September brings the tip of the common season and the beginning of postseason play within the WNBA. The league is kicking off this pivotal month with 5 video games that may influence playoff positioning.
We begin with the Connecticut Solar internet hosting the Seattle Storm at 1 p.m. ET (NBA TV), adopted by the Chicago Sky taking part in the Minnesota Lynx at 3 p.m. ET (League Move). At 4 p.m. ET, we’ll have two video games taking place, with the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury competing in Phoenix (League Move) and the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings taking part in in Arlington (NBA TV). The motion ends in Southern California with the Atlanta Dream taking up the Los Angeles Sparks at 7 p.m. ET (League Move).
A Storm is coming
With Gabby Williams becoming a member of the Storm and the group clinching a playoff berth, they appear primed to be title contenders this 12 months. A victory in opposition to the Solar is essential, as it may possibly assist them leap over the Aces within the standings.
The Solar additionally want the win as they’re only a half-game in entrance of the Lynx for the second seed. With lower than 10 video games to go, each recreation features much more significance, and neither group can afford to drop video games in the event that they need to earn the very best seed attainable.
Can the Sky win once more?
The Sky have misplaced 5 in a row and are instantly combating for his or her postseason lives. They’re only one recreation forward of the Dream for the eighth and last playoff spot.
The Sky’s drawback is that they’re taking part in a Lynx group that has gained seven of its final 10 video games. Napheesa Collier is having a profession 12 months, averaging 20.6 factors and 9.9 rebounds per recreation. She’ll be a handful for the Sky bigs to include, however doing so will give them the very best alternative of popping out of the Goal Heart with a win.
Fever is rising
The Fever have arrived. They’re at the moment 16-16, sitting because the sixth seed. For the reason that Olympic break, they’ve gained 5 of their six video games and have high quality victories in opposition to the Sky, Solar and Storm. With Caitlin Clark on an offensive tear, the Fever’s ceiling has risen from doubtlessly being a postseason sleeper to legitimately making noise within the first spherical.
To maintain that momentum going, they’ll need to beat a Dallas group that has a wholesome Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally able to struggle for his or her playoff lives. A victory for Indy will hold them the place they stand; a defeat will drop them again all the way down to seventh.
Can A’ja Wilson get assist?
A’ja Wilson is averaging 27 factors and 11.8 rebounds per recreation, and appears destined, at minimal, for one more MVP; presumably, she’ll be the primary participant within the WNBA to win it unanimously.
But, her group has been struggling, wanting not like a dynasty however a group that’s a shell of its former self: not capable of channel the starvation wanted to be nice and unable to remain defensively targeted sufficient to tackle the very best offenses the league has to supply.
Time is working out, and groups just like the Liberty, Solar and Lynx are anxiously ready to observe this titan fall or kill it themselves. On Sunday, the Mercury will take a crack on the champs, hoping to show they’re a sleeper group that followers want to observe. A win may even hold the Fever at bay, since each groups have the identical .500 file heading into the primary of the month.
Are the playoffs a Dream?
The Sparks are taking part in for delight and the Dream are taking part in for hope. With Los Angeles sitting on the backside of the league, they’d want a miracle to earn their first playoff berth since 2020. The Dream, nonetheless, nonetheless have a shot at postseason motion. A win will deliver that dream one step nearer to actuality, whereas a defeat will remind us why they’re 10-21 to start with.
Recreation info
Connecticut Solar (23-8) vs. Seattle Storm (19-12)
When: Sunday, September 1 at 1 p.m. ET
The place: Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, CT
How one can watch: NBA TV
Solar harm report: Alyssa Thomas (questionable; proper leg)
Storm harm report: none
Minnesota Lynx (23-9) vs. Chicago Sky (11-20)
When: Sunday, September 1 at 3 p.m. ET
The place: Goal Heart in Minneapolis, MN
How one can watch: WNBA League Move
Lynx harm report: Alanna Smith (questionable; left ankle)
Sky harm report: Elizabeth Williams (out; knee), Chennedy Carter (questionable; well being and security protocols)
Dallas Wings (9-22) vs. Indiana Fever (16-16)
When: Sunday, September 1 at 4 p.m. ET
The place: Faculty Park Heart in Arlington, TX
How one can watch: NBA TV
Wings harm report: Stephanie Soares (possible; knee)
Fever harm report: none
Phoenix Mercury (16-16) vs. Las Vegas Aces (19-12)
When: Sunday, September 1 at 4 p.m. ET
The place: Footprint Heart in Phoenix, AZ
How one can watch: WNBA League Move
Mercury harm report: Rebecca Allen (out; proper hamstring), Charisma Osborne (out; left decrease leg)
Aces harm report: none
Los Angeles Sparks (7-24) vs. Atlanta Dream (10-21)
When: Sunday, September 1 at 7 p.m. ET
The place: Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, CA
How one can watch: WNBA League Move
Sparks harm report: Aari McDonald (possible; proper foot), Cameron Brink (out; left knee), Lexie Brown (out; Crohn’s), Layshia Clarendon (out; psychological well being causes)
Dream harm report: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (out; knee), Ariel Powers (out; calf)
