Press Release

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NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 – WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued the following statement regarding Tina Charles’ retirement announcement:
“Tina Charles has defined excellence and consistency throughout one of the most remarkable careers in WNBA history. From earning unanimous Rookie of the Year honors to being named league MVP, to becoming the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder and second all-time leading scorer, Tina’s impact on the game will be felt for generations to come.
“Beyond her extraordinary accomplishments, Tina has represented the very best of the WNBA throughout her career. Through her leadership and dedication to giving back – including her work with her Hopey’s Heart Foundation – she has made a meaningful impact far beyond the game, earning the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award twice. On behalf of the WNBA, I want to thank Tina for her lasting contributions to the league and the sport of basketball. Her legacy will be defined not only by her excellence on the court, but by the standard she set as a leader, a teammate, and a champion for the communities she touched.”
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GM Survey

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– Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Picked as First Player GMs Would Sign if Starting a Team Today –  
– Wings Chosen as Most Improved Team and Most Fun to Watch – 
– Aces vs. New York Liberty Selected as Most Likely Championship Game of 
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Presented by Coinbase – 
NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 – Reigning Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was selected as the player most likely to win the MVP honor this season, according to the 2026 WNBA GM Survey, which asked the WNBA’s 15 general managers to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more, prior to tip-off of the league’s 30th season. The Wilson-led Aces were also named the favorite to repeat as WNBA champions. 
WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax begins on Friday, May 8 with three games on ION, highlighted by the inaugural game for the Toronto Tempo, which hosts the Washington Mystics (7:30 p.m. ET). The action continues Saturday with an ABC doubleheader featuring the Dallas Wings visiting the Indiana Fever (1 p.m. ET) and the Aces hosting the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals (3:30 p.m. ET).
The complete results of the 21st WNBA GM Survey were posted today at  <a href="https://wnba.com/news/2026-wnba-gm-survey-release">WNBA.com</a>. The GMs responded to 42 questions and were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question.
Wilson, who last season led Las Vegas to its third WNBA championship in four years while earning a record fourth Kia WNBA MVP Award, received 60 percent of the MVP votes from the GMs. Two-time Kia WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty was next with 27 percent, followed by the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray with 7 percent each.
Wilson was also named the league’s best leader (79 percent), best interior defender (73 percent), best overall defensive player (53 percent) and the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (60 percent). In addition, she shared the top spot with Aces teammate Chelsea Gray as the player the general managers would trust most to take a game-winning shot (36 percent each).
Las Vegas’ Gray was the choice as the league’s best point guard (73 percent), followed by Clark (20 percent). In addition, the general managers viewed Gray as the best passer (93 percent), the player with the best basketball IQ (93 percent) and the active player who will make the best head coach someday (50 percent).
The Aces received 40 percent of the votes as the team most likely to win the WNBA championship. New York finished second (33 percent), and Atlanta ranked third (27 percent).
The GMs also chose the Aces vs. the Liberty as the most likely matchup (43 percent) in the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase. Las Vegas vs. Atlanta was viewed as the second most likely matchup (29 percent).
Reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers of Dallas received 33 percent of the votes as the player the GMs would choose to build around if starting a franchise today. Clark and Wilson tied for second (20 percent each).
The Wings, who selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY and signed 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith as a free agent, were selected as the most improved team (67 percent), followed by the Chicago Sky (20 percent) and the Los Angeles Sparks (13 percent). In addition, Dallas was viewed as the team that will be the most fun to watch (36 percent), followed by Atlanta and Indiana (29 percent each).
Two-time All-Star Angel Reese, acquired by the Dream in an offseason trade with Chicago, and 2025 All-Star Gabby Williams, who signed with the Golden State Valkyries as a free agent, shared the top spot as the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact this season. Reese and Williams each received 27 percent of the vote, followed by 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who returned to the Sparks as a free agent (20 percent).
Olivia Miles, who was selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY, received 73 percent of the vote as the player most likely to win the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, followed by Fudd (20 percent). No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam of the Seattle Storm was viewed as the rookie who will be the best player in five years (67 percent), and Miles finished second (33 percent).
Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve was the top choice in multiple coaching categories. Reeve earned 53 percent of the votes as the league’s best head coach, topping Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon (40 percent). Reeve also was viewed as the coach who makes the best in-game adjustments (50 percent), with Hammon in second place (36 percent). Hammon was named the head coach who is the best manager/motivator of people (43 percent), followed by Golden State’s Natalie Nakase, Indiana’s Stephanie White and Phoenix’s Nate Tibbetts (14 percent each).
Among the other highlights from the 2026 WNBA GM Survey:
<ul>
<li>The signing of 2023 All-Star and Kia WNBA Most Improved Player Satou Sabally with New York as a free agent was seen as the most surprising move of the offseason (23 percent), followed by Atlanta’s acquisition of Reese and Dallas’ signing of Smith (15 percent each).</li>
<li>Five-time All-Star Jonquel Jones of New York was voted as the league’s best international player (33 percent), followed by Janelle Salaün, a 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team selection with Golden State (20 percent).</li>
<li>France was the unanimous choice as the country (outside of the U.S.) producing the best WNBA talent right now.</li>
<li>Dallas and Seattle shared the top spot as the team with the most promising young core of talent (31 percent each), followed by Washington (23 percent).</li>
<li>Sue Bird, a 13-time All-Star, received the most votes as the retired player not coaching in the WNBA who should be (36 percent). Seimone Augustus, Candace Parker and Katie Smith tied for second (14 percent each).</li>
<li>Golden State was voted as having the best home-court advantage (64 percent). Indiana ranked second (21 percent), and New York was third (14 percent).</li>
<li>The GMs viewed the implementation of developmental players onto rosters as the change to league operations in 2026 that will require the biggest adjustment (42 percent), followed by the addition of the Tempo and Portland Fire as expansion teams (25 percent).</li>
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2026-wnba-gm-survey-release

