2024 WNBA season
| 2024 WNBA season | |
|---|---|
| League | Women's National Basketball Association |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Duration | May 14 – September 19 |
| Number of games | 40 per team |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| TV partner(s) | ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 Ion CBS/CBSSN Amazon Prime Video NBA TV |
| Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Caitlin Clark |
| Picked by | Indiana Fever |
The 2024 WNBA season is the 28th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), a professional women's basketball league based in the United States.
The regular season runs from May 14 to September 19 with each of the 12 teams playing 40 games—four games against five teams from the same conference and two teams from the other conference, and three games against the remaining four teams.[1] Five regular season games in early June were played against teams in the same conference to determine qualification for the WNBA Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament first played in 2021; the final will be hosted by the team with the better win–loss record in qualifying games.[2] The 2024 season includes a month-long break for the Summer Olympic Games that begins after the annual WNBA All-Star Game on July 20 in Phoenix, Arizona.[3][4]
The eight teams with the best regular season records, regardless of conference, qualify for the WNBA Playoffs to determine the league's champion in the 2024 WNBA Finals. Since 2022, the playoffs have used a best-of-three series in the first round, where teams are seeded based on regular season performance, and a best-of-five format for the semifinals and WNBA Finals.[5] The Las Vegas Aces are the defending champions, having won in the 2023 WNBA Finals to retain their title in back-to-back seasons.[6]
2024 WNBA draft[edit]
The 2024 WNBA draft was held on April 15, 2024. The Indiana Fever won the first pick in the weighted draft lottery, held between the four teams that did not qualify for the 2023 WNBA Playoffs. It is the second consecutive year that Indiana has won the first pick in the draft.[7] The remaining lottery picks went to the Los Angeles Sparks in second, Phoenix Mercury in third, and Seattle Storm in fourth; the remaining picks are based on the regular season record of teams who qualified for the playoffs, from worst to best.[8]
Lottery picks[edit]
| Pick | Player | Nationality | Team | School / club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caitlin Clark | .png/23px-Flag_of_the_United_States_(23px).png){kind=small} United States
|
Indiana Fever | Iowa |
| 2 | Cameron Brink | United States
|
Los Angeles Sparks | Stanford |
| 3 | Kamilla Cardoso |  Brazil
|
Chicago Sky (from Phoenix) | South Carolina |
| 4 | Rickea Jackson | United States
|
Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle) | Tennessee |
Transactions[edit]
Retirement[edit]
- On December 13, 2023, Tiffany Hayes announced her retirement after eleven seasons in the WNBA. Hayes made the All-Rookie team in 2012, she was an All-Star in 2017 and was selected to the All-WNBA First Team in 2018. She spent ten of her eleven seasons with the Atlanta Dream.[9] Hayes later signed with the Las Vegas Aces on May 31, 2024.[10]
- On January 17, 2024, Jasmine Thomas announced her retirement after thirteen seasons in the WNBA. Thomas was an All-Star in 2017 and made the All-Defensive team five times, three on the first team and twice on the second team. Thomas spent time with the Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles Sparks.[11]
- On April 15, 2024, Tianna Hawkins announced her retirement. Her retirement ended a ten year career in which she spent time with the Seattle Storm, Atlanta Dream, and Washington Mystics. She was a part of the 2019 Mystics team that won the WNBA title.[12]
- On April 23, 2024, Epiphanny Prince announced her retirement via Instagram. Prince played for four teams over fourteen years. She was an All-Star in 2011 and 2013, and was named All-WNBA Second Team in 2015. She won a WNBA title while playing with the Seattle Storm.
