Las Vegas Aces target historic fourth title as 30th WNBA season begins
The 30th WNBA season tips off this Friday following challenging off-season negotiations, with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces aiming for a historic fourth title in five years.
The new campaign begins after a tense five-month period of collective bargaining talks that had initially threatened to delay the opening fixtures.
A 15-team league will take to the court this year, featuring new expansion franchises the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire.
Aces chase dynasty status
Saturday sees the reigning champions host the Phoenix Mercury in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
The Nevada-based outfit swept their rivals in a dominant 4-0 series victory last autumn to solidify their status as a modern basketball dynasty.
Led by 29-year-old superstar A’ja Wilson, who holds a record four Most Valuable Player awards, the titleholders boast an intimidating array of elite talent.
Their star-studded roster also includes Olympic gold medallists Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and recent addition Jewell Loyd.
Draft stars headline opening weekend
Elsewhere on Saturday’s schedule, the Indiana Fever will face the Dallas Wings in a showcase of premier collegiate standouts.
The clash will feature the past four number one draft picks sharing the exact same floor.
Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark will represent the home side, while Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd line up for the visitors.
This remarkable concentration of youth highlights a transformative era for women’s basketball as it enters its third decade of professional competition.