It's an interesting time for the WNBA — on and off the court

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As the world's best women's basketball league gets ready to tip off its 26th season on Friday night, there's plenty of good stuff to talk about on the court. Teams will play an all-time-high 36 games (up four from last year), the in-season Commissioner's Cup tournament returns after last season's successful debut, and the defending-champion Chicago Sky added 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman to their roster.

The stage is also set for Sue Bird's last dance. The 41-year-old point guard has hinted at retirement following what will be her 19th WNBA season — all spent with the Seattle Storm. The first overall pick in the 2002 draft went on to become the league's all-time leader in games played and assists while earning 12 All-Star selections and winning four championships. Bird has also captured five Olympic gold medals with the United States.

Another longtime standout on her way out is Minnesota Lynx centre Sylvia Fowles. The WNBA's all-time leading rebounder plans to retire after this season. On the flip side, the league is welcoming back Becky Hammon, the six-time All-Star who spent the past few years as an assistant coach with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. Hammon is the new head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, replacing former Detroit Pistons Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer.

Three players from the Canadian women's national team are on WNBA rosters — though one of them, guard Kia Nurse of the Phoenix Mercury, is sidelined indefinitely due to a knee injury suffered in last year's playoffs. That leaves forwards Natalie Achonwa and Bridget Carleton, who both typically come off the bench for