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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. WNBA Brings the Game to South Dakota đ
The Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury made history on Saturday, playing the first-ever WNBA game in South Dakota. Phoenix pulled out a 108â104 win in front of a sold-out crowd in Sioux Falls. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: This felt bigger than a preseason game. The arena sold out in seven minutes, with resale tickets climbing into the thousand. Fans showed up in full force, many seeing the WNBA live for the first time. This is exactly what the league has been pushing for by taking games to new markets.
And it led to some special moments as well, like Kahleah Copper gifting a young fan courtside seats and then handing over her shoes after the game.
2. Rookies Make Their First Statement đ
This weekendâs preseason games gave us our first look at the 2026 rookie class, and a lot of them didnât waste time making an impression. Lauren Betts, Flauâjae Johnson, Cotie McMahon, and Gabriela Jaquez all scored in double figures, while Raven Johnson stood out with her playmaking and defense, finishing with 8 assists and 2 blocks.
WHY IT MATTERS: This is always one of the biggest questions heading into a season. Can the top college players translate their skills to the pros? So far, the early signs are promising. These performances donât guarantee anything long-term, but they do show that this rookie class is ready to compete right now and could make an impact sooner than expected.
3. Trinity Jones Heads to Maryland đ˘
Five-star wing Trinity Jones has committed to Maryland, giving the Terrapins a major late addition to their 2026 class. She was the only uncommitted player ranked in the top 100. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a big pickup for Brenda Frese and a strong boost for a Maryland team thatâs trying to stay in the mix in the Big Ten. Jones is ranked No. 11 in the class and comes from Naperville Central, the same school as Candace Parker. She brings real athleticism and is the kind of player who can raise a teamâs ceiling. Maryland already went 24â9 last season, and this is the type of addition that can help push them a step closer to national contender status.
Make Your Game Gift Feel Like a Moment đď¸
Surprising someone with WNBA tickets? This is a fun way to make it feel a little more special.
Download a custom ticket template, print it out, and add your game details. It turns a simple gift into something they can actually hold onto. And if you donât see your WNBA team available, just let them know. Theyâll make it!
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work!
OVERTIME âąď¸
Quick Burst: Valkyries rookie Miela Sowah caught fire with 14 points in under nine minutes in Golden Stateâs preseason win.
WNBA Anime: The WNBAâs Japanese marketing push for Sundayâs Aces vs. Japan preseason game included a cool illustrated promo.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Friday: We asked if you planned to watch any WNBA preseason action over the weekend, and 95% of you said yes. Safe to say yâall are just as interested in the W heading into the season as we are.
