The race for WNBA playoff seeding went down to the wire, illustrating just how evenly matched the eight teams heading into the postseason are.
asserted
teams → go → postseason
It’s why every coach, player and fan base in the playoffs all believe they have a legitimate shot to win the title.
asserted
they → ’ → title
“It really doesn’t matter what seed you are.
asserted
you → matter → ?
We have homecourt advantage.
asserted
We → have → advantage
We all fight for that.
asserted
We → fight → that
There’s a reason why we all fight for that.
asserted
we → ’ → that
But no, I don’t think anybody should be surprised at any outcomes,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said.
asserted
Reeve → think → outcomes
“I know the betting people will have favorites and that sort of thing.
asserted
people → know → thing
I wouldn’t pay attention to any of it.
asserted
I → pay → it
I wouldn’t be surprised by anything that happens because I think all the teams are that good.”
asserted
teams → happen → anything
Reeve doesn’t have to look far to find that reality.
asserted
Reeve → have → reality
The Lynx open the playoffs against the Liberty.
asserted
Lynx → open → Liberty
The teams met for the WNBA title two years ago and now New York is an eight seed.
asserted
York → meet → title
No. 2 Golden State will play seven seed Dallas, third seed Las Vegas will play No. 6 Indiana and fourth seed Atlanta will host No. 5 Washington as the playoffs get underway Sunday.
asserted
playoffs → play → Washington
The Liberty, Mystics and Fever all won the regular season series against their first round opponents.
asserted
Liberty → win → opponents
The Valkyries swept the Wings.
asserted
Valkyries → sweep → Wings
Every series has star power and intriguing storylines.
asserted
series → have → power
A’ja Wilson is looking to lead Las Vegas to its fourth title in five years and starts by taking on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
asserted
Wilson → look → Clark
Clark is back in the playoffs after missing last season with an injury, while Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will be making their debuts in the postseason.
asserted
Reese → miss → postseason
Here’s a look at the four first round series.
asserted
look → ’ → series
Lynx vs Liberty
Minnesota still stings from losing in overtime in a decisive Game 5 to New York two years ago in the WNBA Finals.
asserted
Minnesota → sting → Finals
Many of the key players are back for both teams with Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride leading the Lynx.
asserted
Collier → lead → Lynx
They are led by expected WNBA Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles, who has had a dynamic first season in the league.
asserted
who → lead → league
Minnesota was the best team in the league for most of the season, rising to the top of the standings without Collier, who was sidelined after offseason surgery on both ankles.
asserted
who → rise → ankles
With her back, the Lynx look to win their first title since 2017.
asserted
Lynx → look → 2017
New York changed coaches during the offseason and have been beset by injuries for most of the year.
asserted
York → change → year
They still have the talented trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, who led them to the franchise’s first championship in 2024.
asserted
who → have → 2024
Jones rolled her ankle in the regular season finale and her health will be critical to the Liberty’s success.
asserted
health → roll → success
After winning the title in ‘24, New York was surprisingly eliminated in the first round by Phoenix last year.
asserted
York → win → Phoenix
Golden State became the first expansion team to reach the postseason in its inaugural season last year and the Valkyries followed that up by competing for the No. 1 spot this year.
asserted
Valkyries → become → spot
Golden State is statistically the best defensive team in the league, holding teams to 78.8 points a game, led by Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton.
asserted
State → hold → Williams
The Valkyries were swept in the first round last season, but gained valuable experience and have the deepest bench in the league.
asserted
Valkyries → sweep → league
Dallas had one of the biggest turnarounds in WNBA history, winning 17 more games this season than last year.
asserted
Dallas → have → year
Led by Bueckers, the Wings are back in the postseason for the first time in three years.
asserted
Wings → lead → years
Bueckers has Arike Ogunbowale has a running mate, giving Dallas two great shot-makers.
asserted
Ogunbowale → have → makers
The team’s health could be an issue though: No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd is sidelined for the season with a knee injury and Alanna Smith has been out with a left leg injury.
uncertain
Smith → sideline → injury
Aces vs Fever
The Las Vegas-Indiana matchup offers the most star power of any opening series with Wilson, Clark and Kelsey Mitchell leading the way.
asserted
Wilson → offer → way
Wilson had another MVP-level season, dominating on both ends of the court.
asserted
Wilson → have → court
Clark has been impressive for the past month, scoring over 20 points in eight of the last 10 games.
asserted
Clark → score → games
Her backcourt mate, Mitchell, had a WNBA record 27 straight games scoring 20 or more points.
asserted
mate → have → points
…and 10 more, not listed.
The Aporia
