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Strengths and weaknesses for teams in the play-offs

Vaseline September 20, 2024

The 2024 WNBA playoffs are underway, with eight teams remaining in the race after a four-month campaign that ended with a dramatic final day of play on Thursday.

For some teams, like the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, making the playoffs was a must, with those teams clearly gunning for a championship rematch from Game 1. Others, however, most notably the red-hot Minnesota Lynx and an Indiana Fever squad led by Rookie of the Year favorite Caitlin Clark, had to find form after the Olympic break, generating the kind of momentum that could spark upsets in the postseason.

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The Phoenix Mercury are looking to give three-time WNBA champion Diana Taurasi another ring, while the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm are looking to prove they deserve the attention New York and Las Vegas have been getting all year. Finally, the Atlanta Dream won three straight games to claim the final playoff spot, securing the eighth spot with a late-season win over the Liberty.

Here’s what you need to know about all eight teams competing in the 2024 WNBA playoffs:

WNBA Playoff Preview: Strengths and Weaknesses of All 8 Teams

No. 8 Atlanta Dream (15-25)

Strengths: Rebounding, defensive improvements
Weaknesses: Shooting

The Dream clinched a playoff spot despite a league-low 40.6% field-goal percentage and will enter the 2024 playoffs as the lowest-scoring team in the entire WNBA. The only Atlanta players to average more than 20 minutes per game this season and shoot above the league-leading 43.8% were veteran center Tina Charles and part-time starter Naz Hillmon. From close range, mid-range, or beyond the arc, it simply didn’t matter.

How did they get into the playoffs? By attacking the boards. Charles’ 374 rebounds trail only A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, and the only teams Atlanta has topped in rebounding are the Liberty and the Chicago Sky. The Dream also focused on defense in the final minutes, holding opponents to 76 or fewer points in each of the team’s last five games. Realistically, any hope of shutting out New York (which rested four starters for much of Thursday’s loss between these teams) will depend on continuing that trend.

No. 7 Phoenix Mercury (19-21)

Strengths: Experience, motivation, perseverance
Weaknesses: Rebounding, consistency, over-reliance on three-point shooting

Despite the presence of the 6-foot-9 Brittney Griner, Phoenix has struggled with rebounding all year, finishing 11th in total rebounds and 12th in rebounding percentage (47%). That has forced the Mercury to be resourceful to win games, something a veteran roster — including the inimitable Diana Taurasi — has been able to do.

It hasn’t been easy, as the Mercury haven’t exactly excelled in any one category. That’s partly because Phoenix is so reliant on its shooters to perform well on any given night. Anytime the Mercury shoot below 30% from three-point range, the team struggles, going 4-8 on the season in those games. Taurasi, Kahleah Copper and Sophie Cunningham all have that “shooters shoot” mentality, but only Cunningham’s 37.5% is above the league average from beyond the arc this season.

No. 6 Indiana Fever (20-20)

Strengths: Shooting, Enforcing Fast Breaks
Weaknesses: Defense, Experience

The Caitlin Clark Show is headed to the playoffs, which is impressive work for a team that was 1-8 through nine games. An 8-2 run after the Olympic break changed the Fever’s season, however, and while Clark has played excellently, the turnaround hasn’t entirely come from the rookie sensation. Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith and Kelsey Mitchell are all shooting above 46 percent, helping Indiana to a league-leading 45.4 percent field-goal percentage this season.

The Fever are the worst defensive team to make the playoffs, allowing over 85 points per game, but those numbers have improved somewhat over time. Head coach Christie Sides has Indiana playing a fast-paced game, which means taking risks (the Fever are fourth in the WNBA in turnovers) in the hopes that Clark will have the lane open to rack up assists. A lack of experience could make a playoff run too much to ask, but this young Indiana team is ahead of schedule.

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No. 5 Seattle Storm (25-15)

Strengths: Pushing the pace, free throws, interior defense
Weaknesses: Three-point shooting

The Storm lead the league in steals — they’re one of two teams where all five starters have posted at least 40 in the category — and have attempted more field goals than anyone else this season. Generally speaking, when you’re playing Seattle, you better be prepared to run. That leads to a lot of free throws, which regularly puts opponents in foul trouble.

Center Ezi Magbegor is second in the league in blocks, helping the Storm lead the WNBA, while veterans Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike are all averaging over 15 points per year. However, Seattle plays a volume game rather than relying on high-percentage shooters, leaving them vulnerable in tight games (or against teams that force the Storm to be patient).

