Sparks, Mystics and Aces all 2-0 after opening weekend

Today's results:

The Sparks stopped the Fever, 87-77, behind a double-double by Liz Cambage......though young, Indiana wasn't afraid.

The Mystics handled the Lynx, 78-66.

The Aces outran the Storm, 85-74.

WNBA news:

The lack of roster spots in the WNBA is an expanding problem.

WNBA team news:

Minnesota needs effectiveness at point guard, not promise.

WNBA player news:

WNBA players share what Mother's Day means to them.

Tianna Hawkins knows the challenges and rewards of being a mother who is an athlete.

Season 26, day 2

Today's results:

The Liberty edged the Sun, 81-79.

The Dream outlasted the Wings, 66-59.

WNBA team news:

The Storm threw a party last night that they hope lasts all season long.

The Lynx are facing a tough start and a predictable finish.

How the Dream have been retooling themselves.

WNBA player news:

Diamond DeShields' journey to recovery after having a tumor in her spine removed.

A'ja Wilson is embracing a leadership role with the Aces.

Kelsey Plum is reaping the rewards of a rigorous conditioning program.

Breanna Stewart is grateful to have added "mother" to her resume.

Elena Delle Donne, with "a new body," is looking like her old self.

And we're off

Opening night results:

The Mystics ran past the Fever, 84-70.

The Sparks bested the Sky in OT, 98-91.

The Storm routed the Lynx, 97-74.

The Aces dominated the Mercury, 106-88.

WNBA team news:

ESPN's preseason predictions and storylines.

Three keys for the Storm entering the season.

The Sun are determined to capture that elusive championship this year.......they want to "finish the job."

The Sparks seek to return to their winning ways.

Wings roster breakdown.

There were plenty of positives for Indiana tonight.

WNBA player news:

Is Candace Parker thinking of retiring?

Parker says she's entering this season as if it were her last.

Elena Delle Donne played in her first season opener tonight since 2018.

Jonquel Jones is embracing her role as a new face of the WNBA.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough is making the most of her second stint with the Mystics.

Asia Durr details their two-year battle with COVID-19.

"Draft steal" Naz Hillmon is ready for her WNBA debut.......and for the season.

WNBA news:

Fantasy basketball has the potential to draw in new fans, experts say.

The WNBA is bringing in more sponsorships. Will that bring more viewers?

College player news:

Maryland transfer Angel Reese has committed to LSU.

College coach news:

Rutgers has hired an outside firm to lead its basketball coach search.

Former Colorado standout Shelley Sheetz has been hired as special assistant to the head coach and director of player development.

The 2022 WNBA season tips off tomorrow

WNBA news:

The league is on the long track for sustainable growth, commissioner Cathy Engelbert says.

The team with the best record will host the Commissioner's Cup final.

Play for that tournament tips tomorrow.

Season primer.

What to expect this year from each team.

The league has a new brand anthem......and they kick off the season with a record number of sponsors.

The WNBA has taken a clear stance on Roe vs. Wade.

WNBA team news:

The Storm are happy to have a permanent home again.

The Mystics are ready for a comeback after two tough years.

Aces roster breakdown.

From coach to players, so much is new with the Mercury.......it is a new era for the franchise.

The new-look Fever are as fun as ever.

Four critical questions for Indiana as their new youth movement begins.

WNBA player news:

This may be the big three's final ride for the Storm.

Nineteen questions for Sue Bird.

Gabby Williams is ready to prove herself with Seattle.

Williams and Briann January are key additions who are ready to take the Storm back to the top.

Why Nneka Ogwumike is primed for a bounce-back season.

Liz Cambage is the star the Sparks got......she will keep speaking her mind.

Candace Parker's long-awaited matchup with her former team is tomorrow.

Elena Delle Donne's first rest game will come this weekend.

Napheesa Collier's extra incentive to come back after giving birth is to play once more with retiring Sylvia Fowles.

Fowles is excited for her final season, but not so much for the farewell tour.

Fowles can no longer avoid the praise and recognition she deserves.

Arike Ogunbowale's advice for rookies.

The return and rebirth of Asia Durr.

