Wednesdayâs games were a reminder why its unwise, yet irresistable, to invest too much in preseason games.
Angel Reeseâs return to Chicago didnât deliver any drama, or much on-court insight. Reese and the other members of the Atlanta Dreamâs staring core who were availableâAllisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canadaâlogged no more than 13 minutes against the Sky. And when those four were on the court together, there was a lot more Sika KonĂ© than expected. Still, Reese tallied eight points, seven boards, two assists and three steals.
Playing time for Madina Okot and Te-Hina Paopao, the Dreamâs highest drafted players in 2026 and 2025, respectively, was instead the priority for Atlanta, which prevailed 87-78 over Chicago. As was already understood, Okot needs some sharpening to succeed as a reliable WNBA big. But she certainly looked like she belonged, finishing with a 14-point and 11-rebound double-double.
The Sky again were incomplete, without not only AzurĂĄ Stevens, DiJonai Carrington and Courtney Vandersloot, all of whom are recovering from injuries, but also Skylar Diggins, who was absent for personal reasons. Somewhat puzzlingly, Gabriela Jaquez, the No. 5 overall pick in 2026, received only 12 minutes of playing time, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds.
In Toronto, Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes were late scratches for the Tempo, making if difficult to gain a perspective of how the Canadian expansion team might come together. The Connecticut Sun secured the 83-78 win behind 21 off-the-bench points from Aneesah Morrow. The Sun also seemed to signal their belief in 2026 second-round selection Charlisse Leger-Walker, who demonstrated WNBA-readiness in her 24 minutes.
For the Tempo, it was encouraging to see Lexi Held thriving after her 2025 season was cut short due to a collapsed lung and rib injury. She led the team with 22 points. Kiki Rice, drafted No. 6 overall in 2026, scored five points in her first WNBA action.
In Seattle, the story was (again) Flauâjae Johnson. The No. 8 overall pick who was traded on draft night delivered a second-straight promising performance for the Storm in a victory over the Portland Fire, 91-81. Flauâjae scored 20 points in 19 minutes, hitting three 3-pointers.
For the Fire, it looks like head coach Alex Sarama believes in Sarah Ashlee Barker, as she played 33 minutes, scoring 14 points, in Portlandâs first preseason game.
Finally, the Phoenix Mercury took care of Japan, 86-60. Itâs curious that Phoenixâs starting group of Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Mack all played at least 21 minutes. Those players are sure things compared to a bench full of questions. No reserve played more than Kianna Williams and her 16 minutes. With another solid showing from 3, Williams looks like a final roster lock for Phoenix.
What stood out to you from Wednesdayâs preseason play? Who showed you what you wanted to see? Whose performances raised some concerns?
