With the 2026 WNBA All-Star weekend fast approaching, several teams hope to position themselves for a run into the playoffs over the final two months of the season. And while it's easy to point to the All-Stars themselves as big reasons why certain teams are playing well at the midway point, it's just as important to recognize players who are trending upward, playing with confidence and expanding their roles, all of which identify potential breakout seasons.
As injuries have taken a toll on certain teams and others are finding their way while building chemistry, several players have seen increased minutes or usage, bigger offensive roles, and may have entered conversations for postseason awards.
As we near the halfway mark, coaches are having a clearer understanding of their lineups, who can handle more responsibility, and which of their younger players are ready to emerge. Here is a LIST OF SIX players who are poised for a breakout season (in alphabetical order):
SHAKIRA AUSTIN, Washington Mystics
Now in her fifth season with the Mystics, Austin is putting up career-best numbers with 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-5 center out of Ole Miss has been a menace in the paint, not only in cleaning the glass, but for anyone who challenges her at the rim. Austin has eight blocks in her last three games, including three during Thursday's five-point home win over Atlanta. And while she's swatted at least one shot in 13 of 18 games this season, she's tied for seventh with 1.5 blocked shots since the start of June.
Shakira Austin delivered in the @WashMystics' win!
21 PTS (9-14 FGM)
9 REB
3 AST
3 BLKpic.twitter.com/amqS6y2lDk— NBA (@NBA) July 3, 2026
MARIA CONDE, Toronto Tempo
The 29-year-old from Spain may have finally found a home north of the border. Conde, who played at Florida State and was originally a third-round draft pick by the Chicago Sky in 2019, is playing her first season in the WNBA. The Spain native was selected as Toronto's pick from the Golden State's roster in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, and as long as Toronto is battling several injuries, head coach Sandy Brondello is likely to continue to lean on the sharpshooter.
Conde made 17 3-pointers in her first 13 games this season; she's made 16 in her last seven. She's started just six times in 20 games, but has seen increased time in a starting role over the last four games. For perspective, Conde ranked 95th in the league with 6.6 points per game through June 12. Since then, she's 49th with 11.0 PPG. As long as she's starting in Brondello's system, her numbers will likely climb.
Automatic for Maria Conde🔁 pic.twitter.com/wKtjdQwviy
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) June 23, 2026
CARLA LEITE, Portland Fire
The second-year product from the Tony Parker Academy in France has etched herself an integral role in Portland's lineup, becoming a bona fide scoring threat for any opponent. After averaging 7.2 points in about 17 minutes per game for the Golden State Valkyries last season, the 5-foot-9 guard is scoring 15.4 points in 25.5 minutes per game for the Fire.
Leite has started 18 of the 19 games she's appeared in, and her scoring average ranks fifth among second-year players. Most recently, since June 17, she's one of nine players in the entire league averaging 20.0 points per game, a list that doesn't include the likes of Jackie Young, Olivia Miles, Rhyne Howard, and Nneka Ogwumike.
Carla Leite over her last 3 games: pic.twitter.com/eDsZ6yL8Ij
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) July 5, 2026
NATASHA MACK, Phoenix Mercury
The 28-year-old emerged as an early candidate for Most Improved Player before being injured. Mack, who has five double-doubles, is due to return later this month and will play a critical role for Phoenix, last year's runner-up, if the team wants to return to the playoffs. Sitting 12th in the league, the Mercury are three games back of the final playoff spot. Mack might have seen an uptick with her scoring had she not missed the last three games with a bone bruise in her left foot.
Mack, who is expected to be reevaluated by the team within the next few weeks, still ranks 12th in the WNBA with 8.3 rebounds per game. With a favorable schedule that has the Mercury playing nine of their final 16 games in Phoenix after the All-Star Break, don't be surprised to see Mack return with a vengeance.
OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA, Connecticut Sun
Outside of Brittney Griner breaking the all-time blocked shots record, there haven't been a lot of positive headlines with the Sun this season. That said, Nelson-Ododa is enjoying her best season of a four-year career, averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, both career numbers. The former UConn star has turned it up a notch recently, scoring in double figures in four straight and in seven of her last 10 games.
The 6-foot-5 backup center ranks 13th in the league with 7.9 rebounds per game since June 8, including a double-double (11 points, 15 rebounds) in the team's 29-point win over Chicago. Nelson-Ododa, who has started three straight games for the Sun, couldn't ask for a better mentor in Griner and could see her productivity improve down the stretch.
AND ONEEEE FOR ONO 🗣️😮💨#GetClose | #CTSun pic.twitter.com/n8wdhdOobX
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 3, 2026
SYDNEY TAYLOR, Chicago Sky
Though they've lost eight of 10, the Sky have been the second-highest scoring team in the league since June 11 with 96.3 points per game. And one of the biggest contributors has been the 5-foot-9 rookie guard out of Louisville, who ranks second among all rookies with 18.1 points per game, during the team's offensive surge.
Taylor's 3-point shooting has been some of the best we've seen in that span, as she's made at least one long-range jumper in all eight games and ranks No. 1 among first-year players with 2.8 treys per game. League-wide, that 2.8 clip ranks tied for fourth.
Sydney Taylor in her first career start:
• 24 points
• 3 steals
• 2 assists
• 4/7 3PM
• 10/16 FG pic.twitter.com/EPYuYOBG7N— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) June 18, 2026
