NEW YORK, April 9, 2026 – The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors have formally approved WNBA expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, the WNBA announced today. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
This coming season WNBA currently have 15 teams, this will be the inaugural season of Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. Each WNBA team is set to feature 44 games per team and by 2030, with 18 teams, we could see an increase in games played to 52 to 55 games per team.
A 52-game schedule would allow for a more balanced rotation, potentially seeing every team play each other exactly four times (2 home, 2 away) in an 14-team league, or adjusted “rivalry” scheduling as the league hits 18 teams.
WNBA free agency for the 2026 season is officially underway, following a condensed timeline necessitated by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. While teams and players are currently in the middle of negotiations, the WNBA has officially released the full list of 2026 Unrestricted Free Agents, Restricted Free Agents, Reserved Players, and Core Players for each team.
This expanded list of designations guides each franchise as they transition from the Negotiation Period (April 8–10) to official Signings (April 11). These movements represent a massive financial leap for the players; for the first time, top-tier stars like A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu are expected to sign deals worth $1.4 million annually, a nearly five-fold increase from the previous maximum.
The entry of expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, has also sparked a bidding war for “Reserved” talent as these new organizations look to build competitive rosters around the veterans they secured in the expansion draft.
Ten of 15 WNBA teams have extended core qualifying offers to players since free agency started Monday.
Players who have been “cored” — akin to being given the NFL’s franchise tag — include Sabrina Ionescu, by the New York Liberty; Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx); Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever); Kelsey Plum, (Los Angeles Sparks); and Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings).
The core designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights to a player and comes with a baseline contract of a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax ($1.4 million in 2026), though the player can negotiate different terms.
We’re just in day-one of the 2026 WNBA Free Agency and the Chicago Sky just made a blockbuster trade by sending Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two (2) first-round draft picks in 2027 and ’28. Aside from Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream will also receive 2028 second-round swap rights.
🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨
The @chicagosky trades the contract of Angel Reese and the right to swap the teams’ own 2028 2nd round draft picks to @atlantadream in exchange for Atlanta’s own 2027 1st round draft pick and Atlanta’s own 2028 1st round draft pick. pic.twitter.com/24g37U3Cdc
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association agreed today that free agency will open tomorrow, April 6, with the start of the Designation Period, the WNBA announced today.
The Negotiation Period will begin on Wednesday, April 8 and continue for three days. Teams and players will first be able to sign new contracts beginning on Saturday, April 11.
This is a free-for-all period for teams and free agents alike. It could make or break a team, depending on how the front office performs during this free agency window.
23XI Racing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, along with team driver Tyler Reddick, speak with Gayle King about the hot start to their season, the current state of NASCAR and more.
The first clip that they release is only 8 mins, this extended version is 33-mins in length.
In a high-stakes game with playoff-level intensity, the Denver Nuggets edged the San Antonio Spurs 136–134 in an overtime thriller on Saturday night. The game served as a masterclass from the NBA’s top two MVP candidates, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama, who traded blows in OT.
Jokić was nearly flawless, exploding for 40 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. Most impressively, he became the first center in NBA history to record a 40-point, 10-assist game without committing a single turnover. His late-game brilliance fueled a Nuggets comeback from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit (107 – 96) with 9-mins remaining in regulation.
Wembanyama, returning from a one-game absence, was equally transcendent. The young star put up 34 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks, anchoring a Spurs defense that held the lead for most of the regulation. Despite his dominant interior presence, Wembanyama’s potential game-winner at the buzzer clanged off the rim, leading to a Denver-controlled overtime. The victory snapped the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak and kept Denver within half a game of the Western Conference’s third seed.
The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft took place on April 3, 2026, for the league’s two newest franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Each team selected 11 players from the unprotected lists of the existing 13 WNBA teams. Notably, both teams reached agreements with the Chicago Sky to bypass their roster in exchange for draft picks.
Portland Fire Selections
The Fire held the No. 1 overall pick and focused on a mix of versatile forwards and young international talent.
Player
Position
Former Team
Bridget Carleton
Forward
Minnesota Lynx
Carla Leite
Guard
Golden State Valkyries
Emily Engstler
Forward
Washington Mystics
Haley Jones
Forward/Guard
Atlanta Dream
Nika Mühl
Guard
Seattle Storm
Sarah Ashlee Barker
Forward
Los Angeles Sparks
Nyadiew Puoch
Forward
Connecticut Sun
Sug Sutton
Guard
Phoenix Mercury
Maya Caldwell
Guard
Atlanta Dream
Luisa Geiselsöder
Center
Dallas Wings
Chloe Bibby
Forward
Las Vegas Aces
Toronto Tempo Selections
The Tempo focused heavily on veteran leadership, shooting, and international experience for their inaugural roster.
