The WNBA’s 26th season tips off with a quadruple-header on Friday night, ushering in another year full of on- and off-court intrigue. As teams take the next step in their rebuilds, and others make a push for championship contention, the league is on the cusp of one of its most competitive seasons yet.

Just Women’s Sports WNBA experts Rachel Galligan and Lyndsey D’Arcangelo got together to break it all down, analyzing the impact of teams’ offseason moves and making their predictions for WNBA champion, individual awards and other fun categories. Let’s get to it.

Prediction for champion

Chicago Sky

It is nearly impossible at this stage to determine who will win it all between the Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm. I give the nod to the Sky based on their experience winning the 2021 championship and their free-agent acquisitions of Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand. Did the Sky just catch lightning in a bottle when they peaked in the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and won it all last year? I don’t think so, and I don’t expect a team led by Candace Parker, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot to be complacent. We have yet to see this team be consistently dominant over the course of a season, as Parker alluded to earlier this week. This season could be it. — Rachel Galligan

Connecticut Sun

The Sun have been in the championship conversation for the past few seasons, making the WNBA Finals in 2019 and the semifinals in 2020 and 2021. This year could finally be their breakthrough. Jonquel Jones is primed to be a frontrunner again for MVP, Alyssa Thomas is healthy, Courtney Williams is back with the team for another run and the entire roster is as solid as it has ever been. If Connecticut can find a second gear in the playoffs and capitalize on their fine-tuned regular season chemistry, a WNBA trophy will be the result. — Lyndsey D’Arcangelo

Prediction for MVP

Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

Sue Bird’s final ride is motivation enough for the Storm to be a favorite to win it all, and I expect Breanna Stewart to be back at 100-percent superstardom after signing a one-year deal of her own in the offseason. Stewart’s 2021 season was cut short when she suffered a left foot injury in early September, and the Storm stumbled into a fourth-place finish and single-game elimination in the playoffs. Stewart has a track record of bouncing back from injuries, most recently when she was named 2020 Finals MVP after missing all of the 2019 season. — Galligan

Tina Charles, Phoenix Mercury

The Brittney Griner situation is delicate, and with each day that passes, the urgency to secure her safe return home grows. The U.S. State Department recently reclassified Griner as “wrongfully detained” by Russia. Basketball, of course, is secondary to her well-being. But in her absence, the Phoenix Mercury will need to rely more on Tina Charles in the post, and Charles is used to fulfilling that role. Last season, she was the go-to player for the injury-riddled Washington Mystics and led the league in scoring with 23.4 points per game. With Charles having already teamed up with Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith on Team USA, chemistry shouldn’t be an issue for the Mercury. The 6-foot-4 center will get plenty of looks and opportunities to dominate in the lane. — D’Arcangelo

Prediction for Defensive Player of the Year

Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

Even as she enters her farewell season in the WNBA at 36 years old, Fowles is still playing some of the best basketball of her career, especially on the defensive end of the floor. The 14-year veteran’s imposing size, agility, rim protection and rebounding abilities are tough for any opponent to match up with, and I expect her to leave it all on the line for the Lynx this year. — Galligan

Sylvia Fowles, Lynx

How cool would it be if Sylvia Fowles added yet another Defensive Player of the Year honor to her resume in her last season in the WNBA — bringing her grand total to five and tying the legendary Tamika Catchings? Fowles has been one of the most dominant and versatile defensive players in the league during her career. She not only blocks shots, but she also excels at bodying-up opponents, making them uncomfortable in the lane and forcing them into bad shots. Every game day is just another one at the office for Fowles. — D’Arcangelo

Prediction for Rookie of the Year

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 pick in last month’s draft, enters a situation in Atlanta that’s perfectly suited for the 6-2 guard to gain valuable minutes, experience and confidence on the floor. And as we learned from her stellar career at Kentucky, when Howard gets minutes, she racks up points. As the franchise looks to rebuild from the ground up, Howard should have the ball in her hands often with every opportunity to make her mark on the WNBA. — Galligan

