2018 WNBA season

The 2018 WNBA season was the 22nd season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Minnesota Lynx are the defending champions. The regular season began on May 18, with the Phoenix Mercury hosting the Dallas Wings. The season ended with the Seattle Storm defeating the Washington Mystics 3-0 in the WNBA Finals. This was the third championship for the Storm. Seattle's Breanna Stewart was named regular season and finals MVP.

2018 WNBA season
LeagueWomen's National Basketball Association
SportBasketball
DurationMay 18 – September 12
Number of games34
Number of teams12
Average attendance6,721[1]
TV partner(s)ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV
Top draft pickA'ja Wilson
Picked byLas Vegas Aces
Season MVP Breanna Stewart (Seattle)
Eastern championsAtlanta Dream
  Eastern runners-upWashington Mystics
Western championsSeattle Storm
  Western runners-upPhoenix Mercury
Finals championsSeattle Storm
  Runners-upWashington Mystics
Finals MVP Breanna Stewart (Seattle)

2018 WNBA Draft

The Las Vegas Aces selected A'ja Wilson first in the 2018 WNBA Draft.[2] The draft was televised nationally on the ESPN networks (Round 1 on ESPN2, Rounds 2 and 3 on ESPNU).

Transactions
Main article: List of 2018 WNBA season transactions

Retirement

Free agency

Free agency negotiations began on February 1.

Coaching changes
Off-season
Team 2017 season 2018 season
Seattle Storm Gary Kloppenburg Dan Hughes
New York Liberty Bill Laimbeer Katie Smith
Las Vegas Aces Vickie Johnson Bill Laimbeer
Atlanta Dream Michael Cooper Nicki Collen
Mid-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Dallas Wings Fred Williams Taj McWilliams-Franklin

Arena changes

In addition to the relocated Las Vegas Aces, two other teams announced permanent moves to new arenas for the 2018 season.

Regular Season

All-Star Game
Main article: 2018 WNBA All-Star Game

The 2018 WNBA All-Star Game was hosted by the Minnesota Lynx on July 28 at the Target Center. Coverage of the game began at 3:30pm. This is the first time the Lynx have hosted the annual event. This season a new selection format was used. Fans, coaches, media and players would all vote for players to be selected to the All-Star Game. The top 22 players receiving votes based on this weighting will be selected to the All-Star Game. There was not a restriction on number of players from one conference. The top 2 vote getters were captains of the two All-Star teams and selected their teams from the pool of remaining 20 players. The 22 All-Stars were be revealed on July 17, 2018. Rosters will be revealed on July 19, 2018.[8]

July 28
3:30pm
Team Delle Donne 112, Team Parker 119
Scoring by quarter: 27–31, 23–23, 34–24, 35–34
Pts: Moore, Quigley 18
Rebs: Four players 8
Asts: Diggins-Smith 8		 Pts: Toliver 23
Rebs: Three players 6
Asts: Bird 8
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance: 15,922
Referees: Maj Forsberg
Janetta Graham
Jeff Wooten

Standings

Source:[9]

# Eastern Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Atlanta Dream (2)2311.676–13–410–712–4
2 Washington Mystics (3)2212.647112–510–712–4
3 Connecticut Sun (4)2113.618213–48–99–7
4 e – Chicago Sky1321.382107–106–116–10
5 e – New York Liberty727.206164–133–146–10
6 e – Indiana Fever628.176172–154–133–13
# Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Seattle Storm (1)268.765–13–413–411–5
2 Phoenix Mercury (5)2014.58869–811–68–8
3 Los Angeles Sparks (6)1915.559711–68–99–7
4 Minnesota Lynx (7)1816.52989–89–89–7
5 Dallas Wings (8)1519.4411110–75–127–9
6 e –Las Vegas Aces1420.412128–96–114–12

Notes

(#) – Conference Standing, Playoff Seeds shown to the right of team name
x – Qualified for playoffs
e – Eliminated from playoffs

Statistic leaders

The following shows the leaders for each statistic during the 2018 regular season.[10]

Category Player Team Statistic
Points per gameLiz CambageDallas Wings23.0 PPG
Rebounds per gameSylvia FowlesMinnesota Lynx11.9 RPG
Assists per gameCourtney VanderslootChicago Sky8.6 APG
Steals per gameMaya MooreMinnesota Lynx1.7 SPG
Blocks per gameBrittney GrinerPhoenix Mercury2.6 BPG
Field goal percentageSylvia FowlesMinnesota Lynx61.9% (237–383)
Three point FG percentageBriann JanuaryPhoenix Mercury47.0% (77–182)
Free throw percentageDiana TaurasiPhoenix Mercury92.5% (172–186)
Points per gameTeam StatConnecticut Sun87.6 PPG
Field goal percentageTeam StatSeattle Storm46.8%

Schedule
2018 WNBA preseason
Preseason
2018 WNBA regular season
May
June
July
August
2018 WNBA postseason
First Round
Second Round
Semifinals
WNBA Finals

