2020 WNBA season

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2020 WNBA season
LeagueWomen's National Basketball Association
SportBasketball
DurationJuly 25 – October 6[a]
Number of games22[b]
Number of teams12
TV partner(s)ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBSSN, NBA TV
Top draft pickSabrina Ionescu
Picked byNew York Liberty
Season MVPUnited States A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas)
Finals championsSeattle Storm
  Runners-upLas Vegas Aces
Finals MVPUnited States Breanna Stewart (Seattle)
WNBA seasons

The 2020 WNBA season was the 24th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Washington Mystics were the defending champions. Planned changes to the league's schedule included an increase from 34 to 36 regular season games for each team, the introduction of a mid-season Commissioner's Cup tournament, and more games broadcast on ESPN and ABC.[1] This is the first season under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the WNBA Players Association.[2] However, on April 3, the season was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] Under a plan approved on June 15, the league began a shortened 22-game regular season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, without fans present on July 25.[4][5][6] A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was named the league MVP. The Seattle Storm won the 2020 WNBA Finals over the Aces, and Breanna Stewart was named the Finals MVP.

Offseason[]

Collective Bargaining Agreement[]

On January 14, 2020, the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association announced that a new eight-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had been signed.[7][2] Key provisions of the new CBA include:[8][9]

  • The new maximum base salary, for which certain qualified players and those designated as "core players" are eligible, is $215,000, an increase from $117,500 under the previous CBA. Maximum earnings for top players can be over $500,000.
  • The new minimum base salary for inexperienced players is $57,000 and for experienced players is $68,000. This is an increase from $41,965 and $56,375 respectively under the previous CBA.
  • The "core player" designation, under which teams can retain players otherwise eligible for free agency, remains available to teams. However, while teams could designate a player as such up to four times under the previous CBA, this has been reduced to thrice in the next two seasons and twice thereafter.
  • Apart from those players under the "core player" designation, all players who have met contract obligations for five years become unrestricted free agents. This is a decrease from the required six years under the previous CBA.
  • The league will enter a 50-50 revenue sharing agreement beginning in 2021, conditional on meeting certain revenue growth targets.
  • For road games, players will receive "comfort/economy plus" seats rather than ordinary economy class seats, and will receive individual hotel rooms.
  • The league will provide a new paid maternity leave policy, where players will receive their full salaries while on leave. Players with children will be provided an annual $5,000 childcare stipend and two-bedroom apartments. Veteran players are also eligible for up to $60,000 in reimbursements for costs related to family planning.
  • The league will institute a new “Diversity in Coaching” initiative to build a pipeline to coaching and offer other paid employment opportunities for players during the offseason. Under the initiative, WNBA players can work on coaching staffs or in front offices of NBA teams without a salary limit, regardless of the WNBA team's ownership structure.[c]
  • The league will create expanded programs to address intimate partner violence and nutrition, but details about these programs were not included in the CBA.
  • By the sixth year of the CBA, veteran players (defined for this purpose as those with more than 2 years of WNBA experience) will face season-long suspension for missing the start of training camp. The CBA includes several exceptions to this policy, among them serious injury or illness, maternity leave, national team commitments for non-US players, college graduations, and other significant life events.

Schedule changes[]

The WNBA originally planned that each team would play 36 total games in the 2020 season, an increase from the 34 games played in each season since 2003. Teams were to have 18 home and road games each.[1][10]

The original 2020 season schedule featured the inaugural Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament. In the first half of the season between May 15 and July 10, each team would have played its first home and road games against its five conference opponents. These games would have been designated as "Cup games", and the leaders in Cup standings in each conference were would have met in the Commissioner's Cup championship game scheduled for August 14, 2020.[1][10]

The 2020 WNBA schedule originally included a traditional month-long break in July and August to allow players to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The 2020 games were, however, postponed till 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rendering this break unnecessary.

Postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic[]

See also: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports and Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season

As with most professional sports leagues, the WNBA season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 3, 2020, the WNBA announced that the start of its schedule would also be postponed.[3] The 2020 entry draft took place as originally scheduled on April 17, although it was done remotely.[3] On the originally scheduled opening day, May 15, 2020, Engelbert told ESPN that the players would get their first paychecks on June 1.[11] On June 4, ESPN reported that the WNBA was planning on a shortened 22-game regular season to be held at IMG Academy, with players receiving 60% of their salaries.[12] On June 9, The Next reported that many players were unhappy with the reduced salary, and the league revised its plans by June 12 to include full season salaries for players.[13] On June 15, the return-to-play proposal was approved.[5][14] The playoff format, which included single-elimination first and second-round games and then five-game series for the semifinals and finals, stayed the same and ended in October.[14]

