David Becker/NBAE through Getty Photos
The WNBA playoff image is changing into clearer as the top of the common season nears.
With only one week to go earlier than the beginning of the playoffs, seven groups have punched their ticket to the postseason whereas two groups, the Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks, have formally been eradicated from playoff competition.
That leaves three groups preventing for the ultimate playoff spot, which means the ultimate few days of play may have loads of implications.
Forward of the ultimate week of normal season play, this is a have a look at the present playoff image:
- New York Liberty, 31-7 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Minnesota Lynx, 29-9 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Connecticut Solar, 27-11 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Las Vegas Aces, 25-13 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Seattle Storm, 24-14 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Indiana Fever, 20-19 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Phoenix Mercury, 18-20 (Clinched playoff berth)
- Washington Mystics, 13-25
- Chicago Sky, 13-25
- Atlanta Dream, 13-25
Heading into the week, probably the most intriguing storylines reside with the Mystics, Sky and Dream as these three squads battle it out for a visit to the postseason.
For the previous few weeks, the race for the No. 8 seed has largely been between the Sky and Dream, however Washington has gone 7-3 over its final 10 video games to place itself in playoff place. Sadly for the Mystics, they’ve a troublesome schedule this week as they’re going to play the top-seeded Liberty and the Fever.
On Tuesday, the Dream and Sky face off in a recreation full of implications. Whichever group comes out on prime in that matchup will possible earn the ultimate spot within the playoffs. After taking part in Atlanta, Chicago will shut its season out in opposition to the Solar. The Dream will end out the common season in opposition to the Liberty.
New York has been the highest group within the WNBA all 12 months, and it simply must win or a Lynx loss to formally declare the No. 1 seed. The Lynx might drive a tiebreaker in the event that they win their ultimate two video games and the Liberty lose their final two video games.
If any groups finish the 12 months with an identical file, the next will likely be used to find out the tiebreaker:
- Head-to-head file
- Convention profitable share
- Profitable share in opposition to all groups with .500 or higher file
- Level differential in head-to-head video games
- Coin toss
Incomes the highest seed is not any small feat, as that group would get home-court benefit all through the postseason.
Whereas the Lynx will likely be chasing the Liberty this week, the Solar will likely be trying to overtake them for the No. 2 seed, and the Aces are hoping to steal No. 3 from Connecticut.
Whichever group earns the No. 3 seed might have a troublesome matchup ready on them as Caitlin Clark and the Fever have nearly secured the No. 6 seed. Originally of the 12 months, Indiana appeared like a playoff hopeful, however now it looks like a group able to upsetting a better seed and placing collectively a deep playoff run.
Clark has put collectively top-of-the-line rookie seasons in current reminiscence, and he or she’s not trying to finish her season sooner than she must.
If the present standings maintain after this week, followers could possibly be in for a deal with this postseason. The defending champion Aces might have a date with the Liberty within the second spherical in what can be a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals.
It hasn’t been the title-defending 12 months Las Vegas has hoped for, but when it may possibly take down the highest group within the league within the second spherical it might make a three-peat considerably simpler.
