# 2009 WNBA season

The 2009 WNBA Season was the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008. The season ended with the Phoenix Mercury winning their second championship in three years.
The regular season began with a televised (ABC) meeting between the defending champion Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles on June 6. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 9th Annual All-Star Game which was broadcast live on ABC (HD) on July 25.

## 2008/2009 WNBA offseason

* The new television deal with ESPN will begin during the 2009 season. For the first time ever, teams will be paid rights fees as part of this deal.
* As of the 2009 season, the maximum roster size per team is reduced from 13 to 11. Any team that falls below nine players able to play due to injury, pregnancy or any other factor outside of the control of the team will, upon request, be granted a roster hardship exception allowing the team to sign an additional player or players so that the team will have nine players able to play in an upcoming game or games. As soon as the injured (or otherwise sidelined) player(s) is able to play, the roster hardship player(s) -- not any other player on the roster—must be waived.
* On October 23, 2008, Angela Taylor was named general manager of the Washington Mystics.
* On November 6, 2008, Julie Plank was named head coach of the Washington Mystics.
* On November 20, 2008, Bill Laimbeer was signed to a two-year contract extension as the head coach and general manager of the Detroit Shock.
* On December 1, 2008, the Houston Comets ceased basketball operations.
* On January 5, 2009, the free agent signing period began.
* On February 3, 2009, president Donna Orender announced that the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game is in Connecticut, hosted by the Sun.
* On April 28, 2009, Anne Donovan was named assistant coach of the New York Liberty.
* The WNBA announced the addition of the WNBA LiveAccess system on May 13, 2009. This new feature on WNBA.com will provide fans with free access to more than 200 live game webcasts – the league's most comprehensive offering – throughout the 2009 WNBA season. For the first time, fans around the world will be able to access live game webcasts on individual team web sites. All of the WNBA LiveAccess games will then be archived for on-demand viewing.
* On June 1, 2009, Donna Orender and David Stern announced that the Phoenix Mercury had signed a corporate deal with LifeLock. This would allow the LifeLock name to be on the team uniforms and the court, among other things. This was the first deal of the type in WNBA or NBA history.
* On June 3, 2009, Minnesota Lynx head coach Don Zierden resigned to take an assistant job with Flip Saunders and the Washington Wizards. Assistant coach Jennifer Gillom was promoted to head coach of the Lynx.
* On June 5, 2009, the Los Angeles Sparks signed a corporate deal with Farmers Insurance. This would allow the Farmers Insurance name to be on the team uniforms and the court, among other things. This was the second deal of the type in WNBA or NBA history (after the Mercury).

## Houston Comets dispersal draft

On December 8, 2008, the Houston Comets dispersal draft was held. Five former Comets players, Latasha Byears, Mwadi Mabika, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, Michelle Snow and Tina Thompson were free agents and therefore not eligible for this draft. Teams selected based inversely on their 2008 regular season records.
The top picks were:
* Sancho Lyttle, Atlanta Dream
* Matee Ajavon, Washington Mystics
* Mistie Bass, Chicago Sky
Six of the thirteen teams making selections waived their picks.

## 2009 WNBA draft

The WNBA Draft lottery was held on December 9, 2008. The Atlanta Dream received the first overall selection. The Washington Mystics received the number two selection. The Chicago Sky came up with the third overall selection, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at four and the Phoenix Mercury at number five. For the first time in WNBA history, the lottery balls were chosen exactly according to odds.
The 2009 WNBA Draft was held on April 9 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Coverage of the first round was shown on ESPN2 (in HD for the first time ever) at 3:00pm. Second and third round coverage was shown on ESPNU and NBA TV at 4:00pm.
The top draft picks were as follows:
* Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream
* Marissa Coleman, Washington Mystics
* Kristi Toliver, Chicago Sky
* Renee Montgomery, Minnesota Lynx
* DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury

## Regular season
### Standings

| Eastern Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Conf. |
| Indiana Fever $^x$ | 22 | 12 | .647 | – | 14–3 | 8–9 | 17–5 |
| Atlanta Dream $^x$ | 18 | 16 | .529 | 4.0 | 12–5 | 6–11 | 10–12 |
| Detroit Shock $^x$ | 18 | 16 | .529 | 4.0 | 11–6 | 7–10 | 11–11 |
| Washington Mystics $^x$ | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 11–6 | 5–12 | 10–12 |
| Chicago Sky $^o$ | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 12–5 | 4–13 | 10–12 |
| Connecticut Sun $^o$ | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 12–5 | 4–13 | 9–12 |
| New York Liberty $^o$ | 13 | 21 | .382 | 9.0 | 8–9 | 5–12 | 8–13 |
| Western Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Conf. |
| Phoenix Mercury $^x$ | 23 | 11 | .676 | – | 12–5 | 11–6 | 13–7 |
| Seattle Storm $^x$ | 20 | 14 | .588 | 3.0 | 13–4 | 7–10 | 13–7 |
| Los Angeles Sparks $^x$ | 18 | 16 | .529 | 5.0 | 11–6 | 7–10 | 11–9 |
| San Antonio Silver Stars $^x$ | 15 | 19 | .441 | 8.0 | 10–7 | 5–12 | 10–10 |
| Minnesota Lynx $^o$ | 14 | 20 | .412 | 9.0 | 9–8 | 5–12 | 7–13 |
| Sacramento Monarchs $^o$ | 12 | 22 | .353 | 11.0 | 7–10 | 5–12 | 6–14 |

### All-Star Game

The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was hosted by the Connecticut Sun on July 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Coverage of the game began at 3:30pm on ABC. This marked the second time the Sun had hosted the annual event.
* ABC (HD)
* July 25 3:30 p.m.
Western Conference 130, Eastern Conference 118 :
| Scoring by quarter: 25-27, 38-33, 36-33, 31-25 |||
| Pts: Swin Cash (22) Rebs: Cappie Pondexter (9) Asts: Sue Bird (10) | Pts: Sylvia Fowles (17) Rebs: Érika de Souza (9) Asts: Asjha Jones (6) |
* Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut Attendance: 9,518 Referees:
* 44 Felicia Grinter, #42 Roy Gulbeyan, #53 Jeff Smith

### Statistic leaders

The following shows the leaders for each statistic during the 2009 regular season.
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
| Points per game | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | 20.4 |
| Rebounds per game | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks | 9.8 |
| Assists per game | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm | 5.8 |
| Steals per game | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever | 2.91 |
| Blocks per game | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks | 2.12 |
| Field goal percentage | Sylvia Fowles | Chicago Sky | .599 (103–172) |
| Three point FG percentage | Tangela Smith | Phoenix Mercury | .452 (42–93) |
| Free throw percentage | Nicole Powell | Sacramento Monarchs | .979 (94–96) |
| Points per game | Team Stat | Phoenix Mercury | 92.82 |
| Least points allowed | Team Stat | Seattle Storm | 72.82 |
| Field goal percentage | Team Stat | Phoenix Mercury | .460 |
| Least FG% allowed | Team Stat | Los Angeles Sparks | .399 |

