WNBA LUNACY: Cathy Engelbert and the league can’t define what the ‘W’ in WNBA stands for | Don’t @Dan Dakich and me

In the wake of Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham standing up for women’s sports, and former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announcing their intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, a task committee from the WNBA convened to explore crucial questions about the essence of being a woman. However, after quite the deliberation, they couldn’t arrive at any conclusions. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s league attributed their inability to external “hatred and vitriol,” opting instead to schedule another meeting. In this segment of Don’t @ Me, Dan Dakich highlights the absurdity as the WNBA continues on its unique path.

The NBA schedule was released recently, and let’s just say not all reactions were positive.

Take Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, for example.

It’s wild to think the last time he was on the court was during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals—where he sadly tore his Achilles, leading to a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This injury kept Haliburton, who was one of the breakout stars that postseason, sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season. But now, he’s gearing up to make his comeback.

And where is this much-anticipated return going to happen?

Not on national television, but in the streets of New Orleans.

“Can you name anyone else who would be compared to me as a basketball player, no matter their ranking? If they ruptured their Achilles and were out for 16 months, do you think that game would be broadcasted nationally?” Haliburton remarked on the “Numbers on the Board” podcast.

“Do you think that game will happen at home instead of on national TV?” he added. “Will that game be in New Orleans?”

Honestly, Tyrese, you might have to brace yourself for some boos in New Orleans…

But he does raise a valid point.

Constructing an 82-game schedule for 30 teams is no easy task, and it’s challenging to satisfy everyone. Yet, it seems reasonable that the return of a player who was a headline last season and missed an entire year should have been prioritized.

Clearly, the league might have other things in mind, as evidenced by the high-profile season opener featuring LeBron and the 76ers at Madison Square Garden against the defending champion Knicks.

While it may feel somewhat off, it’s understandable why Haliburton perceives a lack of respect for him and the Pacers in this situation.