Player
Position
Former Team
Julie Allemand
Guard
Los Angeles Sparks
Marina Mabrey
Guard
Connecticut Sun
Nyara Sabally
Center
New York Liberty
María Conde
Forward
Golden State Valkyries
Kristy Wallace
Guard
Indiana Fever
Nikolina Milić
Forward
Minnesota Lynx
Aaliyah Nye
Guard/Forward
Las Vegas Aces
Kitija Laksa
Guard
Dallas Wings
Maria Kliundikova
Center
Phoenix Mercury
Adja Kane
Forward
New York Liberty
Maria Vadeeva
Center
Los Angeles Sparks
After the expansion draft, both Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will still get draft new player from the WNBA Draft which will be on the 13th of April. In the WNBA Draft, Toronto Tempo will be the No. 6, while the Portland Fire after choosing to pick first in the expansion draft will be No. 7.
The San Antonio Spurs continued their late-season surge on Wednesday, defeating a short-handed Golden State Warriors squad 127–113. Led by Victor Wembanyama’s dominant 41 points and 18 rebounds, the Spurs secured their 10th consecutive victory.
The win bolsters San Antonio’s pursuit of the Western Conference’s top seed. Sitting at 58–18, they remain just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Conversely, the Warriors (36–40) are in survival mode. Currently holding the 10th seed, they occupy the final Play-In spot with a potential showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers. Without their primary scoring threats, Golden State struggled to match San Antonio’s efficiency, which saw seven players score in double figures.
Reports suggest Stephen Curry is on track to return from his knee injury before the regular season ends on April 12. Curry has resumed full-squad scrimmaging and on-court drills. His return is critical for a Warriors team likely facing a “win-or-go-home” Play-In scenario, providing the veteran leadership and firepower needed to spark a deep postseason run.
Highlights;
.@wemby is now just the third player in Spurs history to have 40+ points in back to back games!
With the USA Basketball Women’s National Team, winning is the only thing that matters.
Follow the #usabwnt on its mission at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. Puerto Rico, as the team ushered in a new era with a handful of senior team debuts.
USA Basketball just announced the 15 players who will participate in a training camp set for April 1-3 in Phoenix.
A’ja Wilson
Azura Stevens
Brittney Sykes
Cameron Brink
JuJu Watkins
Kayla Thornton
Mikayla Blakes
Monique Billings
Napheesa Collier
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Rickea Jackson
Sabrina Ionescu
Stefanie Dolson
Veronica Burton
2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) will lead training camp and will be assisted by court coaches Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt University), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).
USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird is set to evaluate the current roster pool ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. This assessment will include players from the recent qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico as the U.S. prepares to pursue its fifth consecutive gold medal from September 4–13.
Watch the evolution of Caitlin Clark from age 19 to 24. From her early days as a young scorer to becoming a complete floor general, her growth is undeniable.
These highlights show how her shooting, playmaking, and control of the game have reached another level.
At 19, she was already special… but at 24, she’s a superstar. Her range, vision, and confidence have transformed her into one of the best players in the game.
FIBA previously released a 10-mins highlight reel if Caitlin Clark.
The NBA’s board of governors has approved a vote for the league to explore bids and applicants for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle.
All 30 owners voted in favor of exploring Las Vegas and Seattle expansion, sources told ESPN. A bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range for each team, according to sources.
I’m all for expanding the NBA and bringing back the Seattle SuperSonics. As for Vegas, if approved, what would be the name of the Las Vegas Team? If the WNBA team is called the Aces, then can we call the NBA team as the Las Vegas Royals?
Under the new CBA, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania, the salary cap will start at $7 million (up from $1.5 million in 2025) with the supermax starting at $1.4 million (was $249,244 in 2025). The average salary will be around $600,000 ($120,000 in 2025), with the minimum salary surpassing $300,000 ($66,079 in 2025), sources said.
Sources said the average revenue share would be nearly 20% across the length of the deal.
The fact that the new average salary exceeds the supermax of the previous CBA proves that this deal is truly transformational.
Watch the BEST of Caitlin Clark in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments. From deep threes to elite playmaking, Clark controlled the game like a true floor general, showcasing her full offensive arsenal. This marks her first senior FIBA competition, and she’s already making a massive impact.