What Nia Clouden wants to bring to the Sun.

WNBA coach news:

Becky Hammon enters her first season as Las Vegas' coach.

College coach news:

Former Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer knew how to stand up to racism.

Ole Miss has extended coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin's contract through 2026.

Q&A with Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley.

Dawn Plitzuweit is putting together the pieces at West Virginia.

Fitzroy Anthony has been promoted to associate head coach at Miami.

Former players allege that Cynthia Cooper-Dyke was abusive, and made sexual comments, over a period of 10 years, at three different schools.

Savage transactions

Ouch:

Seattle: Herbert Harrigan, Mikiah – Waived
Seattle: Burke, Kennedy – Waived
Seattle: Westbrook, Evina – Waived
Seattle: Perez, Raina – Waivers Cleared
Seattle: Cunane, Elissa – Waivers Cleared
Dallas: Walker, Destinee – Waivers Cleared
Las Vegas: Pointer, Khayla – Waivers Cleared
Las Vegas: Hollingshed, Mya – Waivers Cleared
Minnesota: Ursin, Moon – Waivers Cleared
Minnesota: Bibby, Chloe – Waivers Cleared
Connecticut: Gulbe, Aleksa – Waivers Cleared
Connecticut: Cole, Taja – Waivers Cleared
Connecticut: Charles, Kaila – Waivers Cleared
Las Vegas: Mulkey, Nancy – Waivers Cleared
Chicago: Pulliam, Lindsey – Waivers Cleared
Phoenix: Gustafson, Megan – Sign Training Camp Contract
Chicago: Gondrezick, Kysre – Waived
Chicago: Taylor, Sparkle – Waived
Chicago: Krajisnik, Tina – Waived
Chicago: Davis, Kaela – Waived
Chicago: Maley, Anneli – Waived
Los Angeles: Smith, Kianna – Waived
Los Angeles: Guirantes, Arella – Waived
Los Angeles: Cooper, Te’a – Waived
Connecticut: Jones, Stephanie – Waived
Connecticut: Mompremier, Beatrice – Waived
Indiana: Williams-Holliday, Ameshya – Waived
Indiana: Whalen, Erin – Waived
Indiana: Allen, Lindsay – Waived

The stage is being set

WNBA team news:

The 2022 Chicago Sky.......eight storylines.

How the Mercury are preparing for the season without Brittney Griner.

A look inside the Storm's new arena.

With today's cuts, the Sun finalized their roster at 11.

Three years after winning a title, the Mystics are back to being the underdogs.

The Fever are turning a page with a loaded rookie class.

The Sparks won in the offseason. How about when the games start?

Four keys to the Lynx season.

Team-by-team preview.

How each team stacks up.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart are among key players returning from injury.

Signed Tuesday, Odyssey Sims seems likely to be in Minnesota's starting lineup.

Baby first and then a return to the Lynx? Napheesa Collier hopes so.

Bay Area talent abounds in the WNBA.

Rookie Kierstan Bell's confidence has impressed in Aces camp.

How good will this year's rookies be?

Players and coaches voice concern about the league's hard salary cap, and other issues.

WNBA vets are leaving the league in good hands.

WNBA coach news:

In her first full year as head coach, Noelle Quinn has the trust of her team.

WNBA news:

The WNBA and Twitter have expanded their partnership.

Brittney Griner's absence and Becky Hammon's return headline the new season.

Griner could be the last American basketball star in Russia.

The league and some of its players are speaking out about abortion rights.

College coach news:

Felisha Legette-Jack steps into the head coaching job at Syracuse with lofty expectations.

The search for C. Vivian Stringer's replacement at Rutgers is complicated.

Longtime WNBA coach Fred Williams is Auburn's new associate head coach.

Northwestern has hired Maggie Lyon as an assistant coach.

Crawling toward opening day

WNBA team news:

Five questions ahead of the season.

Attention for the Sky has grown since they won their title.

WNBA player news:

Five under-the-radar players to watch this season.

Candace Parker's goal is to "not suck" in the regular season.

Sylvia Fowles is the definition of an icon.

