The Dallas Wings enter the season with the two most recent No. 1 draft picks in Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. The WNBA is celebrating its historic 30th season, and there are several captivating storylines to follow as the campaign begins on Friday.
Don't Mess with Texas
The Dallas Wings selected UConn's Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft last month. This reunites the 2025 NCAA national championship duo of Fudd and reigning rookie of the year Paige Bueckers on a team with a new head coach, a new roster, and a new identity. Bueckers quickly dismissed any notion that her and Fudd's personal relationship would be a distraction, stating, "It's nobody's business but our own." The Wings finished last season with only 10 wins, but significant offseason changes suggest Dallas fans have much more to cheer about this summer.
Clark, from the Logo
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark will play her first regular-season game since last July after dealing with groin and ankle injuries that limited her to 13 games in 2025. Her return brings excitement with her signature deep three-pointers. The Fever reached the second round of the playoffs without Clark last year, and at full strength, they could be title contenders.
Barbie's Atlanta Dreamhouse
Angel Reese's trade from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream was one of the biggest offseason moves. Reese joins a trio of All-Stars in Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Brionna Jones in Atlanta. The Dream finished third in the standings after a historic season and were close to the second round of the playoffs. Adding Reese's rebounding prowess to their three-point-oriented system boosts their postseason chances.
Hollywood in Sin City
Chennedy "Hollywood" Carter, who last played for the Sky in 2024, averaging 17.5 points per game, went unsigned in 2025 but played overseas in China and Mexico, averaging over 30 points. She now joins the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces. Carter says she has matured during her time away and calls this the best decision of her life. The Aces, winners of three of the last four titles, now add one of the fastest scorers in women's basketball.
The MVT: Most Valuable Team
In only their second season, the Golden State Valkyries are the most valued franchise at $850 million, according to Sportico. They sold out all 22 games at Chase Center in their inaugural season, set an all-time WNBA attendance record with an average of 18,064, and sold out 12,000 season tickets for 2026. The Liberty are second at $600 million, and the Fever third at $560 million. The average team worth jumped 59% from 2025, highlighting the league's financial growth.
Can't-Miss Matchups
Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever on Saturday, 9 May at 1 pm ET on ABC features the previous four No. 1 draft picks: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Aliyah Boston. Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, 9 May at 3:30 pm ET on ABC is a rematch of last year's finals between reigning MVP A'ja Wilson and MVP finalist Alyssa Thomas.
Best Media Day Looks
A'ja Wilson debuted a fiery red wig to match her new A'Two "Red Roses" sneakers. Flau'jae Johnson of the Seattle Storm posed fiercely for her first media day. Li Yueru of the Dallas Wings stole the show with her Westie pup, Leyi.
