The 2024 WNBA regular season has been a whirlwind of record-breaking performances, edge-of-your-seat moments, and unexpected plot twists—think of it as a Hollywood blockbuster, but with more layups and three-pointers. With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on the glitzy gala of the WNBA awards. Before we dive into the playoffs, the league will turn the spotlight on the superstars who have rewritten the WNBA’s history books this year. And trust me, this year’s awards race is tighter than a full-court press in a Game 7.
When Can We Expect the WNBA Awards Announcements?
Ah, the million-dollar question: When will the curtain rise on the WNBA’s 2024 award announcements? Well, if you’re the type who likes to mark your calendar with anticipation, hold onto your pens. Unlike last year’s timely roll-out, this season has kept fans guessing. The 2024 regular season wraps up on September 19—nine days later than the 2023 season’s conclusion due to the Olympic break. Translation: the awards will be announced fashionably late this year.
If last year’s schedule is anything to go by, we might see the first trophy handout about a week after the season ends. In 2023, we witnessed the Coach of the Year announcement on September 17, and by October 2, all awards had been rolled out like a well-paced thriller. This year, with the season-ending a bit later, expect announcements to trickle through the tail end of September. Who knows, maybe they’ll keep the same order—Coach of the Year, Sixth Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and finally, Rookie of the Year—but the WNBA loves a good plot twist.
The Categories and Contenders: A Season to Remember
While we all anxiously await the official announcements, it’s worth recapping the award categories and the potential show-stealers for each:
- Rookie of the Year (ROY): Will a new star be born, or will Caitlin Clark take home the hardware as predicted? The buzz around Clark is hotter than a mid-summer game at Madison Square Garden.
- Most Improved Player (MIP): The contenders for this award have elevated their games to new heights. Expect debates, predictions, and maybe even some healthy disagreements over this one.
- Sixth Player of the Year: Always an exciting category—because who doesn’t love a player who brings the heat off the bench?
- Coach of the Year: The strategic masterminds who pull the strings and make the magic happen from the sidelines. Expect an interesting battle here with multiple coaches making strong cases.
- Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): The DPOY isn’t just about blocks and steals; it’s about grit, grind, and making your opponent’s life miserable for 40 minutes.
- Most Valuable Player (MVP): The crown jewel. Who gets to call themselves the best player of the season? A’ja Wilson? Someone else? The race has been tighter than a well-laced sneaker.
Who Decides the Winners?
If you’ve ever wondered who gets to play jury in this high-stakes game, here’s the scoop. The fate of the WNBA’s brightest stars lies in the hands of a national panel of 60 sportswriters and broadcasters. These folks eat, sleep, and breathe basketball, and they come armed with stats, insights, and opinions sharper than a crossover dribble. Each announcement will come with a breakdown of votes for every award, and that’s when the debates will get juicier than a post-game press conference.
Why the Delay?
The delay in the 2024 award announcements isn’t just a matter of keeping fans on their toes; it’s a byproduct of the Olympic break that shuffled the regular season schedule. It’s like waiting for the final episode of your favorite series, but with the knowledge that the wait will make the drama even sweeter. Will the league keep us on the same cliffhanger format as last year? Only time will tell.
Final Thoughts: Prepare for the Fireworks
In a season that has been nothing short of spectacular, the awards ceremony is the final act that sets the stage for the playoffs. Whether you’re Team Clark, Team Wilson, or just Team WNBA, there’s no denying the suspense that comes with waiting to see who takes home the hardware. Keep your eyes peeled, your notifications on, and your popcorn ready—because the WNBA is about to crown its 2024 royalty, and it’s going to be one heck of a show.
