Most Important Games on the Broadcast Schedule for the 2025 WNBA Season
The WNBA recently unveiled its national broadcast and streaming schedule for the 2025 regular season. With more than 175 games slated to be televised, fans will have plenty of opportunities to watch throughout the season. The national streaming schedule will feature all 13 teams and be available on several different platforms. Amid such anticipation for the upcoming season, let's look at some of the most important matchups that will be must-see TV.
Aces vs. Liberty
The Las Vegas Aces will visit the reigning 2024 WNBA Champions, the New York Liberty, on May 17th. This matchup features one of the biggest rivalries in sports, showcasing the best players in the game. The rivalry began in 2023 when A'ja Wilson and the Aces faced Breanna Stewart and the Liberty in the WNBA Finals. The Aces emerged victorious, winning the series in four games, with A'ja Wilson earning Finals MVP honors. Fast forward to the 2024 season, and the two teams were on a collision course to meet in the Semifinals of the playoffs. This time, the Liberty got their revenge, sending the Aces home in four games. The Liberty went on to win the 2024 WNBA Finals. Now known as the battle of the super teams, the first matchup of the 2025 season is set to be an unforgettable clash. The game will be nationally broadcast on ABC, providing fans with the perfect opportunity to watch these two powerhouse teams face off. On the court, fans will see stars from both sides: for the Aces, Chelsea Gray and the newly welcomed Jewell Loyd, who was traded from Seattle this past season, will be key players in their pursuit of another championship. For the Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu, who has spent her entire career in New York, will continue to lead the charge alongside Jonquel Jones, a dominant force on both ends of the court. With so much on the line, this matchup will set the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable season.
Sky vs. Fever
The Chicago Sky will visit Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on May 17th. This matchup marks a rivalry that began in college, where Clark played for Iowa and Reese played for LSU. The Sky and Fever will meet a total of five times during the upcoming season, with their first matchup taking place in May. This will be the first nationally televised matchup of the season. The Fever’s two games against the Sky in Chicago were moved from Wintrust Arena, which holds 10,387 seats, to the United Center, which holds 23,500 seats, marking the first-ever WNBA games at the United Center. In 2024, games between the Sky and Fever became some of the most-watched in the league, thanks to the stardom of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Not only is Chicago geographically the closest team to Indiana, but this rivalry also generated the most headlines and attention last season. With so much at stake and star power on display, the upcoming season promises to deliver unforgettable moments between the Sky and Fever.
Sparks vs. Aces
Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks will visit the Las Vegas Aces on May 30th. This highly anticipated matchup marks Plum's first game back in Las Vegas after being traded to Los Angeles this past January. Plum spent seven seasons with the Aces after being drafted first overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars, a team that relocated to Las Vegas before the 2018 season. During her time with the Aces, Plum won two WNBA Championships, was named Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021, and earned three all-star selections. Her return to Las Vegas is sure to be emotional, as it marks a full-circle moment for Plum, who not only grew as a player but also as a person. The game will undoubtedly be a celebration of Plum’s legacy in Las Vegas as fans reflect on her contributions to the Aces’ success over the years. The game will be nationally televised on Ion, allowing fans to catch the emotional return. While it will be a significant moment for Plum, it will also be a pivotal game for the Sparks, as they aim to establish themselves as serious contenders.
Liberty vs. Lynx
The New York Liberty will visit the Minnesota Lynx for a WNBA Finals rematch on July 30th. The Liberty won their first championship in 2024 after defeating the Lynx in a winner-take-all Game Five. The average point differential across the five-game series was just 3.2 points, highlighting how closely contested the matchup was. The 2024 WNBA Finals became the most-watched WNBA Finals in 25 years, averaging 1.6 million viewers. This highly anticipated game featured Napheesa Collier, the 2024 WNBA MVP runner-up for the Lynx, and Breanna Stewart, who finished third in MVP voting that same year. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve voiced her frustration with the officiating after Game Five, stating, "This s--- was stolen from us." The league ultimately decided not to fine her for her comments. With both teams now gunning for another championship, this game is expected to be another intense and hard-fought battle. The stakes are high as both teams look to make a statement early in the season.
Dream vs. Mercury
Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream will visit the new-look Phoenix Mercury on July 30th. Griner, who spent 11 seasons with the Mercury, will return to Phoenix, this time as a member of the visiting team. She was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft by Phoenix and went on to win a championship with the team in 2014. The Mercury will look completely different this year, especially after losing one of the greatest players of all time, Diana Taurasi, who announced her retirement from the WNBA this past February. Griner signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Dream, marking the end of her long tenure with Phoenix. This game will be a moment of reflection for both Griner and the Phoenix fans who watched her grow into one of the league's most dominant players. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. As the Mercury enters a new era, this game will serve as a reminder of Griner’s lasting impact on the franchise.