Rhyne Howard, Dream

In the past couple of seasons, we’ve seen the Rookie of the Year award come down to which player gets the most playing time and opportunities to impact the game. This year, there will be plenty of rookies thrust into larger roles, notably the Indiana Fever’s five rostered draft picks, but Howard could have the biggest effect of them all. She’s going to have a chance to showcase her talent in full capacity for the Dream, and she has all the tools to make the most of it. — D’Arcangelo

Prediction for Coach of the Year

James Wade, Chicago Sky

Chicago had a rollercoaster 2021 regular season, following up a seven-game losing streak at the beginning to the season with a seven-game win streak and entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed before winning it all. I do not expect that to be the case this year. James Wade has the entire package of superstar talent, veteran experience, chemistry and confidence to keep his team near the top of the standings all season long. His offseason acquisition of Messeeman immediately enhances this roster. — Galligan

Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty

The Liberty are ready to take that next step, and Brondello has the experience and coaching pedigree to get them there. Sabrina Ionescu was considered a franchise player when she entered the league as the No. 1 pick in 2020, but experienced a setback when she suffered an ankle injury early in her rookie season. With Brondello at the helm (and Ionescu saying she finally feels healthy), the guard could have the kind of breakout season Liberty fans have been waiting for. — D’Arcangelo

Team with most breakout potential

Dallas Wings

In 2021, the Wings emerged as one of the most dangerously young and talented teams in the WNBA, capable of causing opponents fits on any given night. With another year of experience, I could see the Wings taking the next step in their progression, from a seventh-place finish last season to a top-five team in the league and a playoff contender. To get there, they will need to improve most drastically on the defensive end of the floor. — Galligan

New York Liberty

I agree with Rachel that the Wings are primed for a breakout season, as they have been on the cusp for a couple of years now. But the Liberty are also ready to raise their game to another level, especially with Stefanie Dolson in the mix and Natasha Howard healthy. This team has a lot of weapons, and although the bulk of the roster is still young, there’s a good balance of experienced vets who can help lead the way. — D’Arcangelo

High-risk, high-reward team

Los Angeles Sparks

In 2021, Los Angeles battled injuries, inconsistencies and an inability to score the basketball. Derek Fisher and the Sparks’ front office addressed those shortcomings with some of the biggest moves of the offseason, signing Liz Cambage, Chennedy Carter and Katie Lou Samuelson. When you combine the newcomers with the veteran returners, the Sparks have an extremely talented roster on paper. How quickly the Sparks can build chemistry and gel on the floor will make or break them this season. — Galligan

Los Angeles Sparks

Los Angeles took a big swing in free agency, bringing in Cambage and trading for Carter and Samuleson. All three players have the potential for breakout offensive performances, which the Sparks desperately need after finishing last in the league in points per game in 2021. Still, the combination of big personalities like Cambage and Carter has the potential to backfire, because what happens in the locker room directly impacts the outcome on the court. But if the Sparks can mesh as a team and work together toward a common goal, the payoff could be a playoff appearance and possibly more. — D’Arcangelo

Best comeback story

Alysha Clark, Washington Mystics

The Mystics’ success this season hinges on the health and consistency of their roster, and that starts with Elena Delle Donne and Alysha Clark. Clark missed the 2021 season with a foot injury she sustained while playing overseas, and the former Storm guard has yet to play a game in a Mystics jersey. While recovery from any season-ending injury requires patience, if Clark is back to playing her best basketball mid-season, she can help lead the Mystics on a deep playoff run with her tenacity on defense and versatility on offense. — Galligan

Elena Delle Donne, Mystics

The Mystics were just not the same team without Delle Donne on the floor the past two seasons. After the 2019 MVP underwent multiple back surgeries to repair herniated discs, what happens from here is anyone’s guess. But if Delle Donne can stay on the court and dominate the way she is capable of, alongside an equally healthy Clark, Washington has a legitimate chance to not only make the playoffs this year, but to compete for another WNBA championship. — D’Arcangelo

