The 2026 WNBA season got underway on Friday, and all 15 teams have taken the court at least once. The New York Liberty and Golden State Valkyries are tied for first place after their 2-0 starts, while the rebuilding Connecticut Sun are in last as the lone team with two defeats. 

Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell is leading the league in scoring at 30 points per game, No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd isn’t a starter and a number of big names, including Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Brionna Jones, are sidelined due to injuries. 

A lot will change over the next four months as the regular season plays out, but why wait that long to (over)react? Before the first full week of the new season begins, here are some opening weekend overreactions. 

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The Sparks will miss the playoffs

The Los Angeles Sparks were the final team to make their 2026 season debut, and the league was not saving the best for last. Late on Sunday afternoon, the new-look Sparks were run out of the gym by the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena, falling by 27 in the worst season-opening loss in franchise history. 

It’s one thing to lose to the champs; it’s another to get embarrassed after going all in over the offseason. The Sparks haven’t made the playoffs since the bubble season in 2020, which is not only the longest playoff drought in franchise history, but the longest active one in the league. After Sunday’s showing, it doesn’t look like Nneka Ogwumike, Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler will be enough to bring playoff basketball back to Los Angeles. 

There were no positive takeaways for the Sparks after their opener, only concerns that their shortsighted moves would backfire. They’ve given away Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga in recent years for Atkins and Kelsey Plum, and the one lottery pick they’ve kept — Cameron Brink — can’t crack the starting lineup or stay on the court. In eight scoreless minutes against the Aces, Brink had three fouls and three turnovers, and coach Lynne Roberts said afterward that “we need Cam to produce.”

Brink wasn’t the only bench player who was of no help Sunday. Amid all of their big moves in the offseason, the Sparks forgot to address their depth. They got seven points, six rebounds, two assists and six turnovers from their bench on 3 of 16 shooting, and five of those points came on meaningless baskets in the final minute. 

The Sparks blew up their future for an aging squad — the 29-year-old Atkins is the only member of their core not in their 30s — that won’t end their postseason drought, let alone contend. — Jack Maloney

The Liberty don’t miss Ionescu

In the New York Liberty’s final preseason game against the Connecticut Sun, All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu rolled her left ankle. An MRI revealed no serious damage to her left foot or ankle, but the team said that she would be out for at least two weeks — a timeline that will sideline her for the team’s first four games at a minimum, including their lone road trip to Portland for a two-game set this week. (Ionescu played her college ball at Oregon.)

Even though Ionescu’s ankle issue is not serious, it was a frustrating blow for a team that was snakebit by injuries last season and is also without key free-agent signing Satou Sabally (cyst) and starting forward Leonie Fiebich (overseas commitments) to start the season. As it turns out, the Liberty don’t even miss Ionescu. 

They’ve started 2-0 for the third season in a row, thanks in large part to their European backcourt starring Marine Johannes, Pauline Astier and Julie Vanloo. Let’s take a look at their respective numbers after the Liberty’s wins over the Sun and Washington Mystics. 

• Johannès: 21 points, three rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals on 50/50/60 shooting splits
• Astier: 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals on 57.1/0/70 shooting splits
• Vanloo: 7.5 points, four rebounds, 6.5 assists and 0.5 steals on 57.1/50/100 shooting splits

Johannès, who re-signed in free agency, had a career-high 25 points in their win over the Mystics and is leading the league in 3-point makes and attempts. Astier, who had a breakout campaign overseas and chose the Liberty in free agency over a number of suitors, has had no trouble adjusting to the WNBA and notably has just two turnovers in 55 minutes. The veteran Vanloo, meanwhile, is in New York on a hardship contract and has made a case to stick around long-term. 

Ionescu shot 40.1% from the field overall last season, including 29.9% from 3-point range, and was one of the league leaders in turnovers. The Liberty’s backcourt looks just fine without her inefficient scoring, and her absence has allowed Johannès and Astier, in particular, to spread their wings. — Jack Maloney

Jovana Nogić will win Rookie of the Year

Last week, I wrote that the Rookie of the Year race is wide open, and noted that it was possible the winner wouldn’t come from the 2026 Draft class. I have to confess that I did not have Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic on my short list of candidates, but her performance in the first two games has me on high alert.

