The 2025 WNBA Season: A New Era Begins
April 25, 2025, 09:00 AM ET – The excitement is palpable as the 2025 WNBA season officially kicks off. With training camps opening across the league this Sunday and preseason games set to tip off on May 2, fans and players alike are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating season.
For rookies like Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in this month’s draft, it’s a whirlwind of activity. Just three weeks ago, Bueckers was celebrating an NCAA title win with UConn, and now she’s preparing to make her mark in the WNBA. But it’s not just the rookies who are generating buzz. The offseason has been a whirlwind of activity, with new head coaching hires, the formation of a new expansion team, and a flurry of player movements in free agency.
The next few weeks will be crucial as teams start to gel and new strategies are tested. With the regular season set to open on May 16, teams will need to cut down their rosters to 11 or 12 players from the 18 they are allowed to have actively participating during camp. It’s a time of intense competition and high stakes as players vie for their spot on the team.
ESPN has taken a deep dive into the biggest questions facing each of the 13 WNBA teams as they head into training camp. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key storylines.
Atlanta Dream
2024 record: 15-25 (eighth place), lost in first round of playoffs
Season opener: at Washington (May 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones
How will the Dream play under new coach Karl Smesko? Coach Tanisha Wright was let go despite leading the team to the playoffs for the past two seasons. The Dream have turned to the college ranks for her replacement, hiring Smesko, who had a successful 22-year tenure at Florida Gulf Coast with a focus on 3-point shooting. With the addition of elite post players like Griner and Jones, Smesko has the tools to improve Atlanta’s league-low scoring average of 77 PPG and field goal percentage of 40.8% from last season. — Michael Voepel
Chicago Sky
2024 record: 13-27 (10th)
Season opener: vs. Indiana (May 17, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Projected starting lineup: Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, Michaela Onyenwere, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso
After being named to the All-Rookie team last season, what kind of jumps will Reese and Cordoso make in Year 2? Both players showed promise but had their rookie seasons cut short due to injuries, impacting the Sky’s playoff hopes. Now healthy, Reese and Cardoso are ready to take the next step. With the addition of Hailey Van Lith and the return of Vandersloot, the Sky have the potential to build a formidable scoring-rebounding triple threat. Reese and Cardoso’s growth will be pivotal for Chicago’s success this season. — Kendra Andrews
Connecticut Sun
2024 record: 28-12 (third place); lost in semifinals
Season opener: vs. Washington on May 18 (1 p.m. ET)
Projected starting lineup: Lindsay Allen, Marina Mabrey, Diamond DeShields, Tina Charles, Olivia Nelson-Ododa
How quickly will the Sun’s new identity forge in camp, and what will it look like? With a new coach in Rachid Meziane and a roster overhaul, the Sun are essentially starting from scratch. The team has brought in veterans like Charles and DeShields, but also has an eye on the future with young talent like Jacy Sheldon and Leïla Lacan. How these pieces fit together will be crucial as the Sun look to establish a new identity. — Alexa Philippou
Dallas Wings
2024 record: 9-31 (lottery)
Season opener: vs. Minnesota (May 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Teaira McCowan
How will Bueckers and Ogunbowale fit together in the Dallas backcourt? The Wings have struggled to find a consistent point guard since trading Marina Mabrey. Bueckers, the No. 1 pick, is expected to fill that role long-term. Her ability to play off the ball complements Ogunbowale’s playmaking skills. The sooner they can integrate their games, the better the Wings’ chances of returning to the playoffs. — Kevin Pelton
Golden State Valkyries
Season opener: vs. Los Angeles (May 16, 10 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Julie Vanloo, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Monique Billings, Temi Fagbenle
What will be the Valkyries’ identity in their inaugural season? The Valkyries are a new expansion team, and coach Natalie Nakase is focused on building a team with a competitive fire and strong work ethic. With a mix of veteran role players and promising rookies, the Valkyries are looking to establish their identity and find their franchise player during training camp. — Andrews
