WNBA: Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington in race to Qualify as action shifts to the final week

The women's NBA regular season is into its last week and the playoff picture is somewhat decided barring one spot. The Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks have already been eliminated, and only one postseason spot remains to be seen. Dallas and L.A. are already out of the playoff contention. 

Only the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, and Washington Mystics are left battling for the final spot The WNBA playoff format has a standard matchup structure. The No. 1 seed will play the No. 8 seed, the No. 2 seed with play the No. 7 seed, and so on. Unlike other leagues, however, teams are seeded based on record, regardless of conference.

All eight playoff teams will see action in the opening round—there are no byes—and that round will feature a best-of-three format. The higher-seeded teams will host the first two matchups of the series, while the lower-seeded team will host Game 3, if necessary.

The series will then follow a best-of-five format in the semifinal round.

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2024 WNBA Playoff (as of now)

1. New York Liberty 31-6 (qualified)

2. Minnesota Lynx 27-9 ((qualified)

3. Connecticut Sun 26-10 (qualified)

4. Las Vegas Aces 23-13 ((qualified)

5. Seattle Storm 22-14 ((qualified)

6. Indiana Fever 19-18 ((qualified)

7. Phoenix Mercury 17-19 ((qualified)

8. Chicago Sky 13-23

9. Atlanta Dream 12-24

10. Washington Mystics 12-24

Projected Playoff Picture (As per Sports Tak)

1. New York Liberty

2. Minnesota Lynx

3. Connecticut Sun

4. Las Vegas Aces

5. Seattle Storm

6. Indiana Fever

7. Phoenix Mercury

8. Atlanta Dream

Final Seedings

The New York Liberty, led by three-time Olympic champion Breanna Stewart, are nearly assured of the No. 1 seed, with only a dramatic collapse in their final three games posing a threat from the Minnesota Lynx. 

However, Sunday's game between the Liberty and Lynx is crucial, as the teams split their previous matchups this season, making this game a potential tiebreaker. New York would still need to lose all their remaining games for Minnesota to have a chance at overtaking them. 

While New York has demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season, the Lynx appear to have the most momentum heading into the playoffs, boasting a league-best 10-1 record since the Olympic break. The Dream and the Mystics will square off against each other twice over the next three days. Atlanta has been quite competitive since Rhyne Howard's injury comeback. Atlanta has its destiny in their own hands to qualify.

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