It may be hard to believe, but we’ve reached the end of the first week of the 2026 WNBA season. Rookies are shining and leading their teams, like Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles, who averages 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and a team-leading seven assists through three games. Miles is the first WNBA player ever to score 45-plus points and 20-plus assists in their first three games in the league. It’s early in a 44-game season, but the Lynx sit at 2-1. It’s safe to say that most didn’t see a fiery start of such occurring without Napheesa Collier. They were wrong.
Olivia Miles tonight 🔥
• 15 points
• 6 assists
• 2 rebounds
• 7/12 FG pic.twitter.com/ud9B8stewn— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 15, 2026
She’s a rookie in the W, but New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier has been a professional in Europe for years and it’s pretty evident. The 5’11” floor general averages the second-most points (16.8), third-most rebounds (3.8) and assists (4). Astier is the first Liberty rookie in franchise history to score 60 points over any three-game stretch. Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally have yet to play so far this season, but Astier has surely given first-year head coach Chris DeMarco a handful of good problems to have.
For Friday’s slate of games, there are several rookies to keep an eye on as they continue to adjust to the speed of the professional game and all that comes with it.
Sun – Out of the most recognizable rookies from last month’s draft, guards Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens hardly see the court, including forward Raegan Beers. Connecticut isn’t going anywhere fast anytime soon as far as competing for a championship, but with French stars Leila Lacan and Nell Angloma set to join the rotation soon, those opportunities will be fewer than they already are.
Aces – Rookie forward Janiah Barker has yet to play this season. As of Friday, she’s missed the last two games due to concussion protocol.
Mystics – In two games, guards Cassandre Prosper and Rori Harmon are the only rookies from last month’s draft to play more than 20 minutes. Mystics coach Sydney Johnson opted to start Propser next to Georgia Amoore, and Harmon sits at 21 minutes per game off the bench. It’s possible that UCLA champions Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic are being eased into their professional careers, like No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd in Dallas.
Fever – As is the trend with most rookies to start the 2026 season, Raven Johnson hasn’t seen much time on the court after a dominant preseason. That should change against the Mystics, who have an assortment of young guards that could pose a problem for Indiana’s perimeter defense. Among other skills, Johnson was drafted for her ability to wreak havoc on defense and execute an offensive game plan.
Tempo – Like Pauline Astier in New York, Spanish star Maria Conde has long been a professional in Europe, but this is her first season in the WNBA. In two games, the 6’3” forward averages nine points and 5.5 rebounds. Her shot from deep is pure, sitting at 44.4 percent on 4.5 attempts per game, but her shot inside the arc hasn’t landed (22.2). If one thing is clear so far, Toronto has to find more minutes for Kiki Rice. Every rookie has their fair share of errors, but the Tempo aims to compete for the playoffs, so expecting her to receive a lion’s share of minutes on the floor is unrealistic. It shouldn’t be, but veterans Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes are the clear starters.
María Conde vs. Seattle Storm (13/5/26)
16 PTS | 4/8 3PT | 8 REB | 1 STLpic.twitter.com/xnd9AqQI09
— Cristian (@DouBasket28) May 14, 2026
Sparks – After trading Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky straight up for Ariel Atkins and sending Cameron Brink to the bench in favor of free agent signee Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles made it known that it picked its timeline: compete for a championship. However, this isn’t a championship roster in the slightest. The 0-2 start to the season with Kelsey Plum as the lead guard in a predictable scheme, and the best players on the team being well over 30 are proof of it. Don’t expect a rookie for the Sparks to see the floor consistently against Toronto.
Sky – To everyone’s surprise, Chicago has a 2-0 record entering the team’s third game of the season. Gabriela Jaquez looks more comfortable than players expected to be selected before her in the draft, averaging 8.5 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. It’s early in the season, but she may make a lot of folks eat their words about her draft spot, and that includes me.
Mercury – Jovana Nogić set the league on fire from day one, rattling off 19 points in 21 minutes on 62.5 percent shooting in Phoenix’s season-opening win over the Las Vegas Aces. Like many overseas players, Nogić only needed an opportunity to show what she could do at this level. It’s still kind of insane to think that a player of her caliber was passed over or unknown by front offices in the league, but Phoenix has excelled where others haven’t lately.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
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