The WNBA has given fans unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and dynasties that defined eras. Here’s a look back at every WNBA champion through the years and the stars who shined brightest in the Finals.
2024: New York Liberty
New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) holds up the MVP trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in overtime to win the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(def. Minnesota Lynx 3-2; Jonquel Jones (NY) named Finals MVP)
2023: Las Vegas Aces
The Las Vegas Aces celebrate after winning the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
(def. New York Liberty 3-1; A’ja Wilson (LV) named Finals MVP)
2022: Las Vegas Aces
Forward Aja Wilson (22) holds the WNBA championship trophy and celebrates on stage with her teammates after the Las Vegas Aces championship parade on the Las Vegas Strip. Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Connecticut Sun 3-1; Chelsea Gray (LV) named Finals MVP)
2021: Chicago Sky
Oct 17, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Sky celebrate after they beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 in game four of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Phoenix Mercury 3-1; Kahleah Copper (CHI) named Finals MVP)
2020: Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm bench reacts after the final play of the game is confirmed after replay as they defeat the Minnesota Lynx at IMG Academy. Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Las Vegas Aces 3-0; Breanna Stewart (SEA) named Finals MVP)
2019: Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics player celebrate after game five of the 2019 WNBA Finals at Entertainment and Sports Ar. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Connecticut Sun 3-2; Emma Meesseman (WSH) named Finals MVP)
2018: Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm celebrate after defeating the Washington Mystics after the game in game three of the WNBA Finals at Eagle Bank Arena. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Washington Mystics 3-0; Breanna Stewart (SEA) named Finals MVP)
2017: Minnesota Lynx
Oct 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Lynx players raise the championship trophy after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Los Angeles Sparks 3-2; Sylvia Fowles (MIN) named Finals MVP)
2016: Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks forward Essence Carson (17) raises the WNBA Championship trophy with her team after game five of the WNBA Finals. at Target Center. The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 77-76. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Minnesota Lynx 3-2; Candace Parker (LA) named Finals MVP)
2015: Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx celebrate their championship against the Indiana Fever at Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 69-52. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Indiana Fever 3-2; Sylvia Fowles (MIN) named Finals MVP)
2014: Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (left) and guard Diana Taurasi (right) celebrate with the WNBA championship trophy after defeating the Chicago Sky 87-82 in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Chicago Sky 3-0; Diana Taurasi (PHX) named Finals MVP)
2013: Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx team celebrates a victory against the Atlanta Dream at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Lynx defeated the Dream 86-77 to win the WNBA Championship. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Atlanta Dream 3-0; Maya Moore (MIN) named Finals MVP)
2012: Indiana Fever
Fever owner Herb Simon gets a look at the WNBA trophy with standout Tamika Catchings, center, and team COO Kelly Krauskopf after an 87-78 win over the Lynx. The Indiana Fever hosted the Minnesota Lynx in game four of the WNBA Finals at Bankers Live Fieldhouse. Credit: Mike Fender-USA TODAY NETWORK
(def. Minnesota Lynx 3-1; Tamika Catchings (IND) named Finals MVP)
2011: Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx players and coaches celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Dream to win the WNBA Championship in game three of the WNBA Finals at Philips Arena. The Lynx defeated the Dream 73-67. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Atlanta Dream 3-0; Seimone Augustus (MIN) named Finals MVP)
2010: Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm head coach Brian Agler (top row far right) and his team pose with the WNBA championship trophy after defeating the Atlanta Dream to win the WNBA title in game three of the WNBA Finals at Philips Arena. The Storm defeated the Dream 87-84 to win the series three games to none. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Atlanta Dream 3-0; Lauren Jackson (SEA) named Finals MVP)
2009: Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (center) gets a pass off in between Washington Mystics players Chasity Melvin (44) and Marissa Coleman (4) during the first half at the Verizon Center. Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Indiana Fever 3-2; Diana Taurasi (PHX) named Finals MVP)
2008: Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock celebrate their WNBA championship after defeating San Antonio 76- 60 at the Convocation Center on the Eastern Michigan University Campus on Sunday Oct. 5, 2008. Credit: © Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(def. San Antonio Silver Stars 3-0; Katie Smith (DET) named Finals MVP)
2007: Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi reacts during the second half against the Minnesota Lynx at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 99-88. Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Detroit Shock 3-2; Cappie Poindexter (PHX) named Finals MVP)
2006: Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin holds the WNBA championship trophy after defeating San Antonio 76-60 at the Convocation Center on the Eastern Michigan University campus on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Credit: © Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(def. Sacramento Monarchs 3-2; Deanna Nolan (DET) named Finals MVP)
2005: Sacramento Monarchs
Class of 2021 inductee Yolanda Griffith speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at MassMutual Center. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Connecticut Sun 3-1; Yolanda Griffith (SAC) named Finals MVP)
2004: Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm center Ashley Robinson (43) talks with teammates during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at US Airways Center. The Storm defeated the Mercury 78-73. Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Connecticut Sun 2-1; Betty Lennox (SEA) named Finals MVP)
2003: Detroit Shock
Left to right: Detroit Shock players Plenette Pierson (23), Deanna Nolan (14), Cheryl Ford, Kara Braxton (45) and Elaine Powell (5) erupt as victory closes in to defeat San Antonio 76-60 for the WNBA championship at the Convocation Center on the Eastern Michigan University campus Oct. 5, 2008. Credit: © Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(def. Los Angeles Sparks 2-1; Ruth Riley (DET) named Finals MVP)
2002: Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks bench reacts during the second half in at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sparks 90-89. Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
(def. New York Liberty 2-0; Lisa Leslie (LA) named Finals MVP
2001: Los Angeles Sparks
The LA Sparks 2001, 2002 and 2016 WNBA Championship banners and retired jerseys of Penny Toler (9) and Lisa Leslie (11) at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(def. Charlotte Sting 2-0; Lisa Leslie (LA) named Finals MVP)
2000: Houston Comets
Houston Comets at Washington Mystics — Houston’s Dawn Staley (left) and Sheryl Swoopes talk during a time out. Staley, being a coach at Temple, also does a lot on the floor with the Comets. Credit: Sean Dougherty-USA TODAY
(def. New York Liberty 2-0; Cynthia Cooper (HOU) named Finals MVP)
1999: Houston Comets
Houston Comets at Los Angeles Sparks: Houston’s Sheryl Swoopes drives the ball up court during 2nd half action against the Los Angeles Sparks at Staples Center. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
(def. New York Liberty 2-1; Cynthia Cooper (HOU) named Finals MVP
1998: Houston Comets
Cynthia Cooper (USA) in action against team Czechoslovakia during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games at Pavell Olimpic de Badalona. Credit: George Long-USA TODAY NETWORK
(def. Phoenix Mercury 2-1; Cynthia Cooper (HOU) named Finals MVP)
1997: Houston Comets
Houston Comets at Washington Mystics — Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes brings the ball up court. Credit: Sean Dougherty-USA TODAY
(def. New York Liberty 1-0; Cynthia Cooper (HOU) named Finals MVP)
Conclusion
Minnesota Lynx players celebrate their championship against the Indiana Fever at Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 69-52. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
From the Houston Comets’ early dominance to the rise of modern powerhouses like the Aces and Liberty, the WNBA Finals have always delivered excitement and history-making performances. This list is a reminder of the league’s growth and the incredible talent that continues to shape it year after year.
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