As the 2026 WNBA season tips off, the league enters a new era filled with championship expectations, superstar debuts, and just as importantly, major health questions that could shape the standings from day one. Every week, this column will track the injuries that matter most, from lingering offseason recoveries and preseason setbacks to workload management concerns and surprise absences that impact rotations across the league. With contenders already navigating key injuries and others entering opening night fully healthy, availability could once again become one of the defining storylines of the WNBA season.
Kiki Rice - G, Toronto Tempo
Rice remains sidelined by a Grade 3 left ankle sprain, which is a worsening from the previous Grade 2 diagnosis. Rice will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Brittney Sykes - G, Toronto Tempo (Update)
(Update) - Sykes is dealing with a plantar fascia injury and will miss several weeks
Sykes was helped off the court in the third quarter of Tuesday's game in Indiana due to a non-contact injury and did not return to the game. The team is calling it a foot injury, and official word on the injury has yet to come.
Cameron Brink - C, Los Angeles Sparks
Has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against Minnesota and is expected to miss multiple games. Head coach Lynne Roberts said Wednesday at shootaround that Brink has a left ankle sprain and is not expected to have a short-term absence, suggesting the forward is being evaluated closer to a week-to-week basis.
Kelsey Plum - G, Los Angeles Sparks
Listed as questionable for Wednesday's game. Plum is dealing with a lower left leg injury and is in jeopardy of missing her fourth game of the season. The star guard has appeared in five straight outings following a three-game absence due to a right ankle sprain, averaging 22.8 points, 6.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 33.4 minutes per contest during that time.
Brionna Jones - C, Atlanta Dream
Jones, who hasn't yet been cleared for 5-on-5 drills, continues to make significant progress in her rehab from right knee surgery. The star center still doesn't carry a firm timetable for a return, but it sounds like she'll have a chance to return at some point in early July.
Paige Bueckers - G, Dallas Wings
After missing Saturday’s game vs the Fire with an ankle injury sustained last Thursday and being declared day-to-day, Bueckers is Probable for Monday’s game vs the Aces. Bueckers has averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per showing over four appearances in June
Hailey Van Lith - G, Connecticut Sun
Van Lith missed her last two games with an ankle contusion, her next chance to play will be Wednesday when the Sun host the Mystics.
Karlie Samuelson - G, Portland Fire
Samuelson, is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Lynx due to new concerns about left adductor tightness. If she is unable to go, that opens up opportunities for Sarah Ashlee Barker
Nyara Sabally - F, Toronto Tempo
Sabally has missed her last two games with a hamstring injury, with her next chance to play vs the Indiana Fever.
Kiki Iriafen - G, Portland Fire
Iriafen missed a second straight game after suffering a right ankle sprain in the second quarter of last Monday's loss to the Fever. Angela Dugalic got the start in her place Friday and figures to remain in the starting lineup until Iriafen returns. The forward's next opportunity to play will come Wednesday against the Sun.
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