2020 WNBA draft[]

Main article: 2020 WNBA draft

The New York Liberty have the first pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.[15] The Liberty selected Sabrina Ionescu first overall.[16] The full draft was televised on ESPN in the USA and on both TSN2 and SN1 in Canada.[17]

Transactions[]

Main article: List of 2020 WNBA season transactions

Retirements[]

  • In June 2019, Camille Little announced her retirement after twelve years of playing in the WNBA. She won the WNBA Title in 2010 with the Seattle Storm.[18]
  • In September 2019, Sancho Lyttle announced her retirement after fourteen years of playing in the WNBA. Lyttle made the WNBA All-Star game once, and twice lead the league in steals.[19]
  • Alana Beard announced her retirement on January 22, 2020 after fifteen years of playing professionally. Beard is a four time WNBA All-Star and two time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She also won a WNBA Championship while playing with the Los Angeles Sparks.[20][21]
  • Rebekkah Brunson announced her retirement on February 11, 2020 after fifteen years of playing professionally. Brunson will stay with the Minnesota Lynx as an assistant coach. Brunson will have her jersey number 32 retired by the Lynx. Brunson finishes her career as a five time WNBA Champion and five time WNBA All-Star. As of her retirement, Brunson was the active WNBA leader in rebounds.[22][23]
  • Carolyn Swords announced she was retiring to join the marketing team of the Las Vegas Aces on February 24, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was let go from her position and resumed her career to re-join the Aces. Over her nine-year career, she played for four different teams.[24]

Free agency[]

Free agency negotiations started on January 28, 2020, and the signing period began on February 10, 2020.[25]

Coaching changes[]

Off-season
Team 2019 season 2020 season Reference
Indiana Fever Pokey Chatman Marianne Stanley [26][27]
New York Liberty Katie Smith Walt Hopkins [28][29]

Arena changes[]

Regular season[]

All-Star Game[]

Traditionally, there is no WNBA All-Star Game during an Olympic year, such as 2020. The 2020 Tokyo games were postponed until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the season being held at IMG Academy, the All-Star Game was not played in 2020.

Standings[]

# Team W L PCT GB Conf.
1 x – Las Vegas Aces 18 4 .818 – 8–2
2 x – Seattle Storm 18 4 .818 – 8–2
3 x – Los Angeles Sparks 15 7 .682 3 5–5
4 x – Minnesota Lynx 14 8 .636 4 4–6
5 x – Phoenix Mercury 13 9 .591 5 4–6
6 x – Chicago Sky 12 10 .545 6 6–4
7 x – Connecticut Sun 10 12 .455 8 7–3
8 x – Washington Mystics 9 13 .409 9 6–4
9 e – Dallas Wings 8 14 .364 10 1–9
10 e – Atlanta Dream 7 15 .318 11 5–5
11 e – Indiana Fever 6 16 .273 12 4–6
12 e – New York Liberty 2 20 .091 16 2–8
  • v
  • t

Notes

x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoffs
Home and Away records not shown, as all games played at a neutral location.
Updated to include results from September 13, 2020
Source


Schedule[]

