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How Many WNBA Teams Are There 2023?

By / 15 February 2023 01:12 AM

The Women's National Basketball Association will begin from May 19
Source : facebook

The short answer is: There are 12 WNBA teams who are competing for the championship in 2023. The games will begin on May 19, 2023. 

While NBA has been popular all across the globe, women's basketball still has leaps to go. With that being said, the WNBA generated around $60 million in 2022. However, the league spent over $70 million, and no profit was recorded. 

Still developing into a profitable league, WNBA is now backed up by NBA. So, the two leagues complement each other and individual revenue won't matter much.  

But as the number of games has increased from 36 per team to 40 per team, the revenue might be high this year. There has been a significant increase in the number of WNBA viewers and many basketball legends have helped to develop the league.

With the next season opening in May, the excitement is already on the verge. 

12 teams will play 40 games as a regular season this year. The final games will be played on the last day to keep the playoffs' excitement alive. Eight of the twelve teams will go through to the post-season playoffs. 

The first round of the playoffs is played as the best of three while the semi-finals and the finals will be played as the best of five. 

Let's find out about the WNBA teams that will be in action this year: 

1. Atlanta Dream

Atlanta Dream is a WNBA team based in Atlanta
Source : twitter

Atlanta Dream is a women's basketball team based in Atlanta. The team plays in the Women's National Basketball Association Eastern Conference. 

The Dream shares the market with their NBA counterpart, Atlanta Hawks but doesn't share the arena. The team plays its home games at Gateway Center Arena, the home arena of the Hawks' NBA G League affiliate, College Park Skyhawks. 

Moreover, Atlanta Dream is one of only three active WNBA teams without a championship. They came pretty close on three occasions though. 

In 2010, under Marynell Meadors, they won the Eastern Conference Finals but lost the WNBA finals 3-0 to Seattle. The following year, Meadors took Atlanta to yet another WNBA finals, to lose 3-0 to Minnesota.   

Similarly, the WNBA team played their third championship finals in 2013. But they lost to Minnesota again, losing the first three games in a best-of-five series. 

Founded in 2008, it took some time for the Dream to kickstart the WNBA league. The team lost its opening game and extended that losing streak to 17. They hold the record for the highest consecutive losses in the league. Atlanta Dream finished their debut season with a 4-30 record.

Better late than never, the team went through several personnel changes and went on to play conference semifinals the following season. 

However, the last four seasons have been disastrous for the Dream. The team has the third pick of the WNBA Draft and it will be interesting to see how they utilize it. 

2. Chicago Sky

Chicago Sky unveiled their new logo in 2018
Source : twitter

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Chicago Sky is a women's basketball team competing in the WNBA Eastern Conference. 

Like Atlanta Dream, they don't share the same arena with their NBA counterpart, Chicago Bulls, but share the same market. The WNBA team plays its home games in Wintrust Arena, also the home of DePaul University's basketball teams. 

Moreover, the team was founded in 2006 and the Sky finished their debut season with an unimpressive 5-29 record. The team could not clinch playoff appearances until 2013 when they lost the Conference semifinals to Indiana.

In 2014, the Sky improved vastly as they went on to win the Conference finals against Indiana. However, the championship dream became far away when they lost the WNBA finals to Phoenix. 

Throughout its history, the Chicago Sky has reached the finals twice. They managed the win the championships in 2021 under James Wade who took the franchise to four straight playoffs in four seasons. 

The Chicago-based franchise lifted the WNBA championships in 2021, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 3-1. Kahleah Cooper won the WNBA Finals MVP that season. 

Despite the nervy start, the Sky has established itself as one of the better teams in the WNBA. 

3. Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun has been in the WNBA since 1999
Source : facebook

Connecticut Sun is a WNBA team out of Uncasville, Connecticut. They compete in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association. 

The franchise was founded as Orlando Miracle in 1999 and brought to Connecticut in 2003. They were initially the counterpart of the NBA team, Orlando Magic. 

In 2003, the team changed to Connecticut Sun. It plays its home games in Mohegan Sun Arena as the Mohegan tribe owns the franchise. Despite not having won a championship yet, they continue to be one of the top teams in the WNBA and a source of pride for the state of Connecticut.

Their career highlights include three conference championships and appearing in the WNBA finals on four occasions. They lost to the defending champions Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA finals. 

The former Sun star, Margo Dydek was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019. The franchise has also retired the No. 12 jersey on the Polish center's name. 

Coached by Curt Miller, the Sun has been one of the most consistent WNBA teams in the last five years. They went to playoffs in their last four seasons, playing WNBA finals in 2019 and 2022. 

Apart from the sporting approach, The Connecticut Sun is known for its commitment to the community, including hosting charity events and donating to local organizations based in Connecticut. 

4. Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings of the WNBA
Source : facebook

Dallas Wings are one of the oldest teams in the Women's National Basketball Association. They joined the league in 1998, a year after the league's inception. 

The team was initially founded as Detroit Shock in 1998. It was one of the most dominant teams in the WNBA that dominated the 2000s with three WNBA championships during that period. 

