After toiling through the CBA and then fast-tracking the offseason, the WNBA season is finally here. The players were itching to get on the court with the training camps in full flow. We saw players returning from injuries as teams played their first games under the new broadcast deal and revolutionary CBA. Let’s have a look at the highlights of day 1.
What were the biggest takeaways from WNBA 2026 preseason opening day?
While the season has started, the teams are yet to be completed. Many key players are suffering minor and major injuries, while some are still away with overseas duty. So, the opening day saw many 2nd and 3rd rotations.
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The WNBA and its three remaining inaugural franchises suited up in their retro jerseys to celebrate the launch of the “Court Origins” program to celebrate the league’s 30th anniversary season. The New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, and Phoenix Mercury will wear jerseys replicating their 1997 debut looks during select games this year.
Caitlin Clark returned to the court almost 10 months after her injury-prone season. She gave us the trailer during the Team USA Qualifiers by winning the MVP. Her return is one of the most anticipated storylines of the season.
How Did Caitlin Clark Perform for the Indiana Fever in Her First Game Back?
Caitlin Clark’s return to Indiana Fever was a mixed bag. She started by draining a floater and quickly dropping her trademark three for 5 points. But then she missed the next 8 shots to finish with just 7 points in 17 minutes. She went 2-10 from the field and 1-5 from the three-point line. However, Clark contributed 4 assists, 3 rebounds and a block. But more importantly, she seemed to dust off the rust from being inactive. Clark ran the floor and looked fully fit.
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“I thought she was good,” Fever coachStephanie White said. “We play differently when she’s on the floor. And so [we are] learning how to play with her in the action. I thought she didn’t force anything. She played with great intention, and everything that she did was in the flow. She was communicating at a high level.”
Clark also clarified that she is going to be the primary ball handler despite the “off-ball” talk going around.
Which key players missed the WNBA preseason opener and why?
Following are the key players who missed the preseason opening games and the listed reason:
How Did Top Rookies Perform in Their WNBA 2026 Preseason Debuts?
Raven Johnson:
Johnson put on a show and crushed the doubts regarding her fit at the Indiana Fever. The pass-first guard dropped 6 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks while playing pretty much lockdown defense. While it is just preseason, Johnson did not look out of place at all and completely adapted to her new team and the elevated standards.
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“I thought Raven did a great job. We know what she can bring on the defensive end, and she’s going to continue to bring that every night,” Stephanie White said. “On the offensive end, she’s going to learn what we’re looking to get out of certain actions, how to create the matchups we want, and how to create advantages. It’s different than college, and she’s a sponge.” Johnson further specified how Clark has been helping her blend in and grow.
Apr 25, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Indiana Fever guard Raven Johnson (3) sets the play while defended by New York Liberty guard Ny’ceara Pryor (1) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones—Imagn Images
Flau’jae Johnson:
Flau’jae Johnson was awed by the moment but found her groove against the Golden State Valkyries. She missed her initial two field-goal attempts before a layup at the 8:32 mark of the second quarter. At the final whistle, Johnson had 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting in 23 minutes while chipping in 4 rebounds.
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“I think she settled in really nicely and this is her first game as a pro,” coach Sonia Raman said. “So I thought she did a really good job of staying with it and really trying to focus on the defensive side of the ball every time down, and that’s what we’re going to keep talking about.” Johnson should nicely fit in with Awa Fam and Dominique Malonga to form a strong young core for the Storm.
Gabriela Jaquez:
Gabriela Jaquez did not have the best start to her WNBA career. On the day her team lost 108-104, she played 19 minutes for the day and had 12 points and three rebounds. Jaquez shot 3-8 from the field and started to get comfortable as the game went on. With only two points in the first, she started to find a flow and had 10 points in the second half.
Olivia Miles:
Olivia Miles made a statement with her first two plays. From the top of the key, she drove to the rim with ease and laid it in despite a defender guarding her. And then she went coast to coast for another one. It seemed like a start of a memorable debut. However, things slowed down with time and she finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists with 4 turnovers.
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Lauren Betts:
Betts still had the size advantage here. She dominated the paint and even found some excellent passes to showcase her creativity. Her ability to box out will need some fine-tuning, as she found herself in a tangle despite her overwhelming strength. Ultimately, Betts finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds while going 2-7 from the field.
What New Lineups, Rotations, and Strategies Were Revealed?
With multiple teams either having players out with injury or choosing to rest key players to begin the season. They had different lineups than usual.
The Mystics started with an extremely young lineup of Cotie McMohan, Georgia Amoore, Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron and Angela Dugalic. Amoore largely orchestrated the offense when she was on the court. They also experimented with Rori Harmon in that role.
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For the Lynx, one notable thing was that they did not have Miles as the primary ball handler at all times. She often played off-ball. The Lynx had everyone sharing the ball with no player attempting more than 8 shots. They were playing without Natasha Howard and McBride. So, the team will look completely different with them.
The Chicago Sky had a new star rise from the disappointment of 2025. Hailey Van Lith had a perfect game coming off the bench, scoring 20 points while going 8-8 from the field. Tyler Marsh experimented with his lineups as he is still figuring out how Skylar Diggins, Kamila Cardoso, and Rickea Jackson play together.
The Seattle Storm had one major modification with regard to playstyle. Sonia Raman instructed Dominique Malonga to go for more threes. Last season, she attempted 0.4 threes per game and she attempted 3 in this one, draining one.
The Indiana Fever employed a two-guard system with Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson. Johnson impressed on her preseason debut. Sophie Cunningham was back from injury and showed some positive signs with 12 points and 3/6 threes. Makayla Timpson was the quiet performer for the undersized Fever. She added 11 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals. In a guard-heavy rotation, her role should be important for White after playing a limited part last WNBA season.
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