The 2026 WNBA season tipped off this past Friday, providing fans with multiple exciting games. With each of those games, there were several strong player performances that need to be recognized.
2026 WNBA Opening Weekend Standout Player Performances
Breanna Stewart
New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart opened the season with a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double. With that, Stewart has now reached 6,000 career points. She is the second fastest in WNBA history to do so, with 293 games played. There was this fire in the six-foot-four forward as she shot efficiently, going 10 for 17 from the floor. Her defensive presence was also stellar as she recorded a steal and three blocks. In the second game of the season, Stewart scored 23 points, along with nine rebounds. Her defense was solid again with two steals and two blocks.
As the captain of the Liberty, Stewart’s performance impacts how the rest of the team plays. When she scores at a consistent level, the team has more success. Last season, the Liberty did not make it past the first round of the playoffs after winning the finals in 2024. Part of the reason why they failed so early was that Stewart struggled in the series. If she keeps up this pace of play, the Liberty may see themselves back competing in the finals.
Marine Johannès
Marine Johannès is another New York Liberty player making a strong statement on her skills with the way she played this weekend. In the Liberty home opener, Johannès was on fire, shooting five for nine from three and recording 17 points. An underrated part of her game is her defense, in which she recorded three steals. In Sunday’s game against the Washington Mystics, Johannès set a new career-high in points for herself with 25. She made six three-pointers. With 11 threes made thus far, Johannès set the Liberty franchise record for the most three-pointers made in the first two games of a season.
In past seasons, Johannès was a player who would come in off the bench. As a current starter for the Liberty, she is playing really well and contributing on both sides of the floor. Johannès brings extra depth that the Liberty will need for this WNBA season.
Alyssa Thomas
Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas is off to a strong start, stacking her stat line. In the first game of the Mercury’s season against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, Thomas scored 20 points and had six rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. In the second game, Thomas was close to a triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. Her offense, defense, and playmaking are all key qualities to her game. The forward holds the record for the most triple-doubles in WNBA history with 19. As the season progresses, Thomas is expected to add to that total.
The Phoenix Mercury had a strong 2025 season as they made the finals, but were swept by the Las Vegas Aces. Other than trading Satou Sabally away, the Mercury kept most of their starting lineup together. Thomas is one of the most consistent performers in the league. If she continues to play at this high caliber, the Mercury can make another strong playoff run this season.
Angel Reese
One of the biggest moves in the WNBA offseason was the Chicago Sky trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. In her debut game for the Dream, Reese picked up right where she left off. The six-foot-four forward recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. This performance marks the 50th double-double in Reese’s young career. She is now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach this milestone. WNBA legend Tina Charles reached the milestone in 75 games, while Reese took 65 games.
In addition to her rebounding dominance, Reese’s defense is another key part of her game. She had two steals and three blocks against the Minnesota Lynx. The Dream acquiring Reese was a huge move because of all the talent that she adds. Each season, she has improved on different skills. The Dream will have a playoff-contending team with the depth they had and the addition of Reese’s star power.
Olivia Miles
Rookie Olivia Miles wasted no time in her debut game with the Minnesota Lynx. In a closely contested game against the Atlanta Dream, Miles recorded 21 points, three rebounds, and eight assists. The rookie was perfect from the free-throw line, going eight for eight. The balance of Miles being a scorer and a playmaker is impressive. On the defensive end, the rookie out of TCU recorded two steals and two blocks.
For her first professional WNBA game, Miles made a strong impact. She became the fifth player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points and five assists in her first game. The future seems bright for this young star. The Lynx are dealing with a lot of injuries. Having Miles and her star power will be huge for them to remain a top team in this league.
Other Notable Standouts
Kelsey Mitchell (IND): 30 points, three rebounds, four assists
Marina Mabrey (TOR): 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal
Kelsey Plum (LAS): 27 points, four rebounds, two assists
Skylar Diggins (CHI): 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, two blocks
Gabby Williams (GSV): 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, four steals, one block
Featured Image: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