Dana Evans is ready for the Sky's title defense.

Rookie Rhyne Howard knows she has plenty to prove in the WNBA.

The WNBA is just one of the tests rookie Shakira Austin wants to ace.

Mikiah Herbert Harrigan talks motherhood, her return to the WNBA, and more.

The U.S. government now considers Brittney Griner "wrongfully detained" in Russia, and will work to negotiate her release.

One writer says we've forgotten Griner, but not for the reason people think.

The league confirmed it will display her jersey number and initials on all 12 courts this season.

Female athletes speak out on Roe vs. Wade.

WNBA coach news:

Sky coach James Wade talks about the grim reality of roster cuts.

College player news:

Colorado transfer Kennedy Taylor has committed to Missouri State.

Towson transfer Allie Kubek has landed at Maryland.

More roster cuts that hurt

Today was brutal:

Phoenix: Gray, Vivian – Waived
Phoenix: Williams, Kiana – Waived
Phoenix: Simms, Jennie – Waived
Phoenix: Cannon, Emma – Waived
Indiana: Nared, Jaime – Waivers Cleared
Indiana: Jones, Jazmine – Waivers Cleared
Minnesota: Sims, Odyssey – Sign Training Camp Contract
Minnesota: Turner, Yvonne – Waived
Minnesota: Sjerven, Hannah – Waived
Minnesota: Jones, Kayla – Waived
Minnesota: Davis, Rennia – Waived
Minnesota: Dangerfield, Crystal – Waived
Minnesota: Clarendon, Layshia – Waived
Las Vegas: Macaulay, Victoria – Sign Training Camp Contract
Washington: Harper, Linnae – Waived
Washington: Mavunga, Stephanie – Waived

Much to discuss

Today's preseason result:

The Wings topped the Fever, 101-89.

Preseason rankings:

The league has the Sky at No. 1, while ESPN tabs the Sun for the top spot.

WNBA player news:

Who are the young guards who will make waves as they enter their prime?

Sue Bird: everything is different.

Muscle Milk has launched a new initiative with partner Candace Parker.......the campaign is called "Own Your Strength."

Parker said Chicago needs to reinvent themselves if they hope to retain their title.

Napheesa Collier has signed a contract extension with Minnesota.

The WNBA will honor Brittney Griner with a floor decal on the court of all 12 teams, according to a source.

The league has struck an uneasy silence on Griner.

The Olympic Committee has joined forces to free Griner.

Liz Cambage debunks her native team and praises the Sparks.

Jenna O'Hea says the Cambage incident played a big part in her decision to retire.

College team news:

A look at Mississippi State's new roster.

College player news:

Kentucky has landed South Carolina transfer Eniya Russell and LSU transfer Ajae Perry.

UCF transfer Diamond Battles has followed her coach to Georgia.

Jillian Hollingshead has transferred from Georgia to Tennessee.

Ohio State transfer Kateri Poole will play for LSU.

Maryland grad transfer Channise Lewis has committed to Pitt.

Four have transferred to Oklahoma State.

College coach news:

Parise Rossignol has left her job as assistant coach at Maine.

Painful cuts

WNBA transactions are brutal today:

Seattle: Perez, Raina – Waived
Seattle: Cunane, Elissa – Waived
Dallas: Walker, Destinee – Waived
Seattle: Harding, Paisley – Waivers Cleared
Seattle: Giacone, Jenna – Waivers Cleared
Phoenix: Gilles, Mael – Waivers Cleared
New York: Shook, Kylee – Personal Decision – Full Season
Las Vegas: Pointer, Khayla – Waived
Las Vegas: Hollingshed, Mya – Waived
Minnesota: Ursin, Moon – Waived
Minnesota: Bibby, Chloe – Waived
Connecticut: Gulbe, Aleksa – Waived
Connecticut: Cole, Taja – Waived
Connecticut: Charles, Kaila – Waived
Minnesota: Collier, Napheesa – Sign Contract Extension
Seattle: Gray, Reshanda- Sign Training Camp Contract
Las Vegas: Mulkey, Nancy – Waived
Chicago: Pulliam, Lindsey – Waived