What I’m most looking forward to
Obviously there’s a large contingent of die-hard, passionate WNBA fans who aren’t new to this at all. But I’m looking forward to seeing WNBA’s first playoffs as the rest of the sports world finally caught up: massive national TV coverage, dramatic storylines, podcasts that make people cry: it should all be here this time. And it’s about time. commercial driver’s license (CDL)
The semi-final between the Liberty and the Aces. This year’s clash of the super teams (and a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals) will come one step earlier than expected after Las Vegas fell to fourth place after an up-and-down regular season, but don’t count out A’ja Wilson and the two-time defending champions at your peril. BAG
At this point, thanks to the ABSOLUTELY DISAPPOINTING behavior of the Phoenix Mercury social media team, seeing a 42 year old man Diana Taurasi take part in what appears to be his last post-season. SK
Minnesota is playing the party pooper. The Lynx posted an impressive 13-1 record after the Olympic break, easily the hottest stretch in the league. That includes a nine-point win over top-seeded New York just a few weeks ago. While Minnesota isn’t what it was in its heyday when Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and their team dominated the league, the 2024 team has become a formidable force in its own right with All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride. AL
Caitlin Clark is…
…ready to play the party pooper. She’s a true revelation, coming into the league with an astronomical hype that she’s managed to build on (and then some). She’s had a rough start to the year, which is understandable with so little time between the NCAA tournament and WNBA training camp. But she’s found her groove, and even though the lower-seeded Fever are underdogs against the formidable Sun, they’re a strong contender to get a second-round berth. commercial driver’s license (CDL)
… somehow managing to exceed expectations. Be honest: When the Fever stumbled to a 1-8 start with an exhausted Clark With balls being handed out like Halloween candy, it was hard to imagine what kind of turnaround would occur. But they’re one of the WNBA’s healthiest teams since the Olympic break thanks to their rejuvenated rookie star, finishing with more wins (20) than Indiana’s last two seasons combined (18). BAG
…so much fun! I totally believe in it. It’s incredible to see the astronomical growth of this sport and there’s no denying that Clark is a big part of that. She’s a generational talent like Leslie, Swoopes, Bird, Taurasi, Parker, Moore and Wilson. She’s incredible. SK
…the Tim Tebow of women’s basketball. Everyone has an opinion and will voice it whether they watch the game or not. There’s no doubt she’s set the hapless Fever up for a long run. It’s just… I’m not really trying to hear all the complaints if she doesn’t win it all in her first year. AL
High seed risks premature exit
Speaking of the The Connecticut SunThey are my pick for the most vulnerable seed. They have playoff experience and are a well-oiled machine with an impressive defense. In theory, they should be able to handle a young team with playoff fever. But I know better than to bet against Caitlin Clark when the stakes are highest. commercial driver’s license (CDL)
This time last year, The Aces of Las Vegas looked like the one of the best teams we have Never seen in men’s or women’s basketball, at least since the KD Warriors. But since then, their defensive efficiency has slipped back in the pack while once-manageable depth issues have cost them dearly. Their biggest problem? Sending six players to the Olympics, including the core of Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum, creating a fatigue factor that threatens to ruin their bid for a third straight title.
I don’t see how this could be possible but… the aces?! I mean this is Wilson’s world we all live in and they are by far my favorite team to watch, but the Sun and Lynx don’t mess around and it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the Liberty misses this opportunity. SK
THE The Connecticut Sunwho have the misfortune of starting their playoff campaign against the resurgent Fever. Among other things, they won’t get away with guarding Clark as aggressively as they did earlier this season. For one thing, she’s adapted. For another, she’s the franchise. AL
A slim chance of winning
It’s hard to call the defending champions (two years in a row, no less) “big losers” for winning it all, but The Aces of Las Vegas The Liberty are certainly not the favorites to make the playoffs. That said, early season struggles aside, they have a formidable weapon in A’ja Wilson: someone who is not only the undisputed MVP of the league, but is also having one of the best individual seasons in modern basketball history. If the Liberty meet the Aces in the second round (as I expected), they’re in for a hell of a fight.
