- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 465,114
- Reaction score
- 44
[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 WNBA Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
With a new WNBA season come new storylines, and with new storylines come a host of must-see matchups.
The league has expanded ahead of the 2025 season, which will feature a WNBA-record 44 regular-season games for all 13 teams, a refreshed first-round playoff format and an expanded Finals.
Simply put, the action will be bigger, bolder and better than ever this season.
Ahead of the historic campaign, let’s take a look at 10 of the biggest matchups on this year’s schedule, from opening night in Dallas to a midseason Finals rematch in Minnesota.
Athlon's 2025 WNBA team previews:
Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Mystics | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers poses for a photo during media day in Arlington, Texas, on May 7.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The future is here, and her name is Paige Bueckers. Dallas’ No. 1 overall pick will have her hands full in her WNBA debut against Napheesa Collier and last year’s runner-up Lynx. Based on Bueckers’ showing in her final NCAA Tournament at UConn, she’ll be up for the challenge. Don’t be surprised if she turns in a debut for the ages.
It took 28 seasons for the Liberty to capture that elusive WNBA title, but the team won’t have to wait long to raise a banner at Barclays Center. WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, the star duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart and the rest of New York’s returning champions will receive their rings as a familiar foe visits the Big Apple on the second day of the regular season. A’ja Wilson and Co. have won a big game or two at Barclays before and will look to play spoiler on ring night.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese look on during their game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 1, 2024.Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images
It’s fitting that after turning in historic rookie seasons, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will begin Year 2 of their careers against one another. Last year’s meetings between Chicago and Indiana did not disappoint, and this should be no different — both Clark and Reese should be even better than they were as rookies, and their teams are, too. The interior matchups between former South Carolina teammates Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso are always entertaining as well.
With the acquisitions of DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Howard, the Fever used the offseason to make a major leap to build a contender around the All-Star trio of Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. There’s no better litmus test than an early-season meeting with the defending champions, who have added Natasha Cloud to set the table for Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart.
Jewell Loyd spent the first 10 seasons of her WNBA career with the Storm. She will return to Seattle as a member of the Las Vegas Aces on May 25.Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
After one of the biggest blockbuster trades in league history, former No. 1 overall pick Jewell Loyd returns to the city where she became a WNBA star. The split between parties wasn’t exactly smooth, meaning Loyd’s return will be the headline, but this is also a rematch of last year’s playoff series that Las Vegas swept in two games. That series will certainly be on the minds of Seattle players, too.
After being swept out of last year’s playoffs by Minnesota, Phoenix added a pair of stars in Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas to reload and contend. The Mercury will have an early opportunity to exact revenge on Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith and the rest of the Lynx, who visit the Valley two weeks into the season.
Eight years after the franchise took Kelsey Plum first overall, the Aces will face their longtime guard for the first time in her career. It should be an emotional night for everyone as Plum will look to lead her new team to a win over A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and the rest of her former championship teammates. It’s also a great opportunity for L.A.’s rising star Rickea Jackson to make a statement as her draft classmate Cameron Brink continues to work back from her ACL injury.
It’s always appointment viewing when the league’s two most recent No. 1 overall draft picks go head-to-head. Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers will be no exception. Clark and Bueckers exude star power, and this should be the first of many memorable WNBA meetings between them. Not for nothing, this also marks NaLyssa Smith’s first game against the Fever, her former team, and the first time DeWanna Bonner and DiJonai Carrington will face off as opponents after four years as Sun teammates.
A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will play host to Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream on July 22 in a matchup of two of the WNBA's all-time great centers.Ethan Miller / Getty Images
A change at head coach and the addition of free agents Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner headlined the Dream’s offseason. After a playoff push in 2024, Atlanta will look to show its improvement on the court and in the standings. Griner, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, will go head-to-head with 2018 No. 1 overall pick A’ja Wilson in what should be a classic battle of centers and a great test of how far the Dream can go.
Two months into the season, fans will get the first of at least four WNBA Finals rematches during the regular season. Last year’s five-game series was an instant classic, and this first meeting should provide more of the same. They may downplay it, but both teams will look to make a midseason statement in what could be a preview of the 2025 WNBA Finals. The two teams will play three times in 10 days in mid-August as well.
Athlon's 2025 WNBA team previews:
Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Mystics | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings
Continue reading...
With a new WNBA season come new storylines, and with new storylines come a host of must-see matchups.
The league has expanded ahead of the 2025 season, which will feature a WNBA-record 44 regular-season games for all 13 teams, a refreshed first-round playoff format and an expanded Finals.
Simply put, the action will be bigger, bolder and better than ever this season.
