Misplaced Pages

2024 WNBA season
League	Women's National Basketball Association
Sport	Basketball
Duration	May 14 – September 19, 2024
Number of games	40 per team
Number of teams	12
Total attendance	2,353,735
Average attendance	9,807
TV partner(s)	ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 Ion CBS/CBSSN Amazon Prime Video NBA TV
Draft
Top draft pick	Caitlin Clark
Picked by	Indiana Fever
Regular season
Season MVP	A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas)
Playoffs
Finals champions	New York Liberty (1st title)
Runners-up	Minnesota Lynx
Finals MVP	Jonquel Jones (New York)
WNBA seasons
← 20232025 →

The 2024 WNBA season was 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 ran from May 14 to September 19, with each of the 12 teams playing 40 games—four games each against the other five teams from the same conference, four games each against two teams from the other conference, and three games each against the remaining four teams in the other conference. 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. The 2024 season includes a month-long break for the Summer Olympic Games, beginning after the annual WNBA All-Star Game on July 20 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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 featured 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. The Las Vegas Aces were the defending champions, having won the 2023 WNBA Finals to retain their title in back-to-back seasons. However, they lost to the New York Liberty in four games in the Semifinals, thus marked the end of the Aces' two year championship run. During the WNBA Finals, the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in five games to win their first championship in franchise history.

The season saw a significant increase of attendance and television viewership across the league following the entry of Caitlin Clark into the league. With there being a 48% jump in attendance and compared to the 2023 season and a record 22 regular season games attracting over 1 million viewers.

2024 WNBA draft

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. 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.

Lottery picks

Pick	Player	Nationality	Team	School / club team
1	Caitlin Clark	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

Retirement

• 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. Hayes later signed with the Las Vegas Aces on May 31, 2024.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Free agency

The free agency negotiation period began on January 21, 2024, and teams were able to officially sign players starting February 1.

Coaching changes

Off-season
Team	2023 season	2024 season	Reference
Chicago Sky	Emre Vatansever	Teresa Weatherspoon
Phoenix Mercury	Nikki Blue	Nate Tibbetts

Regular season

All-Star Game

Standings

• v
• t
• e

Notes

(#) – League Standing

c – Commissioner's Cup winners

y – Regular Season Champion

x – Clinched playoff berth

e – Eliminated from playoff contention

Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Schedule

Note: Games highlighted in ██ represent Commissioner's Cup games.
All times Eastern

Statistical leaders

The following shows the leaders in each statistical category during the 2024 regular season.

Through the end of the regular season

Playoffs and Finals

2024 WNBA playoffs

Season award winners

Player of the Week Award

Player of the Month Award

1. Clark was first rookie in WNBA history to earn the "Player of the Month" award.

Rookie of the Month Award

Coach of the Month Award

Postseason awards

Coaches

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

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

National

This was the eighth year of a nine-year deal with ESPN, the second year of a three-year deal with Ion, and the first year of a two-year deal with CBS Sports and Amazon. Select games also aired on NBA TV through the WNBA and NBA's shared ownership.

• ESPN aired 25 regular-season games across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Additionally, ESPN aired the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge, ABC aired the WNBA All-Star Game, and ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 exclusively aired the WNBA playoffs and WNBA Finals.
• Ion Television aired 47 regular-season games, exclusively on Friday nights. Select games were showcased nationally with others only shown to regional audiences. This was the first season Ion aired a weekly WNBA studio show.
• NBA TV aired 40 regular-season games.
• Amazon Prime Video streamed 20 regular-season games, 18 of which aired on Thursday nights. It also exclusively aired the championship game of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.
• CBS Sports aired 20 regular-season games, with eight airing on CBS and 12 airing on CBS Sports Network.

During the league's Olympic break, the WNBA announced on July 24, 2024 that a new 11-year media rights extension was made with ESPN/ABC and Prime Video, as well as a new deal with NBC Sports. These new deals, which were announced in conjunction with the NBA's new media rights deal with the three parties, will take effect starting with the 2026 season.

Local

• In February 2024, the Atlanta Dream announced a new agreement with Gray Television to air games locally on WPCH-TV and Peachtree Sports Network.
• In March 2024, the New York Liberty announced a new agreement with Fox Television Stations to air games locally on WNYW or WWOR-TV.
• In April 2024, the Indiana Fever announced a new agreement with Tegna Inc. to air games locally on WTHR or WALV-CD.

