![\"Napheesa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2232324175-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe playoff picture is beginning to come into focus. In the past week, the Lynx clinched the best record in the league, while the Aces, Dream and Mercury all punched their tickets to the playoffs.<\/p>\n
That means we have four teams in, we have four teams out and four spots left with five teams still in the mix.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s In: Lynx (clinched No. 1 seed), Aces, Dream, Mercury
\nWho\u2019s Out: Mystics, Sun, Sky, Wings
\nWho\u2019s In The Mix: Liberty, Storm, Valkyries, Fever, Sparks<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s In: Clinched Playoff Berth
\n1. Minnesota Lynx (31-8) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Last Week: 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon vs. DAL, Thur. at LVA, Sat. at GSV<\/p>\n
Minnesota\u2019s win over Connecticut on Saturday not only clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, it also set a Lynx franchise record for wins in a season (31), surpassing the mark they set last year (30) with five games to play. One of those remaining games is a marquee matchup with the red-hot Aces on Thursday. While the game won\u2019t affect Minnesota\u2019s playoff position, it can impact both the scoring title and MVP races between Napheesa Collier (23.41 ppg) and A\u2019ja Wilson (23.36) \u2013 who enter the week in a dead heat in scoring average while Minnesota leads the season series 3-0.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. Las Vegas Aces (26-14) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 2<\/p>\n
This Week: Thur. vs. MIN, Sun. vs. CHI<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Top 4 Race): 3-0 vs. ATL, 3-1 vs. PHX, 1-2 vs. NYL<\/p>\n
It was another perfect week for the Aces with road wins at Chicago and Atlanta to extend their win streak to a franchise-record-tying 12 games. Wilson continues to dominate both ends of the court \u2013 averaging 26.8 points, on 50.4% FG, 45% 3P, 87.9% FT shooting splits, along with 12.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. Las Vegas will look to set a new mark in Thursday\u2019s showdown with Minnesota.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
3. Atlanta Dream (25-14) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon at CON, Wed. vs. LAS, Fri. vs. LAS<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Top 4 Race): 3-0 vs. PHX, 2-2 vs. NYL, 0-3 vs. LVA<\/p>\n
At 12-5, the Dream have been the second best team since the All-Star break. However, three of those five losses have come to the Aces, who have passed the Dream in the standings and own the head-to-head tiebreaker should it be needed at season\u2019s end. Atlanta enters the week tied with Phoenix at 25-14, but holds the No. 3 spot in the standings after sweeping the season series with the Mercury (3-0).<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
4. Phoenix Mercury (25-14)<\/p>\n
Last Week: 4 \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
This Week: Tue. vs. IND, Thur. at WAS, Sat. at CON<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers Top 4 Race: 3-1 vs. NYL, 1-3 vs. LVA, 0-3 vs. ATL<\/p>\n
The Mercury are riding a four-game win streak as they look to secure a top-four finish and home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Phoenix enters this week tied with Las Vegas and Atlanta in the loss column (14) but does not hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over either team, making a climb to No. 2 or No. 3 more challenging. However, Phoenix does hold a two-loss edge and the tiebreaker over No. 5 New York as the Mercury try to hold off the defending champs.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s In The Mix: Race For Playoffs
\n5. New York Liberty (24-16) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
![\"Jonquel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2232368398.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Last Week: 5\u00a0<\/p>\n
This Week: Tue. at GSV, Fri. at SEA<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Top 4 Race): 2-1 vs. LVA, 2-2 vs. ATL, 1-3 vs. PHX<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Playoff Race): 3-0 vs. GSV (1 left), 3-1 vs. IND, 2-1 vs. LAS,\u00a0 0-2 vs. SEA (1 left)<\/p>\n
The Liberty enter this week in a unique position \u2013 they are the only team that is still in contention for a top-four finish while not having clinched a playoff berth. New York enters this week with a magic number of one, meaning they need one win (first chance is Tuesday at Golden State) or one Sparks loss (first chance is Monday at Seattle) to punch their fifth straight postseason ticket. After getting Natasha Cloud back on Saturday, New York hopes to get back to full health with Sabrina Ionescu (toe) and Nyara Sabally (knee) soon.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
6. Golden State Valkyries (21-18) \u2b06\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 7<\/p>\n
This Week: Tue. vs. NYL, Thur. vs. DAL, Sat. vs. MIN<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Playoff Race): 3-0 vs. IND, 3-1 vs. LAS, 2-1 vs. SEA (1 left), 0-3 vs. NYL (1 left)\u00a0<\/p>\n
A three-game win streak has helped Golden State\u2019s effort to become the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season, but there is still work to be done. Four of the Valkyries\u2019 final five games come against teams that have either clinched a playoff berth (two games vs. Minnesota) or remain in the playoff mix (New York and Seattle). Can Veronica Burton continue dishing dimes \u2014 she has 13+ assists in three of her last five games \u2014 and help Golden State make history?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