2026 WNBA GM Survey: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Favored For Kia WNBA MVP; Aces Voted to Win League Championship

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The WNBA is stepping into a defining new era. From A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to a wave of generational talent across every draft class, the league’s depth continues to grow entering its 30th year. With expansion underway and <a href="http://wnba.com/news/wnba-wnbpa-tentative-cba-deal-2026">a new Collective Bargaining Agreement</a> set to take effect, the annual General Manager Survey offers a snapshot of a league already in motion.
The rise of second-year guard Paige Bueckers has the Dallas Wings selected as the most fun team to watch and most improved entering 2026, with Bueckers also the top choice among general managers as the player to sign when building a franchise.
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wilson-2025-mvp">Reigning MVP Wilson</a> is predicted to dominate once again and is the top choice to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/las-vegas-aces-finals-accolades-2025">defending champion</a> Las Vegas Aces are also favored to repeat as Finals winners.
Following a whirlwind offseason marked by significant player movement, Gabby Williams (Golden State) and Angel Reese (Atlanta) are named the two most impactful offseason acquisitions, while the Valkyries and the Dream were voted the top defensive teams, respectively.
Elsewhere on the survey, the effects of the new CBA are already shaping roster construction, and GMs identify the addition of two developmental roster spots as the biggest adjustment heading into this season.
WNBA GMs responded to 42 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 15 GMs.
&gt;&gt;The results of last year’s GM Survey are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-wnba-gm-survey">here</a>.
<hr />
<h3>PREDICTIONS</h3>
Which team will win the 2026 WNBA Finals? 
1. Las Vegas – 40% 
2. New York – 33% 
3. Atlanta – 27% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 60%
<hr />
<h3>PLAYERS</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA MVP? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving: Caitlin Clark (IND); Allisha Gray (ATL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 67%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be? 
1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 33% 
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 20% 
3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Breanna Stewart (NYL); Napheesa Collier (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark – 50%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark (IND); Napheesa Collier (MIN); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); 
Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 33%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season? 
T-1. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
T-1. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Julie Allemand (TOR); Cameron Brink (LAS); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Kennedy Burke (CON); Veronica Burton (GSV); Rhyne Howard (ATL); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Leila Lacan (CON); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Satou Sabally – 20%
Who is the best point guard in the WNBA? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
3. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 7% 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark and Chelsea Gray &#8212; 50%
Who is the best shooting guard in the WNBA? 
1. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 27% 
2. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 20% 
T-3. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana – 13% 
T-3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 13% 
T-3. Allisha Gray, Atlanta – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Kelsey Plum (LVA); Kayla McBride (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark &#8211; 33%
Who is the best forward in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 47% 
T-2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 27% 
T-2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 33%
Who is the best center in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 57% 
2. Jonquel Jones, New York – 21% 
3. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 14% 
4. Brionna Jones, Atlanta – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 50%
<hr />
<h3>OFFSEASON</h3>
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? 
1. Dallas – 47% 
2. Atlanta – 33% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Chicago; Las Vegas; New York 
**Last year: Indiana – 64%
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact? 
T-1. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 27% 
T-1. Gabby Williams, Golden State 27% 
3. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles – 20% 
4. Satou Sabally, New York – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Marina Mabrey (TOR); Skylar Diggins (CHI) 
**Last year: Alyssa Thomas – 50%
What was the most underrated player acquisition? 
T-1. Ariel Atkins, Los Angeles – 21% 
T-1. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 21% 
3. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Pauline Astier (NYL); Monique Billings (IND); Kennedy Burke (CON); Nneka Ogwumike (LAS); Nyara Sabally (TOR); Erica Wheeler (LAS) 
**Last year: Sophie Cunningham, Ariel Atkins and DiJonai Carrington – 17%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason? 
1. Satou Sabally, New York &#8211; 23% 
T-2. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 15% 
T-2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Bridget Carleton (POR); Skylar Diggins (CHI); Rickea Jackson (CHI); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Jacy Sheldon (CHI); Brittney Sykes (TOR) 
**Last year: DeWanna Bonner – 33%
Which team will be most improved in 2026? 
1. Dallas – 67% 
2. Chicago – 20% 
3. Los Angeles – 13% 
**Last year: Indiana – 42%
<hr />
<h3>ROOKIES + INTERNATIONAL</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year? 
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 73% 
2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas – 20% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 7% 
**Last year: Paige Bueckers – 73%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years? 
1. Awa Fam, Seattle – 67% 
2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 33% 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga – 60%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft? 
T-1. Nell Angloma, Connecticut – 21% 
