Women’s NBA
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a prominent professional basketball league in the United States, operating under the NBA’s governance. With 12 teams representing various cities, the regular season spans from May to September, consisting of 32 games for each team.
The playoffs feature a top-eight format, where the best teams from the regular season compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the league champion. The playoffs comprise three rounds – Round One (best-of-three), Semifinals, and WNBA Finals (both best-of-five) – with specific homecourt patterns.
The WNBA’s impact extends beyond sports, promoting women’s basketball, gender equality, and social justice initiatives, making it an influential and inspiring force for athletes and fans alike.
Understanding WNBA Odds
WNBA odds represent the game outcomes and the potential payouts with the greatest likelihood for successful bets. They are shown in American, Decimal, and Fractional formats, helping fans make informed betting decisions and enjoy the WNBA season to the fullest.
How To Read WNBA Odds
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) provides exciting opportunities for basketball enthusiasts to engage in sports betting. If you’re new to betting on WNBA, here’s a beginner’s guide to get you started:
Understand the Betting Lines:
The most common betting options in the WNBA are moneylines, point spreads, and Over/Under totals. Moneylines require you to pick the outright winner of the game, while point spreads add a handicap to the favorite and the underdog. Over/Under totals involve betting on the total combined points scored in the game. WNBA spreads are an exciting way to place your bets and profitable, if done right.
Research Teams and Players:
Before placing your bets, research the teams and players participating in the game. Analyze their recent performances in WNBA matchups, head-to-head records, injuries, and playing styles. This information will help you make informed betting decisions.
Shop Around for the Best WNBA Odds:
Different sportsbooks may offer slightly different odds for the same game. To maximize your potential winnings, compare the WNBA odds across various sportsbooks and choose the best value.
Consider Player Props:
Player prop bets allow you to wager on individual player performances, such as points scored, assists, rebounds, or 3-pointers made. These bets can add excitement to the game and provide additional betting opportunities.
Explore Parlays and Futures:
Parlays combine multiple bets into one ticket for a higher potential payout. However, all bets within the parlay must be correct for you to win. Futures bets allow you to wager on long-term outcomes, such as the WNBA Championship or MVP. Pay attention to line movement, which indicates how betting patterns are shaping the odds. Early line movements can provide insights into where the smart money is going.
Consider Home Court Advantage:
In the WNBA, home court advantage can be a significant factor in influencing game outcomes. Take into account how teams perform at home versus away. Consider the team's schedule and rest days. Fatigue and travel can impact a team's performance, especially during back-to-back games or extended road trips.
2023 WNBA Schedule
In the 2023 WNBA schedule, two potential variations for the playoffs stand out: implementing a play-in tournament for the final playoff spots, where teams ranked ninth to twelfth compete for qualification, and adopting a re-seeding system after each round, ensuring the best teams face off in the Finals regardless of their conference.
These changes could add excitement, competitiveness, and unpredictability to the playoffs, generating increased fan engagement and interest while strengthening the WNBA’s position as a premier women’s sports league.
Embracing innovation and experimenting with these formats will allow the league to gauge their impact on competitiveness, fan interest, and overall growth.
Women's NBA Matchups
| Date | Visitor | Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Aug 1, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Connecticut Sun |
| Tue, Aug 1, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever |
| Tue, Aug 1, 2023 | New York Liberty | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Tue, Aug 1, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Las Vegas Aces |
| Wed, Aug 2, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Seattle Storm |
| Thu, Aug 3, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Phoenix Mercury |
| Fri, Aug 4, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Dallas Wings |
| Fri, Aug 4, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Indiana Fever |
| Fri, Aug 4, 2023 | New York Liberty | Minnesota Lynx |
| Fri, Aug 4, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Washington Mystics |
| Sat, Aug 5, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Phoenix Mercury |
| Sun, Aug 6, 2023 | Indiana Fever | Atlanta Dream |
| Sun, Aug 6, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Dallas Wings |
| Sun, Aug 6, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | New York Liberty |
| Sun, Aug 6, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Washington Mystics |
| Tue, Aug 8, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Chicago Sky |
| Tue, Aug 8, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Dallas Wings |
| Tue, Aug 8, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Indiana Fever |
| Tue, Aug 8, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Phoenix Mercury |
| Tue, Aug 8, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Seattle Storm |
| Thu, Aug 10, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Indiana Fever |
| Thu, Aug 10, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Phoenix Mercury |
| Thu, Aug 10, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Seattle Storm |
| Fri, Aug 11, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Las Vegas Aces |
| Fri, Aug 11, 2023 | Chicago Sky | New York Liberty |
| Sat, Aug 12, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Dallas Wings |
| Sat, Aug 12, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Sun, Aug 13, 2023 | New York Liberty | Indiana Fever |
| Sun, Aug 13, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Las Vegas Aces |
| Sun, Aug 13, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Seattle Storm |
| Sun, Aug 13, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Washington Mystics |
