The Phoenix Mercury suffered another loss to the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night, as Angel Reese helped Atlanta secure a playoff spot with a 99-89 win.
However, the focus was also on the league’s scheduling issues, as Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts shared his thoughts and raised concerns about the current WNBA scheduling system.
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Nate Tibbetts Raises Concerns Over WNBA’s Scheduling Balance Issues
At the post-game press conference, journalist Hayden Cilley asked Mercury head coach Tibbetts what changes he would suggest to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert regarding the league’s scheduling.
Tibbetts admitted that scheduling decisions are not something he focuses on as a coach, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by the commissioner.
“I’ve got enough stuff to worry about as a coach. She’s probably got enough stuff to worry about as commissioner,” he said.
However, the Phoenix HC did express concerns about the current scheduling structure and the lack of proper balance throughout the season.
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“Overall balance of the schedule. Not having these long breaks. I don’t think seven games in 14 days is ideal. Unfortunately, sometimes that’s how it works. I would hope that they don’t try to put those runs in certain teams.”
The W’s regular-season schedule has become a major challenge for teams, especially as the league continues to grow. Players and coaches have repeatedly pointed out the physical demands of the current format.
The Indiana Fever, for instance, recently experienced that difficulty firsthand. They played four games in a short span while traveling across multiple cities, including Atlanta, Toronto, Dallas, and New York.
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Still, fatigue cannot fully account for every instance of poor performance, especially for teams competing for playoff positions.
Caitlin Clark also admitted that the demanding schedule has affected players physically.
“This stretch is hard, my body’s sore, I’m tired, everybody is,” Clark admitted.
With the league increasing the regular season to 44 games, the number of teams’ off days and travel challenges has also created an uneven balance. Some teams face long periods without games before being forced into difficult stretches filled with back-to-back matchups and games every other day.
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Last year, Satou Sabally highlighted the issue and suggested it could become an important topic in future CBA discussions. “I think this is a conversation that could also be important for the next CBA,” she said in June 2025.
“Cathy (Englebert) added a lot of games, and [for] us as players, recovery is so important. We put our bodies on the line every single time. We had nine games in 18 days. It’s not really responsible for a commissioner. Other teams have like three back-to-backs.”
The scheduling concerns are unlikely to disappear soon. The WNBA will now need to adjust around the FIBA World Cup, scheduled for September 4-13, 2026, in Berlin.
The international event could create another challenge for an already demanding league calendar.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
