The Rivalries of The WNBA & How They Began
This year, the WNBA introduced its first-ever "Rivals Week," where you can catch all of your favorite marquee matchups over ten days. While everyone knows and loves these showdowns, many are unaware of how they were born and how they have been fueled over time. Here is your Sportsish guide to the WNBA's most iconic rivalries, from the brand new to the historically charged.
New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces
Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones contesting A'ja Wilson's shot (Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Aces won their first Championship title in 2022, with the seismic core of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. After a rough couple of seasons, the New York Liberty were finally on the rise, signing stars Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, and trading for Jonquel Jones. Immediately, it seemed like they were the only team that could seriously compete with the Aces, a prediction that came into fruition when the teams faced each other in the 2023 WNBA finals. You might be wondering how one of the most iconic rivalries became so powerful in only a season.
Let's take a few steps back. In the 2020 WNBA finals, the Seattle Storm, then with Breanna Stewart, swept the Aces. Then, in the 2022 playoffs, the Aces defeated Breanna Stewart's Storm and then went on to defeat Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun in the finals. Needless to say, there's a lot of history there, so it was a big deal when Stewie and JJ combined forces in New York. In that 2023 season, Breanna Stewart won MVP over A'ja Wilson (and also Alyssa Thomas), which sparked much debate that fueled both teams heading into the playoffs.
The off-court drama between the teams has also contributed to the rising tension over the years. From Sabrina Ionescu's stolen sneakers to backhanded comments about team chemistry, and Timberland boots being left on the Aces' logo (if you know, you know), these moments have all added emotion to the game, giving the fans a show every single time. If there is any textbook rivalry in the WNBA, it might be this one.
Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese shake hands before their matchup (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
One of the newest rivalries is between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, which is a continuation of the college feuds between Iowa and LSU. Stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese faced each other twice during the NCAA Tournament, with both matchups being among the most-watched women's basketball games of all time. Now, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, two teams that might not be ready to contend for championships yet, but can certainly make playoff pushes, have some of the most highly anticipated games of the WNBA season. Unfortunately, both Caitlin and Angel have been out due to injury, in addition to the season-ending injuries of Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Courtney Vandersloot. While the lineups are tainted for both teams, we wish them the best of luck as they make the final push for a spot in the playoffs.
Phoenix Mercury vs. Atlanta Dream
Brittney Griner defended by Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (Michael Chow/The Republic)
Not only are these two teams neck and neck, but this rivalry has taken on more of a personal meaning this past year. For 11 seasons, Brittney Griner was one of the faces of the Phoenix Mercury, alongside arguably the greatest of all time, Diana Taurasi. After DT announced her retirement in February, it was unclear what the next steps were for the franchise. Only a few days later, Brittney Griner signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, which nobody saw coming. While the new core of Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and DeWanna Bonner in Phoenix is an absolute powerhouse, fans can only wonder what would have happened if BG stayed. Atlanta, which has gone under the radar, has proven that they are more than capable of contending for a title, taking the second seed from the reigning Champions, the New York Liberty. While this newfound rivalry wasn't born from a history of playoff battles, the emotion behind Griner's move to the Dream will always be prevalent.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Golden State Valkyries
Dearica Hamby of the LA Sparks reacting after a play against Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Who doesn't love a battle between the Bay Area and LA? While still fresh, this new rivalry between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries is exactly what we've been waiting for. We have the Lakers vs. the Warriors, but now it's time for a new matchup in California. Both teams had rocky starts to the season, but now, taking the 8th and 9th seeds, they're each fighting for a spot in the playoffs (and for bragging rights, of course). With Cameron Brink returning to the lineup after recovering from an ACL injury, the Sparks are on the rise and have all the pieces they need for this final push. The Valkyries, while still in a good position, have been struggling since the notable absence of their star, Kayla Thornton, who is out for the remainder of the season while recovering from knee surgery. The fans have been showing up and showing out in Ballhalla, recording the most fan attendance across the league, so the Valkyries have all of the support they could ask for. Regardless of how the remainder of the season plays out, we know that this rivalry is only the start of an incredible legacy in California.
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty
Napheesa Coller shoots a fadeaway jumper against Jonquel Jones in overtime of the 2024 WNBA Finals (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
As the top two teams in the standings, some competition was bound to happen, knowing there's a good chance they would see each other in the playoffs. That was exactly the case for the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, two teams that tend to stay out of the drama. The development of this rivalry over the last season was nothing short of incredible, and had fans on the edge of their seats every single game. While the Lynx won the regular season series against the Liberty during the 2024 season, there was no counting out a New York squad coming off a devastating championship loss in 2023. With the momentum working in their favor, the Liberty won their first championship in franchise history, proving that regular-season statistics don't entirely matter because the playoffs are a different beast.
Now, the first-place Minnesota Lynx are looking to get that championship trophy, adding their fifth title to the collection. This offseason, however, brought a little bit of drama, even for these teams. One of the WNBA's most sought-after free agents, Emma Meesseman, made her return to the league after three years overseas. The decorated forward, with a Finals MVP and three consecutive FIBA EuroLeague MVP awards, was looking to have an immediate impact in the W. Multiple teams pitched themselves to her, but her final decision came down to the Liberty and the Lynx, where she ultimately decided to sign with New York. Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Lynx, thinks that Emma made the "wrong choice" by joining forces with the enemies. Surely, that brings the stakes of this rivalry even higher.
With Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier both out with injuries, these teams have even more to prove. Can the Minnesota Lynx get revenge, or was the recent addition of Emma Meeseman the last piece of the puzzle for the New York Liberty?
While WNBA Rivals Week is almost complete, this weekend is jam-packed with the final slate of games.. The main event, a highly anticipated finals rematch between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, is scheduled for Saturday at 2 PM ET. The excitement won't end there, because there is a packed schedule with five different matchups on Sunday, August 17th. You're not going to want to miss a second of it.