December 3, 2022
What to know about the 2023 WNBA schedule
A record 40 games per team, the Commissioner's Cup returns and more
Although opening weekend for the 2023 WNBA season is six months away, it is not too early to get ready for the league’s 27th season. The 12 teams will be back in action starting on May 19 and will conclude the regular season on Sept. 10. Let’s look at what is changing with next season’s WNBA schedule and some key matchups to circle.
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Last year, the league saw its most viewed WNBA season in 14 years and is looking to continue to increase its viewership, social media engagement and digital consumption, per WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The 2023 season will see teams play a record 40 games in the regular season, 20 home and 20 away. In 2020, teams played an abbreviated 22-game season in the “wubble” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the league increased the schedule to 32 games, and last season, teams played 36 games. The absence of midseason international tournaments allows the regular-season WNBA schedule to expand.
Commissioner’s Cup and All-Star Game return
From May 19 through July 12, each team will play at least one home game and one road game against each of its five conference rivals. The first home and road game against each opponent are counted as “Cup games.” For the third consecutive season, the Commissioner’s Cup will return on Aug. 15, and the top team from each conference in Cup games will vie for the $500,000 prize pool.
The WNBA All-Star Game also returns and will be played on July 15.
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WNBA schedule highlights
The Las Vegas Aces will go on the road to face the Seattle Storm in their opening-weekend matchup on May 20. Without retired Seattle point guard Sue Bird, is this game an easy win for the Aces, or will the Gold Mamba, Jewell Loyd, strike fear into the Aces?
With the Indiana Fever winning the 2023 WNBA draft lottery, projected No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston has the potential to turn the tide for the Fever, which finished in last place in 2022. During opening weekend, she could make her debut as the Fever look to protect home court against the Connecticut Sun on May 19 and bring the heat against the New York Liberty on May 21.
The Sun and the Chicago Sky, two Eastern Conference teams who have had several postseason battles recently, will meet four times: June 25, July 12, Aug. 20 and Sept. 10.
Two WNBA Finals rematches between the Aces and the Sun will take place on June 6 and June 8 at Connecticut. The Aces won in four games last season. The teams’ third and final matchup is on July 1.
