Los Angeles Sparks 2026 Season Preview | Trading for experience and defense

Caitlin Clark injury controversy | Making sense of the late pregame scratch and why people are making it a big deal

When Caitlin Clark was a late scratch before the Indiana Fever's game against the Portland Fire on May 20, the tin foil hats were all pulled out. Controversies and rumors were everywhere. Now that the dust has settled, Tyler Byrum brings in Indiana Fever reporter Tony East from Circle City Spin to clear the air about what happened. We also go through a comprehensive history of Caitlin Clark's injuries and why what happened in 2025 is the backdrop to this story. Plus, Tony explains why Caitlin has made a point in the past to power through injuries. Subscribe to Tony East's publication Circle City Spin: https://www.circlecityspin.com/ [https://www.circlecityspin.com/] Follow Tony East on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyreast.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/tonyreast.bsky.social] Follow Tony East on X/Twitter: https://x.com/TonyREast [https://x.com/TonyREast] Follow Tyler on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hailey van Lith gets waived by Connecticut, why? | Explaining why the Sun chose van Lith to make room for Leila Lacan

Former Big 12 Player of the Year and 2025 first-round draft pick Hailey van Lith was waived for the second time this month. Tyler Byrum explains the logic behind the move and why she was chosen to make room for Leila Lacan. The podcast concludes with potential landing spots for Van Lith as she searches for new opportunities. ESPN's Alexa Philippou reporting on Hailey van Lith and "transparency": https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48903007/sun-activate-standout-guard-leila-lacan-waive-hailey-van-lith [https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48903007/sun-activate-standout-guard-leila-lacan-waive-hailey-van-lith] Follow Tyler on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Portland Fire is foregoing shootarounds | This isn't a new practice in the WNBA and why more teams are going that way

Portland Fire head coach Alex Samara has not scheduled morning shootarounds for his expansion team this season, a topic that has made waves in WNBA media. Tyler Byrum dives into why this is becoming a common practice and the studies behind finding peak athletic performance time. Also, hear from Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson on the subject. Answer from Alex Sarama on eliminating morning shootarounds, from Richard Deitsch: https://bsky.app/profile/richarddeitsch.bsky.social/post/3mmkvoktors2b [https://bsky.app/profile/richarddeitsch.bsky.social/post/3mmkvoktors2b] The IX Basketball's/ Lucas Seehafer's WNBA injury tracker: https://www.theixsports.com/features/wnba-injury-tracker-who-gets-hurt-how-often-and-why-it-matters/ [https://www.theixsports.com/features/wnba-injury-tracker-who-gets-hurt-how-often-and-why-it-matters/] American Academy of Sleep Medicine on West Coast NFL teams having an edge in night games: https://aasm.org/circadian-timing-may-give-edge-to-west-coast-nfl-teams-in-night-games/ [https://aasm.org/circadian-timing-may-give-edge-to-west-coast-nfl-teams-in-night-games/] Mayo Clinic, When's the best time to workout: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/best-time-of-day-for-your-workout [https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/best-time-of-day-for-your-workout] BBC, What's the best time of the day to exercise: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240105-whats-the-best-time-of-the-day-to-exercise [https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240105-whats-the-best-time-of-the-day-to-exercise] ABC News, What science says about the best time of day to break an Olympic record: https://abcnews.com/Health/science-best-time-day-break-olympic-record/story?id=41266207 [https://abcnews.com/Health/science-best-time-day-break-olympic-record/story?id=41266207] Follow Tyler on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shakira Austin speaks on her free agency goals | Exclusive interview with Mystics forward

Shakira Austin joined Tyler Byrum for an episode of 'Bleav in the W' to discuss her free agency approach, to her balancing her competitive fire on a rebuilding team, to what defines a successful season for the Mystics this season and Shakira. Follow Tyler on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Valkyries are worth $850 million | WNBA valuations with Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen

Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen released their annual WNBA franchise valuations before the season started, ranking the Golden State Valkyries as the top franchise for the second year in a row. Tyler Byrum interviews Kurt to discuss his franchise valuations and the rapid ascension in the value of WNBA teams. Other discussion topics include how an expansion team, Golden State, became the standard-bearer for the league; what valuations mean and how it does not correlate to money on hand; the Caitlin Clark effect for Indiana; how some of the bottom teams in the W can rise up the rankings; and where do we see the valuations going in future seasons. Read Kurt's article and his analysis on his valuations at Sportico: https://www.sportico.com/valuations/teams/2026/wnba-team-values-2026-valkyries-liberty-fever-1234891620/ [https://www.sportico.com/valuations/teams/2026/wnba-team-values-2026-valkyries-liberty-fever-1234891620/] Follow Tyler on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thetylerbyrum.bsky.social] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.