T-1. Ta&#8217;Niya Latson, Los Angeles – 21% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Gianna Kneepkens (CON); Gabriela Jaquez (CHI); Cotie McMahon (WAS); Olivia Miles (MIN); Justine Pissott (IND); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga, Aaliyah Nye and Makayla Timpson &#8211; 20%
Who is the best international player in the WNBA? 
1. Jonquel Jones, New York – 33% 
2. Janelle Salaun, Golden State – 20% 
T-3. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Leonie Fiebich (NYL); Leïla Lacan (CON); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Jonquel Jones – 50%
Which country (outside of the U.S.) is producing the best WNBA talent right now? 
1. France – 100% 
**Last year: France – 80%
<hr />
<h3>DEFENSE</h3>
Who is the best defensive player in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 53% 
2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 20% 
3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Alanna Smith (DAL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 33%
Who is the best interior defender in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson– 67%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the WNBA? 
1. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 60% 
2. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 20% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Jordin Canada (ATL); Kahleah Copper (PHX) 
**Last year: DiJonai Carrington – 27%
Which team will be the best defensive team in the WNBA? 
1. Golden State – 50% 
2. Atlanta – 36% 
T-3. Indiana – 7% 
T-3. Minnesota – 7% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 73%
<hr />
<h3>COACHES</h3>
Who is the best head coach in the WNBA? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 53% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 40% 
3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 83%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people? 
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 43% 
T-2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 14% 
T-2. Stephanie White, Indiana – 14% 
T-2. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cheryl Reeve (MIN); Karl Smesko (ATL) 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 36%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 50% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 33% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State &#8211; 7% 
T-3. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 50%
Which head coach runs the best offense? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 33% 
2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 20% 
T-3. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 13% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 13% 
T-3. Karl Smesko, Atlanta – 13% 
6. Stephanie White, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve – 45%
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his/her new team? 
1. Sandy Brondello, Toronto – 71% 
2. Jose Fernandez, Dallas – 14% 
T-3. Sonia Raman, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Chris DeMarco, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Stephanie White – 50%
Who is the best assistant coach in the WNBA? 
1. Eric Thibault, Minnesota – 36% 
T-2. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix – 18% 
T-2. Briann January, Indiana – 18% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Olaf Lange (TOR); Brandi Poole (ATL); Roneeka Hodges (CON)
Which active player will make the best head coach someday? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 50% 
2. Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago – 17% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Allen (DAL); Veronica Burton (GSV); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Alyssa Thomas (PHX) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which retired player who isn’t already coaching in the W should be? 
1. Sue Bird – 36% 
T-2. Katie Smith – 14% 
T-2. Candace Parker – 14% 
T-2. Seimone Augustus – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Harding; Lisa Leslie; Diana Taurasi 
**Last year: Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Candice Dupree and Sue Bird – 18%
<hr />
<h3>MISCELLANEOUS</h3>
Which team will be the most fun to watch? 
1. Dallas – 36% 
T-2. Atlanta – 29% 
T-2. Indiana – 29% 
4. Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Indiana – 75%
Which team has the best home-court advantage? 
1. Golden State – 64% 
2. Indiana – 21% 
3. New York – 14% 
**Last year: New York – 50%
Which team has the most promising young core? 
T-1. Dallas – 31% 
T-1. Seattle – 31% 
3. Washington – 23% 
4. Indiana – 15% 
**Last year: Indiana – 50%
Which player is the most athletic? 
1. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 31% 
2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cameron Brink (LAS); Kahleah Copper (PHX); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); Saniya Rivers (CON); Gabby Williams (GSV); A&#8217;ja Wilson (LVA); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Kahleah Copper – 36%
Which player is the best passer? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 75%
Which player is the best leader? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 79% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Chelsea Gray (LVA); Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 42%
Who is the most versatile player in the WNBA? 
1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 36% 
T-2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 21% 
T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 21% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Allisha Gray (ATL); Satou Sabally (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 42%
Which player has the best basketball IQ? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line? 
T-1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 36% 
T-1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 36% 
3. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Paige Bueckers (DAL); Arike Ogunbowale (DAL) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 25%
Which 2 teams will lead their conference in the Commissioner’s Cup to reach the championship game? 
1. Las Vegas (West) vs. New York (East) – 43% 
2. Las Vegas (West) vs. Atlanta (East) – 29% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Las Vegas vs. Indiana; Phoenix vs. Atlanta; Dallas vs. New York; Los Angeles vs. New York 
**Last year: Minnesota (West) vs. New York (East) – 50%
Which change to the league this year will require the biggest adjustment? 
1. Development Player Spots – 42% 
2. New Expansion Teams – 25% 
3. New CBA – 17% 
4. World Cup Break – 8%