### Schedule

2009 WNBA Preseason :
Preseason
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Thu April 93:002009 WNBA draft: First roundESPN2 (HD)Secaucus, New Jersey
4:002009 WNBA draft: Later roundsESPNU, NBA TVSecaucus, New Jersey
Thu May 2111:00amWashington@New York77-71 NYLSanford (17)Sanford (8)Carson (4)Madison Square Garden 15,958
10:00Sacramento@Seattle64-55 SEAPowell (15)5 players (5)Atkinson (4)KeyArena 4,875
Fri May 227:00New York@Connecticut74-62 CONJones (11)Black (7)4 players (3)Mohegan Sun Arena 5,578
8:30Detroit@Chicago71-67 CHIFowles (21)Miller (10)DeLaHoussaye, Perkins (5)UIC Pavilion 3,283
Sat May 231:00Indiana@Minnesota68-51 INDDouglas (19)Pringle (6)Catchings, January, Montgomery (3)Claire Lynch Hall 475
Wed May 2711:00amChicago@Detroit78-68 DETZellous (18)Zellous (8)Smith (5)Palace of Auburn Hills 3,952
2:00Phoenix@Sacramento74-70 PHOQuigley (15)Harper (9)Quigley (4)ARCO Arena 6,339
7:30Connecticut@Atlanta76-73 ATLPhillips (18)de Souza (9)Teasley (7)Philips Arena 4,980
Thu May 2811:30amNew York@Washington74-56 WASAjavon (17)Vaughn (7)Ajavon (3)Verizon Center 9,287
7:00Chicago@Indiana74-67 INDDouglas, Dupree, Chen (15)Ely (8)Dupree (3)Conseco Fieldhouse 6,457
Sat May 307:00San Antonio@Detroit62-55 DETYoung (14)Mattera (8)Johnson (4)Traverse City West H.S. 2,109
10:00Seattle@Phoenix61-58 PHOWright (16)Walker (12)Pondexter (6)US Airways Center 2,421
Sun May 313:00Los Angeles@Connecticut80-77 LASThompson (14)Littles (8)Lennox (4)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,630
Tue June 28:00E-League@Chicago102-55 CHIDupree (20)Alexander (8)Toliver (6)UIC Pavilion 3,488
10:00Indiana@San Antonio67-60 INDCatchings (16)Frazee (8)Catchings (4)Austin Convention Center :
2009 WNBA Regular Season :
June
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Sat 62:30Detroit@Los AngelesABC (HD)78-58 LASThompson (18)Lennox (10)Harrower (7)Staples Center 13,154
4:00Seattle@Sacramento71-61 SEAJackson (23)Harper, Little (6)Bird (8)ARCO Arena 14,824
4:00Washington@Connecticut82-70 WASJones (22)Sanford, Langhorne (7)Harding (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 7,191
7:00Indiana@Atlanta87-86 (2OT) ATLHoldsclaw (23)de Souza (17)January (5)Philips Arena 8,709
8:00Chicago@MinnesotaNBA TV FSN-N102-85 MINPerkins (24)Perkins (6)Anosike (8)Target Center 8,708
10:00San Antonio@PhoenixNBA TV KMYS90-79 PHOTaurasi, Young (25)Riley (13)Johnson (9)US Airways Center 13,582
Sun 74:00Connecticut@New YorkWCTX66-57 CONWhalen (14)Whalen (12)Battle, Mitchell (3)Madison Square Garden 13,397
4:00Atlanta@Washington77-71 WASBeard (27)Langhorne (8)Harding (7)Verizon Center 11,759
7:00Minnesota@IndianaFSI96-74 MINHouston (23)Griffith (7)Houston, White (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,234
9:00Sacramento@SeattleFSN-NW80-70 SEAJackson (25)Powell, Lawson (7)Bird (8)KeyArena 9,686
Mon 87:30Los Angeles@Detroit81-52 DETNolan (27)Thompson (11)5 players (3)Palace of Auburn Hills 13,915
Tue 97:00Seattle@IndianaESPN2 (HD)73-66 INDJackson (21)Sutton-Brown (10)Bird (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 7,253
Wed 107:30Washington@Detroit75-69 WASBeard (15)Melvin (9)Nolan (6)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,329
8:00Los Angeles@Minnesota87-76 MINAugustus (30)Augustus (9)Anosike, Miller (5)Target Center 7,444
10:00New York@Phoenix91-84 PHOPondexter (26)Kraayeveld, Vaughn (7)McCarville (6)US Airways Center 5,080
Fri 127:00Los Angeles@Indiana73-61 INDLeslie (21)Leslie (13)Catchings, Douglas (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,320
8:00Seattle@Minnesota88-71 SEAJackson (22)Jackson (11)Bird (9)Target Center 6,423
8:30Atlanta@ChicagoNBA TV CN10081-73 CHIDupree (23)de Souza, Dupree (8)Perkins (8)UIC Pavilion 5,689
10:00Phoenix@Sacramento90-71 SACPowell (19)Harper, Paris (8)Lawson, Pondexter (4)ARCO Arena 6,438
Sat 138:00New York@San AntonioNBA TV MSG KMYS63-60 SANChriston (21)McCarville (9)Hammon (4)AT&T Center 10,572
10:00Sacramento@Phoenix115-104 (OT) PHOTaurasi (31)Powell (9)Johnson, Lawson (8)US Airways Center 7,173
Sun 143:00Atlanta@Connecticut67-62 ATLLyttle (20)Lyttle (15)Teasley, Whalen (5)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,429
6:00Seattle@Chicago64-57 CHIJackson (22)Fowles (15)Wright (4)UIC Pavilion 2,681
Tue 168:00Connecticut@Chicago78-75 CHIPerkins (25)Fowles (10)Whalen (8)UIC Pavilion 2,396
10:00Minnesota@Sacramento86-83 MINAugustus (30)Harper (9)Wiggins (6)ARCO Arena 7,736
Wed 1710:00Minnesota@Phoenix104-80 PHOTaurasi (28)Anosike, Bonner (10)Pondexter (9)US Airways Center 6,524
Fri 197:00Chicago@Connecticut91-61 CONJones (17)Gardin (11)Gardin (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 5,892
7:30San Antonio@New YorkNBA TV MSG77-61 NYLMcCarville (18)Young (7)Christon (6)Madison Square Garden 8,046
7:30Indiana@Detroit66-54 INDCatchings (15)Hornbuckle, McWilliams (10)Catchings (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,725
7:30Washington@Atlanta93-81 ATLBeard, Lyttle (20)Lyttle (13)Currie, Hardin (7)Philips Arena 6,050
10:00Los Angeles@Phoenix89-80 PHOPondexter (21)Thompson (14)Johnson (7)US Airways Center 8,255
10:00Minnesota@Seattle90-62 SEAJackson (26)Anosike (7)Bird (10)KeyArena 7,607
Sat 207:00Chicago@Washington81-72 WASBeard (31)Melvin (9)Perkins (6)Verizon Center 11,745
Sun 213:00San Antonio@ConnecticutNBA TV WCTX71-58 CONYoung (22)Black (8)Darling (4)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,928
3:00New York@Atlanta93-81 NYLChriston, Holdsclaw (17)Lyttle (9)Moore (8)Philips Arena 5,624
6:00Detroit@IndianaNBA TV FSI82-70 INDDouglas (23)Sutton-Brown (9)Catchings, Nolan (6)Conseco Fieldhouse 7,610