Seattle storm. If Jewell Loyd is fully recovered from her knee injury and the Storm can get through a best-of-three first round against a Vegas team that looks as vulnerable as it has in years, their reward will be a date with top-seeded Liberty. But any team with Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith on the roster will be tough to beat. BAG
I have to start by saying that I don’t think this will happen, but I think this is what people want to hear: the Indiana Fever win everything. SK
The Atlanta Dream. They were the luckiest of underdogs, only sneaking into the playoffs because Angel Reese got injured before finishing her first season in Chicago. The Dream have no shortage of talent, including former center Tina Charles, who won a title and the league MVP award. Plus, the Dream have been giving teams a hard time all year. If they can somehow beat New York in this dangerously short first-round series, they’ll be in for a treat. AL
The most important player of this post-season
Napheesa Necklace She won’t be voted MVP, because her competition is Wilson, who will rightfully win the award, perhaps unanimously. But Napheesa is having an MVP-worthy season, and that’s a big part of why I think (spoiler alert) the Lynx are the team to beat in the playoffs.
Chelsea GrayThe point guard’s return from an injury suffered in last year’s WNBA Finals sparked the Aces’ turnaround earlier this summer. Wilson will do her job on both ends of the floor. But if Vegas wants to change course for the playoffs and reassert its defensive identity, Gray will have to do everything in her power to make life easier for Plum and Young.
A’ja WilsonA’ja Wilson, A’ja Wilsonnnnn. SK
Chelsea Grey. She keeps the Aces going, and they struggled to find their rhythm while she was out with a foot injury suffered during last year’s title run. But now that the “Devil’s Point” is back in charge, the Aces are firmly back on track for a third straight title. AL
A bold prediction
There are (strong) rumors that this is a WNBA legend. Diana Taurasi’s Last Fightand it would be shocking, but also incredibly poetic, if the “White Mamba” capped off her legendary WNBA career in the manner of Kobe by scoring 60 points in her final outing (I’m pretty sure her Phoenix Mercury won’t make it past the first round). I’m willing to let that happen. commercial driver’s license (CDL)
The Aces are eliminated from the Eastern semi-finals. They simply won’t have enough water left in the tank. BAG
The fever is racing wildly and knocks out the Sun from the start Or Diana Taurasi did not receive a single technical foul during the entire playoffs. SK
At some point, Kamala or Tim Walz intervene. – especially if the finals end in a key state or Minnesota makes a long run. AL
Playoff semi-finalists
New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever commercial driver’s license (CDL)
New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun BAG
New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces (I told you I didn’t believe it), Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun SK
New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever AL
The champion will be…
Minnesota Lynx. If history has taught us anything, it’s that playoff success largely depends on being in shape at the right time. Sure, the Liberty cruised through most of the regular season comfortably as the best team in the league. But lately, that best team has been Minnesota. It has a magnificent, unselfish offensive philosophy, one of the best coaches in WNBA history in Reeve, and an MVP candidate in Collier. For months, it felt like the Liberty’s time had finally come. But the Lynx are here, and they have other plans. commercial driver’s license (CDL)
Minnesota Lynx. Collier and his teammates have been in fine form since the Olympic break, winning 13 of 14 games before resting their stars in the regular-season finale Thursday behind a stifling team defense that largely overshadowed their stylish and democratic game offensively. Positioned opposite New York and Las Vegas, they will have as easy a path as possible to a record fifth WNBA title. BAG
new York Freedomfull stop. After narrowly missing out on the title last year, they have everything to lose in this final phase. After eliminating the Aces, they will find themselves facing the Lynx in five sets, where Stewie, Jonquel, Sabrina and company will give NYC its first basketball championship title in more than five decades. SK
Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx are healthy, balanced and coached by one of the greatest players of all time in Reeve, who already led USA Basketball to gold this summer. When she’s healthy, I’m not betting against her, especially now that the top seeds have pitted last year’s finalists against the other side of the bracket. AL