2026-wnba-gm-survey

2026 WNBA GM Survey: 42 Questions Ahead of the 30th Season

Canada

– Broadcast and Streaming Agreement Makes 
Bell Media the Official Media Partner of the Toronto Tempo – 
– TSN to Broadcast and Stream Toronto Tempo Games, Regular Season WNBA Games, 
Plus WNBA All-Star, Playoffs and Finals, and Draft – 
– CTV and Crave to Simulcast Select Toronto Tempo Games Throughout the Season – 
– Agreement Coincides with Milestone 30th Season, Canadian Expansion, and 
First Year of Transformational Collective Bargaining Agreement – 
TORONTO, May 5, 2026 – The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a historic multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginning with the upcoming 2026 season.
As part of the agreement, Bell Media becomes the official media partner of the Toronto Tempo, as TSN delivers comprehensive live coverage of the team, additional regular-season matchups from across the league, and the vast majority of marquee events such as WNBA All-Star, WNBA Playoffs, WNBA Finals, and WNBA Draft.  A select number of Tempo games will also air on CTV and stream on Crave through the live CTV channel, with the schedule to be announced later this season.
The WNBA schedule on TSN is available <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/wnba/article/2025-wnba-on-tsn-schedule-2/">here</a>.
“The momentum around the WNBA in Canada is at an all-time high, and this partnership represents an important step in providing fans in Canada with unprecedented access to their favorite teams and players at a historic time of the first ever Canadian team in the WNBA,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison.  “TSN shares our commitment to providing fans with best-in-class coverage that will elevate the WNBA and women’s basketball in Canada.”
“With a generation of exciting new stars, the growth of the WNBA continues to be simply phenomenal. It’s an honour for TSN to showcase the country’s first WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo, for years to come,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice President, Bell Media Sports.  “As the home of basketball in Canada with a wide-ranging portfolio of women’s sports coverage, this partnership is an ideal fit for the TSN audience.  We can’t wait to shine the national spotlight on the incredible athletes taking flight in the WNBA.”
Canadian viewership of the 2026 WNBA Draft (April 13) on TSN was up 172% vs. the 2025 WNBA Draft.  The WNBA has hosted two sold-out preseason games (Toronto, 2023 and Edmonton, 2024) and hosted the first regular season game held outside of the U.S. (Vancouver, 2025).  Canada is home to the first WNBA team based outside the U.S., the Toronto Tempo, tipping on Friday, May 8th.  Prime Video’s slate of Tempo and additional WNBA games available in Canada were previously announced.
Fans of the WNBA in Canada can follow the league’s first international social media accounts (@WNBACanada) on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wnbacanada">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wnbacanada">Instagram</a>.  Official NBA and WNBA merchandise is available in Canada at <a href="https://www.nbastore.ca/en/">NBAStore.ca</a>.
The WNBA’s 30th regular season will tip off on Friday, May 8 and conclude on Thursday, September 24, with each team playing 44 games. The WNBA Playoffs presented by Google will begin on Sunday, September 27, culminating with the best-of-seven WNBA Finals.
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wnba-canadian-media-rights-bell-media