7:00Seattle@PhoenixNBA TV FSNA93-84 SEAJackson, Taurasi (25)Jackson (8)Bird (9)US Airways Center 6,181
9:30Sacramento@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW67-47 LASPowell (13)Walker (9)Bobbitt (5)Staples Center 9,494
Tue 2312:00Chicago@Atlanta99-98 (OT) CHIMcCoughtry (26)Dupree (10)McCoughtry (8)Philips Arena 10,351
9:30Phoenix@San AntonioESPN2 (HD)91-87 SANPondexter (26)Taurasi, Young (8)Johnson, Young (5)AT&T Center 6,692
8:00New York@Minnesota69-57 MINChriston, Wiggins (25)Hollingsworth (7)Wiggins (5)Target Center 5,620
Thu 257:00Phoenix@Washington93-87 PHOPondexter (24)Langhorne (12)Harding (9)Verizon Center 9,808
Fri 267:00Indiana@New York82-81 (OT) INDDouglas (24)Hoffman (14)L. Moore (6)Madison Square Garden 9,304
7:30Detroit@Atlanta96-86 ATLHoldsclaw (28)de Souza (13)Teasley (11)Philips Arena 5,935
8:00Sacramento@San Antonio62-52 SANHammon (26)Young (10)Hammon (6)AT&T Center 7,973
10:00Los Angeles@Seattle69-67 SEAJackson (32)Jackson, Wright (8)Bird, Lennox (5)KeyArena 9,686
Sat 277:00Atlanta@Connecticut82-68 CONJones (24)Jones (12)Whalen (5)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,264
7:00New York@IndianaMSG63-54 INDCarson, Hoffman (14)Catchings (11)Catchings (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 8,481
8:00Phoenix@MinnesotaNBA TV FSN-N FSNA109-80 MINHodges, Wiggins (22)Anosike, Taurasi (8)Miller (8)Target Center 5,911
8:00Washington@Chicago68-63 CHIDupree (23)Fowles (10)Harding (6)UIC Pavilion 3,918
Sun 286:00Sacramento@Detroit86-72 DETZellous (18)Ford (8)Penicheiro (5)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,277
9:30Seattle@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW82-55 LASFerdinand-Harris (15)Cash (5)Harrower (5)Staples Center 10,797
Tue 307:00Minnesota@AtlantaESPN2 (HD)91-85 MINCastro Marques (31)Anosike (12)Anosike, Houston, Lehning, Wiggins (4)Philips Arena 7,686
8:00Washington@San Antonio84-82 WASYoung (21)Currie (8)Darling (6)AT&T Center 4,723
8:00Sacramento@Chicago74-72 CHIPowell (21)Fowles (14)Perkins (8)UIC Pavilion 2,721 :
July
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Wed 110:00Seattle@Phoenix91-83 PHOPondexter, Taurasi (22)Pondexter (11)Pondexter (8)US Airways Center 6,341
Thu 27:00Connecticut@IndianaNBA TV FSI67-53 INDDouglas, Sutton-Brown (14)Sutton-Brown (14)Catchings (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 6,468
7:30Detroit@New YorkNBA TV MSG80-64 NYLChriston (25)Ford, Hornbuckle (10)McCarville, Smith (5)Madison Square Garden 8,018
8:00Sacramento@MinnesotaFSN-N74-68 SACPowell (21)Anosike, Brunson (8)Anosike (7)Target Center 6,920
Fri 37:30Washington@Atlanta72-65 ATLHoldsclaw (18)Melvin (9)Holdsclaw (8)Philips Arena 5,456
8:00Chicago@San Antonio85-72 SANYoung (19)Riley, Young (8)Hammon (10)AT&T Center 6,662
Sun 56:00Connecticut@Detroit95-92 (OT) CONSmith (28)Hornbuckle (12)Jones, McWilliams (5)Palace of Auburn Hills 6,981
6:00Atlanta@Indiana78-74 INDSutton-Brown (22)Catchings, Sutton-Brown (9)Catchings (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 7,024
9:30Phoenix@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW FSNA104-89 PHOPondexter (21)Bonner (10)Bobbitt, Taurasi (6)Staples Center 9,872
Tue 73:00San Antonio@Seattle66-53 SEACash (18)Cash, Jackson (12)Hammon (5)KeyArena 10,137
7:30Connecticut@Atlanta72-67 ATLHoldsclaw (19)de Souza (17)Lehning (7)Philips Arena 6,225
8:00Washington@Minnesota96-94 (OT) MINHarding (27)Currie (11)Anosike, Currie, Miller (4)Target Center 7,171
10:00Chicago@Sacramento83-73 SACPerkins (21)Brunson (10)Lawson, Penicheiro, Perkins (6)ARCO Arena 5,672
Wed 810:00Chicago@Phoenix90-70 PHODupree, Taurasi (22)T. Smith (13)Pondexter (6)US Airways Center 5,597
Thu 97:30Los Angeles@New YorkMSG69-60 LASLennox (20)Thompson (8)Harrower, Ferdinand-Harris, McCarville (3)Madison Square Garden 12,247
9:00Sacramento@SeattleESPN2 (HD)66-55 SEACash (18)Powell (8)Wright (7)KeyArena 6,838
Fri 108:00San Antonio@Minnesota77-61 SANYoung (21)Anosike (12)Lawson-Wade (4)Target Center 7,409
8:30Indiana@Chicago83-54 INDMurphy (15)Dupree (8)Hoffman, January (6)UIC Pavilion 4,021
Sat 117:00Los Angeles@Washington75-63 WASBeard (26)Langhorne (11)Harding (5)Verizon Center 12,217
7:00Detroit@ConnecticutNBA TV WCTX79-77 (OT) DETSmith (25)Braxton (13)Smith, Whalen (3)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,342
7:30Atlanta@New York71-69 NYLCastro Marques, Christon (18)Castro Marques, de Souza, Holdsclaw (8)Castro Marques, Moore (6)Madison Square Garden 8,732
10:00Phoenix@Sacramento107-105 PHOPondexter, Powell (23)Bonner, Brunson, Taurasi, Walker (8)Pondexter (8)ARCO Arena 7,798
Sun 127:00Minnesota@San AntonioNBA TV KMYS83-76 MINHammon, Houston (26)Anosike, Houston, Young (8)Hammon (5)AT&T Center 6,568
9:00Chicago@SeattleNBA TV FSN-NW86-81 CHIDupree (28)Dupree, Jackson, Wright (7)Toliver, Wright (7)KeyArena 6,796
Tue 147:00Los Angeles@ConnecticutESPN2 (HD)82-71 CONJones (24)Lennox (11)Jones, Whalen (5)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,612
Wed 1511:30amSan Antonio@Washington79-78 SANHammon (21)Beard, Frazee, Langhorne (6)Darling, Hammon (5)Verizon Center 17,220
1:00Atlanta@MinnesotaNBA TV FSN-N91-77 ATLHoldsclaw (28)Houston (12)Montgomery (7)Target Center 11,245
1:00Chicago@Indiana84-74 INDSutton-Brown (22)Dupree (10)Catchings, Douglas (8)Conseco Fieldhouse 10,050
3:30Sacramento@PhoenixNBA TV FSNA100-81 PHOPowell (23)Paris (9)Pondexter (15)US Airways Center 11,590
10:00Detroit@SeattleNBA TV FSN-NW66-63 DETSmith (19)Ford (8)Nolan (7)KeyArena 6,821
Fri 177:00Atlanta@Indiana84-79 INDDouglas (25)de Souza (14)Bevilaqua (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 7,975