Ahead of the historic campaign, let’s take a look at 10 of the biggest matchups on this year’s schedule, from opening night in Dallas to a midseason Finals rematch in Minnesota.
Athlon's 2025 WNBA team previews:
Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Mystics | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings
You must be registered for see images attach
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers poses for a photo during media day in Arlington, Texas, on May 7.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
May 16: Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings
The future is here, and her name is Paige Bueckers. Dallas’ No. 1 overall pick will have her hands full in her WNBA debut against Napheesa Collier and last year’s runner-up Lynx. Based on Bueckers’ showing in her final NCAA Tournament at UConn, she’ll be up for the challenge. Don’t be surprised if she turns in a debut for the ages.
May 17: Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty
It took 28 seasons for the Liberty to capture that elusive WNBA title, but the team won’t have to wait long to raise a banner at Barclays Center. WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, the star duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart and the rest of New York’s returning champions will receive their rings as a familiar foe visits the Big Apple on the second day of the regular season. A’ja Wilson and Co. have won a big game or two at Barclays before and will look to play spoiler on ring night.
You must be registered for see images attach
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese look on during their game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 1, 2024.Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images
May 17: Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever
It’s fitting that after turning in historic rookie seasons, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will begin Year 2 of their careers against one another. Last year’s meetings between Chicago and Indiana did not disappoint, and this should be no different — both Clark and Reese should be even better than they were as rookies, and their teams are, too. The interior matchups between former South Carolina teammates Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso are always entertaining as well.
May 24: New York Liberty at Indiana Fever
With the acquisitions of DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Howard, the Fever used the offseason to make a major leap to build a contender around the All-Star trio of Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. There’s no better litmus test than an early-season meeting with the defending champions, who have added Natasha Cloud to set the table for Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jewell Loyd spent the first 10 seasons of her WNBA career with the Storm. She will return to Seattle as a member of the Las Vegas Aces on May 25.Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
May 25: Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm
After one of the biggest blockbuster trades in league history, former No. 1 overall pick Jewell Loyd returns to the city where she became a WNBA star. The split between parties wasn’t exactly smooth, meaning Loyd’s return will be the headline, but this is also a rematch of last year’s playoff series that Las Vegas swept in two games. That series will certainly be on the minds of Seattle players, too.
May 30: Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury
After being swept out of last year’s playoffs by Minnesota, Phoenix added a pair of stars in Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas to reload and contend. The Mercury will have an early opportunity to exact revenge on Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith and the rest of the Lynx, who visit the Valley two weeks into the season.
May 30: Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces
Eight years after the franchise took Kelsey Plum first overall, the Aces will face their longtime guard for the first time in her career. It should be an emotional night for everyone as Plum will look to lead her new team to a win over A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and the rest of her former championship teammates. It’s also a great opportunity for L.A.’s rising star Rickea Jackson to make a statement as her draft classmate Cameron Brink continues to work back from her ACL injury.
June 27: Indiana Fever at Dallas Wings
It’s always appointment viewing when the league’s two most recent No. 1 overall draft picks go head-to-head. Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers will be no exception. Clark and Bueckers exude star power, and this should be the first of many memorable WNBA meetings between them. Not for nothing, this also marks NaLyssa Smith’s first game against the Fever, her former team, and the first time DeWanna Bonner and DiJonai Carrington will face off as opponents after four years as Sun teammates.
You must be registered for see images attach
A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will play host to Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream on July 22 in a matchup of two of the WNBA's all-time great centers.Ethan Miller / Getty Images
July 22: Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces
A change at head coach and the addition of free agents Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner headlined the Dream’s offseason. After a playoff push in 2024, Atlanta will look to show its improvement on the court and in the standings. Griner, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, will go head-to-head with 2018 No. 1 overall pick A’ja Wilson in what should be a classic battle of centers and a great test of how far the Dream can go.
July 30: New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx
Two months into the season, fans will get the first of at least four WNBA Finals rematches during the regular season. Last year’s five-game series was an instant classic, and this first meeting should provide more of the same. They may downplay it, but both teams will look to make a midseason statement in what could be a preview of the 2025 WNBA Finals. The two teams will play three times in 10 days in mid-August as well.
Athlon's 2025 WNBA team previews:
Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Mystics | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 WNBA Preview Magazine Available Now
Related: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Usher in WNBA's Golden Era
Related: Why the WNBA’s Economic Momentum Is at Stake in 2025
Related: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Usher in WNBA's Golden Era
Related: Why the WNBA’s Economic Momentum Is at Stake in 2025
Continue reading...
