WNBA

WNBA Finals Update: Fever Win Again, Mystics Surge

Published

3 months ago

September 5, 2024

The 2024 WNBA regular season is wrapping up with just weeks left, and the playoff picture is becoming clearer. On Tuesday, the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury secured their spots in the playoff race, leaving just one berth open for the WNBA Finals. While no teams have been officially eliminated, it is now a tight race among four teams for that final spot.

Also read: Indiana Fever vs LA Sparks Game Stats and Box Scores

On Wednesday, the Indiana Fever extended their winning streak to five games by defeating the last-place Sparks, thanks to a triple-double performance from Caitlin Clark. This victory helped the Fever keep their slim lead over the Mercury in the race for the WNBA Finals.

Thursday’s games are vital for playoff seeding. The Liberty will face the Storm, and the Mercury will play the Mystics. These matchups are vital as they will affect the very last standings and playoff positions.

In the WNBA Finals, the top eight teams make the playoffs regardless of their conference. The format features a standard bracket where the No. 1 seed faces the No. 8 seed in the first round, No. 2 vs. No. 7, and so on. Teams compete in a best-of-three series in the first round and a best-of-five series in the semifinals and finals.

The first spherical is a 2-1 layout, with the higher seed website hosting the first two video games, and the decreased seed hosting a capability Game 3. The semifinals and finals use a 2-2-1 format, with the better seed hosting Games 1, 2, and five if vital.

Standings Update

New York Liberty (27-6) – Playoff spot clinched
Connecticut Sun (24-9) – Playoff spot clinched
Minnesota Lynx (24-9) – Playoff spot clinched
Las Vegas Aces (21-12) – Playoff spot clinched
Seattle Storm (20-13) – Playoff spot clinched
Indiana Fever (18-16) – Playoff spot clinched
Phoenix Mercury (17-17) – Playoff spot clinched
Chicago Sky (11-22)
Atlanta Dream (11-22)
Washington Mystics (10-23)
Dallas Wings (9-24)
Los Angeles Sparks (7-26)

Liberty Holds Sole Top Spot

New York Liberty (27-6)

Tiebreakers: vs. Lynx (1-1); vs. Sun (3-1)

The Liberty bounced back with a strong second-half performance on Friday, defeating the Storm and reestablishing their lead in the WNBA Finals race. They are three games ahead of the Sun and Lynx and hold the tiebreaker against the Sun. With just seven games remaining, it’s unlikely they will lose the No. 1 seed.

Key remaining game: vs. Lynx, Sept. 15

Read essentially: Fever WNBA: Caitlin Clark Shines in Win Over Angel Reese and Sky

Sun and Lynx Battle for Second Place

2. Connecticut Sun (24-9)

Tiebreakers: vs. Liberty (1-3); vs. Lynx (2-0); vs. Storm (1-2); vs. Aces (0-1)

The Sun lost to the Storm on Tuesday, tying their document with the Lynx. They currently maintain the second region because of the tiebreaker. Their game in opposition to the Lynx on September 17 will be important for securing the No. 2 seed.

Key remaining games: vs. Aces, Sept. 6; at Aces, Sept. 15; vs. Lynx, Sept. 17

3. Minnesota Lynx (24-9)

Tiebreakers: vs. Liberty (1-1); vs. Sun (0-2); vs. Storm (3-1); vs. Aces (3-1)

The Lynx’s seven-game winning streak ended with a surprising loss to the Wings. They rebounded with a win over the Sky on Sunday, even without Alanna Smith. They now share the same record as the Sun.

Key remaining games: at Liberty, Sept. 15; at Sun, Sept. 17

Aces and Storm Competing for Fourth Place

4. Las Vegas Aces (21-12)

Tiebreakers: vs. Sun (1-0); vs. Lynx (1-3); vs. Storm (2-1)

A’ja Wilson has been excellent for the Aces, lately scoring 30 factors with 14 rebounds and more. The Aces have won their last 3 video games and hold a one-recreation lead over the Storm for the fourth area.

Key remaining games: at Sun, Sept. 6; at Liberty, Sept. 8; vs. Sun, Sept. 15; at Storm, Sept. 17

5. Seattle Storm (20-13)

Tiebreakers: vs. Sun (2-0); vs. Lynx (1-3); vs. Aces (1-2)

The Storm earned a crucial win on Tuesday by coming back to beat the Sun. Despite some struggles since the Olympics, they remain close to the Aces with one more game against them.

Key remaining games: at Liberty, Sept. 5; vs. Aces, Sept. 17

Surging Fever Secure Sixth Place

6. Indiana Fever (18-16)

Tiebreakers: vs. Mercury (3-0); vs. Sky (3-1); vs. Dream (3-0)

The Fever secured their first playoff spot in 2016 on Tuesday, thanks to losses with the aid of the Sky and Dream. Their win over the Sparks on Wednesday places them a complete game in advance of the Mercury, with the tiebreaker in their prefer. They look sturdy for the No. 6 seed.

Key remaining game: vs. Dream, Sept. 8

7. Phoenix Mercury (17-17)

Tiebreakers: vs. Fever (0-3); vs. Sky (2-0)

The Mercury ended their 3-recreation dropping streak with a win on Tuesday, overcoming Rhyne Howard and the Dream. This victory added them lower back to a .500 report and secured their playoff spot.

Key remaining games: N/A