Earlier this week, we dove deep into the WNBA awards race and evaluated the current leaders.
Today, it’s a little lighter. We’ll be discussing the moments that made us laugh, the plays that dropped our jaw and the outstanding efforts that have occurred during the first quarter of the 2026 season.
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Similar to any award, there were plenty of honorable mentions, but these are the ones that have stood out the most for our five fictional awards.
Take to the comments to pitch your nominees for these awards, or to hand out your own. Most clutch? Biggest disappointment? Best win? Worst lost? Polish up the hardware for your preferred candidates!
Best individual game: A’ja Wilson scores 45 points vs. the Sun
A’ja Wilson’s 45-point performance against the Connecticut Sun certainly stood out above the rest of the pack. The top line on her MVP resume, she went berserk, going 15-for-18 from the field along with a pair of blocks in the win.
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Her career high is 53 points, so this didn’t reach that level, but it was still an impressive feat and the best individual performance of the year so far.
Watching Wilson never gets old, and this game was a reminder of just how elite she is.
Best game-winner: Caitlin Clark takes down the Mystics—from the logo!
Whether it’s exaggerating her best moments or putting way too much emphasis on outbursts during bad times, everything surrounding Caitlin Clark is exhausting. However, against Washington Mystics, we saw why the highs outweigh the lows.
After a tough loss against the New York Liberty, the Indiana Fever found themselves down by one against the Mystics with just 1.2 left to play. The Fever responded with Sophie Cunningham inbounding the ball to Clark for a last-second game-winner.
The pure joy exuding from Clark and how her teammates embraced her in this moment is why basketball is so much fun.
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This was a great moment for the team and an example of why, whatever trouble comes from all the scrutiny surrounding Clark, it is well worth it. Very few players can make this shot, and Clark made it look easy.
Most exciting player: Olivia Miles is turning heads for Minnesota
There is nothing more exciting than a new player making their mark in the WNBA.
Through the first quarter of the season, Olivia Miles has given that to this league’s fans, especially those in Minnesota. She is scoring in bunches, dazzling with her defense and has handles that have everyone in the WNBA spinning.
Miles has quickly become must-see TV. At this point, WNBA fans need to start checking for Minnesota Lynx games so that they can see as much of her as possible.
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Because in every game she makes a pass, a shot, or a crossover that makes you say, “No way!”
Best viral moment: Angel Reese is becoming the meme queen with the Dream
While the on-court basketball action reigns supreme, the silliness that happens during and around the game cannot be escaped.
Some legitimately entertaining moments get caught every year, but so far, the runaway winner is Angel Reese staring down a camera that stayed on her a bit too long.
What’s hilarious about this scene is Reese breaking the fourth wall by acknowledging the camera. She locks in with it and shakes her head as if to say, “Okay, and what do you want?”
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With Reese now in Atlanta, the Dream have been off to a great start. They’ve won eight of their first 11 games. She’s started the year averaging 13.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
So go ahead Angel, have fun in-between moments—as long as the wins keep piling up and the numbers stay solid.
Best interview: The Jose Fernandez Dallas experience is not dull
Pre- and postgame interviews can certainly be entertaining, from funny quotes to intense crashouts
Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez seems to oscillate between the two—and sometimes during the same presser.
After some harsh comments about his players, Fernandez received criticism from WNBA legend Cynthia Cooper. She jokingly started speaking Italian in response to his actions. So, Fernandez matched that energy, speaking in Italian as well in his next media availability.
While one can agree or disagree with Fernandez’s style, you do it with a grin and a slight chuckle. He is entertaining, and whether it works or not, he’s certainly going to do it his way.
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Considering he coaches Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, it’s probably going to work.