7. Seattle Storm (22-19) \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 6<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon. vs. LAS, Fri. vs. NYL<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Playoff Race): 2-0 vs. NYL (1 left), 1-2 vs. GSV (1 left), 1-2 vs. LAS (1 left), 0-3 vs. IND<\/p>\n
On Thursday in Minnesota, the Storm overcame a 21-point deficit to rally past the league-leading Lynx for a statement road win after Seattle entered the game 0-10 on the season when trailing by 16+ points. That was one of the Storm\u2019s five wins over their last six games as they look to close the season strong and secure their playoff berth. Tonight\u2019s game against Los Angeles is big as a loss would drop Seattle to 20 losses (even with L.A.) and give the Sparks the head-to-head tiebreaker.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
8. Indiana Fever (21-19) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 8<\/p>\n
This Week: Tue. at PHX, Fri. vs. CHI, Sun. at WAS<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Playoff Race): 3-0 vs. SEA, 1-3 vs. NYL, 1-3 vs. LAS, 0-3 vs. GSV<\/p>\n
After opening the week with wins over Seattle and Los Angeles to climb to sixth place in the standings, the Fever lost Sunday\u2019s game against Golden State to drop back down to eighth. While the Fever hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle, they do not have tiebreakers against the Liberty, Sparks or Valkyries, which are the three teams closest to Indy in the playoff race. This week, the Fever head to Phoenix to face the playoff-bound Mercury before a pair of games against teams that have already been eliminated.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
9. Los Angeles Sparks (18-20) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 9<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon. at SEA, Wed. at ATL, Fri. at ATL, Sun. vs. DAL<\/p>\n
Tiebreakers (Playoff Race): 3-1 vs. IND, 2-1 vs. SEA (1 left), 1-2 vs. NYL, 1-3 vs. GSV<\/p>\n
No team has a busier remaining schedule than the Sparks \u2013 who have played in a league-low 38 games and have six games over the season\u2019s final 11 days, including four this week \u2013 as L.A. looks to snap a four-year playoff drought. Monday night\u2019s game at Seattle is crucial as a win will prevent L.A. from dropping further from the pack in the loss column, while tying the season series with the Storm. It is the first of four remaining road games for the Sparks, who have been better away (10-8) than at home (8-12) this season.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s Out: Eliminated From Playoffs
\n10. Washington Mystics (16-25) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
![\"Sonia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2232431372.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Last Week: 10<\/p>\n
This Week: Thur. vs. PHX, Sun. vs. IND<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s loss at Golden State not only marked Washington\u2019s largest margin of defeat (-37) since 2008, it also officially eliminated the Mystics from the playoffs. Sunday\u2019s loss in L.A. made it seven straight for the Mystics, who will finish 10th in the standings regardless of the outcome of all remaining games \u2013 they can\u2019t catch any team in the top nine and can\u2019t be caught by any of the teams below them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
11. Connecticut Sun (10-29) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 11<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon. vs. ATL, Wed. at CHI, Sat. vs. PHX<\/p>\n
Despite Sunday\u2019s loss to Minnesota, the Sun have played their best ball of the season down the stretch \u2013 going 5-3 in their last eight games. During this stretch, veterans Tina Charles (17.3 ppg) and Marina Mabrey (15.1 ppg) have led the way, but they are followed in scoring by a trio of rookies \u2014 Le\u00efla Lacan (11.6 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.6 spg), Saniya Rivers (10.0 ppg, 44.8% 3P) and Aneesah Morrow (8.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg).<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
12. Chicago Sky (9-30) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 12<\/p>\n
This Week: Wed. vs. CON, Fri. at IND, Sun. at LVA<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s game against Las Vegas saw the Sky retire Candace Parker\u2019s No. 3 jersey during a halftime ceremony. That game also saw Angel Reese pass Tina Charles (45) for the most double-doubles through a player\u2019s first two seasons in WNBA history. With two more double-doubles last week, Reese is up to 48 and counting. The Sky enter this week looking to snap a four game slide as Chicago has gone just 2-17 in its last 19 games.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
13, Dallas Wings (9-31) \u2194\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Last Week: 13<\/p>\n
This Week: Mon. at MIN, Thur. at GSV, Sun. at LAS<\/p>\n
The injuries and the losses continue to climb for Dallas, which has eight players listed on its injury report entering Monday\u2019s game in Minnesota. That includes rookie sensation Paige Bueckers (left calf), who is on pace to finish in the top 10 in scoring (18.9 ppg), assists (5.4 apg) and steals (1.6) in her first season as a pro. The Wings have dropped seven straight and are 3-18 over their last 21 games.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The playoff picture is beginning to come into focus. In the past week, the Lynx clinched the best…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":371933,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[629],"tags":[49,48,82,630],"class_list":{"0":"post-371932","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-wnba"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/371933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}