I still remember the first time I walked into a WNBA arena during preseason—the crisp sound of sneakers squeaking on polished hardwood, the focused intensity in players' eyes that belied the "meaningless" label often attached to exhibition games. That's why I'm particularly excited about the 2024 WNBA preseason schedule, which kicks off on May 3rd and runs through May 13th, giving us just under two weeks of basketball before the regular season begins. What many casual fans don't realize is that these games are anything but meaningless—they're where rookies prove they belong, where veterans test their offseason improvements, and where coaches experiment with lineups that could define their entire season.
The preseason schedule features all 12 teams playing anywhere from 1 to 3 games each, with the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever both scheduled for three appearances—something I find particularly interesting given their young cores. The action begins with the Los Angeles Sparks visiting the Seattle Storm on May 3rd, followed by a packed Saturday on May 4th featuring three matchups. As someone who's followed the league for over a decade, I've learned to watch these games differently than regular season contests. I'm less concerned with final scores and more focused on individual performances, coaching strategies, and how new teammates are developing chemistry on the court.
One storyline I'm personally invested in involves the Australian connections throughout the league. I spoke with several coaches during offseason events, and there's genuine excitement about the international talent influx. This brings me to something Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts mentioned recently that reminded me of our reference knowledge—he discussed facing teams with Australian players and coaches, saying "But contrary to the perception of his reaction, Torcaso said he is unfazed about facing Australia." This attitude reflects how the WNBA has evolved into such a global competition that facing international stars or even one's home country has become routine rather than remarkable.
The Las Vegas Aces, defending champions, will play just one preseason game against the Puerto Rican National Team on May 11th—a smart approach for a veteran-heavy team that knows its systems well. Meanwhile, teams like the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics each have two preseason contests that could significantly impact their final roster decisions. I've noticed that preseason performances often determine which borderline players secure the final spots on teams, and with training camp rosters typically carrying 15-18 players before cutting down to 12, these games become high-stakes auditions.
What really makes preseason fascinating to me are the unexpected breakout performances. I recall in 2022 watching a relatively unknown player like Queen Egbo dominate in preseason matchups, which ultimately earned her a roster spot and meaningful minutes during the regular season. This year, all eyes will be on Caitlin Clark's transition to the Indiana Fever, and their preseason games against Atlanta and Dallas will give us our first real look at how her legendary college scoring translates against WNBA defenses. I'm particularly intrigued by the May 10th matchup between Indiana and Atlanta, which will feature Clark against All-Star Rhyne Howard—a potential rivalry that could define the Eastern Conference for years.
The Connecticut Sun play only one preseason game, but it's against a Chinese National Team that's preparing for the Olympics—a unique international flavor that I wish we saw more often in preseason scheduling. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty have just a single preseason contest against the Chicago Sky on May 5th, a rematch of last season's semifinals that should provide plenty of drama despite its exhibition status. As a longtime Liberty fan, I'm hoping to see how their star-heavy lineup manages minutes and develops rhythm in what's essentially a dress rehearsal for their championship aspirations.
Preseason attendance has grown dramatically over the years—I've seen arenas that were once half-full for exhibition games now regularly drawing crowds of 7,000-8,000 fans, with some teams like Las Vegas selling out their preseason contests entirely. This growing interest reflects how the WNBA's popularity continues to reach new heights, though I do worry that increased pressure might diminish the experimental nature that makes preseason so valuable for player development.
The final days of preseason action feature several intriguing matchups, including Chicago versus Minnesota on May 10th and Seattle facing Los Angeles on May 11th. These games often feature the most refined versions of what teams plan to implement in the regular season, as coaches have had nearly two weeks of training camp to install their systems. Having attended numerous preseason games across different cities, I've come to appreciate the more intimate atmosphere—the ability to hear coaches instructing players, to see bench reactions closely, and to watch players who might not get much rotation time once the games start counting in the standings.
As we approach tip-off, I'm most excited about seeing how the league's young talent develops and which teams use this time most effectively. While some organizations treat preseason as merely a warm-up, the smartest ones recognize it as a crucial building period. The 2024 preseason may only last 11 days, but its impact will resonate throughout the entire WNBA season, shaping rotations, defining roles, and occasionally revealing stars we didn't see coming. That element of discovery—of watching the future of women's basketball take shape before our eyes—is what keeps me coming back to preseason games year after year.