WNBA: With 10 days to go, what does the playoff image appear like?

Ten days stay within the 2024 WNBA common season, with each group scheduled to play 4 or 5 extra video games.

Though seven of the eight playoff berths have been claimed, a lot stays to be determined. Because the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics battle for the eighth and ultimate spot, the opposite seven squads will search to solidify or enhance their present playoff positioning. Right here is the place all 12 groups stand getting into the ultimate push:

1. New York Liberty (29-6)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: at Dallas (9/10), at Dallas (9/12), vs. Minnesota (9/15), at Washington (9/17), vs. Atlanta (9/19)

The Liberty seem poised to assert the No. 1 seed with relative ease. Barring a pair of out of character losses to the Wings, the end result in opposition to the Lynx seemingly is not going to show determinative. Until New York chooses to have interaction in some critical seeding manipulation. With a 3-0 file in opposition to the Aces this season, the Liberty actually imagine that they’re the superior group. But, have final yr’s Finals been completely forgotten? May ghosts from Sport 4 materialize in a possible second-round sequence in opposition to Vegas? New York might keep away from all that by dropping down the the No. 2 seed, seemingly setting them up for a second-round sequence in opposition to the Solar, a group that they’ve largely dominated in current seasons. It might be surprising if the Liberty tried to drag off such a scheme, even when it is likely to be good.

2. Minnesota Lynx (26-9)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: at Atlanta (9/10), vs. Chicago (9/13), at New York (9/15), at Connecticut (9/17), vs. Los Angeles (9/19)

The Lynx have been a machine, churning out 9 wins and only one loss since play resumed after the Olympic break. Video games at New York and Connecticut will function intriguing postseason check drives. Can Minnesota keep their post-break league-leading offense in opposition to the highest two post-break defenses? The competition in opposition to the Solar additionally might show pivotal in deciding the No. 2 seed.

3. Connecticut Solar (25-10)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: at Los Angeles (9/10), at Phoenix (9/13), at Las Vegas (9/15), vs. Minnesota (9/17), vs. Chicago (9/19)

The Solar’s end-of-season stretch isn’t probably the most favorable, as they’ll end off a four-game highway journey earlier than internet hosting the Lynx in a matchup that might decide the No. 2 seed. If their West Coast swing options a couple of losses, they may find yourself caught within the third spot, no matter how the sport in opposition to Minnesota goes. Contemplating they began the season 12-1, the No. 3 seed could be a disappointing consequence. Nonetheless, it is a group that has tended to thrive within the face of adversity. So, it wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they, by some means, work their method to the No. 2 seed.

4. Las Vegas Aces (22-13)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: at Indiana (9/11), at Indiana (9/13), vs. Connecticut (9/15), at Seattle (9/17), vs. Dallas (9/19)

It’s been fairly the season for the destiny of the Aces’ dynasty, going from on the rocks to restored to once more rocky to now revitalized? Or, might Sunday’s loss to the Liberty (with out A’ja Wilson) portend the beginning of one other tough spell? A pair of video games in Indiana adopted by contests in opposition to Connecticut and in Seattle would require Vegas repeatedly to show that, regardless of an general file that’s under their current customary, they continue to be the WNBA’s most harmful title risk. And even when they drop a couple of video games and fall under the Storm within the standings, it will likely be troublesome to doubt them as soon as postseason play begins.

5. Seattle Storm (21-14)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: at Los Angeles (9/11), at Dallas (9/13), vs. Los Angeles (9/15), vs. Las Vegas (9/17), at Phoenix (9/19)

The Storm have posted a subpar 4-6 file for the reason that Olympic break, unable to beat an unkind, roady-heavy schedule. The stretch forward, in distinction, is friendlier. In the event that they handle all different opponents, they might have the chance to overhaul the Aces for the No. 4 seed after they host them within the second-to-last sport of the season. Homecourt benefit could be useful if Seattle is to prevail in that seemingly No. 4-vs.-No. 5 first-round matchup.

6. Indiana Fever (19-17)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: vs. Las Vegas (9/11), vs. Las Vegas (9/13), vs. Dallas (9/15), at Washington (9/19)

Whereas the Fever’s upcoming set in opposition to the Aces might say rather a lot about how the group will carry out within the playoffs, it might additionally show decisive of their ultimate playoff place. They’ve a reasonably comfy two-game lead over the Mercury and personal the head-to-head tiebreaker. Nonetheless, two-straight losses might see their maintain on the No. 6 seed develop into a bit shaky, making use of further strain on the younger squad. Moreover, the Mystics have already got stolen a win over them, because the Fever turned in a flat effort in Washington of their ultimate sport earlier than the All-Star break.

