Which WNBA coaches are on the hot seat? Five who may be feeling the heat

With the WNBA season past the trade deadline, teams now have fewer than 20 games left before the playoffs begin Sept. 27, with the top eight advancing. The pressure is shaping up differently across the league: some coaches will likely stay regardless of results, while others could see their tenures end—or extend—based on what happens in the final stretch. USA TODAY Sports Studio IX points to five coaches to watch. Names include Chris DeMarco of the New York Liberty, Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury, and Lynne Roberts of the Los Angeles Sparks, with the report also highlighting the broader win-or-go-home urgency for the back half of 2026.