8:00Connecticut@San Antonio72-64 CONHammon (24)Frazee, Young (9)Jones, Whalen (5)AT&T Center 9,524
10:00Seattle@Sacramento69-56 SEABird (20)Little (9)Bird (6)ARCO Arena 6,386
Sat 187:00New York@Washington68-67 WASHarding (23)Harding (7)Moore (9)Verizon Center 9,968
10:00Detroit@Phoenix97-90 (OT) PHOPondexter (26)McWilliams (12)Pondexter (8)US Airways Center 8,288
Sun 193:00Indiana@Connecticut67-61 CONDouglas, Hoffman, Whalen (15)Gruda (9)Whalen (6)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,517
4:00Atlanta@New York89-86 NYLChriston (32)de Souza (10)Mitchell (6)Madison Square Garden 8,560
6:00San Antonio@ChicagoNBA TV CN10085-75 CHIPerkins (29)Dupree (11)Canty (6)UIC Pavilion 3,282
8:00Minnesota@Seattle72-69 SEALittle (18)Anosike (11)Bird, Johnson, Wright (4)KeyArena 6,912
9:00Detroit@Sacramento69-65 DETMcWilliams (21)McWilliams (12)5 players (3)ARCO Arena 7,538
Tue 217:00Indiana@Washington82-70 INDCatchings (28)Catchings (10)Bevilaqua (8)Verizon Center 9,798
Wed 2212:00Atlanta@Detroit98-95 (OT) ATLBraxton (25)Braxton, Snow (12)Nolan (9)Palace of Auburn Hills 14,439
12:30New York@Chicago77-70 NYLFowles, Spencer (15)Dupree (11)Canty, Moore (4)UIC Pavilion 5,881
7:00Sacramento@Connecticut83-75 CONJones (28)Harper (11)Phillips (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 5,675
10:00Minnesota@Phoenix99-86 MINPondexter (28)Bonner (10)Johnson (6)US Airways Center 7,360
10:00Los Angeles@Seattle98-87 (3OT) SEABird (23)Little (14)Bird, Cash (5)KeyArena 7,154
Thu 2312:30Indiana@San Antonio84-65 SANYoung (24)Frazee (8)January (6)AT&T Center 9,985
7:00Chicago@WashingtonESPN2 (HD)75-64 WASLanghorne (16)Langhorne (10)Harding (6)Verizon Center 11,651
7:30Sacramento@New YorkMSG88-74 SACPowell (32)Powell, Walker (9)Penicheiro (9)Madison Square Garden 8,845
Sat 253:30West All-Stars@East All-StarsABC (HD)130-118 WESTCash (22)de Souza, Pondexter (9)Bird (10)Mohegan Sun Arena 9,518
Sun 264:00Phoenix@New York94-88 PHOTaurasi (34)Taurasi (13)Johnson (7)Madison Square Garden 11,211
4:00Sacramento@Washington87-73 WASLanghorne (19)Langhorne (8)Beard (5)Verizon Center 10,757
Tue 287:00Washington@Indiana85-81 INDDouglas (34)Hoffman (10)Harding, Melvin (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 5,904
7:30Phoenix@ConnecticutESPN2 (HD)95-80 PHOPondexter (29)T. Smith, Taurasi (9)Johnson (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 7,732
8:00Seattle@San AntonioKMYS74-71 SANHammon (24)Cash (11)Bird (5)AT&T Center 5,382
8:00Los Angeles@Minnesota76-70 LASThompson (30)Parker (10)Hodges, Lennox, Thompson (4)Target Center 7,216
Wed 298:00Los Angeles@Chicago75-63 CHIPerkins (18)Parker (10)Dupree (5)UIC Pavilion 5,633
Thu 302:30San Antonio@Sacramento101-93 (OT) SACHammon (38)Young (11)Penicheiro (9)ARCO Arena 10,461
7:00Connecticut@IndianaFSI94-85 (OT) INDDouglas (32)Gruda (10)Bevilaqua (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 6,538
7:30Washington@New YorkNBA TV MSG78-75 WASBeard, McCarville (28)Langhorne (11)Harding (4)Madison Square Garden 10,172
7:30Phoenix@Atlanta106-76 ATLMcCoughtry (17)de Souza (14)Lehning (5)Philips Arena 7,827
Fri 317:30Minnesota@Detroit91-83 DETNolan (22)Ford (9)McWilliams, Nolan (6)Palace of Auburn Hills 9,314 :
August
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Sat 17:00New York@AtlantaNBA TV MSG89-83 ATLChriston (23)Carson, Christon (8)McCarville (6)Philips Arena 6,103
8:00Phoenix@Minnesota87-74 PHOTaurasi (20)Anosike (10)Anosike, Willingham (5)Target Center 6,631
8:00Connecticut@ChicagoNBA TV WCTX84-72 CHIDupree (23)Dupree (8)Canty, Jēkabsone-Žogota (6)UIC Pavilion 3,071
10:00Los Angeles@Sacramento59-56 LASPowell (18)Parker (12)Penicheiro (8)ARCO Arena 7,204
10:00San Antonio@SeattleNBA TV KMYS85-82 (OT) SEAJackson (23)Jackson (13)Bird (5)KeyArena 8,167
Sun 24:00Indiana@Washington87-79 INDDouglas (24)Catchings (9)Catchings (5)Verizon Center 11,595
6:00Connecticut@Detroit83-65 CONWhalen (22)Ford (9)Nolan, Whalen (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,814
Tue 43:00San Antonio@Los Angeles63-59 SANHammon (20)Thompson (12)Hammon (5)Staples Center 13,865
7:30New York@DetroitESPN2 (HD)76-64 DETNolan (26)Nolan (14)McWilliams, Nolan, Smith (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,081
10:00Phoenix@Seattle101-90 (OT) PHOWright (25)Cash, Jackson (11)T. Johnson, Wright (7)KeyArena 6,728
Wed 57:00Chicago@IndianaNBA TV CN10076-67 INDDupree (19)Dupree (13)Canty (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 6,581
Thu 68:00Atlanta@San Antonio92-84 ATLHammon (26)Lyttle (10)Lehning (7)AT&T Center 5,042
10:30Seattle@Los Angeles79-75 (OT) LASQuinn (23)Parker (13)Bird, Wright (6)Staples Center 9,735
Fri 77:00Detroit@Washington70-66 WASBeard (15)Langhorne (9)Nolan (6)Verizon Center 10,637
8:00Connecticut@MinnesotaNBA TV FSN-N95-88 MINMontgomery (24)Anosike (12)Jēkabsone-Žogota (7)Target Center 8,134
10:00New York@Sacramento84-66 NYLParis (19)Brunson (7)McCarville (5)ARCO Arena 6,284
Sat 87:00Chicago@Atlanta82-80 CHIThorn (20)de Souza (15)Perkins (5)Philips Arena 5,424
10:00Indiana@Phoenix90-83 INDDouglas (28)Douglas (10)Swanier (6)US Airways Center 9,867
10:00New York@Seattle70-69 SEAMcCarville (22)Christon, Jackson (9)Bird (6)KeyArena 7,496
Sun 93:00Washington@Connecticut96-67 CONBeard (18)Holt (8)Beard (6)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,528
6:00Chicago@Detroit64-58 DETZellous (19)Fowles (18)Smith (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 6,893
6:00San Antonio@Minnesota89-87 SANAnosike (24)Hodges, Hollingsworth (8)Hammon (9)Target Center 7,764