2020 WNBA preseason
Preseason
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Friday, April 17 8:00 p.m. 2020 WNBA Draft USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN2, SN1		 Virtually
2020 WNBA regular season
July
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Saturday, July 25 12:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ New York Liberty USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN1/4 		87–71 Clarendon (20) Stokes (10) Bird (5) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury ABC 99–76 N. Ogwumike (21) Griner (9) Gray (7) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Washington Mystics CBSSN, NBC Sports Washington 76–101 Hines-Allen (27) Hines-Allen (10) Mitchell (4) IMG Academy
Sunday, July 26 12:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Minnesota Lynx USA: ESPN
Canada: SN360 		69–77 A. Thomas (20) Fowles (18) Dantas (5) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Las Vegas Aces ABC 88–86 McCoughtry (25) Wilson (11) Vandersloot (11) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Atlanta Dream CBSSN 95–105 Billings (30) Billings (13) Carter (8) IMG Academy
Tuesday, July 28 7:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Connecticut Sun NBA TV, NESN+, NBC Sports Washington 94–89 Bonner (29) A. Thomas (11) Meesseman (8) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Chicago Sky NBA TV, WCIU, Spectrum Sportsnet 78–96 Tied (21) Tied (9) Vandersloot (10) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Seattle Storm CBSSN, JoeTV, Fox Sports North Plus 66–90 Tied (18) Fowles (11) Loyd (6) IMG Academy
Wednesday, July 29 7:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Indiana Fever NBA TV 100–106 Hartley (26) McCowan (13) 3 tied (5) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Dallas Wings CBSSN 80–93 Ionescu (33) Zahui B. (11) Ionescu (7) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Las Vegas Aces CBSSN, MYLVTV 70–100 Wilson (21) Wilson (11) Tied (4) IMG Academy
Thursday, July 30 6:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Washington Mystics USA: ESPN
Canada: SN360 		71–89 Atkins (22) Stewart (10) Mitchell (6) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Minnesota Lynx NBA TV, Fox Sports North, WCIU 81–83 Collier (20) Stevens (11) DeShields (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Los Angeles Sparks ESPN 76–81 Bonner (34) A. Thomas (18) A. Thomas (8) IMG Academy
Friday, July 31 7:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Atlanta Dream USA: NBA TV, Fox Sports Southeast
Canada: TSN2, NBA TV Canada 		78–84 Laney (30) Billings (15) Clarendon (5) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Dallas Wings CBSSN 73–76 Sabally (23) Sabally (17) Allemand (11) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Phoenix Mercury CBSSN, MYLVTV 95–102 Tied (22) Turner (9) Taurasi (10) IMG Academy
August
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Saturday, August 1 4:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Connecticut Sun USA: NBA TV, NESN, Fox Sports North
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		78–69 Bonner (28) Fowles (13) Tied (4) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Chicago Sky USA: NBA TV, WCIU, NBC Sports Washington
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		86–88 Atkins (24) Hines-Allen (12) Vandersloot (8) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Seattle Storm CBSSN, JoeTV, Spectrum Sportsnet 75–81 Stewart (21) Parker (12) Clark (6) IMG Academy
Sunday, August 2 1:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ New York Liberty USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN4 		96–67 Hartley (27) Turner (11) Taurasi (9) IMG Academy
3:30 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Indiana Fever USA: NBA TV, Fox Sports South
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		77–93 K. Mitchell (23) Billings (8) Allemand (9) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN2
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		70–79 Ogunbowale (20) Tied (8) Hamby (4) IMG Academy
Tuesday, August 4 6:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Chicago Sky WCIU, Fox Sports Southwest Plus 79–82 Ogunbowale (26) Stevens (10) Vandersloot (10) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Atlanta Dream ESPN2 81–74 Carter (26) C. Williams (9) Taurasi (6) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Seattle Storm USA: ESPN2
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		74–87 Stewart (22) A. Thomas (13) Canada (6) IMG Academy
Wednesday, August 5 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ New York Liberty CBSSN, Fox Sports North Plus 92–66 Carleton (25) Stokes (8) Clarendon (6) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Washington Mystics USA: NBA TV, NBC Sports Washington, MYLVTV
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		83–77 Meesseman (24) Tied (13) Mitchell (4) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Los Angeles Sparks Spectrum Sportsnet 75–86 K. Mitchell (24) Ca. Parker (11) Tied (5) IMG Academy
Thursday, August 6 6:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Atlanta Dream ESPN2 93–92 Carter (35) C. Williams (10) Carter (7) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Dallas Wings NBA TV, Fox Sports Southwest Plus, NESN 91–68 Tied (17) A. Thomas (10) J. Thomas (9) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Phoenix Mercury USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN5, NBA TV Canada 		86–96 Tied (22) Griner (8) Vandersloot (8) IMG Academy
Friday, August 7 6:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Minnesota Lynx Fox Sports North Plus 80–87 Brown (26) McCowan (12) Brown (9) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Washington Mystics USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN2 		74–66 Powers (20) Zahui B. (14) Clarendon (6) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Las Vegas Aces ESPN2 82–86 Wilson (26) Ca. Parker (20) McCoughtry (5) IMG Academy
