The WNBA continues to spread its wings.
The league began in 1997 with eight teams each playing 28 games. The number of games went to 30 in 1998, 32 in 1999. The WNBA moved to a 34-game schedule in 2003, remaining there until a 22-game slate in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
A record 36 games per game were played in 2022. Now that jumps to 40 in the 2023 season.
Defending champion Las Vegas Aces (+175) are listed by the Las Vegas odds as favorites to win another title, with Connecticut Sun (+350) and Washington Mystics (+500) the next two choices. It is interesting that both the Sun (Stephanie White) and Mystics (Eric Thibault) have new coaches, replacing Curt Miller (off to LA) and Mike Thibault (Eric’s father), respectively.
Here are some dates we’ve circled with a very early eye on WNBA betting.
Let’s check the latest WNBA picks, stats, injury reports, and WNBA predictions. We’ve plenty of WNBA expert picks for you to consider.
Feb. 1st: Let the Signings Begin
There are some big names who could be available as unrestricted free agents, led by former MVPs Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker.
It is worth seeing what happens with Brionna Jones. The Connecticut Sun do not have a ton of available salary-cap space, and with Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner ahead of her, does Jones want to spend the next few years continuing to come off the bench?
Curt Miller, her former coach in Connecticut, is now with the Los Angeles Sparks. and may try to acquire Jones. Azura’ Stevens and Jordin Canada are among the other players who may move.
Teams can negotiate with their own reserved players, and any restricted and unrestricted free agents, beginning Jan. 15th, with the signing period starting Feb. 1st. So, after the holidays, expect teams to start reshaping their rosters.
May 19th: Griner Returns to the WNBA
The 2023 season tips off with four games. Indiana will bring a prominent newcomer with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. That’s likely South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston going against the Eastern Conference team with the best odds to win the title.
The game between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever will also mark the Sun coaching debut of Stephanie White, who was with Indiana in 2015-16.
New York plays at Washington, Chicago will be at Minnesota and Phoenix goes to Los Angeles.
That final game of the night is expected to feature the return of Brittney Griner to the WNBA.
Griner missed all of last season, held in a Russian jail after hashish was found in her luggage as she headed overseas to play. She was released in an arms dealer Victor Bout prisoner swap.
Griner recently made her intentions clear that she intends to play with the Mercury during the 2023 WNBA season.
Love Always,
BG #42 pic.twitter.com/aOqdSPNfpo
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) December 16, 2022
May 27th: Sparks vs Aces
This will actually be the second game of the season between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, this one is noteworthy. It will be the Ace’s banner-raising, regular-season home opener as the reigning WNBA champions.
A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and company won it all during Becky Hammon’s first season at the helm. They will face Nneka Ogwumike and the LASparks.
It will be interesting to see the Sparks’ roster. A struggle attracting prominent free agents to town when Miller was calling the shots in Connecticut. That shouldn’t be an issue in Los Angeles.
June 6th: Aces vs Sun
The teams listed by the WNBA lines with the best title odds square off in a rematch of the 2022 WNBA title series, won by Vegas in four.
There will be plenty of star power in this one. The last two WNBA regular-season Most Valuable Player winners are on opposite sides. The Aces’ Wilson won the award last season, while Jonquel Jones of Connecticut was the 2021 honoree.
One difference is that veteran Sun point guard Jasmine Thomas should be back. She was in just five games during an injury-shortened ‘22 season.
July 15th: WNBA All-Star Game
More about the festivities at a later date. It will be a league showcase even if two of the WNBA’s perennial All-Stars won’t be on the court. Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird and Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles both retired at the conclusion of last season.
With New York‘s Sabrina Ionescu and Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard (last season’s Rookie of the Year) leading the list of rising stars, it’s a game showcasing the next wave of WNBA legends.
Sep. 8th: Aces vs Phoenix
While it seems as if Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi will play forever, it is only fair to wonder whether this will be the final regular-season home game of the league’s all-time leading scorer.
With her former UConn and Olympic teammate Sue Bird retiring, that will certainly have Taurasi pondering her future. With the way the 2022 season played out in Phoenix (Griner’s absence and chemistry issues within the team), that wasn’t how Tajurasi wanted to end her career.
With the defending champs at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, figure it’s a night to remember.
