Two storylines to watch in the second half of the 2026 WNBA season

The GIST: The Group Chat popped off about all things WNBA All-Star Weekend, from the historic three-point contest to the most chaotic livestream in sports to the collection of ’fits that belong in the Louvre. Now, it’s back to reality as the second half of the season tips off tomorrow.

❌ League addresses ongoing harassment crisis: It’s been a tumultuous year with recurring instances of racism and harassment dominating headlines, culminating in a meeting between league commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the players’ association last week. Any tangible action remains unclear, but those discussions reportedly “marked the beginning of an ongoing dialogue.”

• Engelbert highlighted the importance of transparency and reiterated the league’s existing security measures in her All-Star press conference on Saturday, later sharing that a replay center will be introduced in 2027 to help manage the continued criticism of league officiating.

❤️‍🩹 Injuries continue to pile up: Stop us if you’ve heard this before but the W’s been decimated by injuries with 216 already reported this year, a whopping 51 more than this time last season. It remains a league-wide concern, but thankfully two previously sidelined superstars are so back.

• 🐱 Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx vs. the Toronto Tempo — 8 p.m. ET: After posting a double-double in last week’s season debut, expect more magic from perennial MVP candidate Collier as her league-best Lynx host All-Star Marina Mabrey and the Tempo.

• ✨ Kelsey Plum and the LA Sparks vs. the NY Liberty — 10 p.m. ET: Plum was putting up MVP–caliber numbers before a leg injury sidelined her in June. And while the Sparks are keeping their cards close to their chest, she should be hooping in this marquee matchup.