1991–1995)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-257753" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="535" height="800" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-scaled.jpg 1712w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-201x300.jpg 201w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-685x1024.jpg 685w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-768x1149.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-1027x1536.jpg 1027w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2002807-1369x2048.jpg 1369w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px" />
Trailing by two points with 0.7 seconds left, North Carolina’s coach Sylvia Hatchell burned back-to-back timeouts. The first huddle’s play was drawn for a 6-foot-5 center, Sylvia Crawley, to catch a lob and finish at the rim. But Louisiana Tech quickly caught on and clogged the paint. The next whistle, a new one was drawn up: a baseline out-of-bounds play that would go for the win. Junior forward Charlotte Smith started on the ball-side block in a box set. On the whistle, she screened diagonally. Tech’s miscommunication left Smith wide open for a weak-side 3. The hometown kid sinks it. UNC’s lone title is stamped as one of the most thrilling title finishes ever.
“When I look back at that moment, the magnitude of it is still pretty shocking because it created waves all over the world,” Smith <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2022-02-16/1994-womens-ncaa-tournament-north-carolinas-charlotte-smith-remembers-buzzer">reminisces</a>. “It put not only women’s basketball on the map and UNC women’s basketball on the map, but Charlotte Smith became a household name.”
Smith was selected 33rd overall in the 1999 draft by the Charlotte Sting, then also played for the Washington Mystics and the Indiana Fever. She’d play eight seasons in the WNBA before getting into coaching; after serving as a long-time assistant coach at UNC, she took over at Elon University and led them to their first NCAA tournament bid in history. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut (1991–1995)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257754" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-280422-e1774456985332.jpg" alt="" width="562" height="800" />
UConn’s first unblemished season came in 1995 with six-foot-four Lobo in the center, and it would go down as one of the most dominant seasons ever. They went a perfect 35-0, and won every regular-season game by double digits. They set the record for the highest average scoring margin at 33.2. (<a href="https://justwomenssports.com/reads/uconn-womens-basketball-undefeated-regular-season-31-0-2026/#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20Huskies%20went%20on,third%2Dhighest%20in%20DI%20history.">This season’s UConn team</a> is winning by a whopping 37.8 ppg. Sheesh.) 
Lobo was crowned the Naismith Player of the Year, the Wade Trophy, and AP Player of the Year for averaging a near double-double (17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds). Soon after the confetti and the national championship celebrations concluded, Lobo was headed to join Team USA — she skipped her college graduation to attend tryouts — and won gold with the 1996 Olympic squad. 
She was one of the founding players of the WNBA with the New York Liberty, was an All-Star in 1999, and is a part of the Naismith Hall of Fame. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee (1995–1999)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257755" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-395005-scaled-e1774457155924.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="800" />
Before Holdsclaw was the No. 1 WNBA draft pick in 1999 and had a historic career for the Washington Mystics, she was wreaking havoc for Pat Summitt’s Tennessee Lady Vols. She’s the program’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She won three national championships (1996, 1997, and 1998), was the back-to-back MOP in 1997 and 1998, and was the back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999. 
She was also one part of the “Three Meeks”: Semeka Randall, Tamika Catchings, and Holdsclaw. Mik, Meek, and Mique. Not only did they share the same middle syllable, but they shared the same winning desire at Tennessee. “We wanted to go out there and dominate and embarrass people,” Holdsclaw would say decades later. During the 1998 season, they did. A perfect 39-0 with a fairytale national championship ending. They each knew their role: Randall was the floor general, orchestrating Summitt’s offense to a T. Catchings was the defensive wizard, picking pockets and taking names. Holdsclaw was a precisionist, slicing through the defense like she was a contestant on Iron Chef. Together, they molded into a three-headed Meekmonster, virtually impossible to contain. 
Holdsclaw was a six-time WNBA All-Star, getting her first start as a rookie, and won Olympic gold in 2000. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Stephanie White, Purdue (1995–1999)</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257757" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-401663-scaled-e1774457260866.jpg" alt="" width="536" height="800" />
When the game clock struck zero on March 28, 1999, in San Jose, CA, Purdue’s All-American Stephanie White and her head coach Carolyn Peck were national champions. The top-ranked Boilermakers handily beat Duke, 62-45, despite White going down with a severe ankle injury with only four minutes to go in the contest. It was Peck’s last game before heading to the WNBA to be the coach and GM of the Orlando Miracle. The 17,753 fans in the San Jose Arena went wild, and chanted “One more year!” as she cut down the net.
They wish they could’ve said the same for White, who in her senior year nabbed the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, Wade Trophy, and the Honda Sports Award while averaging 20.2 points per game. She’s still the Boilermakers’ third all-time leading scorer. 
White was drafted by the Charlotte Sting in 1999, then played the rest of her six-year WNBA career with the Indiana Fever. But White took to coaching early on, even while she was still playing pro. In the WNBA, she’s made stops in Chicago and Connecticut, where she won Coach of the Year in 2023, before returning to the Fever as head coach in 2025. 
Jordan Robinson is a freelance journalist, author, host, analyst, and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA.

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March Icons: A Look Back at Tournament Greats

Player News

Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers embody two of the most statistically significant eras in UConn history, combining for five NCAA Championships and multiple National Player of the Year awards. While Stewart’s tenure is defined by an unprecedented four consecutive titles and four Final Four MOP honors, Bueckers’ career is marked by becoming the first freshman to win major national player of the year awards and later leading the Huskies to the 2025 national title.
Both players were selected No. 1 overall in their respective WNBA Drafts, further solidifying their impact on the program’s legacy. Take a look back at Stewart and Bueckers&#8217; runs at UConn.
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<h2>Breanna Stewart (2012–2016)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257651" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257651" class="wp-image-257651" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="593" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-300x185.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-1024x633.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-768x475.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-1536x949.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-2048x1266.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Breanna Stewart #30 of the Connecticut Huskies after winning the NCAA Women&#8217;s National Championship at Amalie Arena on April 7, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.</div>
Breanna Stewart’s career at UConn was marked by four consecutive national titles from 2013 to 2016, making her a 4x NCAA Champion and the only player in history to be named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player four times. In addition to her postseason success, Stewart was a 3x AP Player of the Year and a 3x Naismith College Player of the Year (2014–2016).
She was also a 4x AP All-American and a 3x American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading to her selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.
Collegiate performance spotlight:
2013 National Championship: 23 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK
2014 National Championship:  21 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST
2015 Sweet 16: 31 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST
2015 Final Four: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 4 BLK
2016 National Championship: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST
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<h2>Paige Bueckers (2020–2025)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257652" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257652" class="wp-image-257652" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies speaks to the media during a press conference after winning the National Championship of the NCAA Women&#8217;s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.</div>
Paige Bueckers’ career at UConn was highlighted by being the first freshman in history to win a major National Player of the Year award. From 2021 to 2025, she was a 3x Unanimous First-team All-American, a 3x Big East Player of the Year, and a 3x Big East Tournament MOP.
In 2025, Bueckers led the program to the NCAA Championship and received the Wade Trophy and the Honda Sports Award. During her tenure, she was also a 2x Nancy Lieberman Award winner and a 4x NCAA All-Tournament selection before being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Collegiate performance spotlight:
2023 Round of 32: 32 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST
2023 Elite Eight: 28 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST
2025 Sweet 16: 40 PTS, 6 REB, 3 STL
2025 Elite Eight: 31 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL

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Collegiate Spotlight: University of Connecticut

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New York Liberty 2025

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