In the season opener, Nogić was a big reason why the Mercury were able to stun the Las Vegas Aces 99-66 and spoil ring night for the defending champions. She was 5 of 8 from the field and 4 of 5 from outside for 19 points, four assists and two steals. She had 13 of her points in the second quarter to help the Mercury put the game away by halftime.

In the second game, a 95-79 loss to Golden State in the Valkyries’ home opener, she was a bright spot in an otherwise rough night for the Mercury, going 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 5 from beyond the arc for 16 points. She was the only player on the roster with a positive plus-minus.

Now, Nogić is not your typical rookie. She is a 28-year-old from Serbia who played four seasons at Providence College from 2015-2019 and has spent the last six years playing for the Serbian national team and professionally in Spain, Turkey and Russia. But she’s eligible for the award because this is her first WNBA season. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said that team scouts have had their eyes on her for a couple of years, but that increased salaries, thanks to the new CBA, made it more tenable for her to come to the league this summer. 

The Mercury are having injury struggles early this season, so Nogić should get enough minutes to be in contention for the honor. Meanwhile, both Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts are coming off the bench and Awa Fam won’t be joining the Seattle Storm for a couple more weeks due to overseas commitments. Olivia Miles did have an impressive debut with the Minnesota Lynx, with 21 points, eight assists and three boards, so she’s still the frontrunner. But after this weekend, I think Nogić will give her a run for her money. — Lindsay Gibbs

The Golden State Valkyries will win a playoff series

Before the season, I picked the Golden State Valkyries to finish 12th and not just miss the playoffs, but miss them handily. But I have already seen the error of my ways. Not only do I think they will make the playoffs, but the Valkyries will win at least one playoff series and make it to the WNBA semifinals. 

In their first two games, the Valkyries defeated the Seattle Storm 91-80 on the road and took down the Phoenix Mercury in the Ballhalla opener, 95-79. The only other 2-0 team is the New York Liberty, and the Valkyries have played tougher opponents — the Valkyries have the fourth-hardest strength of schedule through the first quarter of the season, while the Liberty have the easiest, according to ESPN.

But it’s not just the win-loss record that impresses; it’s how they are doing it. They’re continuing their formula from last season, with tough defense and a lot of three-point shooting, but with more talent and experience on the roster. The Valkyries have attempted a league-high 35 three-pointers per game and made 40% of them, for a league-leading 14 three-pointers per game. They’re third in the league in assists, with 23.5 per game, and have the third-fewest turnovers per game, with just nine. Their defense is holding opponents to 79.5 points per game, second in the league behind the Toronto Tempo, who have only played one game. 

Janelle Salaun started for the Valkyries most of last year, but is coming off the bench early in the season and absolutely thriving, averaging 20.5 points per game. Salaun is especially hot from beyond the arc, averaging 4.5 three-pointers made per game on 56.3% shooting. Kayla Thornton is picking up right where she left off before her injury last season, Veronica Burton is continuing to shine and Gabby Williams was just an absolutely perfect addition to this core during free agency. The front-office moves and messaging have been confounding the past few weeks, but on the court, the Valkyries look ready to build on their successful debut season. — Lindsay Gibbs

Nikita Shulchenco of LCW UAECycling Team in action during the Tour of Luzon. –HANDOUT PHOTO

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Nikita Shulchenko closed in on the MPTC Tour of Luzon title after finishing second in the individual time trial of the penultimate stage won by Kyeong Ho Min.

Min captured his second stage win after ruling the 20-kilometer race-against-time event in 25 minutes and 39 seconds, with Shulchenko 22 seconds behind.

Coupled with Antoine Huby placing 13th overall, Shulchenko was able to stretch his hold on the yellow jersey going into the final stage of the derby wheels going to Baguio from here via Kennon Road.

Nikita Shulchenko’s lap time of 26 minutes and one second was only good for second, 22 seconds behind, but it was good enough for him to extend his lead over Antoine Huby in the general classification. #TourOfLuzon2026 | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/xLHwsQSymV

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 12, 2026

Shulchenko, the Russian ace of the Filipino-owned, Dubai-based LCW UAE Cycle, now has a total time of 36:42:22, ahead by 3:50 over Huby of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines.

