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Good morning! âď¸
Today's the final day before the WNBA All-Star break, and 80% of the league is in action. With six games on the schedule, there's plenty to watch before the weekend All-Star festivities begin.
What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Napheesa Collier Set to Return đ
All signs point to Napheesa Collier making her season debut today after offseason surgery on both ankles. The Lynx listed her as âprobableâ for today's game against the Seattle Storm, then teased her return with a social media video. Minnesota visits Seattle at 3:00 PM ET on League Pass. (CBS Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: The Lynx already own the league's best record at 21-6. Adding a five-time All-Star who averaged 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season makes them even tougher to beat. If Collier is healthy, Minnesota gets back one of the league's top MVP-caliber players.
đłď¸ How do you think Napheesa Collier will perform in her season debut tonight?
2. The 3-Point Contest Field Is Set đŻ
The WNBA announced the six players competing in Friday's 3-Point Contest: Azzi Fudd, Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Natisha Hiedeman, Janelle SalaĂźn, and Bridget Carleton. The event tips off Friday at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN from Chicago's Wintrust Arena. (WNBA)
WHY IT MATTERS: The 3-Point Contest is one of the highlights of All-Star Weekend, and this year's group features some of the leagueâs elite shooters. Mabrey leads the league with 82 made threes, Howard is right behind her with 79, and every participant ranks among the WNBA's top long-range threats.
3. Division II Eyes New Eligibility Model đ
The NCAA Division II Management Council has recommended adopting the new five-year, age-based eligibility model beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. The proposal now heads to the division's Executive Board for consideration. (NCAA)
WHY IT MATTERS: Division I approved a similar model before it was put on hold because of ongoing legal challenges. Division II operates in a very different landscape, where recruiting and athlete compensation aren't nearly as prominent. Even so, this proposal would quickly affect thousands of student-athletes. Changes to college sports continue to reach every level of the NCAA.
Enjoy Womenâs Basketball a Different Way
My favorite moments as a fan haven't come from a viral clip or a hot take. They've come from slowing down, learning a player's story, discovering a piece of women's basketball history, or connecting about the game with another fan.
That's what inspired The Post-Up Club. Every month, it's a chance to step away from the endless scroll and enjoy thoughtful stories and paper keepsakes that celebrate the game and the people who make it special.
If that sounds like your kind of womenâs basketball, Iâd love to have you join me.
-Kim
OVERTIME âąď¸
Weekâs Best: Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride earned the WNBA's Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Week honors for Week 9.
Power Shift: The Lynx moved back into the No. 1 spot in ESPN's latest WNBA Power Rankings, bumping the Valkyries to second.
All-Star Takeover: Storm guard Flau'jae Johnson will take over the WNBA's social media accounts throughout All-Star Weekend.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked which recent WNBA win streak stands out the most to you, and there was a clear favorite. 73% of you picked the Golden State Valkyries, who just had their 9-game win streak snapped on Monday.