WNBA Announces Historic Canadian Media Rights Agreement with Bell Media

Preseason 2026

The countdown is on. The 30th WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 8.
After a whirlwind month that saw the <a href="https://www.wnba.com/expansion-draft-2026">expansion draft</a> for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo ahead of their inaugural seasons, the <a href="https://www.wnba.com/draft/2026">college draft</a> headlined by Azzi Fudd at No. 1 and a record six UCLA Bruins selected, a <a href="https://www.wnba.com/freeagency26">free agency storm</a> that saw some marquee players find new homes, while others decided to run it back, 15 training camps, and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/preseason-2026-rapid-reactions">18 preseason games</a>, the third decade of WNBA hoops is upon us.
Before rosters are finalized on Thursday (May 7 at 5 p.m. ET) and the regular season opens on May 8 with a triple-header on ION, here’s a look at how the teams stack up against one another entering the season.
<hr />
<h2>1. Las Vegas Aces</h2>
<div id="attachment_259864" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259864" class="wp-image-259864" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272815523-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces</div>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 1</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1</li>
</ul>
Since our <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2026-power-rankings-offseason-moves">offseason rankings</a> on April 15, the defending champion Aces made it official and re-signed the league’s only four-time MVP A’ja Wilson to a multi-year deal. With the core of their championship squad intact, plus some additional depth with the additions of Chennedy Carter, Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner, the Aces open at the top of these rankings until a team knocks them off on the court.
<hr />
<h2>2. New York Liberty</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 2</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1</li>
</ul>
Three key events went down with the Liberty since our last rankings: (1) they officially re-signed the trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones; (2) they added three-time All-Star Satou Sabally to the roster; (3) Ionescu went down during the Liberty’s preseason finale on Sunday and is set for an MRI on Monday. Assuming this is not a long-term injury that sidelines Ionescu for significant time, the Liberty’s talent and depth keep them at No. 2.
<hr />
<h2>3. Indiana Fever</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 2-1 </li>
</ul>
While we can’t glean too much from preseason games, the fact that Caitlin Clark appeared in all three of the Fever’s tune-ups is a welcome sight for Indiana fans after the 2024 Rookie of the Year was limited to just 13 games last season. With a healthy Clark playing alongside fellow All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, Indy will look to build on last season’s playoff run and emerge as a title contender.
<hr />
<h2>4. Atlanta Dream</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1 </li>
</ul>
Shortly after our offseason rankings, which touted Atlanta having four 2025 All-Stars, one of those stars, Brionna Jones, underwent knee surgery, which will delay the start of her 2026 season, with no concrete timetable announced for her return. The Dream still have loads of talent on the roster, particularly with the addition of Angel Reese, but will miss Jones’ inside presence on both ends of the court as they open the 2026 campaign.
<hr />
<h2>5. Dallas Wings</h2>
<div id="attachment_259863" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259863" class="wp-image-259863" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="548" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-768x526.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-1536x1052.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273896987-2048x1403.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Azzi Fudd #35 of the Dallas Wings</div>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 2-0</li>
</ul>
Before the Wings visit the Fever to open their 2026 season Saturday on ABC, Dallas picked up preseason wins over both Indiana and Las Vegas this past week. Paige Bueckers looked incredibly sharp in her limited minutes, averaging 15.5 points and six assists while shooting 5-for-7 from 3-point range. However, Azzi Fudd, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, got off to a slower start, averaging eight points while shooting 1-for-7 from deep. Meanwhile, the Wings recently got Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard back from overseas commitments as the season draws near.
<hr />
<h2>6. Phoenix Mercury</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 7</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 2-0</li>
</ul>
Unlike last season, the Mercury will open their 2026 campaign with a healthy Kahleah Cooper, who averaged 18 points in 18.7 minutes per game in two preseason contests. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas is already filling box scores in the preseason as she gets set to start her second season in Phoenix, still chasing that elusive first WNBA title after her third Finals appearance last season.
<hr />
<h2>7. Los Angeles Sparks</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 6</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 2-0 </li>
</ul>
Last season, the Sparks allowed more points than any team, with opponents averaging a league-high 88.2 points per game. In their two preseason games (against the expansion Tempo and the Nigerian National Team), the Sparks allowed a league-low 69.0 points per game. Of course, this is simply two preseason games, but with a healthy Cameron Brink, the addition of Ariel Atkins, and the return of Nneka Ogwumike, the Sparks defense should be improved this season.
<hr />
<h2>8. Minnesota Lynx</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 5</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 3-0</li>
</ul>
Among last year’s title contenders, no team saw more roster turnover this offseason than the Lynx. Three key players return in Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier, who signed a one-year deal to return to Minnesota after last year’s MVP runner-up finish. However, Collier’s debut will be delayed as she continues to recover from offseason surgery on both ankles. How long she is out, and how well the new pieces fit early, will be key to determining Minnesota’s success.
<hr />
<h2>9. Golden State Valkyries</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 9</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-0</li>
</ul>
Can the Valkyries pick up where last season’s record-breaking inaugural campaign left off? Reigning Most Improved Player Veronica Burton looks ready to make that happen, dropping 14 points with four 3-pointers in Golden State’s lone preseason game — a win over Seattle on April 25. One former Storm player, Gabby Williams, did not appear in that game as the Valkyries’ top free agent addition is listed as day-to-day. Golden State visits Seattle opening night, giving Williams a chance to debut with her new team against her former squad. 
<hr />
<h2>10. Chicago Sky</h2>
<div id="attachment_259865" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259865" class="wp-image-259865" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272535102-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Rickea Jackson #5 of the Chicago Sky</div>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 0-2</li>
</ul>
The Sky acquired a number of new players over the offseason via trades, free agency, and the draft. However, in the preseason, we only saw Skylar Diggins (for 14 minutes), Rickea Jackson, and first-round pick Gabriela Jaquez on the floor. Meanwhile, DiJonai Carrington, Azurá Stevens, Elizabeth Williams, and Courtney Vandersloot all remain sidelined. How long will it take before this new-look roster comes together and allows the players to build some on-court chemistry this season?
<hr />
<h2>11. Seattle Storm</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 12</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1</li>
</ul>
On draft night, the Storm selected center Awa Fam with the No. 3 overall pick to join Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga in forming a formidable frontline. Then, they acquired No. 8 pick Flau’jae Johnson from Golden State to add an athletic two-way wing to the mix. Johnson thrived in her preseason debut, scoring 20 points in just 19 minutes, giving Storm fans a glimpse of what could come this season. While Seattle added some veterans to help fill the void left by three departing All-Stars, the development of young talent will be key to a successful season. 
<hr />
<h2>12. Washington Mystics</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 11</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1</li>
</ul>
A look at Washington’s roster shows only two players with more than a year of WNBA experience — Michaela Onyenwere (five seasons) and Shakira Austin (four seasons). The rest of the squad is packed with rookies and sophomores as the Mystics’ rebuild with young talent continues. A year ago, their two lottery picks — Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen — earned All-Star honors as rookies. Can this year’s lottery pick, No. 4 Lauren Betts, repeat that feat? And how competitive can this young roster be as the season gets underway?
<hr />
<h2>13. Connecticut Sun</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 13</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 1-1</li>
</ul>
The Sun open the 2026 campaign in an odd spot. While this will be the team’s final season in Connecticut, the Sun feature a roster loaded with young players built toward a future in Houston. However, with the additions of Brittney Griner, Diamond Miller, and Kennedy Burke, the Sun look to improve on last season’s 11-33 campaign and go out on a high note.
<hr />
<h2>14. Toronto Tempo</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 14</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 0-2</li>
</ul>
A season ago, the Golden State Valkyries set a new standard for expansion success. Can the Tempo find similar success in their inaugural season? With two-time WNBA champion coach Sandy Brondello at the helm and a number of veterans for her to lean on – including Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, and Kia Nurse – the Tempo could be competitive early this season. But for now, the expansion teams will begin at the bottom of the rankings and work their way up – similar to what Golden State did last season.
<hr />
<h2>15. Portland Fire</h2>
<div id="attachment_259862" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259862" class="wp-image-259862" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273878644-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Nyadiew Puoch #13 of the Portland Fire</div>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Previous Ranking: 15</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Preseason Record: 0-2</li>
</ul>
Similar to the Tempo, the Portland Fire are a bit of a mystery as the season gets set to open. Following their first two preseason games, the Fire are the only team ranked in the bottom five in both points scored and points allowed, as they were hampered by slow starts. Can they change that on Saturday, when they welcome the Sky to the Fire Pit for the first WNBA game in Portland since 2002?