References

1. Allen, Percy (December 18, 2023). "Here's a look at the Storm's 2024 schedule". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
2. Voepel, M.A. (December 18, 2023). "WNBA goes to more compact format for Commissioner's Cup". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
3. Pickman, Ben; Merchant, Sabreena (December 18, 2023). "WNBA unveils 2024 schedule with 40 regular-season games, new Commissioner's Cup format". The Athletic. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
4. Feinberg, Doug (December 18, 2023). "WNBA to take its usual month-long break for the Olympics". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
5. Henderson, Cydney (September 12, 2023). "2023 WNBA playoffs: Finals schedule, scores, matchups and award winners". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
6. Lev, Jacob (October 18, 2023). "Las Vegas Aces become WNBA's 1st repeat champions in 21 years". CNN. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
7. "WNBA touts 48% jump in regular-season crowds". ESPN.com. 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
8. "WNBA Delivers Record-Setting 2024 Season". www.wnba.com. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
9. Voepel, M.A. (December 10, 2023). "Indiana Fever again land No. 1 overall pick in WNBA draft lottery". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
10. "Indiana Fever Wins Top Pick In 2024 WNBA Draft Presented by State Farm" (Press release). Women's National Basketball Association. December 10, 2023. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
11. "Tiffany Hayes to retire from the WNBA after 11 seasons". usatoday.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
12. "Aces Sign 11-Year WNBA Veteran Guard Tiffany Hayes". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. May 31, 2024. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
13. "Veteran G Jasmine Thomas retires after 13-year WNBA career". espn.com. Fan Level Media. January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
14. Lee, Albert (April 15, 2024). "Tianna Hawkins retires from the WNBA". SB Nation. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
15. Philippou, Alexa (April 28, 2024). "Candace Parker, two-time WNBA MVP, announces retirement". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
16. Maloney, Jack (February 5, 2024). "2024 WNBA free agency tracker: Storm sign Nneka Ogwumike to form new Big Three in Seattle". cbssports.com. CBS. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
17. "Chicago Sky Announce Coaching Update". sky.wnba.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
18. "Chicago Sky Hire Teresa Weatherspoon as Head Coach". sky.wnba.com. WNBA. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
19. "PHOENIX MERCURY NAME NATE TIBBETTS HEAD COACH". mercury.wnba.com. October 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
20. "Official Leaders". wnba.com. WNBA. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
21. "Team Stats". wnba.com. WNBA. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
22. "Statistical Minimums". wnba.com. WNBA. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
23. "Alyssa Thomas Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week- 5/14-5/19". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. May 21, 2024. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
24. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 21, 2024. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
25. "Sun star DeWanna Bonner wins WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". nbcsportsboston.com. NBC Sports. May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
26. Scott, Dana (May 28, 2024). "Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
27. "Sabrina Ionescu Earns Eastern Conference Player of the Week Honor". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2024. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
28. "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player Of The Week". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2024. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
29. "Breanna Stewart named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". yesnetwork.com. YES Network. June 11, 2024. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
30. @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.
31. "Aliyah Boston Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
32. LaCertosa, Justin (June 18, 2024). "Brittney Griner named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week". burncitysports.com. Burn City Sports. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
33. "Sabrina Ionescu Earns Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Second Time in 2024". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. June 25, 2024. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
34. "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player Of The Week For 18th Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 25, 2024. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
35. @WNBA (July 9, 2024). "🏀 Week 7 Players of the Week 🏀 Eastern Conference: @Reese10angel @chicagosky 16.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG and 1.2 APG Western Conference: @_ajawilson22 @lvaces 25.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 3.0 APG #WelcometotheW" (Tweet). Retrieved July 9, 2024 – via Twitter.
36. @WNBA (July 18, 2024). "🏀 Week 8 Players of the Week 🏀" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
37. "Caitlin Clark Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
38. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
39. "Caitlin Clark Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
40. "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player the Week For 21st Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
41. "Caitlin Clark Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Third Consecutive Week". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
42. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
43. ^ "Breanna Stewart Earns Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month Honor For September". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