In 2010, the franchise was renamed "Tulsa Shock" as they relocated to Tulsa. With limited success in six years, the franchise relocated to Dallas Fort Worth. The Dallas Wings have had very little success in the past decade. 

Moreover, the franchise plays home games at College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington. They have been playing at College Park since 2015 in the Western Conference of the WNBA. 

Upon the firing of Vickie Johnson at the end of the 2022 season, the Wings have a fresh coach going into the 2023 season. Latricia Trammell, a former assistant coach at the Los Angeles Sparks, leads them. 

After the franchise was renamed in 2015, the Dallas Wings made four playoff appearances in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. However, they lost in each occasion's first round of payoffs. 

Furthermore, the Wings are also very active outside of basketball. The team has worked with organizations such as the YWCA, the American Cancer Society, and local schools to make a positive impact in the Arlington area. 

With new management and players, 2023 might be the year for the Wings to stamp their dominance in the league. 

5. Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever of the WNBA
Source : facebook

Indiana Fever is one of the most consistent WNBA teams in history, having made it into playoffs in 13 of its 21 seasons. They play out of Indianapolis in the Eastern Conference. 

Moreover, the Fever is one of those WNBA teams owned by their NBA counterpart, Indiana Pacers. The two teams also share the arena, Gainbridge Fieldhouse for their home games. They have been playing in the WNBA since their inception in 2000. 

The WNBA team is known for its strong roster of players, including Tamika Catchings, who played for the team from 2002 to 2016 and is considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. The franchise retired her number 24 in 2016. 

In the franchise's early years, the Fever struggled to succeed on the court, but they quickly turned things around and made their first playoff appearance in 2002 under head coach Nell Fortner. 

Over the next several years, the Fever became a perennial playoff contender, reaching the WNBA Finals in 2009 but lost to the Phoenix Mercury. The Fever lost the final deciding game of the series, ultimately ending the finals 2-3.

In 2012, the Fever won their first WNBA championship, led by star player Tamika Catchings and head coach Lin Dunn. The team reached the Finals again in 2015 but lost to the Minnesota Lynx. Catchings went on to win the series MVP in 2012 in a 3-1 win over Minnesota. 

Despite this setback, the Fever continued to be one of the strongest teams in the league, making the playoffs in eight of the next nine seasons. However, the team has been struggling a lot lately. They have failed to make the playoffs in the last six seasons. 

But the Fever will have an excellent opportunity to end the playoffs drought in 2023. They won the 2023 draft first pick in the draft lottery, meaning that the Fever will have a chance to get the best basketball prospect on their team. 

6. Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA championships 2022
Source : facebook

The defending champion, Las Vegas Aces are one of the teams to watch out for the 2023 season. 

Initially founded as Utah Starzz, they were the founding member of the Women's National Basketball Association and played in the league's inaugural season in 1997. 

After six seasons, the franchise struggled with attendance and faced financial difficulties, leading to their relocation to San Antonio, Texas in 2003, where they became the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Moreover, 2007 to 2012 was the most successful period in the Silver Stars' history. They appeared in playoffs for six consecutive seasons, playing in the WNBA finals in 2008. The franchise suffered a 3-0 loss to Detroit in the finals. 

In 2018, the franchise relocated to Las Vegas and was called the Las Vegas Aces. They are one of three WNBA teams who don't have an NBA counterpart. The team is owned by Mark Davis, who also owns the NFL team, Las Vegas Raiders. 

The Aces play their home games in Michelob Ultra Arena in Paradise, Nevada. They won their first-ever WNBA finals in 2022 under the coaching of their best former player, Becky Hammon. 

The six-time WNBA All-star started her coaching job at Las Vegas Aces in 2022 and delivered in the first season. The Aces defeated Connecticut in four games in the finals.  

Furthermore, the franchise has retired No. 25 for Becky Hammon. She will be looking to replicate the success of the previous season going into the 2023 season. 

7. Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA
Source : facebook

Los Angeles Sparks is one of the WNBA teams with a profound history. They are among the most successful teams in the league. 

Based in Los Angeles, the Sparks are a founding league member as they played the inaugural season in 1998. The franchise competes in the Western Conference, playing their home games at the Crypto.com arena. 

Initially founded as a sister team of the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise parted ways in 2014. Currently, the Sparks are not affiliated with the Lakers or Clippers but share the market with their NBA counterparts. 

Throughout its history, the Los Angeles Sparks have been one of the top teams in the league, winning multiple championships and consistently making the playoffs. They failed to make playoffs on four occasions throughout their 24-year history. 

The team has had several star players, including the Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker, considered two of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. 

With 3 WNBA championships on their name, the Sparks are the only team to win back-to-back championships in the 21st century. They achieved the feat in 2001 and 2002. The franchise won its third WNBA title in 2016. 

Failing to qualify for the playoffs in their last two seasons, the Sparks will give everything to turn things around. 

8. Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA
Source : facebook

One of the most successful teams in the league, the Minnesota Lynx is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team competes in the Western Conference.  

Founded in 1999, the Lynx were ordinary in their first four seasons. Until 2010, they had made just two playoff appearances, failing to unlock the potential of world-class players in their team. 