No. 4 Las Vegas Aces (27-13)

Strengths: A’ja Wilson, depth, playoff experience
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding

The Aces are the two-time reigning champions for a reason, with a 16-3 record in the playoffs over the past two years. The roster is loaded with serial winners who have won 27 WNBA and NCAA championships between them. It’s not just talent with Vegas, but rather a relentless, never-give-up mentality paired with a long list of elite players. A league-worst 5.5 offensive rebounds per game qualifies as a deficiency, but the Aces have mitigated that by leading the league in defensive rebounding.

Calling Wilson a strength in and of herself may seem like a joke, but she is the most dominant player in women’s basketball in the midst of her best season. How often do you see a center finish near the top of the league in steals, or a Defensive Player of the Year candidate score nearly 200 more points than anyone else?

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No. 3 Connecticut Sun (28-12)

Strengths: Defense, Forcing Turnovers, Getting to the Free Throw Line
Weaknesses: Recovery

The Sun are tough as nails, a quality that always pays off in playoff basketball. Connecticut joins Seattle in having all five of its starters record at least 40 steals, and according to Basketball Reference, they’re forcing turnovers on 17.5 percent of their opponents’ possessions (a league record). Head coach Stephanie White’s team has given up the fewest field goal attempts, making them the only team this season to hold opponents to under 75 points per game. You just won’t get easy buckets against Connecticut.

Perennial all-league forward Alyssa Thomas is the only player within 70 assists of Clark, but outside of DeWanna Bonner, help on the glass may be lacking. Still, despite the lack of buzz surrounding this team compared to the rest of the top four, DiJonai Carrington has been leveled, and a July trade for Marina Mabrey underscored the Sun’s gunning for the top spot.

No. 2 Minnesota Lynx (30-10)

Strengths: Three-point shooting, offensive efficiency, defensive execution
Weaknesses: size, dependence on the three

Despite operating without a true center, Minnesota has roared into the playoffs with a 13-2 record since the Olympic break, making them a legitimate contender to win it all. That run includes multiple double-digit victories over the Aces and Fever, and a statement 88-79 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday. Provided their long-range shots keep falling, the Lynx are a team no one wants to play right now.

Cheryl Reeve has Minnesota playing efficiently, with a slower pace that emphasizes the ability to create open chances on offense (particularly from three-point range, where Minnesota is shooting a league-leading 38.1 percent). Naphessa Collier would likely be the favorite for MVP if it weren’t for Wilson’s historic season, and appears poised to guide this well-balanced team through the crunch time.

No. 1 New York Liberty (32-8)

Strengths: Shooting, Team Defense, Rebounding, Size
Weaknesses: Consistency

Liberty’s stars rank near or at the top of almost every statistical category you can think of. All five starters have proven they can take over a game on their own, while Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart make it nearly impossible to get into the paint. New York has a roster of “small ball” players who aren’t small at all, and who create matchup nightmares all over the court.

The Liberty are the only team to average more than 10 three-pointers per game, while Sandy Brondello’s team leads the WNBA with a 52.4% field goal percentage from inside the arc. Additionally, the Liberty have the swaggiest mascot in American sports in Ellie the Elephant.

You have to dig deep to find fault with New York, but they’ve had a few down nights than you might expect. The Washington Mystics have pushed them hard three times this year, while Chicago and Minnesota have both managed to beat the Liberty in games where New York’s offense has not gone under 70 points.

WNBA Playoffs: Schedule & Links

First round links

No. 8 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 1 New York Liberty
No. 7 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 2 Minnesota Lynx
No. 6Indiana Fever vs. No. 3 Connecticut Sun
No. 5Seattle Storm vs. No. 4 Las Vegas Aces

2024 WNBA Postseason Schedule:

All times eastern.

Sunday 22/9

Game 1: Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
Game 1: Indiana Fever on Connecticut Sun – 3pm on ABC
Game 1: Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx – 5pm on ESPN
Game 1: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces – 10pm on ESPN

Tuesday 24/9

Game 2: Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty – 7:30pm on ESPN
Game 2: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

Wednesday 25/9

Game 2: Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun – 7:30pm on ESPN
Game 2: Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

Thursday 26/9

Game 3*: New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream – Time TBD on ESPN2
Game 3*: Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm – Time TBD on ESPN2

Friday 27/9

Game 3*: Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever – Time TBD on ESPN2
Game 3*: Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury – Time TBD on ESPN2

(* – If necessary)

How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs

The 2024 WNBA Playoffs begin on Sunday, September 22, and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Fans who want to stream the games online can watch every game on ESPN+.

Watch the 2024 WNBA Playoffs with a Fubo Subscription

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Strengths and weaknesses for teams in the play-offs