Watch these intriguing WNBA debuts on opening night

The wait is over! The WNBA is back!

On Friday night, a trio of games will kick off regular-season action.

Things start at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Washington Mystics hosting the Atlanta Dream while the Dallas Wings face the Minnesota Lynx. Then the night concludes with the Golden State Valkyries playing the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. ET.

All three games will be broadcast on ION. These matchups, along with select games through May 21, also will be available to stream for free through WNBA League Pass as part of the league’s Tip-Off Test Drive.

So, we know what’s on the schedule, but what should we be watching for? Here are the most intriguing storylines in the three season openers:

Rookie, vet bigs make their respective debuts

We have vastly different debuts happening in the matchup between the Dream and the Mystics.

For Washington, Kiki Iriafen will make her official WNBA debut. The rookie from USC is having a heck of a week. She just earned her master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation and celebrated the accomplishment after practice on Thursday.

Friday, she’ll suit up for her first regular-season action as a Mystic, while Brittney Griner will be doing the same for the Dream.

Now, Griner is an 11-year veteran, but this is her first time playing for a team other than the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. The dominant big will look to establish force in Atlanta’s frontcourt. It might take some time for fans to get used to seeing Griner in a different jersey, but opponents must adjust quickly. Griner dominated the Mystics in the preseason, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 boards. Another performance like that will put the Dream in a great position to begin the season 1-0.

Paige Bueckers is here

Is Paige Bueckers worth the hype? We’ll get a very early answer to that question on Friday as she suits up for her WNBA debut against the Lynx.

This will be a home game for Dallas, and it’ll be a tough one as Minnesota was a great team last season, making a WNBA Finals appearance. The matchup also adds an extra wrinkle of inspiration for Bueckers, as the Lynx are the team the Minnesota native grew up supporting.

Full circle moment ✨

Paige Bueckers shares what it means to make her WNBA debut against the team she grew up watching.

Tune in to ION tomorrow at 7:30pm/ET as the Dallas Wings host the Minnesota Lynx as part of WNBA Tip-Off presented by @CarMax pic.twitter.com/5FpP2K4rKT

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 15, 2025

In the preseason, Bueckers averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Let’s see if those numbers increase or decrease now that the games count.

The Valkyries will make history

Regardless of the outcome, Friday will be a historic night in San Francisco.

It will be the Valkyries’ first WNBA home game, and with a sold-out Chase Center rocking, the clips from this game will be famous. Fans should expect to see plenty of celebrities, including Warriors superstar Steph Curry, ready to watch this special moment.

Steph Curry on being involved with the @valkyries this season:

“I’m gonna be a fan. I’m gonna be at as many games as possible… I’m excited to watch them play and wish them nothing but success.” pic.twitter.com/AuEZih1eab

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) May 15, 2025