What WNBA Athletes Can Do to Lower Their Injury Risk

The WNBA has never been more competitive, more physically demanding, or more watched. According to a recent marketing report cited by Forbes, the league was the fastest-growing brand in professional sports in 2024. Viewership is up, fan engagement is at an all-time high, and the level of play on the court has never been more intense.

But with that rise in visibility and competition comes a familiar and growing concern: injuries. The pace is faster, the demands are higher, and many athletes are playing year-round to sustain their careers. 

In recent seasons, several stars have spent significant time sidelined, not from minor knocks, but major injuries that affect both performance and longevity. This isn’t random or isolated; it’s a recurring issue.

Let’s break down what’s happening and what WNBA athletes can do to lower their injury risk without sacrificing performance.

The Context: Why Are Injuries So Common in the WNBA?

First, the basics. Basketball is a high-impact sport. The constant sprinting, sudden stops, and explosive jumps put a huge load on the joints, especially the knees and ankles. But for WNBA athletes, the injury risk is amplified by a few unique factors:

• Shorter seasons, condensed schedules: The WNBA regular season is intense and compact, cramming more games into the same short window. This year’s schedule jumped to 44 games, up from 40 in 2024, without any extension to the season itself. That means even less time for recovery between matchups and hardly any cushion to ease back in after minor injuries.

• Year-round play: Many WNBA players compete overseas during the offseason to supplement their income. That leads to virtually no break for the body, which increases fatigue, burnout, and the risk of chronic injuries.
  
• Limited resources compared to the NBA: While progress has been made, there’s still a gap in support. WNBA athletes often don’t have the same level of medical care, personalized training staff, or recovery tech as their NBA counterparts.

So what can be done? 

Demand Better — From Teams and the League

The best injury prevention strategy isn’t just personal responsibility. It’s institutional change. That means:

• Smarter scheduling with built-in recovery windows
  
• Guaranteed rest in the offseason (with fair pay to make it viable)
  
• Consistent access to high-quality sports medicine
  

We’ve seen what happens when that system fails. Take the lawsuit involving former Clippers strength coach Randy Shelton, who raised concerns about the way Kawhi Leonard’s injuries were being managed. He claimed the treatment was unsafe and potentially illegal. Regardless of the outcome, it shows how serious the consequences can be when proper care is ignored. 

If you’ve experienced a similar situation where your injury worsened because of inadequate support or negligent treatment, you could have grounds for legal action. It may be worth speaking with a personal injury attorney to understand your options.

A qualified attorney can help you gather evidence and determine if your case meets the legal threshold for negligence. If your rights were violated, they can also advocate on your behalf, as noted by TorHoerman Law.

Players have already begun pushing for change in areas like pay equity and mental health. Injury prevention deserves the same attention. Because when athletes are sidelined due to poor systems, it doesn’t just cost them. It also sets the entire league back.

The league has a role to play, yes. But on an individual level, too, there are several science-backed strategies players can use to reduce their risk of injury.

1. Train Smarter, Not Just Harder

Overtraining is real, and it’s not a badge of honor. Research shows that chronic workload spikes sudden increases in training intensity are a key predictor of injuries. Athletes and their trainers should focus on:

• Periodization: Structuring the training calendar into phases (off-season, pre-season, in-season) with clear recovery periods.
  
• Functional strength training: Tailored workouts that focus on glutes, hamstrings, and core to stabilize joints and improve balance.
  
• Neuromuscular training: Exercises that improve landing mechanics and coordination. These are particularly important for ACL injury prevention, which disproportionately affects female athletes.
  

2. Master Recovery — It’s Non-Negotiable

Recovery isn’t just foam rolling and ice baths. It’s a full ecosystem of sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mental rest.

• Sleep: Studies show athletes who get less than 7-8 hours of sleep are significantly more likely to suffer injuries. Quality sleep enhances muscle repair, hormone regulation, and reaction times.
  
• Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory foods, adequate protein, and electrolyte balance are all key. Vitamin D and calcium also matter, especially for bone health — something often overlooked in female athletes.
  
• Active recovery: Gentle yoga, pool workouts, or even massage therapy can help flush lactic acid and keep the body loose.

3. Use Data to Spot Trouble Before It Happens

Sports science isn’t just for elite NBA franchises. More athletes are using wearable tech and motion capture tools to track:

• Joint loading
  
• Asymmetry in gait or movement patterns
  
• Fatigue markers like HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
  

Catching movement imbalances early — even subtle ones — can prevent stress fractures or ligament tears later. This data can also help customize training loads and flag when the body needs rest before an injury occurs.

4. Tackle Hormonal Health Head-On

This is something not enough people are talking about. Female athletes face unique hormonal fluctuations that can impact ligament laxity, energy levels, and recovery.

Some research suggests that ACL injuries in women are more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, when estrogen spikes. WNBA players working with sports gynecologists or hormonal health experts can:

• Monitor their cycles
  
• Adjust training accordingly
  
• Use nutrition and supplements to support hormonal balance
  

Ignoring this part of the picture is like training with one eye closed.

FAQs

How does travel fatigue affect injury rates during the season?

Frequent flights, inconsistent sleep, and changing time zones can wear down the body and increase injury risk. Travel fatigue weakens reaction time and muscle coordination, making players more prone to strains or missteps, especially in back-to-back games with limited recovery.

How do contract pressures influence injury decisions?

Some athletes feel pressured to play through pain or rush recovery to protect their careers or earn bonuses. This culture can worsen minor injuries and lead to long-term damage. Empowering players to prioritize health without fear of losing opportunities is essential.

Can climate or venue conditions impact injury risk?

Yes. Playing in unusually hot, cold, or humid arenas can affect hydration, muscle function, and joint mobility. Slippery floors or poor ventilation also increase injury potential. Teams must adapt warm-ups, gear, and hydration strategies based on each environment.

Overall, you can’t eliminate all injuries in pro sports. That’s the reality of the game. But what WNBA athletes can do is change the odds by training smarter and taking recovery seriously. That also means staying in tune with their bodies and pushing for the resources they need to stay healthy.

Because staying on the court isn’t just about minutes. It’s about longevity, legacy, and the future of the league.