The penultimate recreation night time of the 2024 WNBA common season is within the books. We're lastly getting some readability on seeding and first-round matchups, however there's nonetheless lots to play for, together with the No. 8 seed, which remains to be up for grabs between three groups.
Early on Tuesday, the Liberty cruised previous the Mystics to clinch the No. 1 total seed, whereas the Lynx locked up the No. 2 seed by beating the Sun in thrilling vogue. Elsewhere, the Dream took management of the ultimate playoff berth with a win over the Sky. Later within the night, the Aces bought a giant win over the Storm that cemented the latter within the No. 5 spot, whereas the Mercury defeated the Sparks in a meaningless contest that noticed a shoving match between Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson end in each gamers being ejected.
As a refresher, the highest eight groups, no matter convention affiliation, make the playoffs within the WNBA. Under the present playoff format, the groups are positioned into a typical bracket with the No. 1 seed taking part in No. 8 within the first spherical, No. 2 vs. No. 7 and so on. Teams will play a best-of-three sequence within the first spherical and best-of-five sequence within the semifinals and finals. Notably, the primary spherical is a 2-1 format, which implies the upper seed will get the primary two video games at house, whereas the decrease seed will get the deciding Game 3 at house ought to the sequence go that far. In the semifinals and finals, it's a commonplace 2-2-1 format, with the upper seed internet hosting Games 1, 2 and 5, if essential.
Here's all the things that you must know concerning the present playoff image, together with the standings and key tiebreakers:
Standings
- New York Liberty (32-7) — No. 1 seed clinched
- Minnesota Lynx (30-9) — No. 2 seed clinched
- Connecticut Sun (27-12) — Playoff spot clinched
- Las Vegas Aces (26-13) — Playoff spot clinched
- Seattle Storm (24-15) — No. 5 seed clinched
- Indiana Fever (20-19) — No. 6 seed clinched
- Phoenix Mercury (18-20) — No. 7 seed clinched
- Atlanta Dream (14-25)
- Washington Mystics (13-26)
- Chicago Sky (13-26)
- Dallas Wings (9-30) — Eliminated
- Los Angeles Sparks (7-31) — Eliminated
Note: Two-team ties are determined first by head-to-head report and then, if essential, higher report in opposition to .500+ groups. Ties between greater than two groups are decided by mixed head-to-head report in opposition to the opposite groups.
Liberty clinch No. 1 seed
1. New York Liberty (32-7)
It took a bit longer than anticipated as a result of Lynx's unimaginable post-Olympics sizzling streak, however the Liberty formally clinched the No. 1 total seed and homecourt benefit all through the playoffs with their win over the Mystics on Tuesday. This is the primary time that they've had the highest seed since 2015.
First spherical opponent: TBD
Lynx take second
2. Minnesota Lynx (30-9)
The Lynx prolonged their profitable streak to seven video games in dramatic vogue on Tuesday with a last-second win over the Sun. Now 13-1 post-Olympic break, the perfect report within the league in that span, they've locked within the No. 2 seed and will face the Phoenix Mercury within the first spherical of the playoffs.
First spherical opponent: No. 7 Phoenix Mercury
Sun have higher hand for third, however Aces within the combine
3. Connecticut Sun (27-12)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Aces (0-3)
The Sun misplaced a heartbreaker to the Lynx on Tuesday, and at the moment are out of the working for the No. 2 seed. In reality, they nonetheless have some work to do to make sure they get the No. 3 seed. A win on Thursday versus the Sky can be sufficient, as would an Aces loss to the Wings. But in the event that they lose their finale and the Aces win theirs, the Aces would take third through the tiebreaker.
Key remaining recreation: vs. Sky, Sept. 19
First spherical opponent: TBD
4. Las Vegas Aces (26-13)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Sun (3-0)
The Aces saved on rolling on Tuesday night time, as they pulled away from the Storm down the stretch to win for the eighth time of their final 9 video games. All of a sudden, they've an opportunity of stealing the No. 3 seed from the Sun. If they beat the Wings of their final recreation of the season on Thursday, and the Sun lose to the Sky that very same night time, the Aces would take third as a result of tiebreaker.
Key remaining recreation: vs. Wings, Sept. 19
First spherical opponent: TBD
Storm locked into fifth
5. Seattle Storm (24-15)
The Storm's four-game profitable streak got here to an finish Tuesday with a loss to the Aces. As a consequence, they're locked into the No. 5 seed, and will probably play the defending champions within the first spherical. Their main concern although, no matter opponent, is getting Ezi Magbegor (concussion) and Jewell Loyd (knee) again on the courtroom.
First spherical opponent: TBD
Fever safe sixth seed, Mercury get seventh
6. Indiana Fever (20-19)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Mercury (3-0)
The Fever returned to profitable methods on Sunday afternoon with a high-scoring victory over the Wings. Caitlin Clark poured in a career-high 35 factors to assist her group attain the 20-win mark for the primary time since 2015. As a consequence, the Fever have secured the No. 6 seed. Even in the event that they lose their closing contest and the Mercury win out, the Fever have the tiebreaker between the golf equipment.
First spherical opponent: TBD
7. Phoenix Mercury (19-20)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Fever (0-3)
The Mercury bought previous the last-place Sparks on Tuesday for their second win in a row, however have been already locked into the No. 7 seed earlier than the sport began as a result of tiebreaker between themselves and the Fever. The Mercury's 0-3 report in opposition to Caitlin Clark and Co. this season has come again to chunk them.
First spherical opponent: No. 2 Minnesota Lynx
Dream take management of eighth, however Mystics and Sky nonetheless alive
8. Atlanta Dream (14-25)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Sky (2-2); vs. Mystics (2-2); mixed (4-4)
A number of days in the past, the Dream have been on the verge of elimination. Now, after a dramatic extra time win in opposition to the Mystics to maintain their season alive and a snug victory over the Sky, they've all of a sudden taken management of eighth place and they now management their future. If they beat the Liberty on Thursday, they're within the playoffs. If not, properly, it relies upon.
Key remaining recreation: at Liberty, Sept. 19
9. Washington Mystics (13-26)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Sky (3-1); vs. Dream (2-2); mixed (5-3)
The Mystics bought crushed by the Liberty on Tuesday for their second consecutive defeat. They will now have to beat the Fever on Thursday and hope for some assist elsewhere. Whatever occurs, the truth that they're nonetheless within the combine after an 0-12 begin is exceptional.
Key remaining recreation: vs. Fever, Sept. 19
10. Chicago Sky (13-26)
- Tiebreakers: vs. Dream (2-2); vs. Mystics (1-3); mixed (3-5)
The Sky are performing like a corporation that doesn't wish to make the playoffs. Chennedy Carter and Kamilla Cardoso have been each held out of their loss to the Dream, becoming a member of Angel Reese, Elizabeth Williams and Diamond DeShields on the sidelines. While Chicago remains to be technically alive, they should go on the street and beat the Sun on Thursday to have any hope, and that's unlikely.
Key remaining recreation: at Sun, Sept. 19
Wings and Sparks lottery sure
11. Dallas Wings (9-30)
The Wings, who've now misplaced eight video games in a row, are lottery sure for the primary time since 2020. With simply three gamers on assured offers for subsequent season, a giant winter is in retailer in Dallas.
12. Los Angeles Sparks (7-32)
The Sparks have been the primary group eradicated from playoff competition this season. This is the fourth consecutive lottery look for the Sparks, the longest such streak in franchise historical past.
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