FIBA also named her as the MVP of the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
Despite starting only in just one game, WNBA Star Caitlin Clark is named as the MVP of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
She posted the best average efficiency for her team (14.6), was the second-best scorer for the USA with 11.6 points (52.9 percent shooting), and recorded a tournament-best 6.4 assists.
You can visit Caitlin Clark’s FIBA Player Profile for more stats.
The U.S. Women’s National Team officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIBA World Cup with an exclamation point, grinding out a hard-fought 84–70 victory over a resilient Spain. The win over the “pesky” Spaniards in their final qualifying match, the Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 5–0 record, proving they remain the gold standard of women’s international basketball.
From the opening tip, Spain’s signature defensive pressure disrupted the U.S. rhythm, leading to eight lead changes and 3 times that both team tied. Spain was led by the interior duo of Megan Gustafson and Raquel Carrera, who each dropped 15 points to keep the contest within striking distance. However, the depth of the U.S. roster eventually wore down the Spanish frontline, building a 12 point lead by the end of the first half and a 14-point margin at the start of the 4th qtr.
The momentum shifted permanently in the third quarter thanks to the explosive play of Kahleah Copper, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Her ability to attack the rim blew the game open, while veteran Kelsey Plum provided much-needed stability with 18 points, including a critical 11–0 solo run that silenced the Spanish bench.
Defensively, Dearica Hamby was the anchor, contributing 14 points and a game-high three steals that fueled the American transition game. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark—who was ultimately named Tournament MVP—controlled the tempo with seven assists and a highlight-reel block, ensuring the U.S. maintained its composure during Spain’s final fourth-quarter push.
With this undefeated cycle complete, the U.S. now shifts its focus toward the World Cup in Berlin this September. The team’s coach Nate Tibbetts’ squad heads into the main event not just as favorites, but as a battle-tested unit that has proven it can handle the heat when the stakes are highest.
The USA Women’s National Team stayed undefeated in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after a commanding win over New Zealand in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The victory keeps the U.S. at the top of Group A as they prepare for the World Cup in Berlin this September.
The Americans took control early with a fast-paced offense. Star guards Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers led the scoring, while Angel Reese controlled the boards with dominant rebounding. New Zealand’s Ella Toefaeono and Bec Pizzey played hard in the paint, but they couldn’t overcome the United States’ aggressive defensive pressure.
Coach Kara Lawson relied on her entire roster, showing that the U.S. bench is just as strong as the starters. Although the U.S. had already earned a spot in the World Cup by winning Olympic gold in 2024, this game proved their younger players are ready for the international stage. For New Zealand, the matchup provided valuable experience against the world’s best team.
U.S. Women’s National Team will face Spain on the 17th March, for their final game for the qualifier, while New Zealand will look to bounce back against the Puerto Ricans.
The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its dominant run at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico, defeating Italy 93–59. Despite Italy’s undefeated start to the tournament, they were no match for the Americans’ clinical shooting and suffocating defensive pressure.
The U.S. shot a staggering 52.4% from beyond the arc, Kahleah Copper lead the Americans with 15 points and Chelsea Gray’s masterful playmaking (8 assists). Young stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers wowed the crowd in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points each to seal the victory.
Defensively, the Americans held Italy to just 37.3% shooting, neutralizing threats like Cecilia Zandalasini. While the U.S. has already secured a World Cup berth as AmeriCup champions, this 3–0 start in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reinforces their status as global dominance in Women’s basketball. Italy (2–1) now looks to rebound against Spain to secure their spot in Berlin, while the Women’s USA Team will face New Zealand.
The USA Women’s National Team continued their dominant run in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, defeating host nation Puerto Rico 91–48 in San Juan. Playing before a sold-out crowd at “El Choli,” the Americans never trailed, establishing a commanding 46–19 lead by halftime.
Paige Bueckers led the offensive charge with 16 points, while Angel Reese anchored the interior, recording a double-double with 10 points and a record-breaking 13 rebounds. After a double-double game, Caitlin Clark had 8 points and 2 assists with 18:37 playing time.
Despite a gritty defensive effort from Puerto Rico, the USA’s depth and size proved overwhelming. This victory improves Team USA to 2–0 in the tournament as they solidify their path toward the 2026 World Cup.
Here are some game highlights;
Paige Bueckers was named as the Player of the Game
The USA Women’s National Team dominated Senegal with a 110-46 victory to open the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rhyne Howard led with 21 points, while Caitlin Clark impressed in her senior debut with 17 points and 12 assists, securing Kara Lawson’s first win as head coach.