Saturday, August 8 12:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Dallas Wings USA: ESPN2
Canada: SN1, NBA TV Canada 		75–85 Ogunbowale (24) Jefferson (10) Ogunbowale (6) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Seattle Storm USA: ABC
Canada: TSN2 		68–74 Tied (20) Howard (10) Canada (10) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Connecticut Sun USA: NBA TV, NESN+, WCIU
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		100–93 Tied (22) Copper (7) Vandersloot (11) IMG Academy
Sunday, August 9 3:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Los Angeles Sparks ESPN 81–97 Dangerfield (29) Ca. Parker (10) Ca. Parker (9) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ New York Liberty YES 78–76 Wilson (31) Stokes (12) Clarendon (8) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Indiana Fever ESPN2 84–91 K. Mitchell (29) McCowan (11) Tied (5) IMG Academy
Monday, August 10 6:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Atlanta Dream Fox Sports Southeast 93–82 A. Thomas (21) Bonner (9) J. Thomas (7) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Dallas Wings USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN2 		91–79 Diggins-Smith (26) Griner (13) Diggins-Smith (7) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Seattle Storm USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN2 		71–89 Stewart (25) Howard (7) Vandersloot (9) IMG Academy
Tuesday, August 11 7:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Indiana Fever USA: ESPN2
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		98–79 Tied (20) Wislon (11) Allemand (6) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Minnesota Lynx ESPN2 48–68 Fowles (16) Fowles (13) Dangerfield (4) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Los Angeles Sparks USA: Spectrum Sportsnet
Canada: TSN5 		78–93 J. Jones (24) Zahui B. (10) Clarendon (5) IMG Academy
Wednesday, August 12 7:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Connecticut Sun CBSSN 66–70 Ogunbowale (19) Sabally (9) Tied (4) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Chicago Sky WCIU, Fox Sports Arizona 71–89 Quigley (20) Tied (9) Vandersloot (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Seattle Storm Twitter, JoeTV 63–100 Tied (20) Stewart (9) Canada(10) IMG Academy
Thursday, August 13 6:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty USA: YES, Fox Sports Indiana
Canada: TSN3 		86–79 Nurse (21) McCowan (13) Allemand (5) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Washington Mystics ESPN 81–64 Atkins (20) Meesseman (11) Tied (5) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN3 		77–87 Wilson (23) Collier (14) Tied (7) IMG Academy
Friday, August 14 7:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Chicago Sky Twitter, WCIU 77–74 Bonner (19) A. Thomas (10) A. Thomas (8) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Dallas Wings USA: NBA TV
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		83–65 Ogunbowale (22) Tied (8) Bird (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Phoenix Mercury Fox Sports Arizona Plus, Fox Sports Southeast 80–96 Hartley (24) C. Williams (14) Dietrick (7) IMG Academy
Saturday, August 15 12:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN
Canada: SN1 		73–88 Atkins (17) Meesseman (9) Robinson (7) IMG Academy
2:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Indiana Fever USA: ESPN
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		90–76 K. Mitchell (25) T. Mitchell (8) 4 tied (5) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Minnesota Lynx CBSSN, Fox Sports North Plus 64–94 Collier (26) Collier (13) 2 tied (5) IMG Academy
Sunday, August 16 1:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Phoenix Mercury ABC 95–89 Ogunbowale (33) Taurasi (9) Hartley (6) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Connecticut Sun ABC 95–72 Stewart (19) Tied (11) A. Thomas (6) IMG Academy
4:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Atlanta Dream Fox Sports Southeast, WCIU 92–67 Ch. Parker (17) Billings (8) Colson (6) IMG Academy
Tuesday, August 18 7:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun CBSSN 62–84 Bonner (28) A. Thomas (11) Tied (6) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Chicago Sky ESPN2 82–84 Copper (18) Wilson (8) Vandersloot (15) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Seattle Storm JoeTV 64–105 Nurse (21) Howard (11) Bird (7) IMG Academy
Wednesday, August 19 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Washington Mystics CBSSN, NBC Sports Washington 91–98 Laney (35) Billings (12) Meesseman (10) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Minnesota Lynx USA: Facebook, Fox Sports North Plus, Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Canada: TSN3/5 		84–91 Gray (22) Thornton (11) Dangerfield (6) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Los Angeles Sparks Twitter, Fox Sports Arizona Plus, Spectrum Sportsnet 74–83 Taurasi (19) Ca. Parker (12) Hartley (9) IMG Academy
Thursday, August 20 7:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ New York Liberty CBSSN, YES, WCIU 101–85 Stevens (25) Stokes (9) Vandersloot (10) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Indiana Fever Facebook, Fox Sports Indiana, JoeTV 85–90 Loyd (35) McCowan (10) Tied (6) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Las Vegas Aces CBSSN, NESN+ 78–99 McBride (25) McCoughtry (8) Robinson (9) IMG Academy
Friday, August 21 7:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Atlanta Dream Twitter, Spectrum Sportsnet 93–85 (OT) Johnson (23) Tied (9) Laney (11) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Dallas Wings USA: Facebook, Fox Sports Southwest Plus, NBC Sports Washington
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		92–101 (OT) Hines-Allen (35) Hines-Allen (12) Ogunbowale (9) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury CBSSN, Fox Sports North Plus 90–80 Hartley (24) Tied (9) Tied (6) IMG Academy
