No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

The WNBA is taking a 17-day pause for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, but there’s still plenty to sort out before the playoffs. With just four games remaining when the league returns, Zena and Sabreena break down the current standings, potential playoff matchups, and which teams have the most at stake down the stretch. They look at the biggest strengths and weaknesses across the playoff field, the defensive adjustments that could make a difference, and the players and rivalries that could shape the postseason.
Before getting into the playoff race, the duo reacts to the news that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the FIBA World Cup, with Plum also set to miss the remainder of the WNBA season. They then turn to another major blow for the Las Vegas Aces, as NaLyssa Smith is officially out for the rest of the season with a leg injury. What does her absence mean for the defending champions heading into the playoffs?

Plus, Zena and Sabreena discuss Angel Reese’s rescinded technical foul and what the original ruling could have meant for the Atlanta Dream.

And finally, they open up the mailbag to break down temporary suspensions in the WNBA and how they can impact a team’s roster.

WNBA stars A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum out for FIBA Women’s World Cup by Annie Costabile

NaLyssa Smith has been ruled out for the season. What now for the Aces’ lineup? By Sabreena Merchant

Angel Reese avoids automatic suspension after technical foul quickly rescinded by Sabreena Merchant

Can Valkyries overtake Lynx’s top playoff seed? Our WNBA playoff picture forecast by Sabreena Merchant

Chapters

(00:00) Intro
(01:51) A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum to miss FIBA Women’s World Cup
(04:11) Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron added to Team USA roster
(07:14) NaLyssa Smith suffers season-ending injury
(13:27) WNBA rescinds Angel Reese’s technical foul
(18:17) WNBA playoff structure
(19:48) How WNBA playoff home-court advantage works
(20:09) WNBA tiebreaker scenario explained
(25:43) Exploring the Wing’s playoff approach
(31:02) Inside the Valkyries and Mystics defensive styles
(32:57) Examining the Valkyries and Mystics offense
(38:35) Could the Liberty be trouble for the Aces?
(45:35) What gives the Dream an edge over the Fever?
(50:56) The impact of the FIBA World Cup break on teams
(54:36) Mailbag Question
__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the Dallas Wings go from last place to playoff contender in just one season? Sabreena and Annie are joined by Brian Hamilton to take a closer look at one of the WNBA’s biggest turnarounds.

Brian shares insight into head coach Jose Fernandez’s journey from college basketball to the WNBA, why the timing was right for the move, and how his relationship with Paige Bueckers has shaped his approach to coaching her. The trio also breaks down what has changed in Dallas and how the Wings went from a team searching for answers to one now positioned for the playoffs.

Plus, Sabreena and Annie break down DeWanna Bonner officially joining the Atlanta Dream, how she fits into Atlanta’s playoff push, and the roster move the Dream made to bring her in. They also discuss Unrivaled’s latest funding and plans to bring games to cities across the country.

And they dive into the Chicago Sky’s decision to ban Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena and what it means for the team and the WNBA.

Finally, as we head into the weekend, we’ll tell you where to set your screens for the biggest games this weekend.

REFERENCES:

DeWanna Bonner signing with Atlanta Dream for playoff run: Sources by Annie Costabile

Unrivaled announces new funding that sets league valuation at $650 million by Annie Costabile

Enes Kanter Freedom banned by Chicago Sky after altercation with Natasha Cloud by Annie Costabile

Coach star Paige Bueckers? Resurrect the Dallas Wings? It’s all ‘just basketball’ to Jose Fernandez by Jose Fernandez

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Correction: In this episode, we incorrectly stated that Olivia Miles holds the all-time assists record for a Rookie. Caitlin Clark currently holds that record.

Note: This episode was recorded before the Atlanta Dream signed DeWanna Bonner, so some of the discussion and analysis reflects the roster situation at the time of recording.

DESCRIPTION: The playoff field is officially set, and we’re breaking down the biggest questions facing every team as the postseason approaches!

Zena is joined by Atlanta Dream sideline reporter Autumn Johnson to take a closer look at the playoff picture, including why the Dream are hitting their stride at the perfect time and how head coach Karl Smesko has built trust and confidence within the team.

Before diving into the postseason, we look at the record-breaking performances shaping the league. From Angel Reese’s historic rebounding numbers and Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring streak to Kayla McBride’s record-setting 3-point performance.

Plus, Sabreena sits down with Charlotte Crown guard Deja Kelly of the UPSHOT league to discuss the league’s impact on women’s basketball, the opportunities it provides, her growth as a player, and the competitive environment the league creates.

REFERENCES:

Angel Reese breaks WNBA single-game and single-season rebounding records by Sabreena Merchant

UPSHOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WNBA continues to navigate a growing number of distractions and controversies, sparking important conversations. Zena and Annie dive into the recent confrontation between former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. What led to the incident, and why are WNBA players so often caught in the crossfire of cultural and political debates? The duo discusses how these moments impact the league and wonder what the WNBA can do to ensure off-court distractions don’t continue to overshadow the game.

But first, Zena and Annie break down some of the biggest moments from the weekend, including the introduction of the Portland Fire’s new mascot, Sydney Taylor’s impact on the Chicago Sky and the Toronto Tempo’s ongoing injury woes.

Then, they turned attention to the Phoenix Mercury and veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, who mutually agreed to part ways. Could the move open the door for Bonner to join another team in playoff contention?

Finally, they share their thoughts on Apple TV+’s new three-part docuseries, The Dynasty: UConn Huskies, which chronicles the rise of one of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball history.

REFERENCES:

Mercury buy out DeWanna Bonner’s contract, freeing 6-time All-Star to pursue title run by Annie Costabile

WNBA power rankings: Dallas Wings, Atlanta Dream bounce back at perfect time by Sabreena Merchant

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from Sky-Fever game after confrontation by Brian Hamilton

Sky-Valkyries game disrupted by multiple sex toys thrown on court; Cloud calls culprits ‘weak’ by The Athletic Staff

Enes Kanter Freedom isn’t protecting women. He’s out to instigate, divide, marginalize by Jerry Brewer
__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WNBA’s award races are heating up as the regular season winds down. Sabreena and Annie kick things off by breaking down the impact of Azzi Fudd’s injury on the Dallas Wings and what it could mean for her development moving forward. Then, they dive into the MVP race featuring A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, while also discussing the possibility of co-MVPs and the growing influence of guards in the conversation.

They also discuss the Coach of the Year race, including Cheryl Reeve and Natalie Nakase, and take a closer look at the Defensive Player of the Year debate, with Gabby Williams and A’ja Wilson among the names in the mix. With individual performance, team success and voting transparency all part of the conversation, the final games of the season could have a major impact on who takes home the hardware.

Finally, the duo tells you which games to keep an eye on this weekend.

REFERENCES:

Dallas Wings’ top pick Azzi Fudd to undergo season-ending knee surgery by Sabreena Merchant and Brian Hamilton

Caitlin Clark is having a banner season, so why isn't she in MVP conversations? by Sabreena Merchant and Annie Costabile

Olivia Miles twists ankle, exits Lynx’s win over Valkyries in fourth quarter by Marcus Thompson II
__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.