- On April 28, 2024, Candace Parker announced her retirement. Parker's career spanned sixteen years and three teams. She spent thirteen of those years with the Los Angeles Sparks, who drafted her first overall in 2008. She was a two-time MVP, seven-time All-Star, ten-time All-WNBA selection, and Rookie of the Year. She was the WNBA's rebounding leader three times and assist leader once. She won three WNBA Championships, one with each of the three teams she played with, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Las Vegas.[13]
Free agency[edit]
The free agency negotiation period began on January 21, 2023, and teams were able to officially sign players starting February 1.[14]
Coaching changes[edit]
| Off-season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 2023 season | 2024 season | Reference |
| Chicago Sky |  Emre Vatansever
|
 Teresa Weatherspoon
|
[15][16] |
| Phoenix Mercury | Nikki Blue
|
Nate Tibbetts
|
[17] |
Regular season[edit]
All-Star Game[edit]
Standings[edit]
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Conf. | Home | Road | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Liberty | 15 | 3 | .833 | — | 10–1 | 8–1 | 7–2 | 5–0 |
| 2 | Connecticut Sun | 13 | 3 | .813 | 1 | 8–1 | 8–1 | 5–2 | 4–1 |
| 3 | Minnesota Lynx | 13 | 3 | .813 | 1 | 10–2 | 9–1 | 4–2 | 4–1 |
| 4 | Seattle Storm | 10 | 6 | .625 | 4 | 4–5 | 5–1 | 5–5 | 4–1 |
| 5 | Las Vegas Aces | 8 | 6 | .571 | 5 | 6–4 | 5–4 | 3–2 | 2–3 |
| 6 | Phoenix Mercury | 8 | 8 | .500 | 6 | 5–6 | 6–2 | 2–6 | 3–2 |
| 7 | Atlanta Dream | 6 | 9 | .400 | 7.5 | 2–6 | 3–6 | 3–3 | 1–4 |
| 8 | Chicago Sky | 6 | 9 | .400 | 7.5 | 3–7 | 3–5 | 3–4 | 1–4 |
| 9 | Indiana Fever | 7 | 11 | .389 | 8 | 6–7 | 4–4 | 3–7 | 3–2 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Sparks | 4 | 13 | .235 | 10.5 | 2–6 | 3–4 | 1–9 | 2–3 |
| 11 | Washington Mystics | 4 | 13 | .235 | 10.5 | 2–9 | 3–5 | 1–8 | 1–4 |
| 12 | Dallas Wings | 3 | 13 | .188 | 11 | 2–6 | 1–5 | 2–8 | 0–5 |
Notes
- (#) – League Standing
- x – Clinched playoff berth
- e – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings
Schedule[edit]
Note: Games highlighted in ██ represent Commissioner's Cup games.
All times Eastern
Statistical leaders[edit]
The following shows the leaders in each statistical category during the 2024 regular season.[18][19][20]
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | 27.8 ppg |
| Rebounds per game | A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | 11.6 rpg |
| Assists per game | Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut Sun | 7.7 apg |
| Steals per game | Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | 2.7 spg |
| Blocks per game | Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | 2.5 bpg |
| Field goal percentage | Jonquel Jones | New York Liberty | 59.0% |
| Three point FG percentage | Stefanie Dolson | Washington Mystics | 46.7% |
| Free throw percentage | Dana Evans Karlie Samuelson |
Chicago Sky Washington Mystics |
100% |
| Points per game (team) | New York Liberty | 88.1 ppg | |
| Field goal percentage (team) | New York Liberty | 46.3% | |
Through games played June 22, 2024
Season award winners[edit]
Player of the Week Award[edit]
| Date Awarded | Eastern Conference | Western Conference | Reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Player | Team | ||
| May 21 | Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut | Napheesa Collier | Minnesota | [21][22] |
| May 28 | DeWanna Bonner | Kahleah Copper | Phoenix | [23][24] | |
| June 4 | Sabrina Ionescu | New York | A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas | [25][26] |
| June 11 | Breanna Stewart | Dearica Hamby | Los Angeles | [27][28] | |
| June 18 | Aliyah Boston | Indiana | Brittney Griner | Phoenix | [29][30] |
| June 25 | Sabrina Ionescu (2) | New York | A'ja Wilson (2) | Las Vegas | [31][32] |
Player of the Month Award[edit]
| Month | Eastern Conference | Western Conference | Reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Player | Team | ||
| May | Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut | A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas | [33][34] |
Rookie of the Month Award[edit]
| Month | Player | Team | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Caitlin Clark | Indiana | [35] |
Coach of the Month Award[edit]
| Month | Player | Team | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Stephanie White | Connecticut | [33] |
Postseason awards[edit]
| Award | Winner | Position | Team | Votes/Statistic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player Award | |||||
| Finals MVP Award | |||||
| Rookie of the Year Award | |||||
| Most Improved Player Award | |||||
| Defensive Player of the Year Award | |||||
| Sixth Player of the Year Award | |||||
| Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award | |||||
| Peak Performer: Points | |||||
| Peak Performer: Rebounds | |||||
| Peak Performer: Assists | |||||
| Coach of the Year Award | |||||
| Basketball Executive of the Year Award | |||||
| Team | Members | ||||
| All-WNBA First Team | |||||
| All-WNBA Second Team | |||||
| All-Defensive First Team | |||||
