SB Nation's WNBA awards selections prioritize winning and representation from all eight playoff teams. A'ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers make the First Team, while the Second T…
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This week in WNBA · updated Sun Sep 20 2026
This week in the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream faced a major setback as center Brionna Jones was ruled out for the season with a leg injury, leaving the team to lean heavily on Angel Reese, whose defensive dominance has made her the clear favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Golden State's Janelle Salaun emerged as the leading candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, thanks to her scoring and efficiency off the bench. Off the court, the league grappled with a compressed schedule as players returned from the World Cup with little rest before the playoff sprint, while the ongoing search for a new commissioner drew criticism from players like Sophie Cunningham, who stressed the need for leadership that addresses their concerns.
AI-written weekly briefing drawn from this topic's recent stories.
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SB Nation Names All-WNBA Teams: Wilson, Miles, Clark Lead First Team
WNBA All-Rookie Team Picks: Miles, Fudd Headline Five Selections
A WNBA award voter selected five rookies for the All-Rookie team, with Olivia Miles and Azzi Fudd as obvious choices. Miles leads all rookies in points and assists, while Fudd impressed before a knee injury ended her sea…
WNBA Fans Question Flagrant Call on Ionescu's Elbow
During a game between the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream, Sabrina Ionescu received a Flagrant 1 foul after her elbow accidentally struck Angel Reese in the face. Fans criticized the call, arguing it was unintentional…
Connecticut's major-league prospects after Sun departure
The Connecticut Sun's exit has sparked debate about the state's ability to host another major-league franchise. Economists and experts say it's not out of the question, though significant hurdles remain.
SB Nation's WNBA Most Improved Player vote goes to Carla Leite of Portland Fire
The author considered three candidates for the WNBA Most Improved Player award: Shakira Austin, Jessica Shepard, and Carla Leite. After weighing their statistical jumps and overall impact, the author selected Leite as th…
Nakase's defensive masterclass puts her atop WNBA Coach of the Year race again
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has guided her team to the second-best record in the WNBA at 31-12, with the league's best defensive rating and point differential. Her squad leads the league in fewest po…
Fever coach praises Cunningham's bounce-back performance in win over Lynx
Stephanie White highlighted Sophie Cunningham's improved play after a scoreless outing against the Mystics. Cunningham contributed effectively in the Fever's victory over Minnesota. White noted specific aspects of her ga…
Lynx fall to Fever without Miles, still control top seed destiny
Minnesota lost to Indiana without Olivia Miles, leaving the Lynx needing a win in the rematch to secure the No. 1 seed. The two teams will meet again to close the regular season, with postseason positioning on the line.
Unrivaled 3-on-3 League Adds Houston Stop to Winter Tour
The Unrivaled women's basketball league, featuring many top players, will bring its 3-on-3 competition to Houston in February as part of a nationwide tour. The announcement adds another city to the league's schedule for …
Dream's Brionna Jones Sidelined for Season with Leg Injury
Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones will miss the remainder of the WNBA season due to a left leg injury sustained in August. Jones had already missed time earlier this year after knee surgery, appearing in only nine games…
Valkyries' Janelle Salaun Stands Out as WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Favorite
Janelle Salaun has been a dominant bench contributor for the Golden State Valkyries, averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting 39.7% from three-point range. She ranks second among WNBA bench players in plus-minus and…
Angel Reese's defensive dominance makes her the clear DPOY pick
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese has transformed her team's defense, with the best defensive rating differential in the WNBA at -15.1. Her impact is visible both in the eye test and advanced analytics, making her the de…
WNBA Faces Tight Turnaround for Players Returning from World Cup
Dozens of WNBA players have only a few days to recover from the World Cup before the league's four-game sprint to the playoffs. This compressed schedule highlights a significant logistical challenge for the league. The a…
Sophie Cunningham Voices Concerns About WNBA Leadership Search
As the WNBA searches for a new commissioner during a period of record growth, player Sophie Cunningham has expressed strong opinions about the leadership needed. She emphasizes that the next commissioner must address pla…
Whitlock Urges Fever Coach to Replicate Team USA Success
Jason Whitlock has criticized Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White for her behavior, suggesting she should bring the same approach she used with Team USA to the WNBA. White faced criticism for her handling of players…
Cowherd likens Clark to Jordan, Curry, and Bird
Sports commentator Colin Cowherd compared Caitlin Clark's rise, playing style, and demeanor to three NBA legends. He sees her as a transformative figure in basketball.
Storm's Magbegor Tears ACL, Out for World Cup and WNBA Season
Ezi Magbegor, captain of Australia's national team, suffered a torn ACL during Wednesday's World Cup match against Italy. The Seattle Storm announced the injury, ruling her out for the rest of the tournament and the upco…
Liberty's Johannes Steps Up for France at FIBA World Cup
Marine Johannes has been a consistent scorer for France, tallying 17 points in each group game and adding 15 in the quarterfinal win over China. She is shooting 54% from the field and 48.5% from three through four games,…
Clark and Reese shine as Team USA cruises past Hungary in World Cup quarterfinal
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showcased their growing on-court chemistry in Team USA's 108-56 quarterfinal win over Hungary at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Clark contributed 10 points and 9 assists, while Reese…
WNBA Analyst Questions Team USA's Point Guard Choice at World Cup
Sports Illustrated's Robin Lundberg has publicly criticized Team USA's starting lineup and rotations at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, despite the team sweeping the group stage. He specifically questioned co…
U.S. women's basketball team rebounds with dominant win over Czechia at FIBA World Cup
The U.S. women's team beat Czechia 105-64 to improve to 3-0 in group play and advance directly to the quarterfinals. After a narrow 3-point win over Italy, they bounced back with a balanced scoring effort, with six playe…
Belgium Surprises as a Contender at FIBA Women's World Cup
Belgium improved to 3-0 in group play at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, defeating Australia 80-68. Emma Meesseman led with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Julie Vanloo added 12 points and 5 assists. …
FIBA Women's World Cup 2026: Complete Guide to Groups, Schedule, and Standings
The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup began in Berlin with 16 teams competing for the title. The United States, coached by Kara Lawson, features a mix of veterans and young stars, but will be without A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plu…
US Women's Basketball Advances Despite Offensive Struggles Against Italy
The United States women's basketball team narrowly defeated Italy 55-52 to secure a spot in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. However, the team shot just 29% from the field and committed more turnovers than assists, with…
Lynx add veteran guard Aari McDonald to bolster title push
The Minnesota Lynx have signed guard Aari McDonald, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 assists per game for Indiana last season before a broken foot ended her year. To make room, the Lynx waived Eliška Joklová. McDonald joi…