Locked On Women's Basketball – Daily Podcast On The WNBA

The WNBA is back, and with the playoffs approaching, it’s time to make our 2026 award and All-WNBA projections.

A’ja Wilson has been dominant all season — is another MVP already a foregone conclusion? We break down the MVP race and make our picks for every major WNBA award, including Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Player and Coach of the Year.

Then, we reveal our projected All-WNBA and All-Rookie teams before putting two eliminated teams on the chopping block.

🔥 In this episode:

• A’ja Wilson for MVP?
• Angel Reese for Defensive Player of the Year
• Olivia Miles for Rookie of the Year
• Jess Shepard for Most Improved Player
• Janelle Salaün for Sixth Player
• Cheryl Reeve for Coach of the Year
• Our All-WNBA projections
• Our All-Rookie projections
• What’s next for the Los Angeles Sparks
• How Phoenix can rebuild around Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper
• The biggest roster-building questions heading into 2027

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The WNBA regular season is coming down to the wire, and the final games could have major implications for the playoff race and postseason seeding.

The Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty on Sept. 18 headlines a loaded final stretch, but there are several other matchups that could shape the playoff picture — including the Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream and the Lynx vs. Indiana Fever.

On today’s show, we break down:

• 🏀 The most important games remaining in the WNBA regular season
• 🔥 Why Lynx vs. Liberty could be one of the biggest games of the year
• 👀 Dream vs. Liberty and its potential impact on playoff seeding
• ⭐ Lynx vs. Fever and the battle between two talented teams
• ⚡ Why Mystics vs. Fever could be another must-watch matchup
• 📋 WNBA offseason priorities for teams already eliminated from playoff contention
• 🔵 What the Chicago Sky need to do to become legitimate playoff contenders
• 🔥 How the Portland Fire should approach their second season
• 🛡️ Portland's biggest needs: size, rebounding, defense and half-court offense
• 📈 What each team needs to accomplish heading into 2027

The WNBA playoff picture is about to get VERY interesting.

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Team USA is once again on top of the world! 🇺🇸🏀

The U.S. women's basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat France 97-79 in the FIBA Women's World Cup Final, winning its fifth consecutive World Cup title and 12th overall. Breanna Stewart led the way with 22 points and 9 rebounds and was named tournament MVP.

On today's episode of Locked On Women's Basketball, we break down how Team USA flipped the game in the third quarter, outscoring France 30-12, and why its defense continues to separate the Americans from the rest of the world.

We'll also dive into the FIBA Women's World Cup awards, including:

• Breanna Stewart winning tournament MVP
• The All-Star Five and All-Second Team
• Gabby Williams earning Best Defensive Player
• Iyana Martin being named Rising Star
• The tournament's other major individual honors

Plus, the WNBA has released its 2026 playoff schedule. The first round begins September 27 with a best-of-three format, followed by best-of-five semifinals and a best-of-seven WNBA Finals beginning October 17.

And yes... Game 7 on Halloween night. 🎃🏀

What do you think of the WNBA playoff schedule? And can anyone stop Team USA's dominance on the international stage?

Subscribe to Locked On Women's Basketball for daily coverage, analysis, and discussion of the biggest stories in women's basketball.

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Team USA is headed to the World Cup semifinals — and Spain may be its toughest test yet. 🇺🇸🇪🇸

On today’s show, we break down the semifinal matchups, including what Spain needs to do to slow down the Americans and whether Germany can pull off another massive upset against France.

Then we turn to the WNBA and two of the league’s biggest young surprises:

🏀 Washington Mystics: Sitting at 24–16 and fourth in the East, Washington has emerged as one of the league’s most exciting young teams. Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin are building a foundation that could make the Mystics a legitimate contender sooner than expected.

🏀 Dallas Wings: After going just 10–34 last season, Dallas has made a massive leap to 24–16 and is firmly in the playoff picture. Paige Bueckers has become the centerpiece of the franchise alongside veteran scorer Arike Ogunbowale — but how quickly can the Wings become a true Western Conference contender?

In this episode:

• 🇺🇸 USA vs Spain semifinal preview
• 🇩🇪 Germany vs 🇫🇷 France upset potential
• Key matchups and keys to victory
• Washington Mystics' surprising 2026 season
• Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen & Shakira Austin's emergence
• Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings' massive turnaround
• What the Mystics and Wings could look like in the playoffs and beyond

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Team USA is heading to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup semifinals after a historic 108-56 demolition of Hungary! 🇺🇸🔥

The Americans put together one of their most complete performances of the tournament, forcing turnovers, flying around defensively and moving the ball at an elite level. The 108 points set a World Cup quarterfinal scoring record, while USA’s 31 assists were also a quarterfinal record. With the win, Team USA extends its World Cup winning streak to 34 straight games.

