Catilin Clark in Fever debut among 10 games to watch
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Caitlin Clark selected No. 1 by Indiana Fever in 2024 WNBA draft
Caitlin Clark has been selected by Indiana with the first overall pick in the WNBA draft. Mackenzie Salmon explains what Clark brings to the Fever.
If the 2023-24 women’s college basketball season is any indication, the WNBA is primed for its most exciting and most watched season yet.
College stars like Caitlin Clark, the top overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Indiana Fever who broke all sorts of records during her career at Iowa; Angel Reese, who led LSU to the 2023 NCAA championship; and Kamilla Cardoso, who just led South Carolina to this year’s national championship, captivated the nation with their skills and personality and now embark on their professional careers.
The rookies enter a league that already features the best pro basketball players in the world, players who are hungry to show off their talents to new viewers who might be checking out the WNBA for the first time. But the primary goal is to contend for a championship, and with only 12 teams in the league and a short schedule – further compressed by the break for the 2024 Summer Olympics – every game matters.
The Olympic break runs from July 21-August 14, and many WNBA players will be heading to Paris, and not just with Team USA. To prepare for the Olympics, the U.S. team will play a squad of WNBA All-Stars on Saturday, July 20, in Phoenix during All-Star weekend, providing a great chance to see the best players in the league before the playoffs begin Sept. 22.
There are some regular-season games you will want to circle on your calendar and carve out time to watch on TV or attend. Whether you are tuning in for Clark and the new rookie class or to see if the Las Vegas Aces can successfully defend their 2023 title, here are 10 games to watch in the 2024 WNBA season:
10 games to watch in 2024 season
(Games in chronological order; all times Eastern)
Tuesday, May 14
Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
We have to start with opening night and Clark’s debut with Indiana, but there will be no easing into the league for the No. 1 overall pick. Clark, Aliyah Boston (the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year), and the Fever travel to Connecticut to face a battle-tested Sun team led by 2023 MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas, arguably the toughest and most versatile player in the league.
Saturday, May 18
Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces, 3 p.m. | ABC
The new-look Sparks, who may have had the best draft night after selecting forward Cameron Brink with the No. 2 overall pick and forward Rickea Jackson at No. 4, face a very early test against the reigning WNBA champions, whose roster remains stacked with 2022 MVP A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray.
Friday, May 31
Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun, 7:30 p.m. | Ion
Arike Ogunbowale, who ranked fifth in the league in scoring last season, leads Dallas into Connecticut for a matchup of teams that finished third (Sun) and fourth (Wings) in the league last season.