Seerat Sohi

On Thursday afternoon, the Fever had announced via social media that Caitlin Clark would be missing the on-court festivities because of an ongoing groin injury. One could only guess how her injury would affect not only All-Star Weekend but also the CBA negotiations going on behind the scenes. A 30-story mural of Clark, the largest to ever adorn the city’s JW Marriott—despite the recent Swiftication of the cit y —felt like both a welcome sign and an existential threat.

Midseason trades in the WNBA are difficult to make because of a hard cap that restricts movement. The league is still somewhat new to the deadline game and is in the midst of the messy, captivating beginning of so many evolutions: a first-stage capitalism gem in a late-stage capitalism world. It’s why the Minnesota Lynx can regenerate title teams by way of savvy personnel scouting, overseas and within the league, and why an expansion team like the Golden State Valkyries can be on pace for the playoffs in its inaugural season.

In a Finals clash brimming with chaos, the WNBA’s four-time MVP rose above mortals to remind everyone who rules the mountaintop

The WNBA is brimming with young talent. Rookies are arriving ready to play. Second- and third-round picks are contributing to contenders. Add in a robust international pipeline and more emphasis on player development across the board, and the league has never been more defined by its youth.