2026 WNBA season
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces retirement at end of 2026
A successor to Cathy Engelbert has not yet been named.
Engelbert oversaw the WNBA's expansion from 12 to 18 teams by 2030.
WNBA viewership has jumped roughly 454% and attendance has climbed about 70% since 2019.
“In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league's first commissioner and to lead a league with enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation. Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women's sports,”
Opinion: Cathy Engelbert's tenure as WNBA commissioner
The WNBA punished the Las Vegas Aces by taking away a first-round draft pick and suspending coach Becky Hammon for two games.
Sophie Cunningham called Engelbert a delusional leader in August.
Engelbert acknowledged that she needed to do better and rebuild trust with the players.
Caitlin Clark set for FIBA Women's World Cup debut after record-breaking August
The Indiana Fever went 7-4 in August, bringing their season record to 26-14.
Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Wintrust Arena in Chicago after an altercation involving Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
The Indiana Fever have four games remaining in their regular-season schedule after the international break.
WNBA star misses FIBA World Cup after passport lost in mail
Li Yueru said she was sad she would not be able to participate but was grateful for those who supported her and Chinese women's basketball.
Li Yueru is a 6-foot-7 center.
Li Yueru plays for the Dallas Wings.
Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever beat Connecticut before FIBA World Cup break
Kelsey Mitchell moved into the league lead in total points.
Connecticut led 28-19 after the first quarter.
The Fever outscored the Sun 39-15 in the second quarter.
Aliyah Boston discusses Caitlin Clark's viral smile at Angel Reese
The Indiana Fever return home Friday to face the Connecticut Sun.
Cameras captured Caitlin Clark smiling as Angel Reese reacted to a missed potential game-winning layup in the final seconds of regulation.
Boston said of the online reaction: 'peace, love and happiness. We will never be free!'
“... In real time you see nothing but we [the Fever] saw it after and I was like, ‘Here we go,’”
Sue Bird claims WNBA players wanted to 'shut up and dribble' despite 2020 political push
Sue Bird said WNBA players 'would have loved to shut up and dribble' on a recent episode of her podcast.
Kelly Loeffler was a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream and criticized the WNBA for dedicating its season to Black Lives Matter.
ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne said on Bird's podcast that the WNBA is 'a more willing participant' in political conversations.
“Our season was going to have to be played with social justice messages, on our jerseys, on the floor, forefront.”
Seattle Storm makes girl's dream come true
The Seattle Storm made a girl's dream become a reality.
The event was reported on August 27, 2026.
An eleven-year-old named Charlotte became a Seattle Storm player for the day with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ex-ESPN host Cindy Brunson comments on Caitlin Clark
Clark scored 37 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 8-of-12 from three-point range, and had 10 assists as the Fever defeated the Sky 113-90.
Brunson praised Angel Reese for breaking a WNBA rebounding record with 26 rebounds.
Clark recorded her fifth career 30-point, 10-assist game, giving her more such games than the rest of WNBA history combined.
Photo highlights physical toll on Caitlin Clark during WNBA season
Sophie Cunningham was known as Caitlin Clark's enforcer the previous summer.
Caitlin Clark scored 37 points and 10 assists in Indiana's win over Chicago.
Caitlin Clark was physically confronted by Alyssa Thomas earlier in the summer.
Angel Reese turns criticism into motivation for breakthrough
Sandy Brondello, head coach of the Toronto Tempo, was suspended for one game for calling Angel Reese a "protected species".
Angel Reese scored a career-high 31 points in a game against Phoenix.
Angel Reese led LSU to an NCAA championship in 2023.
Angel Reese sets two WNBA rebounding records
Reese set the all-time WNBA record with 15 straight double-doubles while with Chicago in 2024.
Reese set a WNBA rookie record with 13.1 rebounds per game while with Chicago in 2024.
Reese surpassed A'Ja Wilson's single-season rebounding record of 451, which Wilson set in 2024.
Sarah Spain says WNBA players need real media coverage
Sarah Spain called Christine Brennan’s Caitlin Clark coverage a "dereliction of duties as a journalist."
The WNBA Players’ Association responded by calling for Christine Brennan to lose her access.
Sarah Spain moderated a panel at the WNBA’s All-Star Media & Innovation Summit.
Angel Reese breaks WNBA rebounding records in Dream win
The Dream's win on Monday completed a 4-0 West Coast trip for the team.
Angel Reese secured her WNBA-leading 27th double-double of the season on a basket with 13.9 seconds left in the game.
Angel Reese is 24 years old.
Caitlin Clark scores 37 as Fever beat Sky 113-90
Chicago has been eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 15-23.
Indiana has clinched a playoff spot with a 25-14 record.
