WNBA injury updates make headlines

On your marks, get set…

WNBA injury updates make headlines

As the WNBA dives into training camp, a steady stream of injury updates — some concerning, some promising — continues to surface ahead of the league’s May 8th tipoff.

• According to The Athletic, recent Chicago signing DiJonai Carrington will soon join the Sky after undergoing surgery to remove hardware from a previous left foot injury.

• Seattle center Ezi Magbegor will miss opening day after injuring her foot while representing Australia at March’s FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

• Las Vegas ruled guard Dana Evans out indefinitely as she recovers from a leg injury that sidelined her from the 2026 Unrivaled postseason. (See full report)

The upside: It’s not all bad news, however, as other key players target healthy returns after missing significant time in 2025.

• Washington expects 2025 draft pick Georgia Amoore to be on the floor for next month’s opener, as she kickstarts a delayed rookie campaign following last year’s preseason ACL tear.

• Indiana guard Caitlin Clark reports that she’s participating in training pain-free after sitting out much of last season — including the playoffs — with a lingering groin issue. (See full report)

Clay-court season heats up in Madrid

Europe’s clay court swing is hitting its stride, as the world’s top tennis stars find their footing at this week’s 2026 Madrid Open.

• World No. 2 Elena Rybakina landed in Spain on a high after capturing her second Stuttgart Open title in three years, sailing to victory on a straight-set final win over Karolína Muchová.

• “It really feels like home, and you just want to come back every year,” the 2026 Australian Open champion said in Germany. (Watch full highlights)

Setting the field: Madrid marks the second main clay-court tuneup ahead of next week’s Italian Open in Rome — the final dress rehearsal before May’s Paris Open.

• No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will make her 2026 clay debut Thursday, having skipped Stuttgart to manage an injury sustained during her Sunshine Double sweep.

• Other seeded stars scheduled to hit the court this week include reigning French Open winner Coco Gauff, No. 4 Iga Świątek, No. 5 Jessica Pegula, and No. 6 Amanda Anisimova. (See main draw)

Tune in: Madrid Open coverage runs through May 2nd, live on The Tennis Channel.

Iowa State star Audi Crooks lands in Oklahoma

Ex-Iowa State star Audi Crooks has found a home, ending weeks of speculation by announcing she’ll transfer to Oklahoma State for her senior year.

• Crooks finished the 2025/26 NCAA season second in DI scoring with 25.8 points per game while shooting 64.9% from the field, building on a career 22.8-point, 7.7-rebound-per-game average. (See full stats)

• She joins touted Florida transfer Liv McGill in Stillwater, after the rising junior averaged 22.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists last season.

Big moves: The 2026 NCAA transfer portal closed Monday night, ending its official entry period — though players already in the portal can still commit to new schools.

• Some big names opted to stay put, as Virginia guard Kymora Johnson announced she’ll exit the portal and return to the Cavaliers under new coach Aaron Roussell.

• Others are heading out, as Texas guard Jordan Lee goes to South Carolina, Iowa State guard Jada Williams joins LSU, Georgia guard Dani Carnegie moves to Iowa, and Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper lands at Ole Miss. (See full tracker)

Sharon Lokedi wins 2nd straight Boston Marathon

Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi has gone back-to-back, winning her second straight Boston Marathon on Monday with a final time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds.

• The celebrated distance runner registered the fourth-fastest women’s time on record, leading an all-Kenyan podium sweep alongside Loice Chemnung (2nd) and Mary Ngugi-Cooper (3rd).

• “I was very tired, I didn’t know if I had it today,” Lokedi said afterwards. “But I felt like this was it. I was either going to go or I was going to stay.” (See full report)

Home soil: Arizona native Jess McClain also made history, smashing the US women’s record with a 2:20:49 finish — good for fifth overall.

• “To run the time that I knew was in me, at some point in the wheelhouse of what I can do, is really awesome,” McClain told reporters. (See full report)

Up next: Marathon season is in full swing, with the next World Major set to kick off in London on Sunday, April 26th.

2027 Tour de France adds UK stages

Tour de France Femmes is coming to the UK, announcing plans to set next year’s opening three stages across the English Channel in a historic expansion for the women’s event.

• The Grand Départ will run from Leeds to Manchester, setting up a second stage from Manchester to Sheffield, before a team time trial in London.

• The 2027 race features the first men’s and women’s Tours in the same country outside France — as well as the women’s event’s first-ever team time trial. (See full report)

Big picture: The modern Tour de France Femmes has grown rapidly since its 2022 debut, building momentum alongside the men’s race — which returns to the UK for the first time since 2014.

• “I can’t wait to showcase to the cycling world what London has to offer,” said Fenix-Premier Tech rider Flora Perkins. “I hope that girls in particular come out and see this race and realise that racing bikes is one of the best things ever, and they can do it too.” (See full release)

Quote of the day

LA Sparks draft pick Ta’Niya Latson
on being selected 20th overall at the 2026 WNBA Draft after finishing the 2024/25 NCAA season as DI basketball’s leading scorer.