Essentially the most-hyped WNBA common season because the league’s inception delivered pleasure from begin to end, however the actual drama is simply getting began. After a 2023 season that appeared like one lengthy prelude to the Aces-versus-Liberty finals, the 2024 playoffs promise extra chaos and intrigue from the get-go.
Listed here are 5 burning questions for the 2024 postseason, beginning with how this complete format works and a breakdown of every sequence.
How are the playoffs structured?
The highest eight groups within the league, no matter convention, qualify for the postseason. The primary-round matchups are 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5. There isn’t any re-seeding in between rounds, so the victor of 1 vs. 8 performs the winner of 4 vs. 5, and the two vs. 7 winner faces the three vs. 6 victor.
The playoffs final for 3 rounds, beginning with a three-game sequence within the first spherical, wherein the upper seed hosts the primary two video games. That format helped simplify journey earlier than the league began flying solely on charters this season. The two-1 sequence has been in place since 2022, and although the decrease seed has compelled a decisive Sport 3 thrice at its house enviornment, the upper seed has by no means did not advance. The semifinal spherical is a five-game sequence (2-2-1 format), as are the WNBA Finals.
No. 1 New York (32-8) vs. No. 8 Atlanta (15-25)
Sport 1 at New York: Sunday at 1 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 2 at New York: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (ET) ESPN
Sport 3 (if obligatory) at Atlanta: Thursday TBD, ESPN2
Did Atlanta’s season-ending win over New York imply something?
The Liberty gained their first three video games towards the Dream by a mixed 44 factors earlier than taking their foot off the fuel within the season finale — a sport Atlanta had extra incentive to win as a way to clinch a playoff spot. Nonetheless, all three of the earlier matchups came about in June, when the Dream had been with out no less than considered one of Jordin Canada or Rhyne Howard. Because the Olympic break, as soon as Atlanta has been in a position to begin its most well-liked lineup of Canada, Howard, Allisha Grey, Naz Hillmon and Tina Charles, the Dream have a web score of plus-2.2 per 100 possessions, which is much better than the minus-10 mark they sported throughout the month of June.
GO DEEPER
Tina Charles turns into WNBA’s all-time main rebounder
However, even at full well being, Atlanta lags behind the tempo New York has set. The Liberty outscored opponents by 11.7 factors per 100 possessions over the course of the season. They’ve the reigning MVP in Breanna Stewart, who has averaged greater than 20 factors towards the Dream during the last two years. Additionally they have an elite scoring protection, whereas Atlanta had the worst capturing proportion within the WNBA. One quantity to keep watch over will likely be what number of foul pictures the Dream generate — they’d the third-highest free-throw price within the league, whereas New York conceded the fewest free throws to its opponents.
Sadly for Atlanta, their benefits on this matchup are minimal. The Liberty scored probably the most factors within the league off turnovers, but when the Dream attempt to flip this right into a half-court contest, the Liberty are also the league’s finest offensive rebounding workforce. Atlanta was the fourth-best protection after the break however now goes up towards the most effective offense. The Dream might need secured their playoff berth with a win towards New York, however it must be their final of the season.
The choose: New York in 2 video games
No. 2 Minnesota (30-10) vs. No. 7 Phoenix (19-21)
Sport 1 at Minnesota: Sunday at 5 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 2 at Minnesota: Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 3 (if obligatory) at Phoenix: Friday TBD, ESPN2
Can Kahleah Copper create any playoff magic?
The Mercury had one of many largest variances throughout the first half of the season, gathering wins towards the Liberty, Lynx and Aces, but additionally dropping to the Dallas Wings. The second half didn’t characteristic the identical highs, as Phoenix’s lone win over a playoff workforce got here towards Atlanta. With out a wholesome Rebecca Allen, the Mercury aren’t as versatile defensively and are lacking one other shooter; in addition they miss her expertise with Celeste Taylor and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan filling in these minutes.
However let’s concentrate on what the Mercury have, and that’s Kahleah Copper, who simply accomplished arguably the most effective season of her profession. Copper led the league in utilization (31.1 %), simply edging out A’ja Wilson, and nonetheless managed a league-average efficient area objective proportion beneath that burden. She scored no less than 30 factors in 9 video games, together with a 34-point outing with a game-winner in addition in Phoenix’s lone victory over Minnesota. Her shot chart from that sport exemplifies what the Mercury want from her on this sequence: a excessive quantity of 3-point makes an attempt (12 in that sport) mixed with relentless rim stress to compromise the Lynx’s protection. Minnesota congests the paint in addition to anybody, however even the Lynx are powerless to cease the athleticism of Copper when she places her head down.
“I’m one of many few two-way gamers on this league.”
