The play on the court for the WNBA continues to bring more thrilling moments than ever. But some of the greatest moments have been off the court as well. Here are the 20 greatest moments in WNBA history.
20. Clark-Reese Rivalry
In 2024, the battle of rookies between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese brought new viewership to the game. Both have laid down some fantastic stats, setting league records. Clark broke the WNBA assist record. ESPN predicted Clark as the Rookie of the Year, with Reese behind her at No. 2, as the winner had not been named at press time.
19. T-Spoon’s “The Shot”
Teresa (T-Spoon) Weatherspoon, head coach for the Chicago Sky, played for the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks from 1997-2004. “The Shot” T-Spoon made against the Houston Comets in Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA finals is legendary. With 2.4 seconds left, Weatherspoon heaved the ball from center court and sunk it to win the game 68-67.
18. A’ja Wilson: 1st WNBA player to Score 1,000 Points in a Season
In 2024, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson had two major achievements. On September 15, she became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season. She also became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 4,301 points and climbing. The two-time WNBA MVP is well on her way to a third.
17. The Houston Comets’ Big Three
The now-defunct Houston Comets (1997-2008) are gone but not forgotten, as their legend will forever stand in WNBA history. From 1997 through 2000, the Comets won four consecutive WNBA championship titles. A big component of that was the larger-than-life “Big Three” of Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, and Cynthia Cooper (the WNBA’s first MVP).
16. USA All-Stars vs. US Olympic Team Showdown
The WNBA made a brilliant move with its “showdown” between the USA All-Stars vs. Olympic Team at the WNBA All-Star game. Essentially this “showdown” matches up Team USA, which is all WNBA All-Stars, versus the remaining WNBA All-Stars. In 2024, the WNBA All-Stars included Clark, Reese, Ogwumike, Ogunbowale, and Hamby. Team USA included Wilson, Griner, Gray, and Stewart.
15. Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson is undeniably the most notable Australian women’s basketball player. She played 12 seasons in the WNBA from 2001-2012, all of them with the Seattle Storm. Jackson was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. She was a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and two-time WNBA champion.
14. Rebekkah Brunson: Five-time Champion
Rebekkah Brunson was drafted by the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs in 2004, winning her first championship the following year. She was acquired by the Minnesota Lynx in 2011 and tied a WNBA record with six consecutive double-doubles. She once held the WNBA rebound record. With the Lynx, she won championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. She’s now their assistant coach.
13. The Hamby Heave
With 8.6 seconds left, in a single-game playoff elimination between the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces in 2019, Dearica Hamby intercepted a risky pass. Despite having a teammate wide open under the basket, Hamby heaved an improbable three-pointer just inside half-court. She sunk the shot. The Aces won 93-92 and moved to the next round of playoffs.
12. Nneka Ogwumike’s Go-Ahead Rebound and Shot
In 2016, in Game 5 of the WNBA finals, the Los Angeles Sparks faced the Minnesota Lynx. With 19.7 seconds left, Minnesota was down by a single point. Alana Beard sank a turnaround jumper in what looked like potentially the greatest play of all time. But Ogwumike got a rebound and sank a fadeaway shot, giving the Sparks the championship.
11. Lisa Leslie: The First WNBA Dunk
Lisa Leslie was a premiere WNBA player at its inception. She played center for the Los Angeles Sparks from 1997-2009. In 2002, she made history as the first WNBA player to make a dunk during a game. It was a one-handed dunk against the Miami Sol. Leslie stands six-foot-five. In 2008, Candace Parker became the next to dunk, and others followed.
10. Ticha Penicheiro and Sue Bird: Record Assists
Sue Bird was 2022’s No. 1 draft pick and played point guard for the Seattle Storm from 2002-2022. She holds the WNBA record for most assists at 3,234. Ticha Penicheiro played point guard for the Sacramento Monarchs (1998-2009), Los Angeles Sparks (2010-2011), and Chicago Sky (2012). She led the league in assists seven times. She’s third in all-time assists with 2,128.
9. Shey Peddy’s Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater
Many players dream of making that game-winning shot, and there have been quite a few in the WNBA. In 2020, one made history, a three-pointer from the corner taken by Shey Peddy. It came with 0.3 seconds left during a first-round playoff game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Washington Mystics. Phoenix won 85-84 to advance.
8. Three-Peats
The now-defunct Houston Comets (1997-2008) won three consecutive WNBA finals in 1998, 1999, and 2000. As the 2024 season moves toward the finals, the Las Vegas Aces, who won the finals in 2022 and 2023, are looking for a three-peat. A victory would tie them with Houston for the most consecutive WNBA titles.
7. The Most WNBA Championships
The now-defunct Houston Comets (1997-2008) are tied with the Minnesota Lynx and the Seattle Storm for the most WNBA titles with four. Running second, the Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings (formally Detroit Shock), and Phoenix Mercury have all won three championships. For 2024, the Las Vegas Aces are aiming to join the club by picking up their third consecutive title.
6. No. 1 Mascot: Ellie the Elephant
Gritty, the mascot of the NBA’s Philadelphia Flyers’ has lost his crown as the best mascot in professional basketball. Make room for the new No. 1 Mascot, Ellie the Elephant, of the New York Liberty. Ellie has loads of personality and the best dance moves of any mascot in any league. As proof, Ellie is everywhere on social media.
5. Whitney Houston’s National Anthem at the Inaugural All-Star Game
The WNBA held its inaugural All-Star game in 1999. Who better to sing the national anthem than Whitney Houston? The game was held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Whitney took center court in a red Adidas jumpsuit. Houston possessed one of the most gifted voices in music history. She delivered an amazing vocal performance.
4. Skylar Diggins-Smith: Shaping Social Media and Personal Branding
The increase in interest in the WNBA is undoubtedly due to efforts like those of Skylar Diggins-Smith. She led the way in shaping social media and personal branding. Diggins-Smith amassed over half a million X followers. She, Brittney Griner, and Elena Delle Donne were the first to be unrivaled in brand popularity. A new generation of players has followed suit.
3. Collective Bargaining Agreements
There is a gargantuan difference between WNBA player salaries versus NBA players. The 2020 collective bargaining agreement seeks to increase pay and greater equity in revenue sharing. It also seeks more assistance for family planning and parenthood and more accommodating travel plans. The average salary of a WNBA player is $116,580 compared to over $12 million for the NBA.
Read More: The Greatest WNBA Players of All Time
2. Huge Attendance and TV Viewership Increase in 2024
For the 2024 season, the WNBA experienced its highest attendance in 26 years. Average intendants increased 40.3% over 2023. The average attendance jumped to 9,311, which is the highest seen since the 1990s when the league began. TV viewership for the WNBA in 2024 rose by a massive 183% over the previous season.
Read More: Rising Stars in the WNBA to Keep an Eye On
1. Expansion to 16 Teams
In 2024, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league planned to expand from 12 to 16 teams by 2028. The WNBA is set to add a franchise in San Francisco in 2025 called the Valkyries, which will play at Chase Center. Toronto is expected to add a team in 2025 or 2026 that would play at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Read More: These WNBA Players Bring Home the Most Money