7. Phoenix Mercury (17-19)

clinched playoff berth

Remaining schedule: vs. Connecticut (9/13), at Chicago (9/15), at Los Angeles (9/17), vs. Seattle (9/19)

The Mercury have did not benefit from the post-Olympic break, with a 4-7 mark that features some uninspiring performances, together with Saturday’s loss in Seattle, the place Phoenix scored solely 66 factors. Barring a collapse by the Fever, the Mercury seemingly will end with the seventh seed, regardless of how their ultimate 5 video games go. The main target within the Valley must be on ensuring their stars are wholesome for his or her first-round playoff sequence.

8. Chicago Sky (13-22)

Remaining schedule: vs. Washington (9/11), at Minnesota (9/13), vs. Phoenix (9/15), at Atlanta (9/17), at Connecticut (9/19)

Regardless of their post-Olympic slide, Chicago can grasp onto the eighth seed. However, it is not going to be straightforward, particularly with Angel Reese now sidelined for the rest of the season. The Sky have twice been blown out by the Mercury; they’re additionally winless in three tries in opposition to the Solar and in two tries in opposition to the Lynx. These realities make the contests in opposition to the Mystics and Dream—the 2 groups instantly under them within the standings—absolute must-wins. The sport in opposition to Atlanta is especially necessary, as it will give Chicago the season sequence and the tiebreaker for the eighth seed.

9. Atlanta Dream (12-23)

Remaining schedule: vs. Minnesota (9/10), vs. Washington (9/13), at Washington (9/15), vs. Chicago (9/17), at New York (9/19)

In comparison with the Sky, the Dream have the extra favorable remaining schedule. (Though, Atlanta is on this predicament due to their lack of ability to benefit from winnable video games.) Whereas incomes wins, in fact, have to be the Dream’s prime precedence, in addition they must be aware of minimizing the margin in potential defeats. If Atlanta defeats Chicago of their fourth and ultimate matchup, the season sequence with be at 2-2, making season-long internet score the tiebreaker for the eighth seed (so long as the Mystics don’t tie or go each groups). Presently, Chicago is at -103 and Atlanta is at -125. The Dream have some work to do.

10. Washington Mystics (11-24)

Remaining schedule: at Chicago (9/11), at Atlanta (9/13), vs. Atlanta (9/15), vs. New York (9/17), vs. Indiana (9/19)

Starting the season with 12-straight losses and nonetheless making the playoffs? It might be fairly the story! However, it’s unclear if it’s a story that the Mystics—extra exactly, normal supervisor Mike Thibault and the entrance workplace—need to inform. If the Sky safe the eighth seed, the Mystics, house owners of the Dream’s 2025 first-round choose, would have two lottery picks, a prize with the long run worth than a fast journey to the postseason. With a sport in opposition to Chicago and two in opposition to Atlanta, Washington can train a big quantity of management over their destiny.

11. Dallas Wings (9-26)

Remaining schedule: vs. New York (9/10), vs. New York (9/10), vs. Seattle (9/13), at Indiana (9/15), at Las Vegas (9/19)

Dallas is now formally accomplished, eradicated from playoff competition by an ill-timed four-game dropping streak. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply the Wings’ ultimate stretch is not going to be entertaining. A high-scoring squad that owns the league’s worst protection, Dallas can thrill followers with a couple of barnburners, the place the scores might far surpass Texas’ late-summer warmth.

12. Los Angeles Sparks (#-#)

Remaining schedule: vs. Connecticut (9/10), vs. Seattle (9/11), at Seattle (9/15), vs. Phoenix (9/17), at Minnesota (9/19)

Formally eradicated from playoff competition, the Sparks have turned the web page—or Paige—to 2025. Future wins, somewhat than current ones, are the precedence for LA. However, don’t be stunned if Rickea Jackson gives a reminder that her title belongs in all conversations about WNBA rookies. One other stellar sport or two from the No. 4 choose within the 2024 draft might end result within the Sparks stumbling into an upset.