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There has a been a huge shake-up of the WNBA format as the league has taken the 2020 season into a bubble due to the COVID-19 crisis.
While a new collective bargaining agreement had allowed for a 36-game regular season, along with a mid-season Cup tournament, it has since been reduced to 22 games per team with no fans allowed into Florida's IMG Academy.
Ahead of the season start, we take a look at five reasons why the 2020 WNBA season is one not to be missed.
STARS TO WATCH
The WNBA is not short on star talent this season and here are three players you should watch out for.
Las Vegas Aces superstar in the making, A’Ja Wilson will have the responsibility of carrying most of the burden with Liz Cambage sitting out this season due to health concerns.
Wilson has the potential to be the biggest star in the league and without the need to share the limelight with Cambage, she could be about to deliver her biggest season yet.
Another player to keep an eye out for is Seattle Storm’s Breanna Stewart, who returns to action after an Achilles injury sidelined her for 12 months.
Stewart, the 2018 WNBA MVP, has a point to prove and is the league’s best player when in form.
Finally, one player you can’t miss is Diamond DeShields of the Chicago Sky.
The rising star has the potential to be the league's most dynamic player with her slick finishing skills and ability to find the basket.
Diamond DeShields of the Chicago Sky Source: Getty Images
THE WNBA BUBBLE
Just like the NBA, the WNBA season will be played in a bubble as the coronavirus crisis continues to grip the United States and the world.
All 12 teams will be based at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida - with a condensed 22 round season to take place inside the venue.
Superstar guard Sue Bird recently told ESPN: “The bubble is part summer camp, mixed in with the Olympic village, playing overseas and in a tournament with a little bit of college life thrown in.”
IMG Academy in Florida will play host to the WNBA's bubble with the entire season taking place at the venue Source: IMG Academy
It is sure to create plenty of interesting storylines - with the shortened schedule and intense environment providing new challenges never faced before.
How players adapt to life in the ‘Wubble’, as it’s been affectionately named by players, will go a long way to deciding who takes out the title.
THE IONESCU SHOW
Everyone in the world of basketball can’t wait to see record-breaking Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu take to the court this season.
The brilliant point guard was drafted first overall by New York Liberty and has been likened to NBA top pick Zion Williamson in terms of the impact she could have during her rookie campaign.
Ionescu was incredible during her college career at Oregon, becoming the first player - male or female - to score 2000 points, make 1000 assists and grab 1000 rebounds.
The 5’11 guard has enjoyed some of the biggest names in the game backing her skills, including Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry, as well as the late Kobe Bryant - who worked with Ionescu during the season, and was considered a close friend.
If Ionescu can live up to her massive potential, then WNBA fans could be witnessing a player who could very easily go on to become one of the all-time greats of the game.
AUSSIES IN ACTION
Four Australian players are expected to take the court in the WNBA this season, when the comeptition tips-off at the IMG Academy this weekend.
While superstar Liz Cambage of the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty's Rebecca Allen have decided to sit out the season on health grounds, the Aussie contingent will still be players to keep an eye on.
Leilani Mitchell re-joined the reigning WNBA champions - the Washington Mystics - this season, after a successful two-year stint with the Phoenix Mercury.
The American-born Australian, who now calls Newcastle home, had the best WNBA season of her career in 2019 to claim the league’s Most Improved Player award for the second time.
Leilani Mitchell (L) in action for the Opals against France Source: AFP
The 35-year-old point guard will have big shoes to fill during her second stint with the Mystics, as she replaces all-star guard Kristi Toliver who has joined Los Angeles for the upcoming season.
Mitchell’s long-range game is one of her strong points, shooting 39.6 per cent from behind the arc.
With one eye on a place in the Opals team for the rescheduled 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Mitchell will be one Aussie to watch out for this season.
The Seattle Storm continue their affinity for Australian talent this season with Sami Whitcomb and Eziyoda Magbegor on the roster.
It will be a unique rookie season for Magbegor, who will be out to force her way into the Storm rotation.
The 20-year-old joins the WNBA for the first time after being drafted 12th overall by Seattle in 2019.
She sat out last season to play in Australia’s WNBL competition with the Melbourne Boomers, but is now ready to show what she can do stateside.
Magbegor, a 6’4 centre, has been likened to former Australian and Seattle Storm great Lauren Jackson - while also being coronated as the future of the Opals by Phoenix and Australia head coach Sandy Bondello.