Saturday, August 22 3:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ABC
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		74–82 Stewart (29) Stewart (18) Tied (7) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky CBSSN, WCIU 76–87 Copper (26) Ch. Parker (8) Vandersloot (9) IMG Academy
7:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Connecticut Sun CBSSN 65–82 A. Thomas (25) Bonner (12) Bonner (6) IMG Academy
Sunday, August 23 4:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Minnesota Lynx Twitter, Fox Sports North Plus, Fox Sports Southeast 78–75 Collier (18) Billings (13) Laney (10) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Los Angeles Sparks USA: Facebook, Spectrum Sportsnet, Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Canada: SN360 		81–84 Sykes (23) Ca. Parker (14) Ca. Parker (6) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Washington Mystics Facebook, NBC Sports Washington, Fox Sports Arizona 88–87 Taurasi (34) Turner (17) Hines-Allen (8) IMG Academy
Tuesday, August 25 7:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Chicago Sky CBSSN, WCIU 101–99 Quigley (29) Zahui B. (12) Vandersloot (9) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Dallas Wings CBSSN, MYLVTV 96–92 Sabally (28) Hamby (14) Tied (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Seattle Storm USA: ESPN2
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		74–87 Stewart (27) McCowan (11) 3 tied (5) IMG Academy
Friday, August 28 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Atlanta Dream USA: Facebook, Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports North Plus
Canada: TSN3 		88–79 Dangerfield (23) Collier (12) 3 Tied (5) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Connecticut Sun CBSSN 80–76 Gray (27) A. Thomas (9) Ca. Parker (7) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Phoenix Mercury CBSSN 72–94 Diggins-Smith (24) Turner (7) Taurasi (7) IMG Academy
Saturday, August 29 12:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Las Vegas Aces CBSSN, MYLVTV 63–80 Wilson (20) Zahui B. (21) Robinson (6) IMG Academy
2:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Chicago Sky USA: ABC
Canada: TSN3 		88–74 Stewart (21) Howard (15) Tied (9) IMG Academy
4:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Indiana Fever CBS 82–78 Ogunbowale (30) Sabally (11) 3 Tied (4) IMG Academy
Sunday, August 30 4:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Washington Mystics Twitter, NBC Sports Washington 76-63 Bonner (20) Hinnes-Allen (13) A. Thomas (8) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx Facebook, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports Arizona Plus 83–79 Diggins-Smith (25) Turner (15) Tied (5) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Los Angeles Sparks Facebook, Spectrum Sportsnet, Fox Sports Southeast 79–84 Carter (26) Billings (14) Ca. Parker (7) IMG Academy
Monday, August 31 6:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Indiana Fever CBSSN 100–77 Tied (21) Tied (11) Vandersloot (18) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx CBSSN, Fox Sports North Plus, Spectrum Sportsnet 78–96 Collier (25) Tied (9) Carleton (10) IMG Academy
September
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Tuesday, September 1 7:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ New York Liberty CBSSN, NESN+ 70–65 Bonner (27) Bonner (12) A. Thomas (4) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Atlanta Dream Facebook, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Indiana 90–102 Tied (22) Achonwa (9) Carter (6) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Las Vegas Aces Facebook, MYLVTV, Fox Sports Arizona Plus 92–85 Taurasi (32) Tied (13) McBride (9) IMG Academy
Wednesday, September 2 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Chicago Sky Facebook, WCIU, Fox Sports North Plus 86–83 Dantas (28) Ch. Parker (15) Vandersloot (12) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Dallas Wings CBSSN, Spectrum Sportsnet 91–83 Ca. Parker (22) Sabally (11) Ca. Parker (6) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Seattle Storm CBSSN, JoeTV, NBC Sports Washington 64–71 Meesseeman (17) Stewart (14) Tied (5) IMG Academy
Thursday, September 3 6:30 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ New York Liberty CBSSN, YES 62-56 C. Williams (15) C. Williams (13) Zahui B. (4) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Connecticut Sun Twitter, MYLVTV 93-78 Wilson (24) Mompremier (16) Tied (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Phoenix Mercury Facebook, Fox Sports Indiana 81-105 Diggins-Smith (28) Turner (12) Diggins-Smith (8) IMG Academy
Friday, September 4 7:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Washington Mystics Twitter, NBC Sports Washington, WCIU 69-79 Mitchell (20) Tied (10) Mitchell (12) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Dallas Wings Facebook, Fox Sports Southwest Plus, Fox Sports North Plus 88-75 A. Gray (26) Collier (14) Tied (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Los Angeles Sparks USA: Facebook, Spectrum Sportsnet, JoeTV
Canada: TSN2 		90-89 Tied (25) Stewart (8) Stewart (9) IMG Academy
Saturday, September 5 4:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Indiana Fever USA: Facebook, Fox Sports Indiana
Canada: SN360 		96-77 Bonner (26) 5 Tied (6) Allemand (8) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Atlanta Dream Facebook, Fox Sports Southeast, MYLVTV 89-79 Tied (21) Wilson (8) Tied (6) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Phoenix Mercury Twitter 67-83 Diggins-Smith (30) Tied (13) Turner (4) IMG Academy
Sunday, September 6 4:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Washington Mystics Twitter, NBC Sports Washington, Fox Sports Southwest Plus 101-94 (OT) Ogunbowale (39) Hines-Allen (10) Mitchell (9) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Minnesota Lynx USA: Facebook, Fox Sports North, JoeTV