WNBA_Preason Logo_NoPartner_CMYK_onDrkBgd

2026-power-rankings-preseason

2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Preseason

The WNBA preseason is an excellent time for all 15 teams to figure out what’s working for their rosters, and what’s not. With significant turnover in free agency and a whirlwind draft season, all teams are experiencing some growing pains. Preseason ball helps iron out those pains. 
With each team having already played one game in preseason so far, we’re going to take a look at some key moments that stood out from each team’s debut. 
<hr />
<h2>Atlanta Dream</h2>
<div id="attachment_259715" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259715" class="wp-image-259715" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273777985-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream</div>
The concept of positionless basketball was taken to an extreme in Atlanta’s first preseason game. Head coach Karl Smesko told reporters after the game that he hadn’t called any plays throughout the contest, specifically to see how well newly acquired forward Angel Reese would fare on the floor with her new teammates. 
The results? Pretty great, all things considered. Reese finished up with eight points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists in her first game against her former team. 
The Dream have one of the most versatile rosters in the league, with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Grey always a threat on all three levels, and now with Reese in the fold as a defensive threat in the paint. We got a nice glimpse into how she’ll fit into the mix in Smesko’s three-point-heavy offense, and it’s clear that Reese and Smesko have some room to grow in their partnership headed into the regular season. 
<hr />
<h2>Chicago Sky</h2>
The Sky had some major turnover this offseason, trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream and adding veteran leadership in free agency. Skylar Diggins, Dijonai Carrington, and Azurá Stevens highlight that group. 
 
