WNBA to adjust challenge and timeout rules for 2024

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Thu 2nd May, 16:19 2024
May 19, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) argues with referee Ryan Sassano (L) after being called for a foul against the Washington Mystics in the third quarter at Entertainment & Sports Arena. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA will usher in a pair of rule changes for the 2024 season, revising the replay challenge format while also eliminating 20-second timeouts.

Teams will be awarded a second coach's challenge if the first one was successful. In a continuation of the previous rule, teams still will need to have a timeout in order to initiate a replay challenge.


Challenges are limited to a foul call, an out-of-bounds violation, goaltending or basket interference.

Teams will now have five "team" timeouts and one "reset" timeout, in a change from four full team timeouts and two 20-second timeouts in previous seasons. A reset timeout allows teams to advance the ball and make substitutions but not huddle with coaches.

Teams can use a reset timeout in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime.


—Field Level Media

ad banner
home wnba-to-adjust-challenge-and-timeout-rules-for-2024-1851452975