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		103-88 Dantas (22) Dantas (9) Tied (7) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Los Angeles Sparks CBSSN, Spectrum Sportsnet, WCIU 80-86 Tied (24) Ca. Parker (15) Vandersloot (15) IMG Academy
Monday, September 7 6:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Phoenix Mercury CBSSN, NESN 85–70 Bonner (25) A. Thomas (9) A. Thomas (9) IMG Academy
Tuesday, September 8 7:00 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ New York Liberty CBSSN, Spectrum Sportsnet 96-70 Tied (20) Tied (8) Ca. Parker (7) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Washington Mystics ESPN2 86-89 Hines-Allen (26) Collier (11) Mitchell (10) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Indiana Fever @ Las Vegas Aces ESPN2 86–92 K. Mitchell (24) Wilson (16) Allemand (8) IMG Academy
Wednesday, September 9 7:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Connecticut Sun Facebook, Fox Sports Arizona Plus 100–95 Diggins-Smith (33) Turner (21) 3 tied (5) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Chicago Sky CBSSN, WCIU 97–89 Laney (24) Vandersloot (11) Tied (5) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ Seattle Storm CBSSN, JoeTV 95–107 Sabally (25) Stewart (11) Bird (9) IMG Academy
Thursday, September 10 7:00 p.m. New York Liberty @ Indiana Fever CBSSN 75-85 Dupree (22) J. Jones (10) Dupree (7) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Minnesota Lynx USA: ESPN2
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		104-89 Dangerfield (24) Tied (11) 3 Tied (6) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Los Angeles Sparks CBSSN, Spectrum Sportsnet, NBC Sports Washington 80–72 Hines-Allen (30) Ca. Parker (17) Mitchell (9) IMG Academy
Friday, September 11 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Dream @ Connecticut Sun Facebook, Fox Sports Southeast 82–75 Carter (22) Laney (10) 3 tied (4) IMG Academy
8:00 p.m. Chicago Sky @ Dallas Wings CBSSN, WCIU 95–88 Ogunbowale (38) Hebard (8) Vandersloot (12) IMG Academy
10:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Phoenix Mercury CBSSN, JoeTV 83–60 Walker-Kimbrough (24) Turner (11) Peddy (6) IMG Academy
Saturday, September 12 12:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ New York Liberty USA: NBA TV, NBC Sports Washington
Canada: TSN5 		75–58 Hines-Allen (25) Hines-Allen (11) Meesseman (7) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Los Angeles Sparks USA: NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet, MYLVTV
Canada: NBA TV Canada 		84–70 N. Ogwumike (24) Ca. Parker (10) Gray (11) IMG Academy
6:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Indiana Fever Fox Sports North 98–86 Banham (29) McCowan (9) Banham (10) IMG Academy
Sunday, September 13 12:00 p.m. Dallas Wings @ New York Liberty CBSSN, YES 82–79 Ogunbowale (26) Tied (10) Nurse (7) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Seattle Storm USA: ABC
Canada: TSN2 		86–84 Loyd (30) Russell (11) Hamby (8) IMG Academy
5:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Atlanta Dream USA: Facebook, Fox Sports Southeast
Canada: SN360 		85–78 Laney (27) C. Williams (11) Meesseman (7) IMG Academy
2020 WNBA postseason
First Round
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Tuesday, September 15 7:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Chicago Sky USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN1/4 		94–81 A. Thomas (28) A. Thomas (13) A. Thomas (8) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Washington Mystics @ Phoenix Mercury USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN1/4 		84–85 Mitchell (25) Turner (11) Taurasi (6) IMG Academy
Second Round
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Thursday, September 17 7:00 p.m. Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN5, NBA TV Canada 		79–80 Taurasi (28) Turner (14) Taurasi (9) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Los Angeles Sparks USA: ESPN2
Canada: SN360 		73–59 Ca. Parker (22) Ca. Parker (14) J. Thomas (6) IMG Academy
Semifinals
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Sunday, September 20 1:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN2 		87–62 J. Thomas (31) Wilson (9) A. Thomas (5) IMG Academy
Tuesday, September 22 7:00 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN5 		75–83 Wilson (29) Mompremier (9) Young (5) IMG Academy
9:00 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Seattle Storm USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN5 		86–88 Tied (25) Stewart (10) Bird (8) IMG Academy
Thursday, September 24 7:30 p.m. Minnesota Lynx @ Seattle Storm USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN2 		79–89 Dantas (23) Stewart (8) Tied (7) IMG Academy
9:30 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Connecticut Sun USA: ESPN2
Canada: SN360 		68–77 A. Thomas (23) Tied (12) Young (7) IMG Academy
Sunday, September 27 1:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces @ Connecticut Sun USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN2 		84–75 McCoughtry (29) Bonner (15) Tied (6) IMG Academy
3:00 p.m. Seattle Storm @ Minnesota Lynx USA: ABC
Canada: TSN2 		92–71 Stewart (31) Collier (15) Bird (9) IMG Academy
Tuesday, September 29 7:30 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN1/4/5 		63–66 Wilson (23) Jones (12) Bonner (6) IMG Academy
Finals
Date Time (ET) Matchup TV Result High points High rebounds High assists Location
Friday, October 2 7:00 p.m. Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces USA: ESPN2
Canada: TSN1/4/5 		93–80 Stewart (37) Stewart (15) Bird (16) IMG Academy
Sunday, October 4 3:00 p.m. Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces USA: ABC
Canada: SN 		104–91 Stewart (22) Tied (8) Tied (10) IMG Academy
Tuesday, October 6 7:00 p.m. Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN3/5 		59–92 Stewart (26) Swords (10) Bird (7) IMG Academy