Indiana Fever
2024 record: 20-20 (sixth), lost in first round
Season opener: vs. Chicago (May 17, 3 p.m. ET, ABC)
Projected starting lineup: DeWanna Bonner, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Natasha Howard, Kelsey Mitchell
Are the Fever championship contenders? With a new coaching staff and key offseason acquisitions, the Fever are poised to build on last year’s playoff appearance. Bonner and Howard bring championship experience, while Clark and Boston, the last two WNBA Rookie of the Year winners, are expected to continue their strong play. A championship may be a lofty goal, but a deep playoff run is within reach. — Voepel
Las Vegas Aces
2024 record: 27-13 (fourth), lost in semifinals
Season opener: at New York (May 17, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Projected starting lineup: Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Kiah Stokes, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young
How will Loyd fit in with Las Vegas? With Kelsey Plum now in Los Angeles, Jewell Loyd steps into a key role for the Aces. Loyd’s scoring ability will be crucial as the Aces look to maintain their championship form. Despite losing some veteran experience, the Aces remain a formidable team with Wilson coming off her third MVP season. — Voepel
Los Angeles Sparks
2024 record: 8-32 (12th)
Season opener: vs. Golden State (May 16, 10 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Kelsey Plum, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Odyssey Sims, Azura Stevens
What kind of impact will Kelsey Plum have in Los Angeles? The Sparks are looking to bounce back from a challenging season, and Plum’s scoring and playmaking abilities will be key. With the return of Cameron Brink from injury, the Sparks have the potential to improve significantly. Plum’s leadership and consistency will be crucial as the team looks to find its footing. — Andrews
Minnesota Lynx
2024 record: 30-10 (second), lost in WNBA Finals
Season opener: at Dallas (May 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Alanna Smith, Courtney Williams
Can Minnesota return to the Finals? The Lynx have retained their starting five from last season’s Finals run. With Collier in MVP form and a strong defensive presence, the Lynx are well-positioned to contend for the title once again. — Voepel
New York Liberty
2024 record: 32-8 (first place); WNBA champion
Season opener: vs. Las Vegas (May 17, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Projected starting lineup: Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones
How do the new pieces mesh and how much will offseason departures be missed in New York’s effort to repeat? With key departures and new additions like Marine Johannes and Natasha Cloud, the Liberty are looking to maintain their championship form. The integration of new players and the return of injured players will be crucial as the Liberty aim to defend their title. — Philippou
Phoenix Mercury
2024 record: 19-21 (seventh)
Season opener: vs. Seattle (May 17, 9 p.m. ET)
Projected starting lineup: Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, Sami Whitcomb, Celeste Taylor
Who will usher the Mercury into a new era with no Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner? With Taurasi retired and Griner in Atlanta, the Mercury are entering a new era. The addition of Copper, Sabally, and Thomas forms a new core that could lead the team to success. The Mercury are hopeful that these changes will pay off as they transition from their former franchise players. — Andrews
Seattle Storm
2024 record: 25-15; lost in first round
Season opener: at PHO (May 17, 10 p.m. ET)
Projected starting lineup: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Alysha Clark, Gabby Williams, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor
What will Williams provide over a full season? Williams’ return to the Storm for a full season is highly anticipated. Her scoring ability will be key in replacing Jewell Loyd’s production. With a strong performance in the playoffs last season, Williams is expected to be a major contributor for the Storm. — Pelton
Washington Mystics
2024 record: 14-26 (lottery)
Season opener: vs. ATL (May 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION)
Projected starting lineup: Georgia Amoore, Brittney Sykes, Sonia Citron, Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin
How big a role will Washington’s three first-round draft picks play this season? With Citron likely to start and Amoore and Iriafen competing for key roles, the Mystics’ rookies are expected to make an immediate impact. As the team rebuilds, these young players will be crucial in shaping the Mystics’ future. — Pelton
Originally Written by: ESPN