However, it was the Sky’s top pick from the 2024 draft, Kamilla Cardoso, who really shined in Chicago’s first game. 
It was clear from tip-off that Chicago’s intention on offense this preseason, and potentially for their regular season, is to get Cardoso involved in plenty of actions alongside Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson, and basically any other ball handler equipped to feed Cardoso in the post. 
She’s become the nucleus for the Sky’s offense with Reese now gone, and Chicago’s offense looked a lot more open than in 2025 with Diggins and Cardoso working in the pick and roll together. With improved shooting around Cardoso, Chicago already looks like a sleeping giant ahead of the 2026 regular season. 
<hr />
<h2>Connecticut Sun</h2>
Connecticut had a quietly great offseason, acquiring Brittney Griner in free agency in addition to trading for Diamond Miller, who has bounced around the league since getting drafted second overall in 2023. Miller, specifically, looked very solid in her limited time on the court. Her eight points and three assists came thanks to her rim running, which could work very well alongside new acquisition Kennedy Burke &#8211; kick-outs to Burke for three pointers could become a staple in this offense. 
Speaking of, Burke was another standout from the Sun’s preseason debut. The former New York Liberty sharpshooter and 2026 EuroCup Finals MVP had 13 points on 60 percent shooting from three-point range and 62.5 percent shooting from the field overall. Connecticut has a plethora of players who can make you pay in the paint &#8211; Griner, Miller, Saniya Rivers, and Aneesah Morrow, to name a few. So, it was huge for them to add a legitimate three-point shooting threat like Burke to their roster. So far, that signing looks great. 
<hr />
<h2>Dallas Wings</h2>
The Wings’ first preseason game came against the Fever, so it was an impromptu battle between No. 1 overall picks Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Caitlin Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell. The victor was anyone watching the battle between Clark and Bueckers throughout the game. 
Bueckers, especially, brought life to the Wings throughout the entire game. She finished up with 20 points on 8-12 shooting, as well as three assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Bueckers is looking ready for a huge sophomore leap. 
And, for all the hype around the Wings’ acquisitions this offseason, two members of their 2025 roster were players that stood out around Bueckers &#8211; Maddy Siegrist and Aziaha James. Both were confident with their shot-taking and were helpful in pushing the pace for Dallas and Bueckers. They’re suddenly looking like a huge part of the young core growing around Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. 
<hr />
<h2>Golden State Valkyries</h2>
Golden State seems ready to build off an impressive 2025 campaign, all thanks to a ridiculous preseason debut from Veronica Burton. The 2025 Most Improved Player looks ready to leap right into All-WNBA conversations this season, especially if she can maintain her level of play from this first contest. Finishing up with 14 points on 4-7 three-point shooting, Burton looked like the leader for this Valkyries starting lineup. 
The rest of the squad also looked on point defensively, another piece of their 2025 success they’re surely looking to carry over into this year. Seattle shot just 39.1 percent from the field in this game, much thanks to the off-ball activity of Golden State’s defense. 
<hr />
<h2>Indiana Fever</h2>
<div id="attachment_259716" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259716" class="wp-image-259716" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2272549289-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />Raven Johnson #3 of the Indiana Fever</div>
The Fever are entering 2026 after dealing with a ridiculous amount of injuries to their starting lineup last year. Now fully healthy, it seems like Indiana is looking to capitalize on their biggest strength: a point guard who can push the ball in transition effectively. Caitlin Clark was looking to distribute a bit more in their opening contest against the New York Liberty, which helped players like Sophie Cunningham and Makayla Timpson get comfortable on offense. 
Defensively, though, one player stood out: rookie Raven Johnson. She was fighting over screens, acting as a rim protector on Liberty cuts, and overall being a pest in the halfcourt. That’s the kind of defensive impact that Indiana was missing last year, and it’s something that’ll greatly impact their bench, assuming she sticks on the roster. She finished up her debut with six points, eight assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. 
<hr />
<h2>Las Vegas Aces</h2>
Would this be a proper first game evaluation for the Las Vegas Aces without mentioning the play of Chennedy Carter? Probably not. 
Carter was sensational in her Aces debut, scoring 18 points in 19 minutes. She also had five rebounds, two assists, and a block. Her effectiveness in transition could be huge for an Aces bench that took half a season to gel in 2025. Las Vegas was one of the very few contenders to retool effectively in free agency, and Carter’s a huge piece of that retooling. Having her as a backup point guard is quite the luxury. 
<hr />
<h2>Los Angeles Sparks 
</h2>
After a 2025 season that left much to be desired defensively, the Sparks are coming into 2026 with a healthy Cameron Brink. That’s already a huge plus for their rim protection, as seen by her two blocks in 18 minutes on the floor. Another key contributor to their defense was Ariel Atkins, who was just acquired by Los Angeles in a player-for-player swap involving Rickea Jackson. 
 