Statistical leaders[]

The following shows the leaders in each statistical category during the 2020 regular season.[34][35]

Category Player Team Statistic
Points per game Arike Ogunbowale Dallas Wings 22.8 ppg
Rebounds per game Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks 9.7 rpg
Assists per game Courtney Vandersloot Chicago Sky 10.0 apg
Steals per game Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun 2.0 spg
Blocks per game A'ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces 2.0 bpg
Field goal percentage Ruthy Hebard Chicago Sky 68.2% (58/85)
Three point FG percentage Alysha Clark Seattle Storm 52.2% (35/67)
Free throw percentage Tiffany Mitchell Indiana Fever 95.1% (77/81)
Points per game (team) Las Vegas Aces 88.7 ppg
Field goal percentage (team) Chicago Sky 49.1%

Playoffs[]

Main article: 2020 WNBA Playoffs

The WNBA continued its current playoff format for 2020. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, make the playoffs, with the top two teams receiving a bye to the semi-finals. The remaining six teams play in two single-elimination playoff rounds, with the third and fourth seeds receiving a bye to the second round.[36]

 
First round:
Single elimination
(September 15)		Second round:
Single elimination
(September 17)		Semifinals:
Best-of-five
(September 20–29)		WNBA Finals:
Best-of-five
(October 2–11)
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
Las Vegas Aces		 3
 
 
7
Connecticut Sun		 2
 
 
 
 
 
4
Minnesota Lynx		 80
 
 
 
5
Phoenix Mercury		79
 
5
Phoenix Mercury		 85
 
 
 
8
Washington Mystics		 84
 
1
Las Vegas Aces		 0
 
 
 
2
Seattle Storm		 3
 
6
Chicago Sky		 81
 
 
 
7
Connecticut Sun		 94
 
3
Los Angeles Sparks		 59
 
 
7
Connecticut Sun		 73
 
 
 
 
 
2
Seattle Storm		 3
 
 
4
Minnesota Lynx		 0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Semifinals
Team 1 2 3 4 5
1
Las Vegas Aces		 62 83 68 84 66
7
Connecticut Sun		 87 75 77 75 63
Team 1 2 3
2
Seattle Storm		 88 89 92
4
Minnesota Lynx		 86 79 71
WNBA Finals
Team 1 2 3
1
Las Vegas Aces		 80 91 59
2
Seattle Storm		 93 104 92
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Season award winners[]

Player of the Week Award[]

Date Awarded Eastern Conference Western Conference Reference
Player Team Player Team
August 3 Myisha Hines-Allen (1/2) Washington Mystics Breanna Stewart (1/2) Seattle Storm [37]
August 10 Courtney Vandersloot (1/2) Chicago Sky A'ja Wilson (1/2) Las Vegas Aces [38]
August 17 DeWanna Bonner (1/2) Connecticut Sun Napheesa Collier (1/1) Minnesota Lynx [39]
August 24 Courtney Vandersloot (2/2) Chicago Sky Candace Parker (1/1) Los Angeles Sparks [40]
August 31 Alyssa Thomas (1/1) Connecticut Sun Breanna Stewart (2/2) Seattle Storm [41]
September 8 DeWanna Bonner (2/2) Connecticut Sun Skylar Diggins-Smith (1/1) Phoenix Mercury [42]
September 14 Myisha Hines-Allen (2/2) Washington Mystics A'ja Wilson (2/2) Las Vegas Aces [43]

Player of the Month Award[]

For games played Eastern Conference Western Conference Reference
Player Team Player Team
August Courtney Vandersloot (1/1) Chicago Sky A'ja Wilson (1/2) Las Vegas Aces [44]
September Myisha Hines-Allen (1/1) Washington Mystics A'ja Wilson (2/2) Las Vegas Aces [45]

Rookie of the Month Award[]

For games played Player Team Reference
August Crystal Dangerfield (1/2) Minnesota Lynx [46]
September Crystal Dangerfield (2/2) Minnesota Lynx [47]

Coach of the Month Award[]

