The WNBA kicked off its regular season and the annual Commissioner’s Cup challenge in mid-May.
The first Commissioner’s Cup Trophy was won by the Seattle Storm in 2021, and last year’s prize was handed to the Las Vegas Aces.
This in-season tournament has nothing to do with the actual playoffs, unlike the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. It is held for entertainment and charitable purposes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Commissioner’s Cup.
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How does the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup work?
The Commissioner’s Cup is a relatively new part of the WNBA calendar, as it has now existed for just three seasons. The in-season competition, which pits conference rivals against each other, is presented by Coinbase.
Last year, the league added another platform that allowed teams to provide funding to local non-profits. (You can find the full list of non-profits here.) Following each Commissioner’s Cup game, the WNBA donated $2,000 to the winning team’s organization and $500 to the losing team’s organization.
Again, the Commissioner’s Cup is held during the regular season. The Eastern and Western Conference teams with the highest winning percentages will battle it out for the title and a $500,000 prize.
When does the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup start?
The Commissioner’s Cup actually started on May 19, which also marked the start of the 2023 regular season. The last set of Commissioner’s Cup games will be played on July 12.
The championship game will be played on Aug. 15.
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WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Standings
(Current as of July 7)
Eastern Conference
Seed
Team
Record
Games Back
1.
New York Liberty
6-3
—
2.
Connecticut Sun
6-3
—
3.
Atlanta Dream
5-4
1
4.
Washington Mystics
4-5
2
5.
Chicago Sky
3-5
2.5
6.
Indiana Fever
2-6
3.5
Western Conference
Seed
Team
Record
Games Back
1.
Las Vegas Aces
7-0
—
2.
Minnesota Lynx
4-3
3
3.
Los Angeles Sparks
5-5
3.5
4.
Dallas Wings
4-4
3.5
5.
Seattle Storm
4-6
4.5
6.
Phoenix Mercury
1-7
6.5
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup schedule 2023
Matchup
Date
Time (ET)
TV channel
Fever at Mystics
July 7
7 p.m.
Ion
Dream at Sky
July 7
8 p.m.
Ion
Aces at Wings
July 7
8 p.m.
Ion
Mercury at Lynx
July 7
8 p.m.
Ion
Aces at Lynx
July 9
7 p.m.
League Pass
Mercury at Aces
July 11
10 p.m.
CBS Sports
Liberty at Fever
July 12
Noon
NBA TV
Sun at Sky
July 12
Noon
League Pass
Wings at Lynx
July 12
1 p.m.
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