WNBA Playoffs 2024: Teams Prepare for Intense First-Round Matchups

The WNBA playoffs are set to commence this Sunday, highlighting a highly anticipated series of matchups following an intense regular season. The Atlanta Dream secured the eighth and final playoff spot with a decisive 78-67 victory over the New York Liberty on the last day of the regular season. This victory sees the Dream facing off against the top-seeded Liberty in a best-of-three first-round series starting in New York.

Joining the Liberty in the playoff spotlight are the Minnesota Lynx, seeded second, who will be taking on the seventh-seeded Phoenix Mercury. The third-seeded Connecticut Sun are set to face the Indiana Fever, who are sixth, while defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, will battle the fifth-seeded Seattle Storm. Each series begins on Sunday, with the higher-seeded team hosting the first two games.

Las Vegas, aiming to secure their third consecutive championship, hopes to emulate the legendary Houston Comets who managed four straight titles from 1997 to 2000. Despite being in the running for the No. 3 seed, the Aces settled for fourth after Connecticut clinched the spot with a dominating win over the Chicago Sky.

The Atlanta Dream’s playoff berth represents a notable achievement amidst a challenging season. “This year is special,” expressed Dream coach Tanisha Wright. “I’m really proud of our athletes for continuing to fight and never giving in after the season we’ve had.”

The first-round series opening game between the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever and the Sun will air on ABC. The remaining fixtures of the day, including the matchups between Atlanta and New York, Seattle and Las Vegas, and Phoenix and Minnesota, will be broadcast on ESPN.

The best-of-five semifinal series are scheduled to commence on September 29, followed by the WNBA Finals beginning October 10. Should the Finals extend to a Game 5, it would take place on October 20.