The French rider finished the ITT in 27:17, a day after jumping to second overall with his win in the Stage 12 climb towards Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem.

Huby entered the ITT trailing Shulchenko in the overall standings by 2:30.

Joseph Javiniar of Excellent Noodles finished third in the ITT in 26:09 while Nash Lim of MPT DriveHub clocked 26:33 to become the best Filipino cyclist entering the final lap of the 14-stage cycling odyssey.

Lim jumped to fourth, 8:05 adrift, but is way behind third-running Ibrahiem Alrefai, who trails teammate Shulchenko by 5:37.

7-Eleven’s Mervin Corpuz is fifth by 8:54, while the rest of the top is composed of Malaysia’s Muhammad Mazlin (+9:26), 7-Eleven’s Ronnilan Quita (+9:46), MPT’s Rustom Lim (+12:19), Seoul’s Jung Woo Ho (+13:30) and Go for Gold Philippines’ Rench Michael Bondoc (+13:54).

The Minnesota Vikings held rookie minicamp last week, and in addition to signing DT-OLB Smith Vilbert, the club inked linebacker Bangally Kamara.

Two tryout players earned contracts. Now comes the real roster climb.

Kamara enters the mix for Minnesota at the bottom of the 90-man roster, hoping to do enough at training camp and in the preseason to stick around for the 53-man depth chart in September or snag a practice squad invitation.

Minnesota Adds More Depth to Brian Flores’s Defense

Get to know Kamara, the newest Viking.

Kamara to MIN

The rookies keep on coming for Minnesota. KU Sports‘ Henry Greenstein wrote Monday, “Former Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced on Monday. Kamara went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft but apparently made enough of an impression at the Vikings’ minicamp to earn a roster spot based on his tryout performance. Minnesota signed him alongside former Penn State lineman Smith Vilbert.”

“Kamara spent one year as a Jayhawk, the first piece in KU’s 2025 expansive transfer class, after four seasons at Pitt and a short stint at South Carolina. He served as KU’s starting weak-side linebacker and was an all-conference honorable mention at the conclusion of a year in which he recorded 56 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, while starting nine of the 11 games he played.”

Kamara, listed between 6’1″ and 6’2″ and 220-230 pounds, is a bit small for an inside linebacker, but he’ll battle for a roster spot nevertheless.

The Background

Kamara stands out as a versatile linebacker prospect. At the aforementioned height and weight, he’s a bit undersized but demonstrates the flexibility to play dedense and on special teams — a critical asset for making an NFL roster. His collegiate path, however, was not straightforward.

He transferred collegiately twice, moving from Pittsburgh to South Carolina before landing at Kansas. Despite this winding route, his production finally materialized in 2025, recording 56 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 11 games.

His appeal stems from his movement, range, and utility in sub-packages. Possessing 4.69 speed, a 10-foot-1 broad jump, and 32 1/8-inch arms, he has the athletic tools necessary to operate effectively in space. The primary question mark surrounding Kamara is his definitive NFL role: he’s likely too light for full-time EDGE work and will need to carve out a specific niche. He projects as a developmental linebacker and special teams ace.

Our Kyle Joudry on Kamara: “Per PFF, Kamara had a reasonably humdrum season, finishing off with a 63.4 grade. Most promising was his 79.3 pass rush score, further corroborating the notion that Kamara is at his best when he’s allowed to move forward. His snap allotment shows 309 snaps in the box, 156 snaps along the defensive line, 59 snaps as a slot corner, and 5 snaps as a wide corner.”

“Kamara now has that chance given that he turned his tryout (the initial chance) into an undrafted contract, which will span three seasons while coming in a hair below $900,000 for his 2026 cap charge. Expect the guaranteed money to be low, if not outright non-existent.”

The Revised ILB Group

When the offseason began, off-ball linebacker represented a huge question mark for the Vikings. Wilson and Pace Jr. were free agents, and rookie Jake Golday had not entered the picture yet. Fast forward to May, and both Wilson and Pace Jr. are back, while Minnesota tabbed Golday as its 2nd-Round pick.

