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    • Angel Reese and Chicago Sky battle for last spot in WNBA playoffs
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    Angel Reese and Chicago Sky battle for last spot in WNBA playoffs

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    The WNBA playoffs are upon us. Which eight teams will play? That’s a good question.

    There are two weeks left in the regular season, which ends on September 19. The playoffs begin on September 22, with three-game series hosted by the top favorites. Seven of the league’s 12 teams have already clinched a playoff spot. And yes, the Indiana Fever, featuring WNBA Rookie of the Year favorite Caitlin Clark, are among them.

    The other six teams are: New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Seattle and Phoenix. But the final playoff spot is still very much in question.

    Here’s all you need to know:

    How do the WNBA playoffs work?

    In the WNBA, which has just 12 teams, the top eight advance to the playoffs, regardless of conference. Once all the spots are settled, the top seed plays the No. 8 seed in a three-game series, the No. 2 seed plays No. 7, etc. The first round is a three-game series, with the higher seed playing the first two games. The semifinals and finals are five-game series, with the higher seed playing Games 1, 2, and 5.

    The last possible date for Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, if necessary, is October 20.

    WNBA Standings

    Thursday evening:

    • 1. X-New York (27-6)
    • 2. X-Connecticut (24-9)
    • 3. X-Minnesota (24-9)
    • 4. X-Las Vegas (21-12)
    • 5. X-Seattle (20-13)
    • 6. X-Indiana (18-16)
    • 7. X-Phoenix (17-17)
    • 8. Chicago (11-22)
    • 9. Atlanta (11-22)
    • 10.Washington (10-23)
    • 11. Dallas (9-24)
    • 12. Los Angeles (7-26)
    • (teams with an “X” have already secured a playoff spot)

    Contenders for final WNBA playoff spot

    As you can see, it’s going to be a tight battle for the final playoff spot. Let’s take a look at the contenders.

    Chicago Heaven

    Chicago has lost seven in a row and is 2-8 in its last 10 games. While the team features two of the league’s best rookies, rebounding machine Angel Reese and inside force Kamilla Cardoso, the roster lacks a veteran guard with experience in big games. They often look disjointed and lack an offensive identity. First-year coach Teresa Weatherspoon is known for her ability to motivate, but can she create plays that lead to Chicago buckets in must-score situations?

    The Sky are clinging to eighth place with both hands. If there’s a silver lining heading into the final stretch of the season, it’s that four of Chicago’s final seven games are against the bottom third of the league. The Sky hold a slim 2-1 lead over Atlanta this season, with the final game scheduled for September 17. That’s a must-win game for Chicago.

    Atlanta Dream

    Atlanta’s roster certainly isn’t short on talent. The Dream have 2022 Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard, 3×3 gold medalist Allisha Gray and Tina Charles, one of the best scorers and rebounders in league history. Things aren’t quite right yet, though (Howard was out a few games before the Olympic break with an injury, which didn’t help matters).

    The Dream lost their last game to Phoenix and are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Five of Atlanta’s last seven games have been at home, which should give the Dream an edge. The Sept. 17 game against Chicago is a must-win, but perhaps even more important are the back-to-back games against the Mystics. Win both of those and the Dream will enter the game against Chicago with some momentum. Stealing a win against Minnesota or New York would help.

    Washington Mystics

    The Mystics are 4-6 in their last 10 games, implying they aren’t exactly tanking in hopes of securing likely future No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers. While it seemed impossible for Washington to make the playoffs at the start of the season, it’s not out of the question now.

    Four of their final seven games will be against teams that have already clinched a playoff spot, so it seems unlikely they’ll win any of them. On the other hand, it seemed unlikely that Washington would win back-to-back games in Seattle and Chicago in late August, and the Mystics pulled it off. For Washington to clinch that final eighth spot, however, stars Ariel Atkinson and Brittney Sykes will need to play well in every game.

    Dallas Wings

    Dallas is easily the most intriguing team on this list. Wings star Arike Ogunbowale is the league’s best one-on-one player and the WNBA’s second-leading scorer (22.6 points per game) this season. But her team has been plagued by injuries — Natasha Howard, Maddy Siegrist and Satou Sabally have all missed extended periods.

    But now that everyone is finally healthy, Dallas seems determined to prove that its 9-24 record isn’t a reflection of its talent. How else can you explain the Wings’ dominant 94-76 win over championship contender Minnesota? Dallas has had a brutal last few weeks, with a pair of games against New York and trips to Indiana and Las Vegas. But if anyone can make a run and pull off a few upsets, it’s Ogunbowale & Co.

    Los Angeles Sparks

    No one is more excited about the end of the 2024 WNBA season than the battered Sparks, who will be lucky if they win 10 games this season. They are not serious contenders for the final playoff spot.

    Email Lindsay Schnell at [email protected] and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell

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