44. "A'ja Wilson Named Western Conference Player of the Week for 22nd Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
45. ^ Goss, Nick (June 3, 2024). "Sun star Alyssa Thomas, coach Stephanie White earn WNBA awards for May". sports.yahoo.com. NBC Sports Boston. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
46. "A'ja Wilson Named KIA Western Conference Player of the Month For Record-Tying Ninth Time". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. June 3, 2024. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
47. ^ Schutte, Dustin (July 2, 2024). "WNBA Announces Eastern, Western Conference Players of the Month for June". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
48. ^ "Sabrina Ionescu and Sandy Brondello Earn Monthly Honors for July". WNBA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
49. "A'ja Wilson Earns 11th Career & 3rd Consecutive KIA WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month Award". WNBA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
50. StatMamba (September 4, 2024). "Caitlin Clark is the first rookie in WNBA history to be Player of the Month" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
51. ^ "Caitlin Clark Earns WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month and WNBA Rookie of the Month for August". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
52. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Month". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
53. "A'ja Wilson Earns 12th Career Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month Award". WNBA. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
54. Pickman, Ben (June 3, 2024). "Caitlin Clark wins WNBA Rookie of the Month for first 9 games with Fever". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
55. "Caitlin Clark Earns Rookie of the Month for Second Time this Season". WNBA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
56. "Caitlin Clark Named WNBA Rookie of the Month for September". WNBA. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
57. "Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Named WNBA Coach of the Month". WNBA. July 2, 2024. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
58. "Indiana Fever Head Coach Christie Sides Named WNBA Coach of the Month". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
59. "Becky Hammon Earns WNBA Coach of the Month Award". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
60. Voepel, Michael (September 22, 2024). "Aces' A'ja Wilson becomes second unanimous MVP in WNBA history". ESPN. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
61. Mahoney, Brian (October 21, 2024). "Jonquel Jones delivers WNBA Finals MVP performance to bail out Ice-cold Ionescu and Stewart". Associated Press. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
62. Voepel, Michael (October 3, 2024). "Caitlin Clark wins WNBA Rookie of the Year honors". ESPN.
63. "Sun guard DiJonai Carrington wins WNBA Most Improved Player award". ESPN. Associated Press. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
64. ^ Metcalf, Myron (September 29, 2024). "Napheesa Collier named WNBA DPOY; Cheryl Reeve wins coach award". ESPN. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
65. "Tiffany Hayes latest from Aces to win Sixth Person of the Year". ESPN. Associated Press. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
66. Ariali, Cat (October 2, 2024). "2024 WNBA Awards: Los Angeles Sparks' Dearica Hamby wins Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award". SB Nation. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
67. ^ Ostrow, Spencer (September 20, 2024). "WNBA Announces Major Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson News". Athlon Sports. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
68. ^ "Fever's Caitlin Clark, Aces' A'ja Wilson named All-WNBA". ESPN. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
69. ^ Maloney, Jack (September 29, 2024). "WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: Lynx's Napheesa Collier edges Aces star A'ja Wilson for first honor". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
70. Zucker, Joseph (October 3, 2024). "Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso Headline 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
71. Nagle, Dave (October 6, 2014). "ESPN & NBA Reach Nine-Year Agreement for Significantly Enhanced Multiplatform Rights". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
72. Zucker, Joseph (April 20, 2023). "WNBA, ION TV Agree to Multiyear Broadcast Contract; Won't Run Past 2025 Season". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
73. Lucia, Joe (April 10, 2024). "CBS Sports announces new multi-year deal with WNBA". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
74. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 5, 2024). "Amazon Prime Video Extends WNBA Exclusive Streaming Pact for Two More Years". Variety. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
75. Rajan, Ronce (April 10, 2024). "WNBA and ESPN Announce Broadcast Schedule and Added Programming For 2024 Regular Season". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
76. ^ "WNBA Issues National Broadcast And Streaming Schedule For 2024 Regular Season". WNBA.com. April 10, 2024. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
77. Steinberg, Brian (April 8, 2024). "Scripps Bets on Women's Sports to Boost ION". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
78. Maloney, Jack (April 10, 2024). "2024 WNBA schedule: CBS to nationally broadcast 20 games, including three featuring Caitlin Clark and Fever". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
79. "Atlanta Dream partners with Gray Television, will air games on Peachtree TV, Peachtree Sports Network". Peachtree TV. February 28, 2024. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
80. "WNYW FOX5 New York Named Official TV Partner of the New York Liberty". New York Liberty. March 12, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
81. "Indiana Fever and TEGNA Announce Partnership to Broadcast Games Locally on WTHR and WALV". Indiana Fever. April 22, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.