KFC has been a present to look at all season lengthy. Put her in your All-WNBA poll! pic.twitter.com/P5HbCRPbMD
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 17, 2024
Copper’s heroics is likely to be moot if Phoenix will get destroyed on the glass, as has been the case of late, or if it lets Minnesota get going from lengthy vary. The Mercury permit probably the most 3-point makes an attempt of any workforce, and the Lynx are the most effective 3-point capturing squad (38 %). Phoenix must choose its poison between defending the inside or the perimeter, whereas Minnesota has demonstrated the power to do each. No matter how good Copper has been, Napheesa Collier remains to be the most effective participant on this sequence. If Collier and firm carry out as they’ve because the break — Minnesota has misplaced as soon as at full energy because the All-Star Sport — they’ll comfortably extinguish any upset hopes.
The choose: Minnesota in 2
Sport 1 at Connecticut: Sunday at 3 p.m. (ET), ABC
Sport 2 at Connecticut: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 3 at Indiana: Friday TBD, ESPN2
Will Connecticut’s expertise overwhelm Indiana’s youth?
The Solar have made 5 straight WNBA semifinals with largely the identical core. Each participant of their rotation participated in final 12 months’s postseason, whereas solely 4 Fever gamers — all bench gamers — have ever suited up within the playoffs. To place it one other manner, Indiana’s roster has performed in 19 whole playoff video games — 4 particular person Connecticut gamers have exceeded that, together with 80 playoff sport appearances from DeWanna Bonner. The Fever’s stars deliver a wealth of NCAA Event expertise, however they’ve by no means performed on this stage, and it’s truthful to marvel if the stakes of this second will have an effect on them.
The primary query from a strategic perspective is how the Solar will defend Caitlin Clark. Are they content material to let others beat them, or will they present Clark extra single protection?
Clark has been an absolute flamethrower throughout the second half of the season, averaging 23.1 factors and eight.9 assists whereas making 37 % of her 3s. Nonetheless, within the lone assembly of this stretch, Connecticut restricted her to 19 factors and 5 assists and compelled seven turnovers. The Fever nonetheless gained, and Clark’s gravity was a figuring out issue — Aliyah Boston had eight assists, a number of popping out of the brief roll as two defenders converged on Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull had large scoring nights for the Fever.
“Rain drop. Drop prime. I ball non cease cease.” – Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/kTIDFkTzee
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 20, 2024
All through the season, the Solar have utilized vital defensive stress to Clark, however that has been much less efficient as Indiana’s offense has discovered tips on how to play out of traps and blitzes. Boston is making the best reads within the lane, and the capturing round that pick-and-roll partnership has been elegant. There may be worth in limiting the top of the snake, however maybe it’s higher to pressure the rookie to attempt to beat Connecticut on her personal. My guess is the Solar keep aggressive with two on the ball in Sport 1 however regulate after the Fever choose that aside.
The choose: Connecticut in 3
No. 4 Las Vegas (27-13) vs. No. 5 Seattle (25-15)
Sport 1 at Las Vegas: Sunday at 10 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 2 at Las Vegas: Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Sport 3 (if obligatory) at Seattle: Thursday TBD, ESPN2
How wholesome are Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor?
Magbegor missed the final three video games of the season in concussion protocol, and Loyd missed the identical stretch with a proper knee damage. In the event that they aren’t proper for the beginning of the playoffs, Seattle is toast. Magbegor, along with her size and athleticism, is the Storm’s solely hope of even containing Wilson. Seattle additionally wants Loyd’s offense towards the league’s highest-scoring workforce (86.4 factors per sport).
The matchups between these groups are tantalizing. Two of the most effective scoring guards within the league in Loyd and Kelsey Plum. One other two Olympians at level guard in Chelsea Grey and Skylar Diggins-Smith, who method the sport with diametrically opposed fashion and tempo. One of the environment friendly forwards in WNBA historical past in Nneka Ogwumike towards Wilson, who’s within the midst of the most effective season the league has ever seen. Defensive specialist Gabby Williams will get to dig into guarding Jackie Younger, and two-time Storm champion Alysha Clark faces off towards her former squad.
Seattle gained the primary matchup earlier than Grey was wholesome, then Las Vegas took the subsequent three. Nonetheless, the Storm didn’t have their first-choice beginning lineup in any of these losses, since Williams joined the workforce late, and he or she was an vital issue for Seattle when these groups confronted off within the 2022 postseason.
After all, she’s additionally the @WNBA Western Convention Participant of the Month!
26.1 PPG
12.0 RPG
1.4 SPG
1.9 BPG
51% FG@_ajawilson22 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/ZyCB2Onpz8— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 20, 2024
Finally, it’s laborious to see the Storm scoring sufficient to maintain up with the Aces, particularly in Las Vegas. If the Aces deal with the ball and promote out to guard the paint, how is a workforce that shot 28.8 % on 3-pointers purported to generate offense? A 3-game sequence signifies that Seattle solely must get sizzling a couple of times, however Las Vegas hasn’t misplaced with Wilson within the lineup in almost 4 weeks. The defending champs are peaking on the proper time, whereas the Storm have appeared shaky recently, even in wins.
The choose: Las Vegas in 2
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic)
