WNBA, Dallas Wings release 2016 schedule

Entering its historic 20th season, the WNBA released its 2016 schedule Thursday.

The Dallas Wings, the league’s newest team and Metroplex’s next professional franchise, open on the road against WNBA finalist Indiana Fever at 5 p.m. May 14.

Dallas, formerly the Tulsa Shock, unveiled its new team and logo last fall and will play its 17 home games at College Park Center on the campus of UT Arlington.

“Our inaugural season coincides with the WNBA’s 20th season which is really fitting,” Wings President and CEO David Swatzell said.

Indiana went 20-14 last season, third in the Eastern Conference, and lost 3-2 to Minnesota in the WNBA Finals in October, while the Shock finished 18-16 in the Western Conference before losing in two games to Phoenix in the playoffs.

Dallas opens its 34-game season with three road games (Indiana, New York, Washington) before making its Arlington debut at 7:30 p.m. May 21 against the San Antonio Stars.

“Our home opener versus San Antonio is huge. Obviously an exciting state rivalry that will play up,” Swatzell said. “There will be a lot of intensity around us.”

May ends with three consecutive games at home, including a matchup with reigning league MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Chicago Sky at 3:30 p.m. May 29.

Other key games include its final home game against the New York Liberty on Sept. 11 before ending the regular season at Indiana on Sept. 18, one of its three games to be televised on ESPN2 (June 21 vs. Phoenix; June 28 at Los Angeles). Dallas hosts Maya Moore and the WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx at 3:30 p.m. July 17.

“Couldn’t be happier book-ending with Indiana,” Swatzell said. “They are a highly competitive team, and I have a lot of respect for them — great team and great leadership.

“The schedule is pretty much what we wanted, I couldn’t be any more pleased, very happy with the league.”

On Monday, Wings players Skylar Diggins and Irving MacArthur High School product Odyssey Sims were listed among the 24 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.

Diggins also represented the team in the league’s new Watch Me Work video, which consists of various stars in advance of its 20th year. Diggins is shown working out and says “I didn’t know I’d be a nightmare on the wing.”

Also Thursday, the WNBA Board of Governors approved an eight-team postseason format comprised of teams with the highest winning percentage, regardless of conference.

“I personally like it, I think it will benefit the league in the long run,” Swatzell said.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 7:43 PM with the headline "WNBA, Dallas Wings release 2016 schedule."