The WNBA Playoffs are right around the corner
Photo Courtesy of Lori Shaull- Wikimedia Commons
A’ja Wilson enters the WNBA playoffs as the league’s reigning and four-time MVP, anchoring a formidable Las Vegas Aces squad that remains one of the most dangerous threats in the field.
As the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) regular season comes to an end, it is time to take a look ahead at the playoffs. Sept. 27 officially marks the beginning of the first round of the playoffs, and fans are excited to see what the matchups will be.
Throughout the season, the Minnesota Lynx have been the most dominant team, but they have been facing some troubles lately. The Lynx have a starting lineup that includes Olivia Miles, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Napheesa Collier, and Natasha Howard. When looking at this lineup, it is very clear why the Lynx have been so great this season. However, they recently went on a three-game losing streak that started to reveal some deeper issues, such as the inconsistency of Olivia Miles.
Miles was selected second overall in this year’s draft and has had a legendary rookie season, but she is not the most consistent player and has a habit of making the wrong decisions on the court. It seems as though other teams are starting to realize how to stop the Minnesota Lynx’s offense, and coupled with the fact that the Lynx notoriously do not do well in the playoffs, fans are questioning if the team has what it takes to win this year.
The Golden State Valkyries are currently second in the standings, but have the opposite problem of the Lynx—they are run by their defense. The Valkyries are the best defensive team in the league, but their offense has moments where it becomes stagnant, which has cost them a few games. Furthermore, they are one of the only WNBA teams that do not have a clear star player, and that makes them dangerous because other teams do not know who they should focus on in the scouting report. In only their second season, many fans agree that the Valkyries have what it takes to win it all.
The Las Vegas Aces with reigning MVP A’ja Wilson are not a team to undermine heading into the playoffs. Wilson is a four-time MVP for the league and has won the championship three times with the Aces. The iconic trio of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray is nearly impossible to guard, and after years of working together—and winning together—you cannot count them out.
Angel Reese, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard are some of the most notable names on the Atlanta Dream roster, and they are establishing themselves as a threat every game. The Dream is one of the best two-way teams in the league because they put in effort offensively and defensively. That being said, they have some clear issues with consistency and struggle to play the full 40 minutes at times.
As of Sept. 21, the Indiana Fever stand at fifth, but they will most likely drop a few spots before the playoffs. Coming off a tough loss to the Washington Mystics and with their next two games against the Minnesota Lynx, fans are unsure how they will hold up. Led by Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, their offense is spectacular, but their defense has some clear issues that have been exploited by other teams. They struggle against size, and if either Clark or Mitchell are shut down offensively, the team clearly loses its edge.
Fans are quick to count out the next three teams, but that could prove disastrous. The New York Liberty is led by three-time WNBA Champion and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart. Stewart has proven multiple times throughout her impressive career that she is capable of single-handedly carrying whatever team she is on to the top. The Liberty has been plagued by awful coaching, poor lineup choices, and the slump of Sabrina Ionescu, but fans should never count out Breanna Stewart.
The Washington Mystics are currently the youngest team in the league, but they have proven that they can be dangerous. They are notorious for fouling a lot and getting away with it during some games, but they also get into foul trouble quite often, which is something that other teams will try to exploit. Sonia Citron, Shakira Austin, and Kiki Iriafen are the standout players that truly drive the offense, but the Mystics also face some issues with the depth of their backcourt.
The Dallas Wings have been one of the most exciting stories of this season. Last year, they finished in last place, winning only ten games throughout the season. However, Paige Bueckers has led this team to a historic season for the Wings franchise. The team has been plagued by injuries, with Azzi Fudd out for the season and Alanna Smith without a timeframe for return, so their longevity in the playoffs is questionable. The Wings also have a roster with limited depth, and fans are worried that another injury would solidify the end of their season. Notably, Paige Bueckers is a playoff riser and, like Stewart, has proven that she can carry a team, so fans are excited to see what she can further do for a team that has yet to win anything.