Here’s the updated lay of the land at inside linebacker:

• Blake Cashman
• Eric Wilson
• Ivan Pace Jr.
• Jake Golday
• Jacob Roberts
• Scooby Williams
• Josh Ross
• Keli Lawson
• Bangally Kamara

It might be the Vikings’ deepest roster spot.

The Other Guy — Vilbert

Vilbert is a defensive lineman who can be used on the line interior or the edges, depending on Flores’s mood. He’s 6’6 and 290 pounds with 34-inch arms.

Minnesota’s defensive scheme prioritizes versatility, expecting its front-seven players to move around, show different looks, and take on various assignments. This makes Vilbert’s build intriguing, as he could potentially play as a five-technique, an interior backup, or even a big edge rusher.

However, his path forward is undeniably steep. Older than most rookies, Vilbert’s college career at Penn State and North Carolina showed flashes of talent rather than consistent dominance. While his physical tools are legitimate, he remains a project, which explains why he went undrafted.

Vilbert represents a classic Vikings lottery ticket: a big, experienced, and coachable player facing a tough battle for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Vikings’ defense ranked third-best leaguewide in 2025 per EPA/Play and DVOA.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Ross Blacklock surfaced in December for a tryout with the Green Bay Packers, though a contract never materialized. Five months later, the former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle is the newest member of the Atlanta Falcons.

Blacklock is back in the NFC, trying to turn a camp opportunity into staying power.

Blacklock’s career has stalled compared to his once-promising 2nd-Round draft stock six years ago, but he’ll hope to rekindle his career on Kevin Stefanski’s team.

Atlanta Adds More Depth to Its Defensive Line

A short-timer for the Vikings, Blacklock eyes a roster spot in Atlanta.

ATL Signs Blacklock

Make it seven NFL teams in seven seasons for Blacklock. SI.com‘s Garrett Chapman wrote Monday, “The Atlanta Falcons have announced a flurry of roster moves after the conclusion of rookie minicamp last weekend. It was reported on Monday morning that they would sign offensive lineman Layden Robinson, but an additional slew of moves was made, according to Tori McElhaney.”

“The Falcons welcomed 46 players to Flowery Branch over the weekend, including six drafted players, 14 undrafted free agents, and 24 players auditioning for roster spots. Of those auditioning players, four, including Robinson, were signed. The others include defensive lineman Ross Blacklock, offensive tackle Brandon Walton, and linebacker Daveren Rayner.”

Blacklock last lived on the New York Giants’ practice squad in 2024.

Blacklock’s Background

The aforementioned Giants signed Blacklock to their practice squad in mid-December 2024. Although a futures contract typically implies an opportunity to compete for a spot on the 2025 summer roster, his tenure was brief, as he was released before the offseason concluded.

The 27-year-old defensive lineman has played in 44 NFL games, starting three and accumulating 40 total tackles, 9 quarterback hits, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. A 2nd-Round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2020 NFL Draft, Blacklock saw his most extensive action with them in 2022, playing 455 defensive snaps.

About four years ago, the Vikings acquired Blacklock and a 7th-Round pick from Houston in exchange for a 6th-Round pick. However, the TCU product struggled to establish himself in Minnesota, playing just 139 defensive snaps before his release in the summer of 2023, following the emergence of Jonathan Bullard and Jaquelin Roy. Blacklock was notably one of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s initial trade acquisitions.

Since his release from Minnesota, Blacklock has moved between five different teams without securing a permanent role, suggesting a career on a downward trajectory. Nevertheless, a recent contract with the Falcons offers him at least one more opportunity.

This is his full resume:

• Houston Texans (2020–2021)
• Minnesota Vikings (2022)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)
• Indianapolis Colts (2023)
• Tennessee Titans (2023)
• New York Giants (2024)
• Atlanta Falcons (2026–now)

The DT Unit in Atlanta

Here’s the revised list of defensive tackles for the Falcons after Blacklock’s contract:

• Zach Harrison
• Maason Smith
• Brandon Dorlus
• Da’Shawn Hand
• LaCale London
• Chris Williams
• Elijah Garcia
• Carlos Allen Jr.
• Anterio Thompson
• Ben Stille
• Ross Blacklock

Blacklock hopes to climb the pecking order a few spots to make the September roster.

