The WNBA season is finally back, folks, and tonight kicks off the wildest one-week sprint to the finish line you can imagine! The break is officially over, and the postseason push is ON! We’ve got five intense games on the slate, and with just four games left for every squad, the standings are about to get absolutely wild. Eight confirmed playoff teams are fighting tooth and nail to improve their seed and, in turn, their first-round prospects. Trust me, every single point, every single quarter, is going to be a nail-biter from here on out.
The Playoff Picture: Who’s Feeling The Heat?
So, where do things stand as we hit this final, brutal stretch? The Minnesota Lynx are leading the charge at a dominant 31-9, followed by the Golden State Valkyries at 29-11. Then you’ve got the Las Vegas Aces (27-13), Atlanta Dream (26-14), and Indiana Fever (26-14), all locked in a tight battle. Rounding out the playoff spots are the New York Liberty (24-16), Washington Mystics (24-16), and Dallas Wings (24-16). Tonight, four crucial games feature playoff teams, and while every postseason-bound squad is matched up against an already-eliminated team, don’t let that fool you. The pressure is seriously on for the Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces. They NEED a win tonight to keep their spots secure in those standings, and every victory or loss could mean a massive jump or fall in the final seeding.
Rhyne Howard’s Revenge Tour Against Connecticut Continues
Let’s zoom in on the Atlanta Dream, kicking off against the Connecticut Sun at 7:30 p.m. ET. If there’s one player who absolutely OWNS the Sun, it’s Rhyne Howard. This woman, fresh off winning a FIBA World Cup gold medal, has already torched Connecticut twice this season. Remember early June? She dropped a season-high 36 points, draining an incredible EIGHT threes! Then in mid-August, she netted another 29 points, hitting a season-best 11 free throws and shooting an insane 70 percent from the field. Oh, and she’s the WNBA steals leader, snagging six steals in those two games against the Sun. If Howard brings that fiery heat again tonight, the Dream should cruise to a 3-0 season sweep over Connecticut and lock in that critical fourth spot in the standings.
The Chicago Sky Are Coming To Play Spoiler Against Washington
Now, over to the 8 p.m. ET game: the Washington Mystics facing the Chicago Sky. This is the first of two battles left between these teams, and on paper, it looks like a golden chance for Washington to climb up the playoff ladder. But here’s where it gets spicy: Chicago doesn’t even own their own 2027 first-round draft pick. Guess who does? Yep, the Washington Mystics! So, Chicago has zero incentive to tank and every reason to play spoiler. They’d LOVE to mess with Washington’s playoff seeding, potentially pushing them into a less advantageous lottery pick spot for that draft pick they OWN. Talk about a chess match! The Sky are definitely coming out to fight, and this game is anything but a sure thing for D.C. if they want to improve their seed.
The WNBA’s final week is officially underway, and these seeding battles are no joke. We’ll be back tomorrow to see how all these crucial games shake out as teams fight for every inch. You know every single point matters from here on out. Don’t miss a second!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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