Unclear Playoff Picture in WNBA with Eight Days Remaining

Strategic Insights -

The Women's National Basketball Association regular season is winding down, with eight days left before the playoffs begin. Despite Minnesota's clinched home-court advantage, the second to fourth seeds and the sixth place spot are up for grabs. Los Angeles still has a shot at the playoffs, while Golden State aims to become the first expansion team to make the post-season in its inaugural year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minnesota has secured home-court advantage throughout the post-season.
  • Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Phoenix are tied for the 2-3-4 seeds after play Tuesday night.
  • New York is 2 1/2 games behind the second-place Aces, Dream, and Mercury heading into play Wednesday night.
  • Golden State is in sixth place, looking to become the first expansion team to make the post-season in its inaugural year.
  • Indiana and Seattle are right behind the Valkyries, with Los Angeles still having a shot to make the playoffs.
  • The WNBA post-season begins on September 14, with all four matchups playing their opening games that day.
  • Every post-season team is guaranteed at least one home playoff game.
  • The league's format change means that the best-of-three series will shift to the lower-seeded team for Game 2, with the decisive third game, if necessary, hosted by the better seed.
  • Washington, Dallas, Connecticut, and Chicago have been eliminated from the post-season race and are jockeying for lottery position.
  • Dallas has clinched the best chance to win the lottery for a second straight year.
  • Caitlin Clark, Indiana's star player, is still recovering from a right groin injury and has missed 19 consecutive games.
  • Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix was named AP player of the week for her outstanding performance last week.
  • The top five teams in the poll are Minnesota, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Phoenix, and New York.
  • Golden State has moved up to sixth place, with Indiana and Seattle following the Valkyries.
  • Los Angeles is ninth, and Connecticut is 10th in the poll.

Statistics:

  • 8 days remain in the regular season.
  • Minnesota has clinched home-court advantage throughout the post-season.
  • Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Phoenix are tied for the 2-3-4 seeds.
  • New York is 2 1/2 games behind the second-place Aces, Dream, and Mercury heading into play Wednesday night.
  • 9-14 is the start date for the WNBA post-season.
  • 1 home playoff game is guaranteed for every post-season team.
  • Dallas has clinched the best chance to win the lottery for a second straight year.
  • 19 games have been missed by Caitlin Clark due to injury.
  • 13.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists are Alyssa Thomas's average stats for last week.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • The Associated Press CAPTION(S): Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, left, collides with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese in Phoenix last Thursday.