The pressure will be on Magbegor to perform, but expect plenty of excitement from the rising star this season.
Her Australian teammate Sami Whitcomb will most likely play the role of spark plug from the bench for Seattle this season, and will be hoping to beat her team-leading tally of 63 three-pointers from last season.
In Phoenix, Aussie Alanna Smith has a chance to cement her spot as the Mercury’s starting power forward, after usual starter Jessica Breland decided to sit out the season.
Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb (R) drives past Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams Source: Icon Sportswire
Second-year player Smith will be hoping she can bounce back from ankle surgery to challenge teammate Brianna Turner for a place in the starting five.
Smith, a first-round draft pick, will offer Phoenix plenty of options in attack with her long-range shooting helping the Mercury to stretch the floor.
CAN ANYONE STOP SEATTLE STORM?
The Seattle Storm will go into the 2020 season as the favourites to take home the title, but will their superstar team live up to their billing?
The quintet of Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd, Alysha Clark, Breanna Stewart and Natasha Howard makes the Storm the best show in all of basketball this summer.
If the Storm can integrate their new pieces and old faces effectively, Seattle will be the clear favourite to come away with the WNBA championship for the second time in three years.
Western Conference rivals Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles are missing several key players this campaign and may struggle to match it with the depth of the Storm.
Reigning league champions, the Washington Mystics have lost MVP Elena Delle Donne - who is sitting out of the season on health grounds, while several other key squad members have moved on.
On paper, Seattle are on track for their fourth WNBA title and second in three years, however the game isn’t played on paper and life in the bubble may throw a spanner in the works.
The Washington Mystics will tip-off the season against the Indiana Fever on July 26, in what is the first game of an exciting slate on SBS - the free-to-air home of basketball.
WNBA, NBA schedule LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
Sunday, July 26
WNBA - Indiana Fever v Washington Mystics
7:00am – 9:00am
Monday, July 27
WNBA - Dallas Wings v Atlanta Dream
7:00am – 9:00am
Wednesday, July 29
WNBA - Minnesota Lynx v Seattle Storm
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Thursday, July 30
WNBA - Dallas Wings v New York Liberty
10:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday, July 30
WNBA - Atlanta Dream v Las Vegas Aces
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Saturday, August 1
NBA - Sacramento Kings v San Antonio Spurs
10:00am – 12:30pm
Sunday, August 2
NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Indiana Pacers
9:00am – 11:30am
Monday, August 3
NBA - Dallas Mavericks v Phoenix Suns
11:00am - 1:30pm
Tuesday, August 4
NBA - San Antonio Spurs v Philadelphia 76ers
10:00am – 12:30pm
Thursday, August 6
NBA - Toronto Raptors v Orlando Magic
10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, August 8
NBA - Sacramento Kings v Brooklyn Nets
7:00am – 9:30am
Monday, August 10
NBA - Houston Rockets v Sacramento Kings
10:00am – 12:30pm
Thursday August 13
Indiana Pacers v Houston Rockets
06:00am - 08:30am
Thursday, August 13
Miami Heat v Oklahoma City Thunder
10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, August 15
WNBA - Connecticut Sun v Chicago Sky
9:00am – 11:00am
Sunday, August 16
WNBA - New York Liberty v Minnesota Lynx
8:00am – 10:00am
Wednesday, August 19
WNBA - Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun
9:00am - 11:00am
Thursday, August 20
WNBA - Atlanta Dream v Washington Mystics
9:00am – 11:00am
Friday, August 21
WNBA - Chicago Sky v New York Liberty
9:00am - 11:00am
Sunday, August 23
WNBA - Indiana Fever v Chicago Sky
4:00am – 6:00am
Thursday, August 27
WNBA - Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx
10:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday, August 30
WNBA - Dallas Wings v Indiana Fever
2:00am – 4:00am
Thursday, September 3
WNBA - Los Angeles Sparks v Dallas Wings
10:00am – 12:00pm
Monday, September 7
WNBA - Chicago Sky v Los Angeles Sparks
10:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday, September 10
WNBA - Atlanta Dream v Chicago Sky
10:00am - 12:00pm
Friday, September 11
WNBA - New York Liberty v Indiana Fever
9:00am – 11:00am
Saturday, September 12
WNBA - Seattle Storm v Phoenix Mercury
12:00pm – 2:00pm
All times in AEST