DiJonai Carrington had seven points in 18 minutes for the Sky.
Caitlin Clark scores 37 as Indiana Fever beat Chicago Sky 113-110
Kelsey Mitchell scored 30 points in the game.
The Fever had lost two consecutive games before this victory.
Natasha Cloud had 16 points and seven assists for Chicago.
Seattle Storm vs Dallas Wings WNBA prediction
The Dallas Wings have a season record of 21-16.
The Seattle Storm and the Dallas Wings are scheduled to meet on Sunday in WNBA action at the College Park Center.
Jessica Shepard is the only player in the league to have recorded 20 or more rebounds in a single game this season.
Enes Kanter Freedom confronts hostile WNBA fans at Sky-Fever game
Cloud did not speak at the Sky's postgame media availability.
Cloud posted a pro-trans message on Threads after the game.
Azura Stevens told reporters the security handled the fan incident and that the team would focus on the game.
“I'm not breaking any rules here. I know the rules really well.”
New York Liberty defeats Indiana Fever despite strong performances from Clark, Boston, and Mitchell
Kelsey Mitchell finished the game with 25 points for the Fever.
Leonie Fiebich returned from a foot injury to play her first game for New York in nearly six weeks.
The New York Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever 109-102 on Saturday night.
Spectator Alleges New York Liberty Censored Paid Scoreboard Message
The Liberty sales team wrote in an email that their scoreboard messages are limited to positive, celebratory content.
Potter submitted the message: "Thank you Jennifer Sey! XX-XY Athletics will Save the Day!!"
The New York Liberty refunded Julie Potter after the team attempted to alter her paid scoreboard message thanking Jennifer Sey and XX-XY Athletics.
“I'd love to go to a Fever game. They gonna make the playoffs, you know? Yeah, I'm already planning on it. I know they've got some great games in September, so yeah, my money shall be directed to where it is welcomed. And if they have a scoreboard, and I can put it up, and Jen gets to roll, I will,”
Commentary on Media Coverage Surrounding Sophie Cunningham and Transgender Athlete Debates
Chicago Sky player DiJonai Carrington was ejected from a game after an incident involving Sophie Cunningham.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced a task force of team executives to discuss transgender participation in the league.
The WNBA suspended Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after she yelled at two girls who supported Sophie Cunningham.
“And you said it yourself, the WNBA has never had a known transgender player. Now, the task force just cannot unilaterally announce they're going to change eligibility because this is collectively bargained with the players' union, so they can study the question on transgender players, but they can't hand down a new rule. Their statement was very pointed this week, denouncing bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean and marginalize others. They're very clearly frustrated, Eyder, at being pulled into this.”
WNBA Commissioner Addresses Transgender Inclusion Debate
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, stating they identify as women.
The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement specifies that only players who are women are eligible to compete in the league.
Cathy Engelbert stated that people are attempting to use the WNBA as a political football despite never having watched, written about, or reported on the league.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Alliance Defending Freedom Sends Letter to WNBA Concerning Fan Treatment
The WNBA fined Seattle Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton and barred her from attending the team's next five home games.
A third fan wearing a shirt supporting transgender rights was told to cover it during the August 16 game in Atlanta.
Alliance Defending Freedom sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert following incidents involving Sophie Cunningham supporters at games in Seattle and Atlanta.
“I think it’s absolutely a first step for the WNBA to say at least that they don’t stand behind what happened in those incidents, but the fact that after the first time they, you know, they said that they didn’t stand behind the co-owner’s berating of the teenage girls, but then again a few weeks later a similar incident occurred shows that more needs to be done,”
WNBA Commissioner Addresses Debate Surrounding Transgender Athletes
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve stated on August 1 that trans kids need to be protected and that sports participation is a human rights issue.
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, stating that they identify as women.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced people she said are trying to sow divisiveness amid a debate over transgender athletes.
“We’re being the center of political football for people who have never watched the WNBA, never have written about the WNBA or reported on the WNBA,”
Paige Bueckers draws foul on Caitlin Clark in Wings win over Fever
Arike Ogunbowale scored a team-best 32 points for Dallas, while Paige Bueckers recorded eight assists.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Paige Bueckers wrapped up Caitlin Clark's left arm to stop the possession before halftime.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 37 points, and Caitlin Clark recorded a team-high nine assists.
“She takes what the defense gives her; she doesn't force anything; she's smooth; she finds the open teammate. So she's just a really tough guard.”
WNBA coaches criticize Save Women's Sports movement at rally protest
“I have said this before, trans kids belong. And I think, as we're seeing sort of politically, in this country, they've found a talking point that people are buying into, and the only thing I ask is that people educate themselves further on these issues and what we're capable of doing together. And that something is not used just to marginalize a community,”
Paige Bueckers and Dallas Wings vs Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever preview
Bueckers has a higher on/off rating than Clark (+6.7 vs. +1.1).
