From the Wings to rookies to the return of Caitlin Clark, these are the three most significant takeaways from WNBA preseason

**2. The Rookie of the Year race is wide open**

In recent seasons, the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award has felt like a formality. Bueckers and Caitlin Clark were heavy favorites entering their respective rookie seasons and won convincingly. In 2026, that’s not the case, and the preseason gave us a genuinely exciting preview of what could be a months-long debate. The most impressive debut arguably belonged to Flau’jae Johnson. Johnson posted 12 points in 23 minutes against the team that traded her. On a young Seattle Storm team where she figures to be a featured piece, the usage and opportunity will be there. Lauren Betts, meanwhile, made a strong impression for the Washington Mystics. Her rim protection and strong passing ability for her size were evident from the start and she continues to score in opportunistic ways within the flow of the offense. She and backcourt companion Georgia Amoore give Washington a young core worth watching. Raven Johnson’s preseason debut was perhaps the most well-rounded of anyone in the class. The South Carolina guard may have been the Fever’s brightest spot in their opening preseason win over the New York Liberty, logging six points, eight assists, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal in just 17 minutes. And yet the race isn’t just those three. Olivia Miles, the No. 2 overall pick to the Minnesota Lynx, showed flashes, and of course Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick, will be in the race and could help turn Dallas into a playoff team. In a race this open, it makes for fun conversations that will certainly never end.

**3. A healthy Caitlin Clark changes everything**

It would be easy to frame Clark’s preseason simply as an Indiana Fever story. But Clark’s return from the groin injury that cost her most of the 2025 season is arguably the most consequential storyline of the entire 2026 WNBA year. The preseason gave us reason for real optimism on that front. Clark was rusty in the Fever’s first exhibition game, but she bounced back sharply in the following two outings, scoring 21 points in 16 minutes against the Dallas Wings and adding 12 more against the Nigerian National Team. Head coach Stephanie White has used her off ball as a screener more than ever before, which has freed her and her teammates up for some quality looks. The implications of a healthy Clark extend beyond Indiana’s record. This team has the potential to win a championship and be the best offense in basketball this year. The Fever finished 2025 as one of the league’s better teams, even without Clark for most of it. With her back, healthy and motivated heading into Year 3, Indiana is a legitimate title contender. The preseason opener against the Liberty showed just how easy the offense can be and why they can look any team in the eyes this year.