In today’s episode:

🏀 Team USA advances to the semifinals

• USA crushes Hungary 108-56
• Historic offensive and defensive performance
• Kara Lawson praises the team’s defensive activity and ball movement
• Who will USA face in the semifinals: Spain or Australia?

🏀 More World Cup quarterfinal action

• 🇧🇪 Belgium vs. 🇩🇪 Germany
• 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🇪🇸 Spain
• Our picks, predictions and biggest storylines
• Could Germany pull off the upset?
• Why Spain vs. Australia is the game to watch

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The WNBA playoff race is heating up, and the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty are all fighting for the best possible path to the championship.

The Fever have proven they can score with anyone, but can their defense become consistent enough to survive four rounds of playoff basketball? Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston give Indiana plenty of offensive firepower, but the real question is whether they can hold up against the league’s elite.

We also break down what the Atlanta Dream need to do to make a championship run, including Angel Reese’s dominance on the glass, Rhyne Howard’s ability to become a playoff closer, and why Atlanta’s defense could be their biggest advantage.

Plus, the New York Liberty are looking to climb into the top four behind Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. With Satou Sabally out for the season, can the defending champions find enough depth and athleticism to make another run?

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Team USA is BACK on track. 🇺🇸🔥

After a frustrating performance against Italy, the Americans responded in a huge way, dominating Czechia 105-XX and looking much more like the tournament favorite.

Breanna Stewart led the way with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists on 8-of-11 shooting — all in under 17 minutes, while Team USA got major contributions up and down the roster. Six Americans scored in double figures as the offense finally clicked.

Now the knockout bracket is set — and the path to the championship is becoming clear.

In this episode:

• 🇺🇸 Why Breanna Stewart's dominant performance matters
• 🔥 Team USA's offensive explosion after struggling against Italy
• ⭐ Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier and the rest of the USA depth
• 🇫🇷 France's record-setting 22 three-pointers
• 🇧🇪 Belgium's statement win over Australia
• 🇪🇸 Spain bouncing back after the Mali upset
• 🇩🇪 Germany keeping its tournament alive
• 🏀 The complete knockout-round bracket
• 👀 A potential USA vs. Spain semifinal
• 🔥 A potential USA vs. France championship matchup
• 🏆 Can Team USA keep this momentum and make it all the way to the final?

The first-round knockout games are set, with Spain, USA, France and Belgium earning byes into the quarterfinals.

Potential semifinals:
🇪🇸 Spain vs. 🇺🇸 USA
🇫🇷 France vs. 🇧🇪 Belgium

Potential final:
🇺🇸 USA vs. 🇫🇷 France

Italy exposed some weaknesses. Czechia got the angry response. Now the real test begins.

Can Team USA keep rolling all the way to the final?

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Team USA is off to a dominant start at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, cruising past China and showing why they’re one of the favorites — but this team is just getting started. 🇺🇸🏀

On today’s show, we break down the USA’s opening game, including the veteran-heavy starting five of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese’s battle with 7’3” Zhang Ziyu, and Jackie Young’s early impact.

We’ll also preview the biggest games on the FIBA schedule, including Spain vs. Germany, Hungary vs. France, and Belgium vs. Türkiye, with our picks, projected scores and the matchup to watch in each game.

Then we tap in with the Las Vegas Aces, who are heading into the final stretch of the regular season with their sights set on playoff seeding — but now have to navigate the loss of NaLyssa Smith for the rest of the season.

Can A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray keep the Aces in the championship conversation? And which team has the biggest chance to challenge them in the playoffs?

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Satou Sabally is out for the rest of the WNBA season—can the New York Liberty stay playoff-ready without their Unicorn? Sophia Jones breaks down Sabally’s injury fallout, the Liberty’s playoff seeding battle, and how Chris DeMarco’s positionless system is shaping New York’s strategy.

🏥 Sabally’s season-ending injury

🏀 Liberty’s playoff outlook and roster depth

🏆 August WNBA awards: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, Olivia Miles

💪 Golden State Valkyries’ defensive surge under Coach Natalie Nakase

🔥 Key matchups and playoff implications across the WNBA

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Skylar Diggins’ 2026 WNBA season is officially over after the Chicago Sky announced she will miss the remainder of the season while recovering from a lingering right knee injury. But this isn’t the last time we’ll see Skylar in a Sky jersey.

We break down what the injury means for Diggins, the Chicago Sky and what comes next for one of the league’s biggest stars.

Plus, we look ahead to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and ask: Who can actually challenge Team USA? France, Belgium, Australia, Japan, China and Nigeria all have reasons to believe they can make a run.

And finally, there is BIG money entering women’s sports. The 2026 Players Era Women’s Basketball Showcase is set to feature a seven-figure NIL pool, with powerhouse programs including South Carolina, USC, Texas and Duke heading to Las Vegas.

In this episode:

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