WNBA playoff matchups set as Atlanta Dream declare last spot: How does postseason format work?

NEW YORK — It took till the ultimate day of the 2024 WNBA season for the playoff bracket to be settled, however the Atlanta Dream claimed the eighth and last postseason spot on Thursday evening with a 78-67 over the New York Liberty.

Atlanta entered the night needing a win to clinch its second consecutive playoff berth. Whereas New York had clinched the No. 1 general seed on Tuesday evening, the Liberty nonetheless performed a daily rotation all through the primary half and commenced the third quarter with 4 of their common starters nonetheless in motion.

Dream middle Tina Charles completed the victory with 10 factors and 10 rebounds, setting new WNBA profession data for rebounds and double-doubles within the sport. She handed Sylvia Fowles’ 4,006 rebound mark simply over three minutes within the first quarter and Fowles’ 193 double-double mark halfway by means of the third quarter. Charles, the No. 1 choose within the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Solar, is the lone participant in WNBA historical past ever to document greater than 4,000 rebounds and seven,000 profession factors.

Dream wing Rhyne Howard and ahead Naz Hillmon led Atlanta with 13 factors apiece.

Having gained and made consecutive postseason appearances for the primary time since 2013-14, the Dream gained’t must go far. They packed for a week-long journey to New York and can face the Liberty once more Sunday to open the postseason.

“This yr is particular. This has undoubtedly been the hardest yr for us with all the pieces that has gone on,” coach Tanisha Wright mentioned. “I’m actually happy with our athletes for persevering with to struggle and by no means giving in as a result of I feel it’s straightforward to present in after the season that we’ve had… They fought all yr irrespective of our circumstances, irrespective of who was out there to us and in order that, that’s a particular group over there.”

Thursday evening had the potential for some insanity. The Washington Mystics may have clinched a playoff spot with a win, a loss by the Dream and a win by the Chicago Sky. The Sky, in the meantime, would have claimed the ultimate playoff spot had they gained and each Atlanta and Washington misplaced. Atlanta would have clinched a berth even with a loss, due to Chicago’s defeat.

The Mystics, enjoying entrance of a brand new all-time WNBA document 20,711 followers, defeated the Indiana Fever on Thursday, 92-91. Indiana had already clinched the No. 6 seed and performed every of its 5 starters 20 minutes or fewer. The Connecticut Solar defeated the Chicago Sky, 87-54, to each eradicate Chicago from postseason rivalry and clinch the No. 3 seed. Because of Connecticut’s victory, the Las Vegas Aces grew to become locked into the No. 4 seed.

Playoff matchups

Listed here are the postseason matchups and the beginning instances for Sunday.

Liberty (1) vs. Dream (8) — 1 p.m. ET
Lynx (2) vs. Mercury (7) — 5 p.m. ET
Solar (3) vs. Fever (6) – 3 p.m. ET
Aces (4) vs. Storm (5) 10 p.m. ET

What’s the WNBA’s playoff format?

Following the 2021 season, the WNBA altered its playoff format to eliminate single-elimination video games and byes to the semifinals for the highest two seeds. Within the new format, the highest eight groups from the common season, no matter convention, qualify for the postseason with all eight collaborating in a best-of-three sequence for the primary spherical. The primary two video games of the sequence can be held on the homecourt of the upper seed, with the decrease seed then internet hosting a Sport 3, if obligatory. No decrease seed has ever upset the upper seed within the new sequence format.

The winners of the respective first-round sequence will advance within the bracket to the semifinals, the place the remaining 4 groups will take part in a best-of-five sequence. The semifinals will start on Sept. 29.

The respective winners of these sequence will then advance to the WNBA Finals, which will even be a best-of-five sequence. The WNBA Finals will start on Oct. 10, with a possible Sport 5 set for Oct. 20.

What historical past could possibly be made within the postseason?

Right here is a few of what’s at stake within the playoffs:

• The Aces want to develop into the primary franchise to win three consecutive championships for the reason that Houston Comets, who gained 4 consecutive titles from 1997-2000.
• The Liberty are eyeing their first championship in franchise historical past, having misplaced within the WNBA Finals 5 instances, together with final season.
• The Solar enter the playoffs with the longest energetic streak, relationship again to 2017. Ahead DeWanna Bonner has performed 80 postseason video games, and desires simply three appearances to set a brand new document for profession postseason appearances. She is ready to go each Rebekkah Brunson (81) and Lindsay Whalen (82).
• Mercury guard Diana Taurasi is already the WNBA’s main scorer within the postseason (1,455 factors), however she will add to her resume in what could possibly be her last postseason.
• Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot will set a brand new document for profession assists within the postseason with three extra assists. Sue Hen at present holds the document (362).
• Fever guard Caitlin Clark can be making her postseason debut after main Indiana again to the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.
• The Lynx and Storm head into the playoffs tied for essentially the most championships amongst energetic WNBA franchises with 4 every.

Required studying

(Picture: Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)