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- 🏀 Layup Lines: We made it!
Happy Thursday and welcome back to Layup Lines, your quick recap of what’s going on in the WNBA.
The 2026 season officially begins tomorrow night, but the first big game is Indiana hosting Dallas on Saturday at 1pm on ABC. Full schedule.
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This 668 word newsletter should take less than 3 minutes to read.
🔟 Preseason thoughts
Courtesy @wnba
All-time WNBA rebounder Tina Charles retired Tuesday and to no one’s surprise, did it in her own way on her own terms. As far as W superstars go, Charles feels like a 1 of 1.
While the Liberty have assembled one of the best starting lineups of all time, they also have very little depth — which means Sabrina Ionescu missing at least the next two weeks with an ankle sprain is potentially already a huge problem for New York.
Nice to see Natasha Cloud sign with Chicago. I enjoy the player and am thrilled to stop reading think pieces about why she hadn’t been signed yet.
It has not been a great preseason for Cameron Brink, who will always be a fantastic defender but still looks borderline uncomfortable with the ball in her hands. It’s a make-or-break year for the 2024 No. 2 overall pick.
So the Valkyries drafted Flau’jae Johnson at No. 8 overall, traded her for No. 16 pick Marta Suarez and a low-value 2028 2nd round pick, and then…just cut Suarez? What is going on?
I’m getting nervous for how much of the season Napheesa Collier is going to miss. The team is saying she’ll be back in June, but given the news about her left ankle surgery in late March, that could be optimistic.
ESPN’s season preview power ranks the Sky (10 wins in 2025) at No. 9 and the Valkyries (23) at No. 10. Hmm.
The 2026 WNBA GM Survey is full of interesting nuggets, including that when asked which player you’d start a franchise with, 33% responded with Paige Bueckers and just 20% said Caitlin Clark (who got 50% of the votes last year).
I love the Portland Fire’s new court.
This might be too reactionary of a take, but I’m expecting some baaaad basketball in the month of May. The labor stoppage forced a very quick offseason, with rosters turning over, five new coaches and more attention than ever on the refs. It’ll get there, but be patient with this season.
🗞️ Other headlines from around the league
Roster cuts 2026: Tracking the most notable releases by team (Sporting News)
Average WNBA team is worth $425 million — an increase of 58% (Sportico)
WNBA to broadcast record 216 games nationally in 2026 (ESPN)
Courtesy @Sportico
✍️ Some personal news
I’m having a great first week as a Sports Digital Editor at USA Today! The team is full of incredible journalists, especially those covering women’s basketball, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to stay in the space.
I’m also grateful to be able to continue writing Layup Lines. The plan for the 2026 season is 2x newsletters a week — Monday to recap the weekend, and another issue during the week depending on game schedules.
It’s the best of every world for me, but I also can’t write this if nobody is reading. So thank you, as always, for your eyeballs and attention. Any feedback or things you want covered in the future? Just respond to this email.
🔥 Three futures to go
Some of you might remember that I used to be very good at W betting, lost my touch (and money) last year, and then finished just above .500 in the playoffs.
With that ringing endorsement in mind, here are my three favorite preseason bets for the 2026 season:
Layup Lines is written 100% by a human being. AI tools help with the visuals. I very much appreciate you reading and will see you back here on Monday!
— Everett Cook, Founder & Editor