WNBA Announces 'Reset Timeout,' 2nd Challenges, More Rule Changes for 2024 Season

Before the start of the 2024 preseason on Friday, the WNBA has announced rule changes for its upcoming campaign.

Key changes include teams receiving a second coach's challenge if the first one is successful and five full timeouts plus one "reset timeout" that can be used in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime that allows teams to advance the ball and make substitutions, but they won't be allowed to huddle.

If teams do huddle during the reset, they will be charged with a delay of game and the shot clock will remain as it was when the timeout was called.

The change in replay is identical to what the NBA implemented before the start of the 2023-24 regular season.

Last year marked the first time in the WNBA that coaches were allowed to challenge plays. Plays eligible to be challenged include a foul called against the challenging team, an out-of-bounds violation, or a goaltending call.

Under the previous rule, teams were allotted four full timeouts and two 20-second timeouts. The new rule eliminates the 20-second timeouts and adds one additional full timeout.

Teams will be limited to two timeouts either after the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter or the end of the second mandatory timeout in the fourth quarter, depending on which comes later.

The new rules come on the eve of the start of the preseason, which features two games highlighted by Caitlin Clark's professional debut for the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.

The 2024 WNBA regular season tips off on May 14 with a four-game slate. The two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces will raise their 2023 title banner at Michelob Ultra Arena when they host the Phoenix Mercury on opening night.

Other games on opening night include Clark and the Fever against the Connecticut Sun, the Washington Mystics hosting the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx taking on the Seattle Storm.