Friday's opener is followed Saturday by an ABC doubleheader featuring Las Vegas' 2025 title celebration against Phoenix and Indiana hosting Dallas in a matchup of the past four No. 1 draft picks.
Preseason projections place the Aces, Liberty, Dream and Fever among the leading contenders, with Las Vegas chasing a fourth championship in five years after sweeping Phoenix in the 2025 Finals.
The season begins after difficult collective bargaining talks from October to March and includes 15 teams, with expansion franchises Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire joining the league.
As WNBA salaries soar, could a new financial gap emerge between powerhouse franchises and struggling teams?
With the Sun's controversial move, what does the WNBA owe to its most loyal, but abandoned, fanbases?
Can Portland's experimental 'no mid-range' offense actually succeed in the established WNBA?