With steeper fines for hard fouls and new officiating points of emphasis, the WNBA is trying to create a less physical league

Most WNBA coaches and players want the league to be less physical

By hurting players in their pockets, they’ll likely think twice when making an aggressive defensive play. But, a less-physical WNBA is not just the about the increase in fines for hard fouls. Coaches and players from around the league are talking about a need to tone down the excessive defense, something that will be encouraged with officials allowing for freedom of movement for offensive players. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve even went so far as to say the amount of physicality in the game is currently too much, sharing:

While they were hard at work on the (CBA), we were hard at work on the state of the game… We don’t want the level of physicality that we’ve seen in our game … We play beautiful basketball in the W. We Gotta make sure it’s not marred by unnecessary physical contact. Cheryl Reeve on the officiating in the WNBA/the new fines for fouls:

"While they were hard at work on the (CBA), we were hard at work on the state of the game… We don't want the level of physicality that we've seen in our game … We play beautiful basketball in the W. We…

— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) May 5, 2026 In an exclusive interview with NPR, Napheesa Collier went beyond her head coach’s words, saying that people don’t come to WNBA games for defense and want to see offense. She suggested the WNBA was like 1980s NBA basketball in a critical manner, saying, among other things: The game is too physical right now. I think that’s been a complaint of players and coaches alike for the past several years. We’ve been compared to the NBA of the 80s, in just our physicality. And I do think that hinders the players obviously. You come to watch players play offense and to score. When it’s so physical, the game is not fun to watch and it’s not fun to play. If you want more context….

Here’s Phee’s FULL comments, echoing what many players and coaches have all said:

“The game is too physical right now. I think that’s been a complaint of players and coaches alike for the past several years. We’ve been compared to the NBA of the… pic.twitter.com/aOikXHr7Qi

— Vanshay 🎥 NEW ACCOUNT (@mvanshay) May 6, 2026 After a recent practice, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon also elaborated on the league’s points of emphasis that are focused on cleaning up the game and making it less physical this year compared to last season. From yesterday, Aces head coach Becky Hammon on this year’s officiating points of emphasis.

Freedom of movement & three second violations (offensive & defensive) seem to be the highlights. pic.twitter.com/bgJwJEI7cq

— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 6, 2026 While some fans might like the game the way it is, it’s evident that change is coming. The league wants it, and key coaches and players are calling for it. This opening week of games, seeing how contests are officiated will be interesting, although it will take time to tell if these changes are impactful, or just early-season chatter. However, this is shaping up to be a potential inflection point in the WNBA. What are your thoughts? Are you in favor of these changes? Do you think they will be implemented successfully and equitably, or do you anticipate new issues emerging? Which teams and players do you expect to benefit? Who will have to adapt? Spill all your opinions in the comments!