Mon 1010:30Indiana@Los Angeles75-63 LASLeslie (21)Leslie (11)Milton-Jones (4)Staples Center 8,263
Tue 117:00Detroit@Washington81-77 DETNolan (23)McWilliams (13)Harding (8)Verizon Center 10,398
8:00Sacramento@San Antonio90-73 SACBrunson (19)Brunson (9)Penicheiro (11)AT&T Center 4,961
9:00New York@Los AngelesESPN2 (HD)65-61 NYLLeslie (12)Parker (11)Christon, Moore (5)Staples Center 9,548
Thu 137:00Seattle@Connecticut64-53 CONGruda (14)Jackson, Jones (10)Whalen (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,983
7:30Detroit@Atlanta80-75 ATLNolan (20)de Souza (13)Lehning, McWilliams (5)Philips Arena 5,641
8:00Indiana@Minnesota91-81 INDHoffman (24)Anosike (16)Bevilaqua, Dixon (4)Target Center 7,156
10:00San Antonio@Phoenix95-83 PHOTauarsi, Young (29)Wauters (10)Hammon (8)US Airways Center 6,522
Fri 147:00Connecticut@Washington91-89 (2OT) WASBeard (26)Langhorne (16)Whalen (5)Verizon Center 9,738
7:30Chicago@New YorkNBA TV CN100 MSG88-77 CHIChriston (25)Christon (10)Canty, Moore (6)Madison Square Garden 9,832
10:30Sacramento@Los Angeles85-79 SACLeslie (25)Parker (10)Penicheiro (10)Staples Center 10,122
Sat 157:00Detroit@Indiana82-59 INDDouglas (19)Braxton (10)Douglas (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,963
7:00Seattle@Atlanta88-79 ATLJackson (25)de Souza (12)Bird (12)Philips Arena 8,751
8:00Phoenix@San AntonioNBA TV KMYS FSNA106-89 SANYoung (25)Young (7)Hammon (6)AT&T Center 8,933
8:00Minnesota@Chicago79-76 CHIHodges (25)Dupree (14)Canty (8)UIC Pavilion 3,877
10:00Los Angeles@Sacramento78-61 LASPowell (20)Brunson (11)Walker (5)ARCO Arena 7,646
Sun 164:00New York@Washington60-59 NYLMcCarville (19)Langhorne (8)Harding (7)Verizon Center 10,580
Tue 187:30Seattle@Detroit79-75 SEAJackson (36)McWilliams (8)Bird (8)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,392
8:00Phoenix@Chicago106-99 PHOTaurasi (27)Bonner (10)Taurasi (7)UIC Pavilion TBA
10:30Washington@Los Angeles72-69 LASLeslie (20)Parker (12)Parker, Quinn (5)Staples Center 9,287
Wed 197:00New York@Connecticut74-69 CONWhalen (20)Whalen (10)White (6)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,050
10:30Minnesota@Los Angeles78-63 LASLeslie (20)Parker (10)Quinn (7)Staples Center 9,181
Thu 207:30San Antonio@Atlanta93-87 ATLMcCoughtry (34)de Souza (11)Lehning (6)Philips Arena 5,848
10:00Indiana@Sacramento67-62 SACDouglas (21)Brunson, Powell (10)January, Penicheiro (6)ARCO Arena 6,290
Fri 217:30Connecticut@New YorkNBA TV MSG85-83 (OT) NYLGruda (24)McCarville (13)Whalen (7)Madison Square Garden 9,355
8:00Los Angeles@San AntonioNBA TV KMYS67-66 (OT) LASYoung (31)Parker, Thompson (12)Hammon (6)AT&T Center 9,540
10:00Washington@Phoenix91-81 WASLanghorne (19)Langhorne (12)Harding, Pondexter (6)US Airways Center 9,155
Sat 227:00Minnesota@Connecticut98-94 CONGruda, Humphrey, Whalen, Wiggins (21)Gruda (9)Whalen (8)Mohegan Sun Arena 7,803
8:00Detroit@Chicago76-67 DETDupree (20)Dupree (14)4 players (4)UIC Pavilion 5,167
10:00Washington@Sacramento82-60 SACPowell (26)Powell (11)Penicheiro (5)ARCO Arena 7,067
10:00Indiana@Seattle74-60 SEABird (16)Cash (9)Catchings (7)KeyArena 8,273
Sun 233:00Los Angeles@Atlanta91-87 LASCastro Marques (26)de Souza (9)Thompson (6)Philips Arena 11,304
4:00Minnesota@New York80-67 NYLChriston (24)Jackson, Wiggins (7)Moore (6)Madison Square Garden 8,481
6:00San Antonio@Detroit99-84 DETSmith (31)McWilliams, Nolan (7)Hornbuckle (7)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,130
Tue 257:00Detroit@Connecticut90-70 DETGruda, Smith (19)Kelly (8)Whalen (8)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,811
7:30Sacramento@Atlanta103-83 ATLCastro Marques (30)Lyttle (9)Penicheiro (11)Philips Arena 5,159
10:00Chicago@Los AngelesESPN2 (HD)75-63 LASLeslie, Parker (21)Parker (12)Canty (4)Staples Center 9,615
10:00Washington@Seattle78-68 SEABurse (14)Little (7)Wright (6)KeyArena 6,791
Thu 277:00San Antonio@IndianaNBA TV FSI77-66 INDCatchings (20)Wauter (14)Hammon (6)Conseco Fieldhouse 6,836
7:30Atlanta@Detroit87-83 DETNolan (29)de Souza (13)McCoughtry (5)Palace of Auburn Hills 5,695
10:00Connecticut@Seattle86-74 SEABird (21)Little (10)Bird (7)KeyArena 6,588
10:30Phoenix@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW98-90 PHOPondexter (26)Bonner (9)Quinn (8)Staples Center 9,586
Fri 288:00Sacramento@Minnesota100-95 MINMaiga-Ba (20)Brunson (9)Powell (6)Target Center 8,782
8:30New York@ChicagoNBA TV MSG CN10096-77 CHIDupree (26)Vaughn (9)Christon (6)UIC Pavilion 3,707
Sat 293:00Detroit@San AntonioESPN2 (HD)100-88 (OT) SANNolan (34)Wauters (11)Hammon (9)AT&T Center 7,735
7:00Sacramento@Indiana79-78 SACDouglas (24)Powell (11)Bevilaqua (6)Conseco Fieldhouse 8,579
10:00Connecticut@PhoenixNBA TV WCTX95-84 PHOJēkabsone-Žogota (23)Gardin (13)Taurasi (5)US Airways Center 9,977
10:00Atlanta@Seattle91-84 (2OT) SEAWright (25)Little (15)Bird (8)KeyArena 9,089
Sun 304:00Chicago@New York77-63 NYLChriston (18)Dupree, Kraayeveld (13)Thorn (7)Madison Square Garden 8,685
4:00Minnesota@Washington81-75 WASHouston (20)Langhorne (10)Harding (5)Verizon Center 12,241
9:30Connecticut@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW91-81 LASJēkabsone-Žogota, Thompson (21)Parker (13)Whalen (9)Staples Center 11,072 :
September
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Tue 17:30Seattle@New York65-58 SEALittle (17)Little (13)Moore (4)Madison Square Garden 8,469
7:30Phoenix@Detroit101-99 DETPondexter (25)Ford (11)Taurasi (6)Palace of Auburn Hills 5,239
8:00Minnesota@San Antonio84-82 (2OT) SANHammon (29)Anosike (11)Hammon (5)AT&T Center 4,881
10:00Connecticut@Sacramento90-70 SACBrunson (32)Brunson (13)Powell (7)ARCO Arena 6,015