| All-Defensive Second Team | |||||
| All-Rookie Team | |||||
Coaches[edit]
Eastern Conference[edit]
| Team | Head coach | Previous job | Years with team | Record with team | Playoff Appearances | Finals Appearances | WNBA Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | Tanisha Wright | Las Vegas Aces (assistant) | 2 | 33–34 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Sky | Teresa Weatherspoon | New Orleans Pelicans (assistant) | 0 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Connecticut Sun | Stephanie White | Vanderbilt | 1 | 27–13 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Indiana Fever | Christie Sides | Atlanta Dream (assistant) | 1 | 13–27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Liberty | Sandy Brondello | Phoenix Mercury | 2 | 48–28 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Mystics | Eric Thibault | Washington Mystics (associate HC) | 1 | 19–21 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Western Conference[edit]
| Team | Head coach | Previous job | Years with team | Record with team | Playoff Appearances | Finals Appearances | WNBA Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Wings | Latricia Trammell | Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) | 1 | 22–18 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Aces | Becky Hammon | San Antonio Spurs (assistant) | 2 | 60–16 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Curt Miller | Connecticut Sun | 1 | 17–23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Lynx | Cheryl Reeve | Detroit Shock (assistant) | 14 | 300–170 | 12 | 6 | 4 |
| Phoenix Mercury | Nate Tibbetts | Orlando Magic (assistant) | 0 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Storm | Noelle Quinn | Seattle Storm (associate head coach) | 3 | 49–53 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Notes:
- Year with team does not include 2024 season.
- Records are from time at current team and are through the end of the 2023 regular season.
- Playoff appearances are from time at current team only.
- WNBA Finals and Championships do not include time with other teams.
- Coaches shown are the coaches who began the 2024 season as head coach of each team.
Media Coverage[edit]
National[edit]
This the eighth year of a nine year deal with ESPN,[36] the second year of a three year deal with Ion,[37] and the first year of a two year deal with CBS Sports and Amazon.[38][39] Select games also air on NBA TV through the WNBA and NBA's shared ownership.
- ESPN will air 25 regular season games across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Additionally, ESPN will air the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge, ABC will air the WNBA All-Star Game, and ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will exclusively air the WNBA playoffs and WNBA Finals.[40]
- Ion Television will air 47 regular season games, exclusively on Friday nights. Select games will be showcased nationally with others only shown to regional audiences. In 2024, Ion will air a weekly WNBA studio show for the first time.[41][42]
- NBA TV will air 40 regular season games.[41]
- Amazon Prime Video will stream 20 regular season games, 18 of which will air on Thursday nights. In addition, it will exclusively air the championship game of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.[39][41]
- CBS Sports will air 20 regular season games, with 8 airing on CBS and 12 airing on CBS Sports Network.[43]
Local[edit]
- In February 2024, the Atlanta Dream announced a new agreement with Gray Television to air games locally on WPCH-TV and Peatchtree Sports Network.[44]
- In March 2024, the New York Liberty announced a new agreeement with Fox Television Stations to air games locally on WNYW and WWOR-TV.[45]
References[edit]
- ^ Allen, Percy (December 18, 2023). "Here's a look at the Storm's 2024 schedule". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Voepel, M.A. (December 18, 2023). "WNBA goes to more compact format for Commissioner's Cup". ESPN. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Pickman, Ben; Merchant, Sabreena (December 18, 2023). "WNBA unveils 2024 schedule with 40 regular-season games, new Commissioner's Cup format". The Athletic. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Feinberg, Doug (December 18, 2023). "WNBA to take its usual month-long break for the Olympics". Associated Press. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Henderson, Cydney (September 12, 2023). "2023 WNBA playoffs: Finals schedule, scores, matchups and award winners". USA Today. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Lev, Jacob (October 18, 2023). "Las Vegas Aces become WNBA's 1st repeat champions in 21 years". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Voepel, M.A. (December 10, 2023). "Indiana Fever again land No. 1 overall pick in WNBA draft lottery". ESPN. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Indiana Fever Wins Top Pick In 2024 WNBA Draft Presented by State Farm" (Press release). Women's National Basketball Association. December 10, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Tiffany Hayes to retire from the WNBA after 11 seasons". usatoday.