No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

The discourse around Caitlin Clark has once again reached a fever pitch – and the WNBA doesn’t seem to be learning from the lessons of the past in its handling of it all. In this nuanced and wide-ranging conversation, Zena, Annie, and Sabreena dissect the different takes swirling around the internet regarding the aftermath of last week’s physical game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury, including Alyssa Thomas’ upgraded foul and suspension. What role should league officials play in getting rid of the toxic discourse that pervades social media? How can the league regain trust with fans? And how can fans and the media alike find the fun again?

Also, the crew digs into the 4-OT thriller between the Mystics and the Fire, Marina Mabrey’s 53-point night, and which teams are trending up in the Sabreena Scale.

Plus: a Commissioner’s Cup Preview. Will the Aces or the Liberty take the crown?

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7399104/2026/06/27/caitlin-clark-wnba-fouls-technicals-phoenix-mercury/

https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/26/wnba/caitlin-clark-foul-alyssa-thomas-wnba-cathy-engelbert

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2026/06/25/caitlin-clark-impact-undeniable-but-wnba-response-falls-short/90701172007/

https://www.laprogressive.com/racism/caitlin-clark-problem

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Caitlin Clark is out for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Sparks. We're bringing you inside the aftermath of Wednesday night's Fever-Mercury game - from Fever head coach Steph White's comments to the intricacies of what happened on the court between Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas, and the eventual upgrade of the foul to Flagrant 2, plus the suspension for one game of Alyssa Thomas.

And: Marina Mabrey goes OFF for 53 points.
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The WNBA's rookie class is making its mark, and Zena and Annie break down who's rising as the season heats up. They debate the leading Rookie of the Year contenders, highlight the biggest surprises, and predict which first-year players are poised for a breakout after the All-Star break.

Plus, we break down the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule and what it means for college athletes.

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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Physicality has always been part of the WNBA—but where’s the line between tough competition and crossing it? Zena and Layshia unpack the league-wide conversation around physical play, breaking down recent technical fouls involving Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and others. They dive into the impact of officiating, player conduct, and sportsmanship, while exploring how the game’s physical style has evolved over the years. From aggressive defenses to referee decisions, the duo examines how players adjust, compete, and thrive in one of the toughest leagues in sports.

REFERENCES:

The fascinating case of Caitlin Clark vs. The WNBA: Who controls the spirit of the sport? by Brian Hamilton

Caitlin Clark blasts officials for ‘ridiculous’ tech, inches closer to suspension by James Boyd

WNBA will not rescind Caitlin Clark’s technical foul from Fever-Mercury game by James Boyd

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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YT: @No-Offseason
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The rookies are making moves, and the all-time rankings are up for debate. Zena, Annie, and Sabreena break down why Azzi Fudd's decision to join Project B and Flau’jae Johnson's move to Unrivaled could shape the next chapter of their careers. Then, the trio takes on the ultimate WNBA debate, ranking the league's greatest players across 30 seasons while weighing Finals MVPs, superstar impact, and the legacies of icons like A'ja Wilson, Candace Parker, and Maya Moore.

To close out —each host unveils their all-time WNBA fantasy starting five.

REFERENCES:

Azzi Fudd chooses to play for Project B over Unrivaled in offseason by Annie Costabile

Seattle Storm rookie Flau’jae Johnson to join Unrivaled by Annie Coastabile

WNBA power rankings: Will the Los Angeles Sparks harness momentum after historic game? by Sabreena Merchant

Ranking WNBA’s top 30 stars through 30 years: Catchings, Taurasi, Wilson, Stewart and more by Sabreena Merchant

Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike ends WNBA 30th anniversary game with stunning buzzer-beater by Sabreena Merchant and Annie Costabile

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.