Playoffs
Main article: 2018 WNBA Playoffs
 
First round:
Single elimination
(Aug. 21)		Second round:
Single elimination
(Aug. 23)		Semifinals:
Best-of-five
(Aug. 26 – Sept. 4)		WNBA Finals:
Best-of-five
(Sept. 7 – Sept. 12)
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
Seattle Storm 		3
 
 
5
Phoenix Mercury 		2
 
 
 
 
 
4
Connecticut Sun		86
 
 
 
5
Phoenix Mercury 		96
 
5
Phoenix Mercury		101
 
 
 
8
Dallas Wings		83
 
1
Seattle Storm 		3
 
 
 
3
Washington Mystics		 0
 
6
Los Angeles Sparks		75
 
 
 
7
Minnesota Lynx		 68
 
3
Washington Mystics		96
 
 
6
Los Angeles Sparks 		64
 
 
 
 
 
2
Atlanta Dream		 2
 
 
3
Washington Mystics		 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals.

Semifinals
Team12345
1
Seattle Storm		9191668494
5
Phoenix Mercury		8787868684
Team12345
2
Atlanta Dream		8478817681
3
Washington Mystics		8775769786
WNBA Finals
Team123
1
Seattle Storm		897598
3
Washington Mystics		767382

Season award winners

Player of the Week Award
Date Awarded Eastern Conference Western Conference
Player Team Player Team
May 28[11]Alyssa ThomasConnecticutChelsea GrayLos Angeles
June 4[12]Tina CharlesNew YorkLiz CambageDallas
June 11[13]Tiffany HayesAtlantaBrittney GrinerPhoenix
June 18[14]Elena Delle DonneWashingtonBreanna StewartSeattle
June 25[15]Angel McCoughtryAtlantaMaya MooreMinnesota
July 2[16]Elena Delle Donne (2)WashingtonMaya Moore (2)Minnesota
July 9[17]Elena Delle Donne (3)WashingtonA'ja WilsonLas Vegas
July 16[18]Jessica BrelandAtlantaCandice ParkerLos Angeles
July 23[19]Tiffany Hayes (2)AtlantaLiz Cambage (2)Dallas
August 6[20]Tiffany Hayes (3)AtlantaCandice Parker (2)Los Angeles
August 13[21]Elena Delle Donne (4)WashingtonMaya Moore (3)Minnesota
August 20[22]Jonquel JonesConnecticutDeWanna BonnerPhoenix

Player of the Month Award
For games played Eastern Conference Western Conference
Player Team Player Team
June 2018[23]Elena Delle DonneWashingtonDiana TaurasiPhoenix
July 2018[24]Tiffany HayesAtlantaBreanna StewartSeattle
August 2018[25]Elena Delle Donne (2)WashingtonDiana Taurasi (2)Phoenix

Rookie of the Month Award
For games played Player Team
June 2018[26]A'ja WilsonLas Vegas
July 2018[27]A'ja Wilson (2)Las Vegas
August 2018[28]A'ja Wilson (3)Las Vegas

Coach of the Month Award
For games played Coach Team
June 2018[29]Sandy BrondelloPhoenix
July 2018[30]Nicki CollenAtlanta
August 2018[31]Nicki Collen (2)Atlanta

Postseason awards
Award Winner Position Team Votes/Statistic
Most Valuable Player Award Breanna Stewart[32] Forward Seattle Storm 33 of 39
Finals MVP Award Breanna Stewart[33] Forward Seattle Storm – of –
Rookie of the Year Award A'ja Wilson[34] Power Forward Las Vegas Aces 39 of 39
Most Improved Player Award Natasha Howard[35] Forward Seattle Storm 29 of 39
Defensive Player of the Year Award Alana Beard[36] Guard Los Angeles Sparks 16 of 39
Sixth Woman of the Year Award Jonquel Jones[37] Forward/Center Connecticut Sun 20 of 38
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award Sue Bird[38] Guard Seattle Storm 16 of 38
Peak Performer: Points Liz Cambage Center Dallas Wings 23.0 PPG
Peak Performer: Rebounds Sylvia Fowles Center Minnesota Lynx 11.8 RPG
Peak Performer: Assists Courtney Vandersloot Guard Chicago Sky 8.6 APG
Coach of the Year Award Nicki Collen[39] Coach Atlanta Dream 37 of 39
Basketball Executive of the Year Award Chris Sienko[40] General manager Atlanta Dream 6 of 11
Team Guard Guard Forward Forward Center
All-WNBA First Team Diana Taurasi Tiffany Hayes Elena Delle Donne Breanna Stewart Liz Cambage
All-WNBA Second Team Skylar Diggins-Smith Courtney Vandersloot Candace Parker Maya Moore Brittney Griner
All-Defensive First Team Jasmine Thomas Alana Beard Jessica Breland Natasha Howard Brittney Griner
All-Defensive Second Team Tiffany Hayes Ariel Atkins Nneka Ogwumike Rebekkah Brunson Sylvia Fowles
All-Rookie Team Kelsey Mitchell Ariel Atkins Diamond DeShields Azurá Stevens A'ja Wilson