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Aces Sign 11-Year WNBA Veteran Guard Tiffany Hayes". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Veteran G Jasmine Thomas retires after 13-year WNBA career". espn.com. Fan Level Media. January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Albert (April 15, 2024). "Tianna Hawkins retires from the WNBA". SB Nation. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Philippou, Alexa (April 28, 2024). "Candace Parker, two-time WNBA MVP, announces retirement". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Maloney, Jack (February 5, 2024). "2024 WNBA free agency tracker: Storm sign Nneka Ogwumike to form new Big Three in Seattle". cbssports.com. CBS. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Chicago Sky Announce Coaching Update". sky.wnba.com. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Chicago Sky Hire Teresa Weatherspoon as Head Coach". sky.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "PHOENIX MERCURY NAME NATE TIBBETTS HEAD COACH". mercury.wnba.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Official Leaders". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Team Stats". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Statistical Minimums". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Alyssa Thomas Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week- 5/14-5/19". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Sun star DeWanna Bonner wins WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". nbcsportsboston.com. NBC Sports. May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Scott, Dana (May 28, 2024). "Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Sabrina Ionescu Earns Eastern Conference Player of the Week Honor". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player Of The Week". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Breanna Stewart named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". yesnetwork.com. YES Network. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ @LASparksPR (June 11, 2024). "Dearica Hamby is the WNBA's Western Conference Player of the Week for June 3 through June 9, the league announced today. Hamby is the fourth player to win the award this season, joining Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper and A'ja Wilson" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Aliyah Boston Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ LaCertosa, Justin (June 18, 2024). "Brittney Griner named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week". burncitysports.com. Burn City Sports. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "Sabrina Ionescu Earns Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Second Time in 2024". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player Of The Week For 18th Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Goss, Nick (June 3, 2024). "Sun star Alyssa Thomas, coach Stephanie White earn WNBA awards for May". sports.yahoo.com. NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "A'ja Wilson Named KIA Western Conference Player of the Month For Record-Tying Ninth Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Pickman, Ben (June 3, 2024). "Caitlin Clark wins WNBA Rookie of the Month for first 9 games with Fever". nytimes.com. The Athletic. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Nagle, Dave (October 6, 2014). "ESPN & NBA Reach Nine-Year Agreement for Significantly Enhanced Multiplatform Rights". ESPN Press Room. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Zucker, Joseph (April 20, 2023). "WNBA, ION TV Agree to Multiyear Broadcast Contract; Won't Run Past 2025 Season". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 10, 2024). "CBS Sports announces new multi-year deal with WNBA". Awful Announcing. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Spangler, Todd (April 5, 2024). "Amazon Prime Video Extends WNBA Exclusive Streaming Pact for Two More Years". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Rajan, Ronce (April 10, 2024). "WNBA and ESPN Announce Broadcast Schedule and Added Programming For 2024 Regular Season". ESPN Press Room. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c "WNBA Issues National Broadcast And Streaming Schedule For 2024 Regular Season". WNBA.com. April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (April 8, 2024). "Scripps Bets on Women's Sports to Boost ION". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Maloney, Jack (April 10, 2024). "2024 WNBA schedule: CBS to nationally broadcast 20 games, including three featuring Caitlin Clark and Fever". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream partners with Gray Television, will air games on Peachtree TV, Peachtree Sports Network". Peachtree TV. February 28, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "WNYW FOX5 New York Named Official TV Partner of the New York Liberty". New York Liberty. March 12, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.