WNBA Reports Eight Concussions After One Quarter of 2026 Season

The WNBA has recorded eight diagnosed concussions through the first quarter of the 2026 season. The total matches the full-year count for 2025 and exceeds the four recorded in 2024 and six in 2023. Sparks guard Ariel Atkins left a May 13 game after an elbow to the head from Indiana's Monique Billings.

Team medical staff evaluated her for a possible head injury and removed her from play. Atkins said the symptoms left her feeling unlike herself and made daily activities difficult.

Atkins returned to play three weeks later and took another hit to the head against the Wings but showed no concussion symptoms. She remained in that game after a bench check. Players have reported more frequent contact above the shoulders this season.

Golden State forward Cecilia Zandalasini sustained her first concussion on opening night after an elbow from Seattle's Zia Cooke. She was initially treated for a jaw injury before developing a headache the next day. Zandalasini described persistent headaches during recovery.

The league applies the same concussion protocol used by the NBA. A player who receives a head blow undergoes a locker-room evaluation and may return only if cleared. Any player showing symptoms such as headache or dizziness is monitored for 24 hours.

Once symptom-free, players progress through light activity to full-contact practice while remaining symptom-free at each stage. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts noted that awareness of concussion risks has increased compared with earlier in her playing career.

Minnesota-based sports scientist Lucas Seehafer said it is too early to determine whether the increase stems from greater physicality, officiating changes, or improved detection. The league and medical staff continue to track incidents as the season progresses.