WNBA 2026: Aces Dominate, Mercury Close, Who Will Compete?

Attention, women’s basketball fanatics! The 2025 WNBA season concluded with the Las Vegas Aces being crowned champions after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals, obtaining their third title in four years.Now, get ready for chaos. The offseason promises to be the busiest in league history. A new collective bargaining agreement is coming, expansion drafts for two new teams, and the draft lottery. In addition, a massive free agency involving almost all players not under rookie contract.The uncertainty about each team’s rosters for next year is greater than ever. But that won’t stop us from offering a preliminary analysis of the 2026 season.An important clarification: The expansion teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, are not included in this analysis as they do not yet have coaches or players.

2026 Season Analysis

• Las Vegas Aces: Champions 2025.

The Aces proved their worth in the end, going from a .500 record in early August to being the second seed in the playoffs and dominating the Finals. A’ja Wilson, with her fourth MVP award, and at 29 years old, still has a lot of basketball to offer. If Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and coach Becky Hammon remain on the team, the Aces will continue to be championship contenders.

• Phoenix Mercury: WNBA 2025 Runners-up.

It was a great season for the Mercury, who rebuilt after the retirement of Diana Taurasi and the departure of Brittney Griner. Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally found a new home in Phoenix and seem willing to stay and build on what was achieved under the direction of coach Nate Tibbetts. The team, which won three WNBA titles, reached the Finals this year, defeating New York and Minnesota.

• Atlanta Dream: They lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

The Dream had a successful regular season, but they didn’t achieve the same performance in the playoffs. Allisha Gray and Naz Hillmon had outstanding seasons, and coach Karl Smesko had a positive transition. The key question is whether the team will keep its core (Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Brionna Jones) together.

• Minnesota Lynx: They lost in the 2025 semifinals.

Minnesota was the favorite for the championship for much of the season, but injuries to DiJonai Carrington and Napheesa Collier affected their performance in the playoffs. Collier criticized the WNBA’s management. If the Lynx keep their core and add a high draft pick, they will be title contenders again.

• Indiana Fever: They lost in the 2025 semifinals.

The Fever’s season was marked by resilience in the face of injuries. The loss of Caitlin Clark limited her participation to 13 games. Indiana reached the semi-final, losing against Las Vegas in overtime. The Fever hope to keep Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston on their rookie contracts.

New York Liberty: They lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.The Liberty won their first playoff game in Phoenix, but lost at home and saw the series end and Sandy Brondello’s tenure as coach come to an end. Breanna Stewart could remain on the team, but there are doubts about the continuity of other key players.Golden State Valkyries: They lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

Aunque fueron barridas por Minnesota, llegar a los playoffs fue un gran logro para el equipo en su primer año. Natalie Nakase fue nombrada Entrenadora del Año y Veronica Burton fue la Jugadora Más Mejorada. Golden State hizo lo necesario para atraer a agentes libres.

Los Angeles Sparks: Did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

La incorporación de Kelsey Plum fue positiva para las Sparks, que mejoraron su rendimiento. Plum, Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson y Azura Stevens formaron un buen núcleo. Veremos si el equipo se mantiene unido bajo la dirección de Lynne Roberts.

Seattle Storm: They lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

Tras la salida de Jewell Loyd, el equipo tuvo dificultades para mantener la consistencia. Skylar Diggins y Nneka Ogwumike son las veteranas clave, y Ezi Magbegor y Dominique Malonga son las jóvenes promesas. Se espera que el equipo tenga un nuevo entrenador.

Connecticut Sun: They did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

El Sun perdió a todo su quinteto titular de 2024 y tuvo un nuevo entrenador. Alcanzar dobles dígitos en victorias fue un logro. Leila Lacan, Aneesah Morrow y Saniya Rivers son la base para el futuro. Tina Charles y Marina Mabrey fueron las máximas anotadoras del equipo, y la posible venta del equipo es otra historia a seguir.

Washington Mystics: Did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

Un período de reconstrucción para las Mystics bajo la dirección del entrenador Sydney Johnson y la gerente general Jamila Wideman tuvo sus puntos positivos, aunque terminaron la temporada con una racha perdedora. Sonia Citron y Kiki Iriafen fueron las máximas anotadoras del equipo y fueron seleccionadas para el All-Star. Washington tiene tres selecciones de primera ronda en 2026.

Dallas Wings: Did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

Paige Bueckers lideró a las Wings, y el equipo tiene la oportunidad de obtener otra selección número 1 en 2026. Tendrán un nuevo entrenador después de la salida de Chris Koclanes. La llegada de una jugadora como Bueckers y el mercado de agentes libres podrían ayudar a Dallas a atraer más talento.

Chicago Sky: They did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

El Sky parecía desorganizado al final de la temporada, y Angel Reese expresó su frustración. El entrenador Tyler Marsh tuvo que lidiar con lesiones y problemas de química. El Sky tiene muchos problemas que resolver en la temporada baja.