The WNBA playoff race is heating up as the regular season winds down, with the final postseason spot up for grabs among three teams - Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington. These teams will face off against each other in crucial matchups over the next nine days.
Currently, the Chicago Sky hold a one-game advantage over the Atlanta Dream and a two-game lead over the Washington Mystics. However, the Sky suffered a setback with the loss of star rookie Angel Reese to a season-ending wrist injury.
The eighth seed in the playoffs is likely to face the New York Liberty, who have a comfortable three-game lead over the second-place Minnesota Lynx. The Liberty and Lynx are set to clash in a pivotal game this Sunday.
Securing a playoff spot also has implications for Chicago and Atlanta due to earlier trades involving draft picks. The Dallas Wings have the option to swap first-round picks with Chicago, while Atlanta traded its first-round pick to Washington.
While the eighth seed remains undecided, other playoff seeds are starting to take shape. The Minnesota Lynx currently hold a one-game lead over the Connecticut Sun for the No. 2 seed, while the Las Vegas Aces are one game ahead of the Seattle Storm for the fourth spot.
Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has been instrumental in lifting the Indiana Fever to the No. 6 seed, with standout performances in recent games. The Fever are looking to maintain their position with upcoming matchups against Las Vegas and Dallas.
In the latest AP WNBA power poll, the New York Liberty retain the top spot, followed closely by the Minnesota Lynx. Las Vegas has moved up to third place, swapping positions with Connecticut. Indiana, Seattle, and Phoenix round out the top seven, with Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles completing the poll.
Player of the Week honors went to Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, who delivered stellar performances to keep her team in contention for the No. 1 seed. Collier averaged 22.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in two wins. Other notable players receiving votes were Aliyah Boston of Indiana and Kelsey Plum of Las Vegas.
Looking ahead, a key matchup to watch is the series between the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream on Friday and Sunday. These teams are set to battle it out in a home-and-home series, with each team aiming to secure a crucial victory.
For more WNBA updates and news, visit AP WNBA.