For games played Coach Team Reference
August Bill Laimbeer (1/2) Las Vegas Aces [48]
September Bill Laimbeer (2/2) Las Vegas Aces [49]

Postseason awards[]

Award Winner Position Team Votes/Statistic
Most Valuable Player Award A'ja Wilson Forward Las Vegas Aces 43 of 47[50]
Finals MVP Award Breanna Stewart Forward Seattle Storm [51]
Rookie of the Year Award Crystal Dangerfield Guard Minnesota Lynx 44 of 47[52]
Most Improved Player Award Betnijah Laney Forward/Guard Atlanta Dream 25 of 47[53]
Defensive Player of the Year Award Candace Parker Forward/Center Los Angeles Sparks 16 of 47[54]
Sixth Woman of the Year Award Dearica Hamby Forward Las Vegas Aces 44 of 47[55]
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award Nneka Ogwumike Forward Los Angeles Sparks 21 of 46[56]
Peak Performer: Points Arike Ogunbowale Guard Dallas Wings 22.8 ppg[57]
Peak Performer: Rebounds Candace Parker Forward/Center Los Angeles Sparks 9.7 rpg[57]
Peak Performer: Assists Courtney Vandersloot Guard Chicago Sky 10.0 apg[57]
Coach of the Year Award Cheryl Reeve Coach Minnesota Lynx 25 of 47[58]
Basketball Executive of the Year Award Dan Padover General Manager Las Vegas Aces 37 points[59]
Team Guard Guard Forward Forward Center
All-WNBA First Team[60] Courtney Vandersloot Arike Ogunbowale A'ja Wilson Breanna Stewart Candace Parker
All-WNBA Second Team[60] Diana Taurasi Skylar Diggins-Smith DeWanna Bonner Napheesa Collier Myisha Hines-Allen
All-Defensive First Team[61] Alysha Clark Betnijah Laney Brianna Turner Alyssa Thomas Elizabeth Williams
All-Defensive Second Team[61] Ariel Atkins Brittney Sykes Breanna Stewart Napheesa Collier A'ja Wilson
All-Rookie Team[62] Crystal Dangerfield Julie Allemand Chennedy Carter Jazmine Jones Satou Sabally

Coaches[]

Eastern Conference[]

Team Head coach Previous job Years with team Record with team Playoff Appearances Finals Appearances WNBA Championships
Atlanta Dream Nicki Collen Connecticut Sun (assistant) 2 31–37 1 0 0
Chicago Sky James Wade UMMC Ekaterinburg (assistant) 1 20–14 1 0 0
Connecticut Sun Curt Miller Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) 4 79–57 3 1 0
Indiana Fever Marianne Stanley Washington Mystics (assistant) 0 0–0 0 0 0
New York Liberty Walt Hopkins Minnesota Lynx (assistant) 0 0–0 0 0 0
Washington Mystics Mike Thibault Connecticut Sun 7 130–108 6 2 1

Western Conference[]

Team Head coach Previous job Years with team Record with team Playoff Appearances Finals Appearances WNBA Championships
Dallas Wings Brian Agler Los Angeles Sparks 1 10–24 0 0 0
Las Vegas Aces Bill Laimbeer New York Liberty 2 35–33 1 0 0
Los Angeles Sparks Derek Fisher New York Knicks 1 22–12 1 0 0
Minnesota Lynx Cheryl Reeve Detroit Shock (assistant) 10 231–109 9 6 4
Phoenix Mercury Sandy Brondello Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) 6 118–86 6 1 1
Seattle Storm Dan Hughes San Antonio Stars 2 44–24 2 1 1

Notes:

  • Year with team does not include 2020 season.
  • Records are from time at current team and are through the end of the 2019 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 2020 season as head coach of each team.

Activism[]

Main article: 2020 American athlete boycotts

In response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their series against the Orlando Magic on August 26. Later that day, the NBA announced that in light of the Bucks' decision, all games for the day were postponed.[63] The WNBA joined the protest and postponed their three games that were originally scheduled on Wednesday: Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream; Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx; Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury.[64] Games were again postponed on August 27th.[65] Games resumed on Friday, August 28.[66]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ The season was originally scheduled for May 15 – September 20, and was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ The season was originally scheduled to have 36 games per team, an increase from the 34 games played in the previous season. However, the season was shortened and delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. ^ This issue arose in the 2019–20 offseason when the Washington Wizards hired Mystics player Kristi Toliver as an assistant coach. Toliver could not receive a normal NBA assistant's salary because the Mystics and Wizards are owned by the same company; the previous WNBA CBA viewed such an arrangement as a way of getting around the salary cap.

References[]

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  6. ^ @WNBA (July 10, 2020). "Basketball officially returns July 25th. Are you ready for #WNBA Tip-Off 2020 presented by @ATT#ATTtipoff" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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