Biggest impact on a new team

Liz Cambage, Los Angeles Sparks

While the Sparks won’t need to pound the ball inside to Cambage over and over, like we saw with the Wings in 2018, the center has the opportunity to thrive in an offensive system designed to put her in situations where she’s at her best. That includes playing with her back to the basket, facing up and owning the paint with Nneka Ogwumike. The Sparks made sure to add 3-point threats in the offseason between Samuelson and their draft class, which should allow them to challenge defenses and open up the floor for Cambage to do damage down low. — Galligan

Indiana’s rookie class

We’ve never seen a rookie class like the one the Indiana Fever have put together this season. NaLyssa Smith, Emily Engstler, Lexie Hull, Queen Egbo and Destanni Henderson are essentially a college All-Star team, and Fever interim general manager Lin Dunn has stressed that these players were drafted to play a lot of minutes away. For a team in the midst of a long rebuild, how can they not have an impact? — D’Arcangelo

Other storyline you have your eye on

Connecticut finally at 100-percent health

We have yet to see the Sun’s vision for their Big Three of Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner come to fruition. Jones missed the 2020 bubble season, and Alyssa Thomas missed the majority of the 2021 season while recovering from a torn Achilles. Finally at full strength, the Sun are poised to make a run at their first WNBA championship if they can stay healthy. — Galligan

Brittney Griner

As the WNBA season gets underway, Griner’s situation hangs over the games. The league stated earlier this week that getting the Mercury center home is paramount, and throughout the season, her initials and numbers will be displayed on every team’s court. The gesture is a show of solidarity and offers a constant reminder that Griner is on everyone’s mind. — D’Arcangelo

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

Lyndsey D’Arcangelo is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports, covering the WNBA and college basketball. She also contributes to The Athletic and is the co-author of “Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League.” Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21.

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that the USWNT will play their last home game on July 16th in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The 2024 Send-Off Match against Costa Rica will take place at Washington, DC’s Audi Field — home to both the Washington Spirit and DC United — at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 16th. The friendly rounds out a four-game Olympic run-up campaign under incoming head coach Emma Hayes’ side, with the last two set to feature the finalized 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team roster.

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Hayes will appear on the USWNT sideline for the first time this June, helming the team as they embark on a two-game series against Korea Republic hosted by Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on June 1st followed by Allianz Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 4th. 

The team is then scheduled to meet a talented Mexico squad on July 13th at Gotham FC’s Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, where the Olympic-bound lineup will attempt to rewrite February’s shocking 2-0 loss to El Tri Femenil in the group stages of this year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup. And while clear roster favorites have emerged from both of this year’s Gold Cup and SheBelives Cup rosters, a spate of recent and recurring injuries means making it to the Olympics is still largely anyone’s game.

Broadcast and streaming channels for the USWNT's final July 16th friendly at Audi Field include TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, and Peacock.

The USA Basketball Women's National Team is still considering Caitlin Clark for a spot on the Paris Olympics squad, says selection committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti. 

On Monday, Rizzotti told the AP that the committee will be evaluating the college phenom’s Olympic prospects by keeping a close eye on her first few weeks of WNBA play with Indiana.

The move is somewhat unconventional. While Clark was invited to participate in the 14-player national team training camp held earlier this month — the last camp before Team USA’s roster drops — she was unable to attend due to it coinciding with Iowa’s trip to the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

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Judging by the immense talent spread throughout the league in what might be their most hyped season to date, competition for a piece of the Olympic pie could be fiercer than ever before.

"You always want to introduce new players into the pool whether it's for now or the future," said Rizzotti. "We stick to our principles of talent, obviously, positional fit, loyalty and experience. It's got to be a combination of an entire body of work. It's still not going to be fair to some people."

Of course, Clark isn’t the first rookie the committee has made exceptions for. Coming off an exceptional college season that saw her averaging 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for UConn, Breanna Stewart was tapped to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil less than two weeks after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Seattle Storm. Eight years prior, fellow No. 1 pick Candace Parker punched her ticket to the 2008 Games in Beijing just two weeks after making her first appearance for the L.A. Sparks.