Coaches

Eastern Conference
Team Head coach Previous job Years with team Record with team Playoff Appearances Finals Appearances WNBA Championships
Atlanta Dream Nicki Collen Connecticut Sun (assistant) 1 23-11 1 0 0
Chicago Sky Amber Stocks Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) 2 35–43 0 0 0
Connecticut Sun Curt Miller Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) 3 56–46 2 0 0
Indiana Fever Pokey Chatman Chicago Sky 2 15–53 0 0 0
New York Liberty Katie Smith New York Liberty (assistant) 1 7–27 0 0 0
Washington Mystics Mike Thibault Connecticut Sun 6 104–100 5 1 0

Western Conference
Team Head coach Previous job Years with team Record with team Playoff Appearances Finals Appearances WNBA Championships
Dallas Wings Fred Williams Atlanta Dream 4 72–97 3 0 0
Las Vegas Aces Bill Laimbeer New York Liberty 1 14–20 0 0 0
Los Angeles Sparks Brian Agler Seattle Storm 4 75–54 3 2 1
Minnesota Lynx Cheryl Reeve Detroit Shock (assistant) 8 213–93 7 6 4
Phoenix Mercury Sandy Brondello Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) 5 103–67 5 1 1
Seattle Storm Dan Hughes San Antonio Stars 1 26–8 1 1 0

Notes:

  • Year with team includes 2018 season.
  • Records are from time at current team and are through the end the 2018 season.
  • Playoff appearances are from time at current team only.
  • WNBA Finals and Championships do not include time with other teams.
  • Coaches shown are the coaches who began the 2018 season as head coach of each team.

References
  1. Hatfield, Jenn (August 28, 2018). "WNBA attendance declines in 2018: What does that mean for the league?". medium.com. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  2. "A'ja's Got Next: Wilson Heads to Vegas as No. 1 Pick". WNBA.com. April 12, 2018.
  3. "Minnesota's Plenette Pierson to Retire After 2017 Season". wnba.com. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. "WNBA Retirement: Jia Perkins quietly retires". swishappeal.com. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. Ryan, Shannon (July 25, 2017). "Sky will play next season at new Wintrust Arena in South Loop". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  6. "Mayor Emanuel Joins Chicago Sky to Announce Team's Move to Wintrust Arena" (Press release). WNBA. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  7. "New York Liberty To Play At Westchester County Center For 2018 Season" (Press release). WNBA. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  8. "WNBA Announces New All-Star Game Format". wnba.com. WNBA. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  9. "2018 Regular Season Standings". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  10. "League Leaders". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  11. "Alyssa Thomas, Chelsea Gray Named WNBA Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  12. "Tina Charles, Liz Cambage Named Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  13. "Phoenix's Griner, Atlanta's Hayes Named WNBA Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  14. "Elena Delle Donne, Breanna Stewart Named Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  15. "Atlanta's McCoughtry, Minnesota's Moore Named WNBA Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  16. "Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore Named Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  17. "Elena Delle Donne, A'ja Wilson Named Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  18. "Atlanta's Breland, Los Angeles' Parker Named WNBA Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  19. "Atlanta's Hayes, Dallas' Cambage Named WNBA Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  20. "Atlanta's Hayes, Los Angeles' Parker Named WNBA Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  21. "Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore Named WNBA Players Of The Week (Aug 6-12)". wnba.com. WNBA. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  22. "Jones, Bonner Named Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
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  24. "Atlanta's Hayes, Seattle's Stewart Named WNBA Players Of The Month". wnba.com. WNBA. August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  25. "Elena Delle Donne And Diana Taurasi Named Players Of Month For August". wnba.com. WNBA. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  26. "Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson Named Rookie of the Month". wnba.com. WNBA. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  27. "Las Vegas' Wilson Named WNBA Rookie Of The Month". wnba.com. WNBA. August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  28. "Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson Named August WNBA Rookie Of The Month". wnba.com. WNBA. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  29. "Phoenix's Sandy Brondello Named WNBA Coach of the Month". wnba.com. WNBA. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  30. "Atlanta's Collen Named WNBA Coach Of The Month". wnba.com. WNBA. August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  31. "Dream's Nicki Collen Named August Coach Of The Month". wnba.com. WNBA. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  32. "Seattle's Breanna Stewart Named 2018 Most Valuable Player". wnba.com. WNBA. August 26, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  33. Standig, Benjamin (September 12, 2018). "Stewart, Storm surge past Mystics 98-82 for WNBA title". wnba.com. The Associated Press. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  34. "Aces' A'ja Wilson Unanimously Selected 2018 WNBA Rookie Of The Year". wnba.com. WNBA. September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  35. "Seattle's Natasha Howard Named 2018 WNBA Most Improved Player". wnba.com. WNBA. August 26, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  36. "Sparks' Alana Beard Named 2018 Defensive Player Of The Year - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  37. "Connecticut Sun's Jonquel Jones Named 2018 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year". wnba.com. WNBA. August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  38. "Seattle's Sue Bird Wins 2018 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award". wnba.com. WNBA. August 26, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
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