The New Faces for Falcons

Atlanta was one of the league’s busier teams during free agency, adding these men in the last two months:

• Jake Bailey | P (MIA → ATL)
• Samson Ebukam | ED (IND → ATL)
• Nick Folk | K (NYJ → ATL)
• Tyler Goodson | RB (IND → ATL)
• Darren Hall | CB (ARI → ATL)
• Da’Shawn Hand | DL (LAC → ATL)
• Christian Harris | LB (HOU → ATL)
• Darnay Holmes | CB (LV → ATL)
• Austin Hooper | TE (NE → ATL)
• Corey Levin | C (TEN → ATL)
• Azeez Ojulari | ED (PHI → ATL)
• Brian Robinson | RB (NYJ → ATL)
• Trevor Siemian | QB (TEN → ATL)
• Tua Tagovailoa | QB (MIA → ATL)
• Jawaan Taylor | RT (KC → ATL)
• Cam Thomas | ED (CLE → ATL)
• Channing Tindall | LB (ARI → ATL)
• Chris Williams | DL (CHI → ATL)
• Olamide Zaccheaus | WR (CHI → ATL)

And from the draft, the Falcons onboarded this class:

• Round 2 — Avieon Terrell (Clemson | CB)
• Round 3 — Zachariah Branch (Georgia | WR)
• Round 4 — Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma | LB)
• Round 6 — Anterio Thompson (Washington | DT)
• Round 6 — Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU | LB)
• Round 7 — Ethan Oniwanwa (Ohio St. | G)

Bleacher Report‘s Brent Sobleski graded the Falcons’ offseason with a C+ grade this week, noting, “The hiring of a two-time NFL head coach of the Year in Kevin Stefanski, who serves as his own offensive play-caller, and offensive line coach Bill Callahan should help maximize this group. The biggest issue remains the uncertainty around last year’s rookie standout James Pearce Jr.”

“The 2025 first-round pick agreed to enter an intervention program, which allowed him to avoid trial on felony domestic violence charges. Significant talent can be found on Atlanta’s roster. The group needs to come together under its new leadership so the Falcons can finally take over the NFC South.”

Blacklock will turn 28 this summer.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

FC Barcelona player Lamine Yamal holds a Palestinian flag (AP Photo)

FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal once again found himself at the centre of attention during the club’s La Liga title celebrations after waving a Palestinian flag during the team’s open-top bus parade through the streets of Barcelona. The 18-year-old winger, regarded as one of football’s brightest young talents, was seen holding the Palestinian flag while celebrating Barcelona’s league triumph alongside teammates on Monday. Yamal later shared pictures of the moment on his Instagram account as thousands of supporters packed the streets to celebrate the title-winning campaign. According to reports, nearly 750,000 fans turned up for the celebrations as Barcelona marked another domestic triumph. Yamal’s gesture quickly drew global attention amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider international reaction surrounding the conflict. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was asked about the incident during a press conference on Tuesday. While the German coach admitted he generally prefers to avoid such situations, he also made it clear that Yamal is mature enough to make his own choices. “This I don’t normally like,” Flick said. “I spoke with him. I said if he wants this, it is his decision. He is old enough. He’s 18 years old.” There has been growing backlash across the world against Israel over the humanitarian impact of the war in Gaza, with demonstrations and protests appearing across several sports and cultural events, including football, cycling and basketball. Spain has also been among the countries protesting Israel’s inclusion in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Yamal, whose father is Moroccan and who is openly Muslim, appeared to express support for Palestinians through the gesture during the celebrations. Despite the controversy, Flick insisted his focus remained on the connection between the club and its supporters following the title-winning season. “We are playing football and you can see what the people expect from us,” Flick added. “We are playing football to make the people happy. This is for me the first thing we have to do.” Yamal continues to rise rapidly in world football and is widely viewed as one of the leading candidates to become the sport’s next global superstar after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spain international is also expected to be one of the standout names at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.