In the lead-up to Paris’ Opening Ceremony on July 26th, USA Basketball Women’s National Team is scheduled to play a pair of exhibition games. They'll first go up against the WNBA's finest at the July 20th WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix before facing Germany in London on July 23rd.

While an official roster announcement date hasn’t yet been issued, players won’t find out if they’ve made this year’s Olympic cut until at least June 1st.

For the first time in history, three different WNBA teams have completely sold out of season ticket plans well before the league's May 14th kick-off.

Call it the Caitlin Clark effect, attribute it to this year’s tenacious rookie class, or look to the skyrocketing visibility of veteran players across the board. But no matter the cause, facts are facts: Tickets to the 2024 WNBA season are selling like never before. 

On Monday, the Dallas Wings became the third team to sell out of season ticket memberships in the league’s 27-year history. The announcement from Arlington came shortly after the Atlanta Dream issued their own season ticket sell-out statement, also on Monday, and almost seven weeks after the back-to-back WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces made headlines by becoming the first-ever WNBA team to sell out their season ticket allotment.   

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According to the Wings, season ticket memberships will fill nearly 40% of the 6,251 seats inside their home arena, College Park Center. The club also said that their overall ticket revenue has ballooned to the tune of 220% this year, spanning not just season tickets but also a 1,200% increase in single ticket sales. There’s currently a waitlist to become a Dallas season ticket holder, a status that comes with extra incentives like playoff presale access and discounts on additional single-game tickets. 

In Atlanta, season tickets aren't the only thing flying off the shelves. The Dream also announced that they broke their own record for single-game ticket sales during a recent limited presale campaign. Sunday was reportedly their most lucrative day, with five different games totally selling out Gateway Center Arena. Individual tickets for all upcoming matchups will hit the market this Thursday at 8 a.m., while a waitlist for season ticket memberships will open up next Tuesday at 10 a.m.

"Excitement around women's sports, particularly basketball, is at an all-time high and nowhere is that felt more than here in Atlanta," Dream president and COO Morgan Shaw Parker said in the team’s statement. "We’ve continued a record-setting growth trajectory over the past three years under new ownership — both on and off the court — and 2024 is shaping up to be our best season yet."

As of Tuesday, season ticket sales revenue for Caitlin Clark’s hotly anticipated Indiana Fever debut haven’t yet been announced by the club. But if these numbers are any indication — not to mention the explosive demand for Fever away games felt by teams around the country — it won’t be long before we see some scale-tipping figures coming out of Indianapolis.

25-year-old American pro golfer Nelly Korda secured her spot in LPGA history on Sunday, notching her fifth-straight title at this weekend's Chevron Championship in The Woodlands, Texas.

Ranked No. 1 in the world by Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sörenstam (2005) as just the third LPGA player to rack up five consecutive tour wins. She is also the third No. 1-ranked player to capture The Chevron Championship victory since the rankings debuted in 2006, accompanied by Lorena Ochoa and Lydia Ko.

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The Florida native shot three-under 69 in Sunday's final, besting Sweden's Maja Stark despite Stark's valiant come-from-behind attempt in the 18th. Korda finished with a four-day total of 13-under 275, celebrating her two-stroke win by cannonballing into Poppie's Pond, much to the crowd's delight. She left The Club at Carlton Woods with $1.2 million from an overall purse of $7.9 million.

It wasn't long ago that the two-time major champion's current winning streak seemed unimaginable. After maintaining her No. 1 position for 29 weeks, Korda underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from her left arm in 2022. She returned to the course not long after, but failed to win a single tournament in 2023 before seeing a surge in form during the first four months of 2024. As of today, she hasn't lost a tournament since January.

Korda will attempt a record sixth-straight win at next week's JM Eagle LA Championship at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles, where she'll vie for a cut of the $3.75 million purse.