| Thu, Aug 17, 2023 | New York Liberty | Las Vegas Aces |
| Fri, Aug 18, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Atlanta Dream |
| Fri, Aug 18, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Connecticut Sun |
| Fri, Aug 18, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Indiana Fever |
| Fri, Aug 18, 2023 | New York Liberty | Phoenix Mercury |
| Fri, Aug 18, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Seattle Storm |
| Sat, Aug 19, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Las Vegas Aces |
| Sun, Aug 20, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Chicago Sky |
| Sun, Aug 20, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Minnesota Lynx |
| Sun, Aug 20, 2023 | Indiana Fever | Phoenix Mercury |
| Sun, Aug 20, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Washington Mystics |
| Tue, Aug 22, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Atlanta Dream |
| Tue, Aug 22, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Chicago Sky |
| Tue, Aug 22, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Minnesota Lynx |
| Tue, Aug 22, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | Washington Mystics |
| Wed, Aug 23, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Thu, Aug 24, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Chicago Sky |
| Thu, Aug 24, 2023 | New York Liberty | Connecticut Sun |
| Thu, Aug 24, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Dallas Wings |
| Thu, Aug 24, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Indiana Fever |
| Fri, Aug 25, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Atlanta Dream |
| Sat, Aug 26, 2023 | New York Liberty | Minnesota Lynx |
| Sat, Aug 26, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Washington Mystics |
| Sun, Aug 27, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Connecticut Sun |
| Sun, Aug 27, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Indiana Fever |
| Sun, Aug 27, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Phoenix Mercury |
| Sun, Aug 27, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Seattle Storm |
| Mon, Aug 28, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | New York Liberty |
| Tue, Aug 29, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Atlanta Dream |
| Tue, Aug 29, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Tue, Aug 29, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Washington Mystics |
| Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Connecticut Sun |
| Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Las Vegas Aces |
| Fri, Sep 1, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Indiana Fever |
| Fri, Sep 1, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Minnesota Lynx |
| Fri, Sep 1, 2023 | Connecticut Sun | New York Liberty |
| Sat, Sep 2, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Las Vegas Aces |
| Sun, Sep 3, 2023 | New York Liberty | Chicago Sky |
| Sun, Sep 3, 2023 | Indiana Fever | Dallas Wings |
| Sun, Sep 3, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Sun, Sep 3, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Minnesota Lynx |
| Tue, Sep 5, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Connecticut Sun |
| Tue, Sep 5, 2023 | New York Liberty | Dallas Wings |
| Tue, Sep 5, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Indiana Fever |
| Tue, Sep 5, 2023 | Washington Mystics | Phoenix Mercury |
| Wed, Sep 6, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream |
| Thu, Sep 7, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | New York Liberty |
| Fri, Sep 8, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Chicago Sky |
| Fri, Sep 8, 2023 | Indiana Fever | Connecticut Sun |
| Fri, Sep 8, 2023 | Seattle Storm | Dallas Wings |
| Fri, Sep 8, 2023 | Las Vegas Aces | Phoenix Mercury |
| Fri, Sep 8, 2023 | Atlanta Dream | Washington Mystics |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Dallas Wings | Atlanta Dream |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Chicago Sky | Connecticut Sun |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Minnesota Lynx | Indiana Fever |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Phoenix Mercury | Las Vegas Aces |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Washington Mystics | New York Liberty |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2023 | Los Angeles Sparks | Seattle Storm |
WNBA History
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded on April 22, 1996, as the women’s counterpart to the men’s NBA. It officially started its inaugural season on June 21, 1997, featuring eight teams from two conferences: the Eastern and Western Conference.
Throughout its history, the WNBA has been a driving force for women’s professional sports, showcasing exceptional athletes and promoting gender equality.Â
WNBA, Empowering athletes, breaking barriers, and elevating women's basketball worldwide
As the WNBA continued to grow, it became a platform for exceptional talent to shine on the basketball court. The league witnessed the rise of dominant teams like the Houston Comets, who secured four consecutive championships in its early years, led by standout players such as Cynthia Cooper.
Over the years, the WNBA has expanded its reach, adding new teams, and attracting iconic players like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, and Maya Moore. These athletes, along with many others, brought their skills and charisma, captivating audiences and raising the profile of women’s basketball, raising WNBA standings and WNBA team stats.
WNBA Teams And Players
The WNBA is home to 12 teams, each representing different cities across the United States. These teams are filled with talented and skilled players who are the best in the world at what they do. WNBA teams have unique histories and fan bases, and they compete fiercely to up their WNBA scores and the WNBA Championship title each season.Â
Some of the most well-known and successful teams include the Minnesota Lynx, who have won multiple championships and have consistently been a top contender, and the Los Angeles Sparks, another perennial powerhouse in the league. The Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm are also among the league’s elite teams, boasting star-studded lineups and passionate fan support.Â
Many WNBA players have left a significant impact on the league and the sport as a whole. Notably, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history, holding multiple records and accolades.
Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm is another legend of the game, known for her exceptional playmaking and leadership on and off the court. Recently, new stars like A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm have emerged, showcasing their versatility and skill, and earning MVP honors.
These players, along with many others, continue to elevate the level of play in the WNBA and inspire future generations of basketball players.
WNBA Standings & Records
The WNBA standings in the regular season consists of 12 teams that compete in two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each team plays a total of 32 regular-season games, with 16 games at home and 16 games away. At the end of the regular season, the teams with the best records in each conference qualify for the WNBA playoffs and participate in the WNBA playoff bracket; the remaining teams are eliminated from postseason contention.
Over the years, various players and teams have set impressive records in the WNBA. Some notable records include:
- Most Points in a Game: The record for the most points scored by a single player in a game is 53, set by Riquna Williams of the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) on July 17, 2013.
- Most Points in a WNBA Career: Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury holds the record for the most career points in WNBA history.
- Most Assists in a Game: The record for the most assists in a single game is 18, achieved by Ticha Penicheiro (Sacramento Monarchs) on July 8, 1998.
- Most Assists in a WNBA Career: Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm holds the record for the most career assists in WNBA history.
- Most Rebounds in a Game: The record for the most rebounds in a single game is 24, accomplished by Chamique Holdsclaw (Washington Mystics) on June 15, 2003.
- Most Rebounds in a WNBA Career: Rebekkah Brunson holds the record for the most career rebounds in WNBA history.
- Most Championships: The Minnesota Lynx and the Houston Comets share the record for the most WNBA championships, with four titles each.
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards: Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, and Lauren Jackson are tied for the most MVP awards, each having won the honor three times.
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WNBA has several prestigious awards, and players, coaches, and other significant contributors to the league’s history are honored through induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Here is some information about the Hall of Fame and the major awards in the WNBA:
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it honors the achievements of players, coaches, referees, and other influential figures in women’s basketball. Inductees are chosen based on their significant contributions to the sport and their impact on the development of women’s basketball. The Hall of Fame induction is an esteemed recognition within the basketball community.
The WNBA presents several awards to players and coaches at the end of each season to acknowledge outstanding performances and contributions. Some of the major WNBA awards include:
- Most Valuable Player (MVP): Awarded to the player who is deemed the most valuable to her team during the regular season based on her performance and impact on the team’s success.
- Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the most outstanding first-year player in the league.
- Defensive Player of the Year: Given to the player who demonstrates exceptional defensive skills and contributions throughout the regular season.
- Sixth Woman of the Year: Awarded to the most impactful player coming off the bench as a substitute.
- Most Improved Player: Presented to the player who showed the most significant improvement in performance from the previous season.
- Coach of the Year: Given to the head coach who demonstrated exceptional leadership and coaching abilities during the regular season.
- All-WNBA Teams: The league recognizes the top players from the regular season by selecting First Team and Second Team All-WNBA rosters.
- All-Defensive Teams: The league acknowledges outstanding defensive players by selecting First Team and Second Team All-Defensive rosters.
- All-Rookie Team: The league selects a team comprising the most outstanding first-year players of the season.
The WNBA and women’s basketball, in general, have witnessed numerous historic games and iconic moments in international competitions and the Olympics games. Here are some notable examples:
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics – Women’s Basketball Debut:
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta marked the debut of women’s basketball as an Olympic sport. The United States won the gold medal, defeating Brazil in the final. This historic moment not only showcased the talent and skill of women’s basketball players on the world stage but also helped raise the profile of the sport globally. - 1996 WNBA Inaugural Game:
On June 21, 1996, the WNBA played its first-ever game between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Sparks won the game 67-57. This marked a significant moment in women’s basketball history as it was the first game of the newly established professional league in the United States. - 1999 WNBA Finals – Houston Comets’ Three-Peat:
The Houston Comets, led by superstar Cynthia Cooper and head coach Van Chancellor, achieved a historic three-peat by winning the WNBA Championship in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Their dominance during this period solidified their place in women’s basketball history. - Lisa Leslie’s 100-Point Game5:
In 2001, Lisa Leslie, one of the most iconic players in WNBA history, scored 100 points in a single game during an exhibition contest in South Korea. While this game was not an official WNBA or international game, it remains an extraordinary and iconic feat in women’s basketball. - 2004 Athens Olympics – USA Upset by Russia:
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, the United States women’s basketball team suffered a stunning upset in the semifinals, losing to Russia. It was the first time the USA women’s team failed to reach the gold medal game since women’s basketball became an Olympic sport in 1976. - 2008 Beijing Olympics – USA Reclaims Gold:
After the disappointment in Athens, the USA women’s basketball team returned with a vengeance at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. They went on to win the gold medal, showcasing their dominance in women’s basketball once again. - 2016 Rio Olympics – Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi’s Fourth Gold:
Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, two of the greatest players in WNBA history, won their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their achievements in international competition solidified their status as legends in the sport.
