logo
When does WNBA season begin? Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Angel Reese, Sky in opening weekend

When does WNBA season begin? Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Angel Reese, Sky in opening weekend

USA Today26-04-2025

When does WNBA season begin? Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Angel Reese, Sky in opening weekend
Show Caption
Hide Caption
A'ja Wilson talks South Carolina, Paige Bueckers and the upcoming WNBA season
A'ja Wilson stops by to talk all things women's basketball and tell us about her new project with Gatorade.
After a jam-packed offseason filled with the WNBA expansion draft, the 2025 WNBA Draft, countless blockbuster trades and several high-profile retirements, the 29th WNBA season is officially upon us.
And for the first time in league history, there will be 13 teams listed on the schedule and the standings.
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's 13th franchise and first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream in 2008, will tip off its inaugural season on May 16th at Chase Center with a matchup against the in-state rival Los Angeles Sparks.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming WNBA season, including the opening weekend schedule:
When does the 2025 WNBA season begin?
The 2025 WNBA season officially tips off on May 16 with three games.
How long is the 2025 WNBA season?
The WNBA season runs from May 16 to Sept. 11. Each team will play a total of 44 games over the course of the regular season, up from 40 games played during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will have 41 of their 44 games nationally televised or streamed, while the Las Vegas Aces will have 33 and the defending champion New York Liberty will have 32 this year.
2025 WNBA season opening weekend schedule
A rivalry matchup between Clark and the Fever and Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky highlights the opening weekend games. It marks the first of five matchups between the Fever and Sky this season.
Here's how the rest of the weekend shakes out (all times Eastern):
Friday, May 16
Atlanta vs. Washington | 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Minnesota vs. Dallas | 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Los Angeles vs. Golden State | 10 p.m. (ION)
Saturday, May 17
New York vs. Las Vegas | 1 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, Disney+)
Chicago vs. Indiana | 3 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, Disney+)
Phoenix vs. Seattle | 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
Connecticut vs. Washington | 1 p.m.
Los Angeles vs. Minnesota | 6 p.m.
2025 WNBA season key dates
Here's some key dates to add to your calendar for the upcoming season:
June 1-17: Commissioner's Cup Tournament
Commissioner's Cup Tournament July 1: Commissioner's Cup Championship
Commissioner's Cup Championship July 17-21: WNBA All-Star break
WNBA All-Star break July 19: WNBA All-Star Game
WNBA All-Star Game Sept. 11: Regular season ends
Regular season ends Sept. 14: Playoffs begin
Playoffs begin Oct. 17: Last possible Finals date
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch Sooner Than Expected, Per Latest Update
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch Sooner Than Expected, Per Latest Update

Newsweek

time33 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch Sooner Than Expected, Per Latest Update

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For the first time since Shohei Ohtani put on a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, it finally feels like his return to pitching is close. On Tuesday, Ohtani took a major step in his recovery, throwing a three inning simulated game against minor leaguers at Petco Park ahead of the Dodgers' second game of their series against the San Diego Padres. More news: Phillies' $172 Million All-Star Suffers Brutal Setback as Nightmare Season Continues Ohtani threw 44 pitches, generating 15 whiffs and six strikeouts. He looked really sharp, impressing both Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior. After the session, Roberts spoke to reporters, and provided a new optimistic timeline on Ohtani's return to the mound. Roberts said there was a "north of zero" chance Ohtani makes his 2025 pitching debut before the All-Star break. Before Tuesday, the Dodgers have intimated Ohtani won't pitch until after the All-Star break at the earliest. Now, it sounds like he could be back by early July if things continue to trend in the right direction. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles on the field before the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on June 02, 2025 in Los... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles on the field before the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on June 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. MoreThis story will be updated...

Indiana Fever Make Caitlin Clark WNBA All-Star Announcement on Tuesday
Indiana Fever Make Caitlin Clark WNBA All-Star Announcement on Tuesday

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Indiana Fever Make Caitlin Clark WNBA All-Star Announcement on Tuesday

Indiana Fever Make Caitlin Clark WNBA All-Star Announcement on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After winning their last two games without All-WNBA guard Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever have jumped to 4-4 on the young 2025 WNBA season. Advertisement On Tuesday, the Fever will be without Clark for a fifth straight game, taking on Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream. In Indiana's fourth game of the season, a narrow 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, Clark suffered a left quad strain that has left her out for over two weeks. Still, the former Iowa Hawkeyes guard is averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. Despite missing half of the Fever's games, Indiana announced just hours before Tuesday's matchup that fans can vote for Clark to make her second WNBA All-Star appearance, along with Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. "⭐️ WNBA All-Star Voting June 12-28 ⭐️," the Fever wrote on X. "mark your calendars & set your alarms 🗳️ vote Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell into the @WNBA All-Star game starting Thursday at 2 p.m.!" The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Fever, on Saturday, July 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Voting will begin on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET and end on Saturday, June 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Advertisement This year, fans will account for 50% of the All-Star voting, while players count for 25% and the media counts for the last 25%. The four guards and six frontcourt players who tally the most votes will earn starting spots. The two players with the most votes will be named captains of their team and will select the final 12 reserve spots. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Brett Davis-Imagn Images The Fever, without Clark and Sophie Cunningham (right ankle), will take on the Dream on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, they will get Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty on Saturday afternoon. Related: Fever Coach Stephanie White Issues Apology Amid Caitlin Clark Injury This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.

WNBA Star Alyssa Thomas' Strong Statement to Future Wife on Indiana Fever
WNBA Star Alyssa Thomas' Strong Statement to Future Wife on Indiana Fever

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

WNBA Star Alyssa Thomas' Strong Statement to Future Wife on Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever started their 2025 WNBA season with a win against the Chicago Sky on Saturday in Indianapolis, with a final score of 93-58. Veteran DeWanna Bonner had an incredible night. Not only did she contribute to the dominant victory with seven points, bringing her career total to 7,489, but she also moved her into the Top 3 all-time in WNBA scoring. She sits behind retired legend Diana Taurasi, who scored 10,646 points during her career and the Connecticut Sun's Tina Charles, who has scored 7,696 points so far. Advertisement Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Arizona, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Seattle Storm on the same night during their season opener, with a score of 81-59. In a press conference, Mercury forward and Bonner's fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, told sports writer Jeff Metcalfe about her thoughts on her fiancée's achievement after the game. Sports journalist Hayden Cilley posted the video to X on Saturday night. "I'm super proud of her. I've been along for the ride as she moved up the ranks. I know how much it means to her," Thomas responded. "It's unheard of to be Top 3 [in scoring]. That speaks so much to what she does and what she's about. I wish I could have been there to witness it." Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) celebrates her shot with forward DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half against the Minnesota Lynx of game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finalsMatt Krohn-Imagn Images Essence reported that the couple has been dating for over four years. The WNBA stars knew of each other because they are both in the basketball world and had mutual friends, but didn't start dating until Bonner signed with the Connecticut Sun in 2020. They got engaged during the 2023 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Related: Caitlin Clark Sends Strong Message on DeWanna Bonner's Character After Fever Practice

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store