But everything changed in 2010 when the franchise appointed Cheryl Reeve as the head coach. She changed the complexion of the team and the results started to come. They went on to win their first-ever WNBA title in 2011 sweeping Atlanta easily in three games.

 

Under Reeve's reign, the Lynx won four WNBA championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. She is considered one of the greatest WNBA coaches of all time, leading the league in the highest winning percentage, most wins by a female coach, and most postseason wins. 

The franchise has produced some WNBA greats including Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, and Seimone Augustus. Moore is considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. The Hall of Famer Teresa Edwards also played for the Lynx for two seasons. 

Moreover, the team didn't make the playoffs in the 2021 season, breaking their consecutive playoff runs since 2011. But they are a winning team and will like to stamp their authority in the following season. 

9. New York Liberty

The New York Liberty of the WNBA
Source : facebook

One of the league's founding members, the New York Liberty, is among the WNBA teams without a championship. 

Based in Brooklyn, New York, the franchise is owned by Joe Tsai, the owner of their NBA counterpart, Brooklyn Nets. As a result, the Liberty plays its home games in Barclays Center, sharing the arena with the Nets. 

Founded in 1997, the Liberty went to the first-ever WNBA finals, losing to Houston. In the next five years, the team played the finals on three occasions, losing the first two to Houston and the third to the Los Angeles Sparks. 

As of 2022, the Brroklyn-based team is the only original WNBA team without a championship. They are also the only team to appear in the finals on four occasions without a title. 

Moreover, the Liberty has made it to the playoffs in their last two seasons but their performances were below satisfactory. But it doesn't take long for things to change.

The franchise recently acquired the former WNBA MVP, Breanna Stewart, and "assist queen" Courtney Vandersloot. These acquisitions will surely help the franchise break the barrier and end its trophy drought. 

10. Phoenix Mercury

phoenix-mercury
Source : facebook

The Phoenix Mercury is another team among the eight founding members of the Women's National Basketball Association in 1997. 

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the franchise competes in the Western Conference. Also, the Mercury is one of those teams affiliated with their NBA counterpart, the Phoenix Suns. Both of these franchises are majorly owned by Mat Ishbia and share Footprint Arena for their home games. 

Moreover, the franchise started its WNBA career at a high, playing in the semi-finals and the finals in the first two years. They lost the WNBA finals to Houston in 1998. 

After five years of downfall, the Mercury reached playoffs in 2007. They won the conference championships by beating San Antonio and were crowned the WNBA champion for the first time as they swept Detroit over five games. 

After the first WNBA title, the team became a powerhouse in the league. Again in 2009, they reached the finals and defeated Indiana to win their second WNBA championship.

They won their third WNBA title in 2014, sweeping Chicago over three games. But Chicago completed their revenge in 2021, defeating Phoenix to lift the trophy. 

Mercury has contributed to developing several players named to the All-WNBA First Team, including Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, and Brittney Griner.

Michele Timms, one of the greatest Australian basketball players, played for Mercury from 1997 to 2001. She was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. 

11. Seattle Storm

The Seattle Storm of the WNBA
Source : facebook

With four WNBA championships, Seattle Storm is a WNBA team with a lot of history. It is also the highest valued women's sports team in the States. 

Founded in 2000, the franchise competes in the Western Conference of the league. They are one of few teams without an NBA counterpart. They are owned by Force 10 Hoops LLC, a collaboration of three Seattle businesswomen. The franchise plays its home games in Climate Pledge Arena.

Making the playoffs on sixteen occasions out of twenty-one, the Storm is one of the most successful teams in the WNBA. However, they went through a gloomy start, failing to make playoffs in the first two seasons. 

In 2004, the team broke shackles as they became the conference and WNBA champions. Storm emerged victorious over Connecticut to win their first-ever WNBA championships in 2004. 

Moreover, the Seattle-based team has won every WNBA finals they appeared on. They made it into the finals in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020 and won all of them. They are the most successful teams in the league, sharing four championship wins with Houston, Minnesota, and New York. 

The Storm has been a home for WNBA legends over the years. The likes of former Finals MVP Betty Lenox, three-time MVP Lauren Jackson, and Breanna Stewart have proudly represented the franchise. 

12. Washington Mystics

The Washington Mystics of the WNBA
Source : facebook

Playing out of Washington D.C, the Washington Mystics joined the league in 1998. They compete in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA. 

Affiliated with their NBA counterpart, the Washington Wizards, the franchise is owned by Monumental Sports and Entertainment. They play their home games in Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights. 

One of the oldest teams in the league, the Mystics didn't find any success for a long time. Their first-ever WNBA finals appearance came in 2018, two decades after their first season. They lost to Seattle across three games. 

The following season, the franchise continued its form to reach another WNBA finals. But this time, they made sure to get on the right side, winning the first-ever WNBA glory in 22 years. They defeated Connecticut across five games in one of the most thrilling WNBA final series. 

Moreover, the Mystics have won the fourth pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. They will be hoping to add more firepower to their roster which is already looking dangerous. 

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