WNBA Opening Weekend Did Not Disappoint

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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. WNBA Opening Weekend Delivered 🔥

The best basketball league in the world is officially back, and opening weekend didn’t disappoint. With eight games across Friday through Sunday, we got big-time performances and exciting matchups. Here are a few of our favorite highlights:

• The New York Liberty unveiled their 2024 championship banner in front of a roaring Brooklyn crowd.

• Kelsey Plum exploded for 37 points in her LA Sparks debut, powering a statement win over the Golden State Valkyries.

• Caitlin Clark opened her sophomore season with a triple-double, leading the Indiana Fever past the Chicago Sky.

• Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen combined for 33 points in the Mystics’ opening night win against Atlanta.

WHY IT MATTERS: Opening weekend set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling season. With rookie newcomers battling returning stars and teams finding their groove, every game is a new chapter in the unfolding story of the season. Sit back and enjoy watching the best women’s basketball players in the world do what they do best.

2. Dawn Staley and Ticha Penicheiro Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame 👏

Two women’s basketball legends were inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 over the weekend. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley and WNBA champion Ticha Penicheiro were honored at a ceremony in Bahrain. (FIBA Basketball)

WHY IT MATTERS: Staley and Penicheiro were foundational figures in the growth of the WNBA and stars on the global stage. Their FIBA induction celebrates their lasting impact on the international game.

Staley’s resume includes five global titles—three Olympic gold medals and two FIBA World Cup championships—and she was named USA Basketball Player of the Year in 1994. Penicheiro won titles across Europe, a WNBA championship, and is one of the greatest passers the game has ever seen, collecting trophies in seven different countries.

🎥 Watch Dawn Staley carry the U.S. flag at the 2004 Olympics

🎥 Watch WNBA career highlights of Ticha Penicheiro

3. Napheesa Collier Signs With Jordan Brand. 📄✍️

WNBA star and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Jordan Brand. (Sports Illustrated)

WHY IT MATTERS: Collier had been with Nike for the last five years, and cited the investment that Jordan Brand is making into the women’s game as her reasons or making the change. She has consistently prioritized collective progress over personal spotlight, from co-founding Unrivaled to using her platform to create new opportunities for fellow athletes. She joins Maya Moore, Rhyne Howard, and Dana Evans on the Jordan Brand’s roster.

👉 See the announcement on Collier’s Instagram