WNBA Playoff Picture 2024: Predicting Final Seeds Based on Latest Bracket Scenarios

A week remains in the WNBA regular season, and the playoff picture is largely set. The Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks have already been eliminated, and only one postseason berth remains up for grabs.

With Dallas and L.A. out, only the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics are left battling for that final spot. Some playoff seeding, however, is yet to be determined.

For those unfamiliar with the WNBA playoff format, it utilizes a fairly standard matchup structure. The No. 1 seed will play the No. 8 seed, the No. 2 seed with play the No. 7 seed and so on. Unlike other leagues, however, teams are seeded based on record, regardless of conference.

All eight playoff teams will see action in the opening round—there are no byes—and that round will feature a best-of-three format. The higher-seeded teams will host the first two matchups of the series, while the lower-seeded team will host Game 3, if necessary.

Series will transition to a best-of-five format in the semifinal round.

2024 WNBA Playoff Picture

1. New York Liberty 31-6 (clinched)

2. Minnesota Lynx 27-9 (clinched)

3. Connecticut Sun 26-10 (clinched)

4. Las Vegas Aces 23-13 (clinched)

5. Seattle Storm 22-14 (clinched)

6. Indiana Fever 19-18 (clinched)

7. Phoenix Mercury 17-19 (clinched)

8. Chicago Sky 13-23

9. Atlanta Dream 12-24

10. Washington Mystics 12-24

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The New York Liberty, led by three-time Olympic champion Brreanna Stewart, have all but secured the No. 1 seed, and it would take a major collapse over their final three games to lose ground to the Minnesota Lynx, though, Sunday's matchup between the Liberty and Lynx looms large.

The two teams split their first two matchups of the regular season, meaning Sunday's game could serve as a tiebreaker. New York would still have to lose out to give Minnesota a shot at taking the top spot, however.

While New York has been the most consistent team throughout the season, the Lynx might have the most momentum heading into the playoffs. Minnesota has a league-best 10-1 record since the Olympics break.

The Las Vegas Aces, led by WNBA superstar A'Ja Wilson, will be a massive threat, though, especially if they secure home-court advantage for the opening round. The league has never had a first-round upset under the current playoff format, which is entering its third year.

Wilson, by the way, set a new WNBA record for the most points in a season during Wednesday's win over the Indiana Fever.

"It's a blessing, it really is," the reigning Finals MVP said after the game," It's something that I don't take for granted."

Indiana could also be a dangerous team, capable of pulling off a first-round upset. Led by rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, the Fever have been a very competitive team since a disappointing 1-8 start to the season.

Clark, of course, is capable of taking over a game as well as anyone in the league.

As for the battle for the final spot, things have gotten very interesting. Chicago, which featured another rookie star in Angel Reese but recently lost her to a season-ending wrist injury, has a slight lead over Atlanta and Washington. However, the Sky have been in a slide, lost to the Mystics on Wednesday and will face the Dream on Tuesday.

The Dream and the Mystics will play each other twice over the next three days. Atlanta has been quite competitive since Rhyne Howard's return from injury, and it pretty much controls its own destiny moving forward.

Projected Playoff Picture

1. New York Liberty

2. Minnesota Lynx

3. Connecticut Sun

4. Las Vegas Aces

5. Seattle Storm

6. Indiana Fever

7. Phoenix Mercury

8. Atlanta Dream