NEW YORK — The WNBA will begin its 26th season this weekend with several intriguing story lines, including the potential retirement of Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, and the return of Becky Hammon as a coach.
But there is no bigger headline engulfing the league than the absence of Brittney Griner.
Here’s what to know about the 2022 season:
Griner is still detained
The Mercury’s All-Star center remains in Russia after being detained following her arrival at a Moscow airport Feb. 17. Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner’s status has been changed to “wrongfully detained” and she has a hearing scheduled for May 19.
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But Griner's presence will be felt even in her absence.
The league plans to honor Griner and keep her ongoing situation front and center with a floor decal that will feature her initials along with her No. 42. It will appear on the home court of all 12 teams starting with Friday’s season openers. The regular season ends Aug. 14.
A first look at the installation of the BG 42 logo. It will be placed on the courts all 12 @WNBA teams. #WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/YHMFxrQyCh
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 6, 2022
Teams will play a record 36 games
“The 36-game schedule will provide fans greater opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said when the schedule was announced in December.
Before Griner’s arrest, the Mercury made many moves in the offseason to put them in contention to win another championship after losing to Chicago last season in the Finals. Phoenix added Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields to the roster to complement Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
DeShields joins the Mercury from the Sky, who will try to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02. Chicago added Emma Meesseman — the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP — to its roster.
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The looming retirement of Bird and Fowles
Bird, the league’s all-time assist leader, has said all signs are pointing toward this year being her last with the Seattle Storm, but she does not want the season to be a farewell tour.
Fowles has stated she will retire after this season. The WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder said it was a tough decision whether to come back for a 15th season or not.
With Fowles and Bird having a foot out the door, the league welcomes back Hammon.
Hammon took over as coach of the Las Vegas Aces, replacing Bill Laimbeer, after serving as an NBA assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs since 2014. She's one of six former players who are now head coaches in the league.
The healthy Mystics
No team went through more injury problems the last two seasons than the Washington Mystics. Coach Mike Thibault hopes his team has finally put all that bad luck in the rearview mirror and is looking forward to having Elena Delle Donne and Alysha Clark in the lineup.
Delle Donne has played in only three games the last two seasons because of COVID-19 concerns and back issues. The former league MVP last was on the court full time in 2019 when the Mystics won their first championship. Clark missed last season, which would have been her first in Washington, with a Lisfranc injury in her right foot.
The rebuilding Fever
Indiana used four first-round picks in the draft to rebuild its roster, taking NaLyssa Smith (second), Emily Engster (fourth), Lexie Hull (sixth), and Queen Egbo (10th). The Fever also drafted Destanni Henderson (20th).
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Draft choices haven’t worked out so well for Indiana the last few years, as the Fever selected Lauren Cox third in 2020 and she was cut last season. Last year, Indiana took Kysre Gondrezick fourth. She also is no longer with the franchise.
The return of the Commissioner’s Cup
The league is bringing back the Commissioner’s Cup for a second year. The in-season tournament was won by Seattle last year. The Storm beat the Connecticut Sun in the championship game, which was played in Phoenix. There are 10 designated “Cup games” per team — the first home game and first road game each team plays against its five conference rivals.
Players getting fresh starts
Meesseman, Charles, and DeShields aren’t the only players in new places.
Liz Cambage now calls Los Angeles home after leaving Las Vegas. The 6-foot-8-inch Australian center will try to get the Sparks back into being championship contenders. Courtney Williams returned to Connecticut after spending two seasons with the Atlanta Dream. The Dream picked up former WNBA All-Star MVP Erica Wheeler.