The Las Vegas Aces have another opportunity to stamp themselves as the definitional dynasty of this era of the WNBA.
And, they don’t have to wait until the end of the season to do so.
The Aces arrive in the 2026 season riding a 16-game regular-season winning streak, which is tied for the second-longest in WNBA history. They’ll go for 17 in a row against the Phoenix Mercury, the franchise that just so happens to own the other 16-game regular-season winning streak, achieved in 2014.
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The Aces and Mercury tip off in Vegas at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Las Vegas, of course, closed out the 2025 postseason by winning four-straight games against Phoenix, sweeping their way to the third title in franchise history. The Aces also won the final three 2025 regular-season matchups between the two teams.
So, recent history points to another, record-breaking Aces victory in the 2026 season opener. The current state of both rosters also lends more confidence in Vegas’ ability to extend their winning streak.
The Aces ran it back and reloaded, bolstering a bench that projects as superior to last season’s, largely due to the team’s gamble on the supremely-talented Chennedy Carter. The Mercury, in contrast, saw their Big 3 become a Big 2, with Satou Sabally leaving the desert for the New York Liberty. Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper are now surrounded by a shakier supporting cast, especially with key rotational pieces Sami Whitcomb (knee), Monique Akoa Makani (overseas) and Valériane Ayayi (return to play) out of the lineup on Saturday.
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It will be interesting to see if this contest assumes a Game 5 of the Finals tone, with the Aces chasing the streak and the Mercury determined to snap it. Might A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Thomas and Copper approach 40 minutes if the Mercury can remain in contact with the Aces?
Considering they’re beginning the season on a back-to-back with another afternoon game on Sunday in LA, Vegas, surely, wants to secure the streak-extending win without much stress.
What do you expect to happen in this one? Will the Aces coast to their 17th regular-season win in a row behind an M’VP performance from A’ja? Will Chennedy provide some key buckets for the defending champs? Or, will AT and Kah help Phoenix conjure a surprisingly competitive effort?
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Here’s a look Saturday’s other three contests. Let us know your pre-game analysis of these three matchups, in addition to Aces-Mercury, in the comments.
Will the Wings or Fever offense be more impressive?
The day’s action begins with the Dallas Wings visiting the Indiana Fever at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
The storylines abound in this one, headlined by the last four No. 1 draft picks—Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark for the Fever and Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd for the Wings—taking the court.
However, I’m most interested in evaluating both teams’ offenses, something Josh Felton discussed in his preseason takeaways.
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How will the Wings’ more sophisticated offense function, especially with Arike Ogunbowale, who missed all of Dallas’s preseason games, in action? For the Fever, will Caitlin Clark become even more activated off the ball with Aliyah Boston, also sidelined for preseason, in the lineup?
What are your thoughts on this one? Are you confident that the Wings’ seemingly swift improvement is real? Or, will the Fever show that they’re a level (or two) above Dallas?
Will Angel dominate in her Dream debut against the Lynx?
Angel Reese should have the opportunity to show off her difference-making potential for the Atlanta Dream in their opener against the Minnesota Lynx.
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Available on WNBA League Pass, the game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
With both Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhász out with injuries, Natasha Howard is the Lynx’s lone experienced big. And the 34-year-old Howard no longer has Defensive Player of the Year-winning impact on that end of the floor. Reese should feast with her physicality inside, earning tons of trips to the foul line. Howard, however, can still get after it on the glass, suggesting she’ll will be game to challenge Angel for boards.
With the high expectations in Atlanta and the transitional state of the Minnesota roster, it will be a bit concerning if this is not a somewhat comfortable win for the Dream.
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Do you agree? Do the Dream need to dominate? Are you expecting the Lynx, despite all the changes, to still find a way to overachieve?
Fire vs. Sky is a contrast of offseason approaches
Saturday closes with Portland hosting a WNBA game for the first time since 2002, with the Fire re-debuting against the Chicago Sky at 9 p.m. ET on NBATV.
These two organizations present team-building contrasts.
The Fire are opting for a slow burn, eschewing a win-now approach in favor of finding undervalued players who can thrive in head coach Alex Sarama’s system.
The Sky initiated an offseason roster overhaul that leaned heavily into acquiring veterans who can help stabilize the franchise and, hopefully, steer a return to the playoffs. They capped off this approach by essentially jettisonning Hailey Van Lith for Natasha Cloud, who is not expected to play in the opener.
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Certainly, a referendum on either approach cannot be adjudicated on Saturday night. Portland, in particular, should not be subject to immediate judgement. Anything less that a win for Chicago, however, will raise some eyebrows, even with Azurá Stevens (knee), DiJonai Carrington (foot) and Courtney Vandersloot (knee) all still absent, in addition to Cloud.
What are your expectations for the Sky? And what about the Fire? For both squads, who do you see stepping up and having a big game?
