A look at the WNBA playoff picture

Ten days remain in the 2024 WNBA regular season, with every team scheduled to play four or five more games.

Although seven of the eight playoff berths have been claimed, much remains to be decided. As the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics battle for the eighth and final spot, the other seven squads will seek to solidify or improve their current playoff positioning. Here is where all 12 teams stand entering the final push:

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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 appear poised to claim the No. 1 seed with relative ease. Barring a pair of out of character losses to the Wings, the result against the Lynx likely will not prove determinative. Unless New York chooses to engage in some serious seeding manipulation. With a 3-0 record against the Aces this season, the Liberty certainly believe that they are the superior team. Yet, have last year’s Finals been totally forgotten? Could ghosts from Game 4 materialize in a potential second-round series against Vegas? New York could avoid all that by dropping down the the No. 2 seed, likely setting them up for a second-round series against the Sun, a team that they’ve mostly dominated in recent seasons. It would be shocking if the Liberty tried to pull off such a scheme, even if it might be smart.

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 nine wins and just one loss since play resumed after the Olympic break. Games at New York and Connecticut will serve as intriguing postseason test drives. Can Minnesota maintain their post-break league-leading offense against the top two post-break defenses? The contest against the Sun also could prove pivotal in deciding the No. 2 seed.

3. Connecticut Sun (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 Sun’s end-of-season stretch isn’t the most favorable, as they will finish off a four-game road trip before hosting the Lynx in a matchup that could determine the No. 2 seed. If their West Coast swing features a few losses, they might end up stuck in the third spot, regardless of how the game against Minnesota goes. Considering they started the season 12-1, the No. 3 seed would be a disappointing outcome. However, this is a team that has tended to thrive in the face of adversity. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if they, somehow, work their way 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 quite the season for the fate of the Aces’ dynasty, going from on the rocks to restored to again rocky to now revitalized? Or, could Sunday’s loss to the Liberty (without A’ja Wilson) portend the start of another rough spell? A pair of games in Indiana followed by contests against Connecticut and in Seattle will require Vegas repeatedly to prove that, despite an overall record that is below their recent standard, they remain the WNBA’s most dangerous title threat. And even if they drop a few games and fall below the Storm in the standings, it will be difficult to doubt them once 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 record since the Olympic break, unable to overcome an unkind, roady-heavy schedule. The stretch ahead, in contrast, is friendlier. If they take care of all other opponents, they could have the opportunity to overtake the Aces for the No. 4 seed when they host them in the second-to-last game of the season. Homecourt advantage would be helpful if Seattle is to prevail in that likely 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)

While the Fever’s upcoming set against the Aces could say a lot about how the team will perform in the playoffs, it could also prove decisive in their final playoff position. They have a pretty comfortable two-game lead over the Mercury and own the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, two-straight losses could see their hold on the No. 6 seed become a bit shaky, applying extra pressure on the young squad. Additionally, the Mystics already have stolen a win over them, as the Fever turned in a flat effort in Washington in their final game before 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 failed to take advantage of the post-Olympic break, with a 4-7 mark that includes some uninspiring performances, including Saturday’s loss in Seattle, where Phoenix scored only 66 points. Barring a collapse by the Fever, the Mercury likely will finish with the seventh seed, no matter how their final five games go. The focus in the Valley should be on making sure their stars are healthy for their first-round playoff series.

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)

Despite their post-Olympic slide, Chicago can hang onto the eighth seed. But, it will not be easy, especially with Angel Reese now sidelined for the remainder of the season. The Sky have twice been blown out by the Mercury; they’re also winless in three tries against the Sun and in two tries against the Lynx. Those realities make the contests against the Mystics and Dream—the two teams immediately below them in the standings—absolute must-wins. The game against Atlanta is particularly important, as it would give Chicago the season series 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)

Compared to the Sky, the Dream have the more favorable remaining schedule. (Although, Atlanta is in this predicament because of their inability to take advantage of winnable games.) While earning wins, of course, must be the Dream’s top priority, they also need to be mindful of minimizing the margin in potential defeats. If Atlanta defeats Chicago in their fourth and final matchup, the season series with be at 2-2, making season-long net rating the tiebreaker for the eighth seed (as long as the Mystics don’t tie or pass both teams). Currently, 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)

Beginning the season with 12-straight losses and still making the playoffs? It would be quite the story! But, it’s unclear if it is a story that the Mystics—more precisely, general manager Mike Thibault and the front office—want to tell. If the Sky secure the eighth seed, the Mystics, owners of the Dream’s 2025 first-round pick, would have two lottery picks, a prize with the longer term value than a quick trip to the postseason. With a game against Chicago and two against Atlanta, Washington can exercise a significant amount of control over their fate.

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 officially done, eliminated from playoff contention by an ill-timed four-game losing streak. However, that doesn’t mean the Wings’ final stretch will not be entertaining. A high-scoring squad that owns the league’s worst defense, Dallas can thrill fans with a few barnburners, where the scores may far surpass Texas’ late-summer heat.

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)

Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Sparks have turned the page—or Paige—to 2025. Future wins, rather than present ones, are the priority for LA. But, don’t be surprised if Rickea Jackson provides a reminder that her name belongs in all conversations about WNBA rookies. Another stellar game or two from the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft could result in the Sparks stumbling into an upset.