This is basically the 1992 Dream Team. It’s not a matter of whether they’ll win, but by how much. Their next opponent is Puerto Rico, who will have home-court advantage, but I believe it will be much like the Senegal game. The real test will be their last three games: Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.
The upcoming 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament will be broadcast by TNT after the network acquired the exclusive U.S. English language broadcast rights to World-Class FIBA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments.
TNT Sports is the new home for FIBA Basketball 🏀🔥
Catch games as early as March 11th-17th for the Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament across TNT, truTV, & HBO Max! pic.twitter.com/z3ruzwXqCx
While the Americans have technically already qualified for the World Cup, these matchups against international powerhouses like Spain and Italy serve as a high-stakes proving ground for a squad looking to refine its chemistry before heading to Germany this September 2026.
Both Aliyah Boston (Indian Fever) and Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) are out of U.S. roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. They will be replaced by Monique Billings (Golden State Valkyries) and Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks).
The pair will replace Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron, who are no longer able to compete in the tournament that will take place in San Juan. Boston missed the Unrivaled playoffs with what was described as a right lower extremity injury. Citron missed the end of the regular season of Unrivaled with the same injury designation as Boston.
Billings was part of the 2017 USA under-23 national team that was undefeated at the Four Nations Tournament. Burrell will be making her U.S. competitive debut.
Here’s the new 12 player roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament;
Monique Billings
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament will be broadcast by TNT Sports and you can checkout the full schedule here.
USA Basketball has officially announced the roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament which will be held in Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.
Here’s the list of the 12 player roster;
Aliyah Boston
Paige Bueckers
Sonia Citron
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
The roster is a mix of Olympic champions and rising stars, led by 2024 gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, alongside 3×3 bronze winners Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard. While veteran Aliyah Boston makes her anticipated return, the roster also features the official senior national team debuts of Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen, and Angel Reese.
Three-time Olympic and World champion Breanna Stewart will also join the team in Miami for a pre-competition training camp, set for March 7-8.
Introducing the 2026 USA Women's World Cup Qualifying Team 👊
The coaching staff will be lead by 2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) with assistant coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever). The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.
The U.S. Women’s team play games against Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.
The LA Lakers just gave the Warriors their 4th lost in 6 games. Lebron James lead the Lakers with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists, followed by Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, who added 18 points and 16 points, respectively. This will be Lakers 3rd straight win
The Warriors was without their leading scorer Steph Curry who was sidelined with a “right knee issue,” while the Lakers are without Deandre Ayton (knee) and Luka Doncic (mild hamstring strain).
LeBron put together an all-around performance in the @Lakers home win 👑
Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark is taking her “logo threes” energy to the broadcast booth. NBC announced that Clark will join the Basketball Night in America team as a special contributor for two (2) NBA games; February 1st and March 29th, at the Madison Square Garden, New York City.
February 1 Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
March 29 Game: New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Clark will provide pregame analysis alongside host Maria Taylor and a legendary trio: Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.
The WNBA officially released its 2026 regular-season schedule last January 21st, marking a historic 30th-anniversary milestone for the league. Tipping off on Friday, May 8th, the season expands to 15 franchises with the highly anticipated debuts of the Toronto Tempo—Canada’s first WNBA team—and the return of Portland Fire.
Opening night will feature the Toronto Tempo hosting the Washington Mystics, while May 9 sees the Portland Fire host the Chicago Sky. That same Saturday, fans will witness a “clash of icons” as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever face Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. To honor the league’s roots, a special Anniversary Game is set for June 21, featuring a rematch of the 1997 inaugural game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Liberty.
The 44-game slate includes a mid-season pause from August 31 to September 16 for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany. All-Star Weekend will be in Chicago on July 24–25. Even though the league released the schedule, both the league and the players’ union remain in active CBA negotiations, with fans, including me, hopeful for a resolution before the May 8 tip-off. The regular season concludes September 24, leading directly into the playoffs.
Here are key dates to remember;
Event
Date
WNBA Draft
April 13, 2026
Season Tip-Off
May 8, 2026
Commissioner’s Cup
June 1 – June 17 (Finals June 30)
All-Star Weekend
July 24 – 25 (Hosted by the Chicago Sky)
Regular Season Ends
September 24, 2026
Playoffs Begin
September 27, 2026
For Fever fans you can checkout their schedule below;