10:30Atlanta@Los Angeles84-79 ATLCastro Marques (27)Parker (14)Lennox (5)Staples Center 8,756
Wed 27:00Phoenix@IndianaNBA TV FSI106-90 PHOCatchings (27)Catchings (12)Johnson (6)Conseco Fieldhouse 7,446
Thu 37:00Seattle@Washington78-67 WASBird, Currie (17)Langhorne (11)Bird (6)Verizon Center 10,648
Fri 47:00New York@ConnecticutNBA TV MSG88-85 (OT) CONJēkabsone-Žogota (23)Moore (8)Whalen (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 6,685
7:30Indiana@Detroit70-63 (OT) DETNolan (22)Catchings (13)Nolan (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,230
8:30Washington@Chicago92-86 CHIAjavon (32)Dupree, Langhorne (10)Harding, Perkins (5)UIC Pavilion 3,241
10:00Atlanta@Sacramento98-90 ATLde Souza (27)de Souza (13)McCoughtry (10)ARCO Arena 6,517
Sat 58:00Los Angeles@San Antonio89-72 SANJohnson (27)Parker (10)Lawson-Wade (11)AT&T Center 8,631
8:00Seattle@MinnesotaNBA TV FSN-N76-68 MINHouston (22)Little (8)Houston, Johnson, Wright (4)Target Center 8,170
10:00Atlanta@Phoenix100-82 PHOde Souza (23)Bonner, Snow (7)Lehning (10)US Airways Center 10,424
Sun 64:00Washington@Indiana72-61 INDCatchings (20)Sutton-Brown (11)Hoffman (4)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,702
6:00Chicago@Detroit84-75 DETNolan (19)Ely, Nolan (8)Braxton, Hornbuckle, Nolan (4)Palace of Auburn Hills 6,619
Tue 87:30Indiana@New York69-63 INDCarson, Catchings, Douglas (17)Catchings (10)Mitchell (6)Madison Square Garden 7,583
10:30San Antonio@Los AngelesNBA TV KMYS76-68 LASLeslie (18)Parker (13)Hammon (7)Staples Center 10,476
Wed 98:00Detroit@Minnesota75-72 MINFord (16)Ford (12)Ford, Teasley, Zellous (4)Target Center 7,423
Thu 107:30New York@DetroitNBA TV MSG94-87 (OT) DETNolan (34)Braxton, McWilliams (8)Moore (6)Palace of Auburn Hills 8,178
8:00Indiana@Chicago86-79 CHIDouglas (25)Catchings (10)Canty (6)UIC Pavilion 2,902
10:00San Antonio@Sacramento80-71 SANHammon (27)Powell (10)Johnson, Lawson-Wade, Penicheiro (5)ARCO Arena 7,566
10:00Phoenix@Seattle92-84 (OT) PHOWright (24)Burse, Little (9)Pondexter (8)KeyArena 9,089
Fri 117:00Connecticut@Atlanta88-64 ATLMcCoughtry (18)de Souza (14)Lyttle (5)Philips Arena 8,644
10:30Minnesota@Los AngelesNBA TV FSNW90-61 LASLeslie, Thompson (19)Parker (14)Quinn (9)Staples Center 13,764
Sat 127:00Atlanta@Washington82-64 WASHarding (25)McCoughtry (13)Currie (5)Verizon Center 11,987
8:00Seattle@San Antonio64-55 SEAS. Johnson (16)Little, Perperoglou (11)Darling (5)AT&T Center 10,153
8:00Detroit@Chicago80-69 DETDupree (27)McWilliams (10)Canty (6)UIC Pavilion 5,334
Sun 133:00Los Angeles@PhoenixESPN2 (HD)81-78 LASParker (24)Parker (14)Lennox (6)US Airways Center 12,968
3:00Indiana@ConnecticutWCTX95-85 CONGardin (23)Gardin (8)Phillips, Wirth (7)Mohegan Sun Arena 9,047
4:00Washington@New YorkMSG86-65 NYLCarson, Currie (17)Ajavon (9)Mitchell (6)Madison Square Garden 15,667
9:00Minnesota@Sacramento88-66 SACPowell (27)Paris (14)Penicheiro (10)ARCO Arena 10,212 :
2009 WNBA Postseason :
Conference Semifinals (September 16–21)
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Wed 168:00Atlanta@DetroitESPN2 (HD)94-89 DETCastro Marques, Nolan (25)Ford (10)Castro Marques (7)Palace of Auburn Hills 6,122
10:00Seattle@Los AngelesESPN2 (HD)70-63 LASCash (24)Leslie, Parker (10)Bird, Harrower, Wright (5)Staples Center 7,919
Thu 178:00Indiana@WashingtonESPN2 (HD)88-79 INDCatchings (26)Catchings (12)Melvin (4)Comcast Center 6,332
10:00Phoenix@San AntonioESPN2 (HD)92-91 SANYoung (24)Wauters (11)V. Johnson (8)AT&T Center 5,721
Fri 187:30Detroit@AtlantaNBA TV94-79 DETNolan (22)Braxton, Hornbuckle (8)Braxton, Nolan (5)Gwinnett Center 4,780
10:00Los Angeles@SeattleNBA TV75-74 SEACash (18)Leslie (14)Wright (9)KeyArena 8,854
Sat 197:00Washington@IndianaNBA TV81-74 (OT) INDCatchings (24)Catchings (16)Catchings, Douglas, Harding (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,655
10:00San Antonio@PhoenixNBA TV106-78 PHOTaurasi (24)Bonner (13)Taurasi (5)US Airways Center 7,267
Sun 205:00Los Angeles@SeattleESPN2 (HD)75-64 LASParker (22)Cash (10)Quinn (7)KeyArena 8,159
Mon 2110:00San Antonio@PhoenixESPN2 (HD)100-92 PHOTaurasi (30)T. Smith, Young (8)Taurasi (6)US Airways Center 6,896 :
Conference Finals (September 23–26)
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Wed 238:00Indiana@DetroitESPN2 (HD)72-56 DETZellous (23)Catchings (11)Bevilaqua, Douglas, Zellous (5)Palace of Auburn Hills 7,214
10:00Phoenix@Los AngelesESPN2 (HD)103-94 PHOParker, Taurasi (28)Parker (10)Taurasi (6)Pauley Pavilion 6,389
Fri 257:00Detroit@IndianaNBA TV79-75 INDNolan (23)Ford (13)Catchings (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 9,210
10:00Los Angeles@PhoenixNBA TV87-76 LASTaurasi (25)Parker (18)Taylor (5)US Airways Center 7,628
Sat 267:00Detroit@IndianaNBA TV72-67 INDSutton-Brown (17)Ford (11)Catchings (5)Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
10:00Los Angeles@PhoenixNBA TV85-74Leslie (22)Thompson (11)Taylor (4)US Airways Center 7,226 :
WNBA Finals (September 29-October 9)
DateTimeMatchupTVResultHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/Attendance
Tue 299:00Indiana@PhoenixESPN2 (HD)120-116 (OT) PHODouglas (20)Taurasi (9)January (7)US Airways Center 11,617
Thu 19:00Indiana@PhoenixESPN2 (HD)93-84 INDTaurasi (20)Catchings (9)Catchings (11)US Airways Center 16,758
Sun 44:00Phoenix@IndianaESPN2 (HD)86-85 INDPondexter (23)Catchings (12)Pondexter (8)Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
Wed 77:30Phoenix@IndianaESPN2 (HD)90-77 PHOCatchings (24)Catchings (12)Pondexter (7)Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
Fri 99:00Indiana@PhoenixESPN2 (HD)94-86 PHOTaurasi (26)Catchings (9)Douglas (9)US Airways Center 17,313 :

