Expansion Excellence and Preseason Power: WNBA 2026 Kicks Off with a Bang

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The WNBA preseason officially moved into high gear, featuring high-scoring affairs across the country. While the regular season doesn’t tip off until May 8, Saturday’s slate provided a thrilling glimpse into the new-look league, which now includes the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.

Here is your recap of the action from a busy Saturday across the W.

1. A Historic Debut: Golden State Valkyries 78, Seattle Storm 76

The game of the night in the WNBA took place at a rocking Chase Center, where the Golden State Valkyrie and the Seattle Storm played a back-and-forth thriller. The Valkyries edged out the Seattle Storm to secure a win in their preseason opener.

The Stars: Golden State was led by the duo of Veronica Burton and Miela Sowah, who each chipped in 14 points. Burton’s poise down the stretch proved to be the difference for the newcomers.
The Storm: Seattle was led by Zia Cooke and Rickea Johnson, who both finished with 12 points. Despite a strong first quarter from Jade Melbourne, the Storm couldn’t overcome a late surge from the Valkyries’ bench.
The Atmosphere: A near-sellout crowd in San Francisco signaled that the Valkyries will continue to be one of the league’s most popular tickets.

2. Fever Burn Bright in Brooklyn: Indiana 109, New York 91

In a clash of Eastern Conference titans, the Indiana Fever put on an offensive clinic at the Barclays Center, dismantling the New York Liberty.

The Attack: Veteran Kelsey Mitchell and newly signed guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough torched the Liberty defense for 18 points each.
The “Caitlin” Factor: While Caitlin Clark played limited minutes as the team managed her workload, she looked sharp early, tallying 7 points in the first quarter.
Rookie Watch: Fever rookie Raven Johnson controlled the tempo beautifully, leading all players with 8 assists in her professional debut.

3. Shootout in Sioux Falls: Phoenix Mercury 108, Chicago Sky 104

The Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota played host to the highest-scoring game of the night. The Phoenix Mercury outlasted the Chicago Sky in a game that felt more like a mid-season battle than a preseason tune-up.

Mercury Rising: Phoenix showed off their depth, with four players in double figures. Their veteran core seems rejuvenated under the 2026 roster rules.
Sky High: Chicago’s offense looked potent, but defensive lapses in the fourth quarter allowed Phoenix to pull away in the final minutes. Hailey Van Lith led the way off the bench with 20 points.

4. Defensive Masterclass: Minnesota Lynx 77, Washington Mystics 66

While other teams were racing to 100 points, the Minnesota Lynx used a stifling defensive effort to grind out a road win at CareFirst Arena.

The Lockdown: Minnesota held Washington to just 34% shooting from the floor and just seven third-quarter points.
The Edge: The Lynx’s bench outscored the Mystics’ reserves 32–14, proving that Minnesota’s depth might be their biggest weapon heading into the regular season.

The “New Era” Note

The Los Angeles Sparks also hosted an exhibition against the Nigerian National Team, winning 89–63. Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with 22 points, and rookie Ta’Niya Latson had seven points, five rebounds, and six assists in her WNBA debut. LA shot 20-21 from the free-throw line.

The Bottom Line: With two new expansion teams and a talent pool deeper than ever before, the 2026 WNBA season is shaping up to be the biggest in league history. If Saturday’s “preseason” intensity was any indication, the regular season opener on May 8 cannot get here soon enough.

Saturday’s Scoreboard

Matchup	Final Score	Top Performer
Indiana @ New York	IND 109, NY 91	Kelsey Mitchell (18 PTS)
Seattle @ Golden State	GS 78, SEA 76	Veronica Burton (14 PTS, 3 AST)
Chicago @ Phoenix	PHX 108, CHI 104	Hailey Van Lith (20 PTS)
Minnesota @ Washington	MIN 77, WAS 66	Lauren Betts (13 PTS, 5 REB)
Nigerian National @ LA Sparks	LAS 89, USA 63	Kelsery Plum (22 PTS)