WNBA Opens Its 30th Season Friday, Clark vs. Bueckers Saturday on ABC

The WNBA's 30th anniversary season tips off Friday with a triple-header on ION Television. First up: the Washington Mystics host the brand-new Toronto Tempo — the W's first Canadian franchise. Then Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty, and Golden State Valkyries at Seattle Storm wrapping up the night at 10 PM ET.

Saturday is when it really gets going. At 1 PM ET on ABC, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever face Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. Only their second regular-season game as pros, and the stakes feel higher than ever. Two days ago, WNBA GMs voted Bueckers as the player they'd rather build a franchise around — 33% to Clark's 20%. Clark missed 35 of 40 games last season. She'll have receipts to collect.

The 30th season features 44 games per team, two expansion franchises (Toronto Tempo, Portland Fire), and the highest-profile roster of stars in league history. The WNBA is as big as it has ever been.