The 2026 WNBA preseason wraps up on Sunday with a four-game slate.
The Washington Mystics visit the Atlanta Dream (3 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass), while the New York Liberty meet the Connecticut Sun (5 p.m. ET, ION). On the campus of the University of Texas, the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings will face off (7 p.m. ET, ION). Then, the Portland Fire host the Los Angeles Sparks (7 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass.)
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What do you want to see from certain teams and/or players in their final exhibition opportunities? Let us know in the comments!
I’ll have my eye on players who have yet to play in preseason, especially those who are with new teams or in different contexts.
Although the Mystics will not have their full big rotation ready to go, as Shakira Austin remains out due to reconditioning, Kiki Iriafen is expected to play, meaning we should get to see her play alongside Lauren Betts. How they work together, particularly as almost every Mystics lineup will not have a lot of shooting from the perimeter, will be interesting to observe. On the other side, Naz Hillmon hopefully will be available for Atlanta, which will give a look at the Dream’s currently-healthy best five of Hillmon, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada.
For New York, Satou Sabally is questionable, although head coach Chris DeMarco indicated she is expected to play. That should permit a first perspective of the dynamic of the Sabally-Breanna Stewart-Jonquel Jones frontcourt. However, the Liberty still will be without a lot of other pieces who are expected to contribute, allowing for only limited understanding of how the DeMarco-led Liberty will come together on both sides of the ball.
With Leïla Lacan and Nell Angloma still overseas, the Sun remain without two of their most intriguing players. The matchup with New York, however, should serve as a tough test for Aneesah Morrow. Let’s see if Nees can still be a beast on the boards against all the Liberty’s size.
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In Austin, little that happens on the court for Las Vegas will alter opinions about the Aces. As Edwin Garcia wrote, the Aces have earned the right to focus on much larger matters.
In contrast, every little thing matters for a Dallas team looking to establish a winning culture. Unfortunately, the team is still incomplete, as Arike Ogunbowale and Awak Kueir both remain absent. While Arike is now with the team, she’s dealing with an ankle injury; Kueir is still overseas. Alanna Smith is questionable with a quad issue, although Jessica Shepard should make her Dallas debut.
The Wings’ opening preseason win was an encouraging one for Paige Bueckers, while Odyssey Sims affirmed her value as a vet presence who still possess on-court pop and Aziaha James looked liked a leading Sixth Player of the Year candidate. Hopefully, Azzi Fudd cashes in on her first WNBA triple on Sunday.
All Sparks are set to be available against the Fire, meaning Nneka Ogwumike, who Edwin argued is the key to everything for LA, will make her Sparks re-debut. Nneka’s availability also should shed more light on the potential role for Cameron Brink, whose chance of a third-season ascent seemingly has been blocked by the Sparks’ decision to prioritize win-now veterans.
Fire fans will get their first look at Bridget Carleton, who is scheduled to play after missing Portland’s first preseason game. Although it might be a bit unfair, she’ll take the court with significant expectations, as the No. 1 pick in the expansion draft who received a max contract. There’s also pressure on head coach Alex Sarama, with his reputation as an innovative offensive mind, to begin to show how he intends to maximize Carleton.
