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Before we dive in, a fun bit of WNBA history: The inaugural WNBA All-Star Game was played on this date in 1999 before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden. Whitney Houston sang the national anthem, and Sparks center Lisa Leslie was named MVP.

What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. NCAA Tournament Seeding Is Changing 🏀

Beginning with the 2027 NCAA women's basketball tournament, the top 16 teams will be placed in the bracket based on their true overall ranking, regardless of which conference they're in. (ESPN)

WHY IT MATTERS: In the past, the NCAA placed the top four teams from the same conference in different regions so they couldn't meet until the Final Four. That mostly affected the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12, which often have several teams in the top 16. The new format should create a fairer tournament by rewarding teams based on where they're actually ranked instead of giving certain conferences extra protection.

2. The Trade Deadline Is Almost Here ⏰

The WNBA has set this season's trade deadline for August 2 at 3:00 PM ET. Any trades must be agreed to and submitted to the league office before that deadline. (Yahoo Sports)

WHY IT MATTERS: Teams have just a few weeks left to adjust their rosters before the playoff push. Contenders could look for one more impactful piece, while teams on the playoff bubble may try to make a move to keep their postseason hopes alive. Chicago and Seattle have both had slow starts, but they're still close enough to make a run. Connecticut will also be interesting to watch, as the Sun could either start reshaping their roster now or wait until after the move to Houston in the off-season.

3. Welcome to the Second Half of the Season ⏳

The 2026 WNBA season has officially reached its halfway point, but the playoff picture is far from set. Eight of the league's 15 teams will earn a playoff spot. As of today, the Lynx, Aces, and Valkyries occupy the top three spots, while the Wings, Fever, Dream, Liberty, and Mystics hold the remaining playoff positions.

👉 See the full current standings

WHY IT MATTERS: This is one of the most exciting parts of the WNBA season. The first half gives teams time to build chemistry and settle into their rotations. Now, every game carries more weight. The teams that can build consistency down the stretch will be the ones that reach the playoffs. No team has been eliminated from postseason contention yet, so there's still plenty of time for the standings to change.

🗳️ Will the current top eight teams still be the eight playoff teams at the end of the season?

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