Atkins had three steals and six defensive rebounds for the Sparks in her debut, immediately bringing the sort of pressure Los Angeles had been missing defensively all of 2025. Between that and her solid shooting, the Sparks might’ve found the perfect solution to their porous defense in Atkins. 
<hr />
<h2>Minnesota Lynx</h2>
We got a taste of the Lynx’s potential starting backcourt in Courtney Williams and Olivia Miles in their first preseason game. Miles’ speed and finishing were immediately on display in the 1st quarter of the Lynx’s win over the Mystics, and her work with the Lynx’s bigs gave viewers a small preview of how she and Napheesa Collier will work on the floor together. 
Another new acquisition for the Lynx, Nia Coffey, also looked great in limited action. The forward had five points, three blocks, and four rebounds in nearly 13 minutes played. With the departures of Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, Minnesota needs some help from a depleted forward room &#8211; and Coffey seems more than ready to provide that help and fill that gap. 
<hr />
<h2>New York Liberty</h2>
New York is one of those veteran-heavy teams that you just assume will figure things out by the time the regular season rolls around. Their opening lineup of Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Sabrina Ionescu, and Rebekah Gardner didn’t look very sharp in the first quarter, but settled in once they found some scoring behind Stewart and Jones. The team was without Satou Sabally in this first preseason contest, so it’s hard to say how they’ll look once their season tips off on May 8. 
However, their bench feels a little more set than their starting lineup, and two players that stood out for their impact on the floor in this game were Anneli Maley and Han Xu. Xu was not afraid to shoot, providing some decent backup minutes to Jones (although her work defensively doesn’t compare to Jones’ impact). As for Maley, she was just all over the place. Rebounding and distributing were her biggest positives in this game, as she finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 29 minutes. 
Deep teams go far in the postseason, so if the Liberty found key bench members in Xu and Maley, that’s already a great sign ahead of a highly anticipated season. 
<hr />
<h2>Phoenix Mercury</h2>
In Phoenix’s first preseason game, one thing stood out: Kahleah Copper’s green light. 
Copper had 16 points in seven minutes in the first half, and she was far and away the Mercury’s biggest threat on all three levels. With Satou Sabally having left for the New York Liberty in free agency, Phoenix is back to relying a ton on Copper’s midrange and three-point shooting to generate offense in a pinch. She showed in this first preseason bout that she is more than capable of maintaining her hot shooting from last postseason. 
In addition to Copper, Natasha Mack and Alyssa Thomas both looked ready to go for Phoenix. All three were getting to the basket without hesitation, while Thomas looked comfortable in her rightful spot as floor general for the Mercury. She finished up with a team-high eight assists. Phoenix’s chemistry will be one of their strongest qualities in 2026, with those three players from their 2025 Finals squad serving as hubs for the team.  
<hr />
<h2>Portland Fire</h2>
The Fire got some incredible contributions from their international players, with Luisa Geiselsöder, Carla Leite, and Nyadiew Puoch all impressing in their minutes for Portland. Geiselsöder was especially electric, hitting 50 percent of her three-point attempts and shooting 60 percent from the field overall. 
Puoch and Leite took a bit longer to get going, but both finished up with stuffed stat sheets. Puoch’s defense was on immediate display in the Fire’s preseason debut, adding three rebounds, two steals, and a block. Leite, who endeared herself to Golden State Valkyries fans last season thanks to her relentless style of play, finished up with 12 points, five assists, and two rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field. 
These players’ efforts, in addition to the solid team defense from the entire Fire squad, have definitely helped to show that the Fire aren’t going to be an easy out in any game this season. 
<hr />
<h2>Seattle Storm</h2>
<div id="attachment_259717" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-259717" class="wp-image-259717" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/GettyImages-2273794102-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />Flau&#8217;jae Johnson #4 of the Seattle Storm</div>
The Storm boast a frontcourt that should terrify the entire WNBA. Dominique Malonga, Ezi Magbegor, and now Awa Fam Thiam will all be a part of Seattle’s rebuild, and what incredible players to have leading that effort. 
However, it wasn’t Seattle’s frontcourt that stood out in their preseason debut &#8211; it was their guard room. Rookie Flau’jae Johnson, probably the surprise of no one who’s followed her career at LSU, didn’t look scared of the moment in her own debut. She had 20 points in 19 minutes on 5-12 shooting from the field, coupled with three rebounds and an assist. Lexie Brown contributed significant minutes for the Storm, with her three steals and six rebounds providing strong defensive pressure for Seattle. Zia Cooke, following an excellent season with Athletes Unlimited’s basketball league, contributed 19 points in 18 minutes. 
The Storm might be in a rebuild on paper, but their current roster &#8211; stacked with veteran guard talent and ascending stars &#8211; seems to say otherwise. 
<hr />
<h2>Toronto Tempo</h2>
The Tempo’s home debut did not disappoint. Their first preseason game came with a loss, but there were plenty of highlight-worthy moments to build off of from that contest. Lexi Held, who was taken by the Tempo during the expansion draft, had the biggest performance of the night &#8211; 21 points on 62.5 percent shooting from three-point range, in addition to two steals, two assists, and a block. She clearly hasn’t missed a step since her breakout season with the Phoenix Mercury in 2025. 
Sharpshooting across the board doesn’t seem like it’ll be an issue for Toronto this season. Held, Aaliyah Nye, Kiki Rice, and soon, Marina Mabrey, will all be threats from long range for head coach Sandy Brondello’s offense. That should go a long way towards getting bigs like Temi Fagbenle and Nyara Sabally comfortable with the team. 
<hr />
<h2>Washington Mystics</h2>
The Mystics turned heads in this year’s draft, taking an exorbitant amount of bigs rather than focusing on a position of need, guard. After trading Jacy Sheldon to the Chicago Sky this offseason, it felt like a no-brainer that they’d focus on a fairly good guard class in this draft. Instead, they took three standout bigs in the first round: Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić, and Cotie McMahon.
There might’ve been some concern about how these pieces would fit into the Mystics’ roster prior to their first preseason game, but after, it’s very clear that they hit on all three selections. Betts was a defensive force in the paint, picking up a block, steal, and three defensive rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor. McMahon was the exact tweener guard-forward that Washington’s been missing from their depth chart, providing rim pressure in transition and picking up two steals. 
The Mystics are still missing some pop from three-point range, but they likely hope to get that from McMahon and Dugalić once they settle into their roles in the WNBA.

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Rapid Reactions: How All 15 Teams Fared in Preseason Debuts

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. 
&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.
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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. 
&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. 
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2026 Previews: Every Preseason Game, On Us

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WNBA Statement on Tina Charles' Retirement

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