Defending Champions Seattle Storm are out to defend their title this season but will face very different challenges to what they did last campaign.
The WNBA returns to a traditional home and away format in 2021, after the condensed ‘Wubble’ season last year, with each team playing 32 regular-season games.
The Australian contingent in the WNBA only gets bigger and is led by superstar centre Liz Cambage of the Las Vegas Aces.
Opals head coach Sandy Brondello will again take charge of the Phoenix Mercury, which boast a squad featuring three Australians, including rising stars Alanna Smith, Tiana Mangakahia and Sara Blicavs.
Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb were championship winners with Seattle last year and will return to the WNBA this campaign.
Magbegor is back with the Storm, while Whitcomb will line up alongside fellow Aussie Bec Allen at New York Liberty, after being acquired in a trade.
Aussie rising star Shyla Heal will be hoping to make an immediate impact as she makes her debut with the Chicago Sky, who selected her eighth overall during this year’s WNBA draft.
Opals point guard Leilani Mitchell also returns to the Washington Mystics.
The season will get underway on Saturday May 15, with SBS broadcasting the clash between Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx - in what is the first game of an exciting slate on the free-to-air home of basketball.
Upcoming 2021 WNBA LIVE on SBS VICELAND and live streamed via SBS On Demand
Friday, October 1
WNBA Playoffs Semi-Finals - Chicago Sky v Connecticut Sun Game 2
10:00am – 12:00pm (AEST)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and streamed LIVE via SBS On Demand
WNBA Playoffs Semi-Finals - Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces Game 2
12:00pm – 2:00pm (AEST)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and streamed LIVE via SBS On Demand