## Playoffs and Finals

| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Atlanta | 0 | E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 2 | | | | E1 | Indiana | 2 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 1 | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | |

## 2009 WNBA season summary
### Season highlights

* On June 15, 2009, only three games into the Detroit Shock season, seven-year head coach and general manager Bill Laimbeer announced his resignation. Rick Mahorn was promoted to head coach, and Cheryl Reeve took over GM duties.
* On July 5, 2009, reigning MVP Candace Parker returned to the court for the first time since giving birth just 53 days earlier.
* On July 12, 2009, Sacramento Monarchs general manager John Whisenant announced that head coach Jenny Boucek would be relieved of her duties after a 3–10 start to the season. Whisenant took over the position while maintaining his GM duties.
* On July 31, 2009, New York Liberty general manager Carol Blazejowski announced that Pat Coyle would be fired as the head coach after a 6–11 start to the season. Assistant coach Anne Donovan took over the job on an interim basis.
* On August 10, 2009, Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie recorded her 6,000th career point in her team's win against the Indiana Fever. Leslie was the first player in WNBA history to reach the 6,000 point plateau.
* On August 15, 2009, Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson recorded her 5,000th career point in her team's loss against the Atlanta Dream. Jackson was the fourth player to reach the 5,000 point plateau; she was, however, the fastest and the youngest to do so.
* On August 17, the Chicago Sky announced a change of home venue, effective with the 2010 season. The team would abandon their original home of UIC Pavilion on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago and move to Allstate Arena in suburban Rosemont.
* The Phoenix Mercury averaged a league-best (and highest in WNBA history) 92.8 points per game. Fixed for a 48-minute game (111.4 points per game), the Mercury's average surpassed the highest scoring team in the WNBA.
* The Phoenix Mercury shot 85.5% from the free-throw line. This clip is the best team free-throw percentage in WNBA and NBA history.
* On September 25, 2009, NBA legend Larry Bird purchased about 9,000 balcony tickets to the Indiana Fever vs. Detroit Shock game three of the Eastern Conference Finals. The tickets were then distributed at the Fever box office free-of-charge to fans. Bird had the sole intent of filling the arena to support the Fever, who had never advanced to the WNBA Finals. Announced attendance at the game was 18,165 and the Fever beat the Shock.
* On September 28, 2009, Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr purchased about 7,000 balcony tickets to the Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever game one of the 2009 WNBA Finals. The tickets were then distributed at the Mercury box office free-of-charge to fans. Kerr wanted to follow up Bird's similar action stating that he knows how important a large crowd can be in a Finals series.

