What Are the Biggest WNBA Rivalries Going Into Next Year?

The 2025 WNBA season was marked by intense competition and fierce rivalries, with teams engaging in physical matchups often rooted in historic playoff battles. These rivalries added significant tension to the games, highlighting the competitive spirit of the league.

One notable rivalry involved teams vying for dominance in the East Conference, fueled by their neighboring locations and the Liberty's 2024 WNBA Championship win. Former Sun coach Mike Thibault emphasized the intensity, stating that friendships are set aside during play. This was exemplified by a 2023 incident where Sun players Dijonai Carrington and Olivia Nelson-Ododa had an argument on the bench, which was captured on camera and widely shared on social media. That same night, the Sun lost 91-82 in Game 5 of the semifinal series, underscoring the high stakes and emotional intensity of their rivalry.

Individual player rivalries also drew attention, such as the long-standing competition between Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, which began in their college years. Their matchups attracted large audiences, with drama amplified by media coverage and on-court performances, making them one of the most popular duels in the WNBA.

Beyond individual players, team rivalries like that between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky date back to 2013, characterized by frequent playoff meetings and alternating series wins, earning them the status of "arch-nemeses." Courtney Vandersloot of the Sky acknowledged in an interview that the Fever were their weakness, indicating the rivalry's deep-rooted nature.

In the Western Conference, a prominent rivalry unfolded in the Conference Finals, where teams faced off almost annually in physically demanding games that kept fans engaged. The Mercury and Lynx had a historic rivalry, with the Lynx dominating initially until the Mercury built a competitive team, leading to a Mercury victory in the 2014 WNBA Finals. This history intensified the 2025 semifinals, which the Mercury won to advance to the Finals against the Las Vegas Aces, sparking excitement among fans for the upcoming 2026 season.