The WNBA season has returned in full force after a brief break, following historic months filled with record-breaking viewership, merchandise sales, and packed arenas. The league took a nearly month-long pause for the All-Star game, which set new audience records, and the Paris Olympics, where both U.S. teams secured gold medals. This triumph marked the fifth straight gold for the men’s team and the eighth for the women’s team, extending their Olympic winning streak to 61 games. With the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, the possibility of continuing this streak is very much alive.

Disconnect to connect

Caitlin Clark, the rising star of the WNBA, and favorite to win Rookie of the Year, finally got the physical and mental break she desperately needed. Clark hasn’t had this much rest since her junior season in 2023, with a packed schedule that included a loss in the college finals to South Carolina just days before the WNBA Draft, followed by preseason games and then the regular season. Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides acknowledged the importance of this downtime, stating, “A month of rest for Caitlin Clark is exactly what she needed, and I think you’ll see a difference when we come out on Friday.” Sides emphasized the need for Clark to recharge both mentally and physically.

Clark’s performance has shown a clear pattern, as Howard says in the video-more rest leads to greater effectiveness. Even in a “tired” state, Clark was averaging 17 points per game and leads the league with 8.2 assists per game. With this extended rest, expectations are high for a rejuvenated Clark as she pushes to lead the Indiana Fever (11-15) into the playoffs, a feat the team hasn’t achieved since 2016.

WNBA is back

As the WNBA resumes, the New York Liberty (21-4) have been dominating, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, boasting a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. The Las Vegas Aces (16-8) and Seattle Storm (17-8) have also been strong, each with an 8-2 record in their last 10. Meanwhile, rookie sensations teams, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky (10-14), are fighting to hold onto the final playoff spots, both teams going 5-5 in their last 10 games. As the season continues, all eyes will be on whether these teams can maintain their momentum and secure a place in what has already been a historic WNBA season.