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Good morning! ☕️
We’ve barely recovered from this year’s All-Star Weekend, but the WNBA is already planning for next year. Today, we’ll find out which city will host the 2027 festivities.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The Valkyries Are Playoff-Bound Again 👏
Two for two. The Golden State Valkyries have officially clinched a spot in the 2026 WNBA playoffs. They’re the third team in the field, joining the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Golden State keeps raising the bar for what an expansion franchise can do. After becoming the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut season last year, the Valkyries already have 25 wins this season and remain near the top of the standings. Year two is making it clear that their first-season success was only the beginning.
🗳️ Which team will clinch a playoff spot next?
2. Brittney Sykes Could Be Back Today 🤞
The Toronto Tempo are finally getting some good injury news. All-Star guard Brittney Sykes, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since mid-June, is listed as probable for today’s game. (Toronto Star)
WHY IT MATTERS: Toronto was around .500 with Sykes in the lineup, but wins have been hard to come by without her. The Tempo have lost 10 straight, and their playoff hopes now depend on winning nearly every game left on the schedule. Getting their All-Star guard back gives them a much-needed chance to make one last push.
3. Women’s Sports Viewership Keeps Growing 📈
The numbers keep growing. U.S. audiences watched 28.6 billion minutes of women’s sports during the first half of 2026, an 18% jump from the same period last year, according to a new Nielsen report. Women’s basketball has been a big part of that growth, with fans already watching 3.8 billion minutes of the WNBA going into the All-Star break. (Reuters)
WHY IT MATTERS: We keep getting more evidence that when women’s sports are available to watch, fans show up. And for networks and brands, that growing audience is getting harder to overlook. The report also found that the WNBA has experienced a 71% increase in sponsor valuation so far this season.
💜 Wrap It Up, Valkyries Fans
The Valkyries are officially playoff-bound! To celebrate, I thought I'd share something fun from our shop: Valkyries-inspired wrapping paper. We also have designs for other WNBA teams, so you can add a little team spirit to your next gift no matter who you cheer for.
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work.
OVERTIME ⏱️
Viral Skills: A highlight reel of top high schooler GG Banks playing in Overtime Select is going viral, and it’s easy to see why.
Power Up: The latest CBS Sports power rankings are out, with the Fever jumping up to No. 3 thanks to a 4-game win streak.
Rookie BTS: Season 3 of the WNBA series Year 1 premiered last weekend on YouTube, this time following rookies Awa Fam and Olivia Miles.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: Looks like you’ve been fans of the game as long as we have! We asked if you watched the 1996 U.S. Olympic team play, and 81% of you said, “Yes, I remember them.”