### End-of-season business report

* The WNBA's regular season on ESPN2 (13 telecasts) concluded with an average of 269,000 viewers, up 8% vs. 2008 season (248,000 viewers). In addition, regular-season games on ESPN2 saw increases in key demographics, including men 18-34 (+9%), men 18-49 (+14%) and men 23-54 (+23%).
* Ratings and viewership for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on ESPN2 were up 39 percent (.43 rating vs. .31 rating for Game 1 of the '08 WNBA Finals) and 59 percent respectively (555,000 viewers vs. 348,000 viewers), making Game 1 the most viewed WNBA game on cable since Game 4 of the '07 WNBA Finals (Shock vs. Mercury) on ESPN2 (669,000).

## Retirements

* On February 5, 2009, center Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks announced that the 2009 season would be her last in the WNBA. Leslie was one of the four remaining players from the WNBA's inaugural season.
* On May 15, 2009, forward Yolanda Griffith of the Indiana Fever announced that the 2009 season would be her last in the WNBA. Griffith was injured in the third game of the season but continued to help the Fever as an assistant coach figure.
* On May 31, 2009, San Antonio Silver Stars guard Vickie Johnson announced that the 2009 season would be her last in the league. Johnson was one of the four remaining players from the WNBA's inaugural season.
* On September 18, 2009, Seattle Storm guard Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson announced that she would retire at the end of the 2009 season.
* On September 24, 2009, forward Erin Perperoglou of the San Antonio Silver Stars announced that she would not return to the WNBA.

## Season award winners
### Player of the Week award

| For games played beginning | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference |
| For games played beginning | Player | Team | Player | Team |
| June 6, 2009 | Candice Dupree | Chicago Sky | Seimone Augustus | Minnesota Lynx |
| June 15, 2009 | Alana Beard | Washington Mystics | Lauren Jackson | Seattle Storm |
| June 22, 2009 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever | Candice Wiggins | Minnesota Lynx |
| June 29, 2009 | Tammy Sutton-Brown | Indiana Fever | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
| July 6, 2009 | Alana Beard | Washington Mystics | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
| July 13, 2009 | Shameka Christon | New York Liberty | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
| July 20, 2009 | Asjha Jones | Connecticut Sun | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm |
| July 27, 2009 | Katie Douglas | Indiana Fever | Becky Hammon | San Antonio Silver Stars |
| August 3, 2009 | Katie Douglas | Indiana Fever | Becky Hammon | San Antonio Silver Stars |
| August 10, 2009 | Sancho Lyttle | Atlanta Dream | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
| August 17, 2009 | Sandrine Gruda | Connecticut Sun | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |
| August 24, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm |
| August 31, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Vickie Johnson | San Antonio Silver Stars |
| September 7, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |

### Postseason awards

| Award | Award | Winner | Position | Team | Votes/Statistic |
| Most Valuable Player Award | Most Valuable Player Award | Diana Taurasi | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | 323 out of 966 |
| Finals MVP Award | Finals MVP Award | Diana Taurasi | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | N/A |
| Rookie of the Year Award | Rookie of the Year Award | Angel McCoughtry | Forward | Atlanta Dream | 30 out of 41 |
| Most Improved Player Award | Most Improved Player Award | Crystal Langhorne | Forward | Washington Mystics | 19 out of 40 |
| Defensive Player of the Year Award | Defensive Player of the Year Award | Tamika Catchings | Forward | Indiana Fever | 34 out of 40 |
| Sixth Woman of the Year Award | Sixth Woman of the Year Award | DeWanna Bonner | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | 20 out of 38 |
| Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award | Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award | Kara Lawson | Guard | Sacramento Monarchs | 8 out of 38 |
| Peak Performer: Points | Peak Performer: Points | Diana Taurasi | Guard/Forward | Phoenix Mercury | 20.4 PPG |
| Peak Performer: Rebounds | Peak Performer: Rebounds | Candace Parker | Forward | Los Angeles Sparks | 9.8 RPG |
| Peak Performer: Assists | Peak Performer: Assists | Sue Bird | Guard | Seattle Storm | 5.8 APG |
| Coach of the Year Award | Coach of the Year Award | Marynell Meadors | Coach | Atlanta Dream | 30 out of 41 |
| Team | Guard | Guard | Forward | Forward | Center |
| All-WNBA First Team | Becky Hammon | Diana Taurasi | Cappie Pondexter | Tamika Catchings | Lauren Jackson |
| All-WNBA Second Team | Deanna Nolan | Katie Douglas | Candace Parker | Sophia Young | Lisa Leslie |
| All-Defensive First Team | Tully Bevilaqua | Tanisha Wright | Tamika Catchings | Nicky Anosike | Lauren Jackson |
| All-Defensive Second Team | Alana Beard / Deanna Nolan | Angel McCoughtry | Candace Parker | Sancho Lyttle | Lisa Leslie |
| All-Rookie Team | Renee Montgomery | Shavonte Zellous | Marissa Coleman | Angel McCoughtry | DeWanna Bonner |

## Coaches
### Eastern Conference

* Atlanta Dream: Marynell Meadors
* Chicago Sky: Steven Key
* Connecticut Sun: Mike Thibault
* Detroit Shock: Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn
* Indiana Fever: Lin Dunn
* New York Liberty: Pat Coyle and Anne Donovan
* Washington Mystics: Julie Plank

### Western Conference

* Los Angeles Sparks: Michael Cooper
* Minnesota Lynx: Jennifer Gillom
* Phoenix Mercury: Corey Gaines
* Sacramento Monarchs: Jenny Boucek and John Whisenant
* San Antonio Silver Stars: Dan Hughes
* Seattle Storm: Brian Agler