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.
Kelsey Plum - G, Los Angeles Sparks
League's Leading Scorer Injures Ankle in Practice
Plum will miss at least a week with an injured ankle sustained in practice this week. She had to be helped off the court during Tuesday's session, and subsequent testing confirmed a sprain that will sideline her for at least the next week.
Sarah Ashlee Barker - G, Portland Fire
Barker is questionable for Friday's game versus the Dream due to a right foot injury.
Friday's game will be the first of a back-to-back set, so Portland may err on the side of caution and hold Barker out if her foot isn't 100 percent.
Gabriela Jaquez - G, Chicago Sky
Jaquez is out for Friday's game against the Lynx with a knee injury.
A left knee injury will keep Jaquez out for her second consecutive contest Friday. The rookie guard's next chance to return comes Tuesday, when the Sky take on the Mystics in Washington.
Sabrina Ionescu - G, New York Liberty
After a successful return from injury, Ionescu will now miss her second consecutive game with a back injury.
Satou Sabally - F, New York Liberty
Satou Sabally Makes Long-Awaited Debut, Gives Liberty Another Championship-Level Weapon
Sabally, the team's prized free-agent acquisition in the offseason, made her season debut after being sidelined due to a cyst. It was her first game action since suffering a concussion in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals last season as a member of the Mercury. Sabally looked a little rusty Thursday, but once she gets up to speed, she is going to be an amazing addition for the Liberty.
Dorka Juhász - F, Minnesota Lynx
Dorka Juhász Faces Extended Absence as Mid-Foot Sprain Recovery Begins
Dorka Juhász is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, and will miss at least the next five games, including Thursday’s matchup against Toronto. Mid-foot sprains can be particularly tricky for basketball players because of the stress placed on the area during cutting, jumping, and lateral movement, often requiring a cautious rehab process even after pain begins to subside. The extended absence suggests the team wants to avoid any setbacks early in the season, especially with foot injuries having the potential to linger if a player returns too soon. A more concrete timeline for Juhász’s return should emerge once she progresses through rehab benchmarks and is able to resume on-court work without limitations.
Brittney Griner - C, Connecticut Sun
Set To Return From New Injury To Ribs
Griner is likely to return from a two-game absence due to a right rib sprain, and her presence would leave fewer minutes available for Raegan Beers. Griner is averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 27.3 minutes per game across three regular-season outings.
Dominique Malonga - C, Seattle Storm
Has Missed Four Consecutive Game With Concussion
Ruled out a full day before Sunday’s tipoff with a concussion. It was her fourth consecutive game on the inactive list, and it's not encouraging that she continues to get ruled out a full day before tipoff. For now, she should be considered questionable at best for Wednesday's rematch with the Mystics.
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