The WNBA tipped off Monday with major news: The league is awarding three new expansion franchises to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Each of the winning bids agreed to pay a record $250M expansion fee — higher than the valuations of half the W — with additional investments committed to team and facility development.

Get used to seeing the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark go head-to-head. Not only were the superstars named All-Star Game captains yesterday, but they’ll also square off in tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Commissioner’s Cup. Hoop yeah.

Think of today’s WNBA updates like an episode of Love Island — there’s a hot bombshell, a dramatic split, and something that just might break the internet. Cracking on…

The NBA Finals just wrapped, but the offseason machine never sleeps — just ask the ever-growing list of traded players who’ve swapped threads in the last few days. And that’s not the only hoopla to keep an eye on: The 79th NBA Entry Draft begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET. It’s time to capture the flag(g).

Yesterday, Sportico published its estimated WNBA valuations, illustrating YoY valuation gains for teams across the board. One significant surprise? The financial power of the Golden State Valkyries, which tipped off its inaugural season last month and already leads the league in valuation, just ahead of the NY Liberty and Indiana Fever.

Looking for more tea? Enter: The WNBA, where a cuppa is served on the daily, from buzzy off-court headlines to spicy on-court action. Order up.

For the seventh straight season, there wasn’t a repeat NBA champ — and this year, the confetti fell on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who pummeled the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in last night’s Game 7, capping off a storybook postseason.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (up 3-2) are one win away from raising their first championship banner since 1979 (back when they were the Seattle SuperSonics). Let’s ball.

Last night’s six-game slate was pure cinema, notably locking in the Commissioner’s Cup final before two teams go head-to-head for $500K on July 1st. Read on for who’s through, plus other buzzy headlines from around the WNBA.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s return to the hardwood from injury was piping hot, but she’s not the only WNBAer serving straight fire. Let’s spill the tea with the latest edition of what’s hot and what’s not in women’s hoops. Pinkies up.

The seven-game NBA Finals are level at two games apiece following the OKC Thunder’s 111–104 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Who will hoist the Larry OB? An excellent question ahead of tonight’s 8:30 p.m. ET Game 5 — and one of many we’re asking this Monday morning.

On Friday, Scripps-owned network Ion Television renewed its media rights agreement with the WNBA nearly a year after the league inked a joint multinetwork package alongside the NBA. Despite the WNBA’s attainment of expensive, major network deals, there’s still considerable value in what Ion uniquely brings to the table: A distinct audience and capacity for appointment viewing.