The WNBA’s 30th season tipped off with a bang, as the league welcomed its newest generation to the pros via a hyper-competitive weekend slate.
2026 No. 2 draft pick Olivia Miles impressed for Minnesota in her debut, putting up 21 points and eight assists in Saturday’s 91-90 loss to Atlanta. Elsewhere, Seattle rookie Flau’jae Johnson averaged 14 points over her first two games.
“My team trusts me, and they need me to do that,” Miles said postgame. “So just staying aggressive, and the outcome will be the outcome.”
Other top prospects from the Class of 2026 began their pro careers with a slightly more muted approach. Highly touted No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd came off the bench in Dallas’s 107-104 win over Indiana on Saturday.
“Keep doing what she’s doing, it’s her first year in the league,” said Wings coach Jose Fernandez. “We got five really talented backcourt players.”
2026 NCAA champions Kiki Rice, Lauren Betts, and Angela Dugalic also struggled to find their footing in Friday’s Bruin reunion. There, Betts and Dugalic combined for just two points in Washington’s 68-65 win over scoreless Rice’s Toronto.
Where to Watch WNBA Rookies Azzi Fudd & Olivia Miles
Fudd faces another test tomorrow, as Dallas takes on Atlanta at 8 PM ET, before Minnesota visits Phoenix at 10 PM ET, live on League Pass.