Azzi Fudd is the 2026 No. 1 overall pick.
Jessica Shepard is Dallas's leading rebounder and leader in PER.
Sophie Cunningham responds to being booed in Canada
Sophie Cunningham was booed by the crowd every time she touched the ball during Tuesday night's game in Toronto
The Indiana Fever won the game 101-95
After the game, Cunningham praised the Toronto Tempo crowd, saying "The crowd was absolutely amazing" and that getting boos and cheers is part of sports
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Wings rookie Azzi Fudd to undergo knee surgery, misses rest of regular season
Indiana Fever defeat Dallas Wings as Caitlin Clark faces Paige Bueckers
Bueckers scored or assisted on 50% of the Wings' points.
Bueckers finished with six assists and six rebounds.
Aliyah Boston added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
WNBA Power Rankings: Lynx, Aces, Fever, Valkyries lead
The Minnesota Lynx were the first team to clinch a playoff spot.
Caitlin Clark registered her WNBA single-season-record sixth game of 25-plus points and 10-plus assists.
The Toronto Tempo have lost nine consecutive games.
DiJonai Carrington says Sophie Cunningham foul was not intentional
Carrington was ejected from the Sky's loss to the Indiana Fever for a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham.
Carrington said she spoke to the league about the matter but declined to share details.
DiJonai Carrington said the foul on Sophie Cunningham was "never intentional."
“I would say that I would just love consistency across the board when it comes to things like that. Whether it's the foul that I committed, whether it's the reaction, the retaliation, I would just love it to be consistent across the board regardless of the name on your jersey or your skin color or the score of the game, the stakes, whatever. I would love there to just be consistency when it comes to all of that. I don't think we're there yet. That's something that I've talked to the league about as well. I think that will eliminate a lot of the frustrations that we all have.”
WNBA: DiJonai Carrington ejected for foul, posts about 'white privilege'
Cunningham said the incident had nothing to do with race and that she had been ejected for a similar play the prior year.
After being ejected, Carrington posted on social media the words 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' and tagged the Fever.
DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky was ejected after being called for a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever.
Megan Rapinoe calls for accountability from Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham is a guard for the Indiana Fever.
Sophie Cunningham spoke out against transgender women in an ESPN profile.
Megan Rapinoe is a United States Women's National Team legend.
Chelsea Gray and Aces capitalize on Caitlin Clark's mistakes in Fever loss
The Aces turned the Fever over 21 times.
The Fever allowed more than 40 points in the paint and allow 43.7 points in the paint per game, the worst mark in the league.
The Aces outscored the Fever 19-9 in the third quarter.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers named to Team USA women's FIBA World Cup roster
USA Basketball announced a 12-player women's national team roster for the FIBA World Cup in Germany.
Napheesa Collier had two offseason ankle surgeries and made her season debut in late July.
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Aliyah Boston will make their first USA appearances at a major international competition at the FIBA World Cup.
Kelsey Plum traded to Mercury; Sparks embrace rebuild
In 2025, Los Angeles was two wins shy of making it to the postseason.
Plum signed a one-year, $999,999 contract in the offseason.
Plum was traded to the Sparks before the 2025 season.
WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner five games after confrontation with fans
2026 WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago
Jonquel Jones is the first player in WNBA history to win WNBA MVP, Finals MVP, Commissioner's Cup MVP, and All-Star MVP.
Azzi Fudd is the first rookie to win the WNBA 3-Point Contest.
Dominique Malonga is 20 years old.
“This is everything I dreamed about, that I wanted as a little kid. I told my parents when I was five years old that I was gonna be a professional athlete. The plan never changed, even when it looked murky, when I didn't know how I was gonna get it done. When I was on the phone calling random coaches in the Bahamas, hoping that somebody would give me a chance. That was always the goal.”
WNBA commentary and criticism (Mark Madden column)
Adidas sold out Sophie Cunningham's shoe online within 24 hours.
Sophie Cunningham took a public stance against biological males playing women's sports.
USA Today published a column that compared Caitlin Clark flopping to the lynching of Emmett Till in 1955.
Azzi Fudd wins WNBA All-Star 3-point contest; Shooting Stars Challenge results
Azzi Fudd scored 30 points in the final round of the 3-Point Contest.
Azzi Fudd won the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest on Friday night at Chicago's Wintrust Arena.
Under Armour announced it would donate $500 to the Black Women's Institute for Health for every 3-pointer made by Marina Mabrey.