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The previous 4 months have been constructing towards this second. And after a report 44-game common season, the sector is about and WNBA playoffs are lastly right here.
There are many storylines to observe.
Will the Liberty achieve success in defending their title? Or will final yr’s runners-up, the Lynx, wreak vengeance on anybody of their path on their method to the highest after a dramatic ending to the 2024 Finals?
Or will or not it’s the Aces, who completed the season on an insane 16-game successful streak?
The Valkyries are the primary growth workforce to safe a postseason berth in its inaugural season, setting a excessive bar for future newcomers.
The Caitlin Clark-less Fever and Nneka Ogwumike-led Storm are additionally within the combine for this yr’s crown.
Although the Lynx are the plain front-runner to go all the way in which, this yr’s race does really feel like there’s the potential for extra upsets or a darkish horse to make a run given the league’s parity this season.
Storm coach Noelle Quinn beforehand mentioned that’s what makes this season “distinctive.”
“I’m undecided that I’ve seen something like this yr,” she mentioned. “Normally in earlier years, at a sure level within the season, you understand who the highest tier is and it simply hasn’t occurred this yr early. … Everybody has overwhelmed all people sooner or later.”
All of it begins with a four-game slate Sunday, with all eight groups vying to be topped this yr’s champion enjoying.
Right here’s a breakdown of all 4 of the WNBA’s first-round sequence:
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries
Data: Lynx 34-10, Valkyries 23-21
Season sequence: Lynx 4-0
Gamers to observe: Lynx F Napheesa Collier (23 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG), Valkyries G Veronica Burton (12 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6 APG)
Key matchup: The Lynx’s top-ranked protection versus the Valkyries’ Tenth-ranked offense. The Valkyries are going to have a extremely powerful time producing on offense.
We already noticed this was a problem within the common season, with Golden State averaging 67.8 factors towards the Lynx this season. Additionally, the Valkyries’ season-long 41 p.c workforce taking pictures from the sector is a league worst.
X issue: Natisha Hiedeman. She offers the Lynx a giant increase off the bench, and he or she cooked the Valkyries up to now two conferences, pouring in 21 and 24 factors on 63.6 p.c taking pictures (60 p.c from 3.)
Kenney: Lynx in 2. The Valkyries had a variety of franchise firsts this yr. However their first playoff sport win must wait one other yr.
Lehman: Lynx in 2. Valkyries’ hopes of avoiding sweep dashed when Sport 2 was moved out of Ballhalla.
(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm
Data: Aces 30-14, Storm 23-21
Season sequence: Tied 2-2
Gamers to observe: Aces F A’ja Wilson (23.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 BPG), Storm F Nneka Ogwumike (18.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 51.9 FG%)
Key matchup: Can anybody cease Wilson, the three-time MVP who averaged 26.1 factors over the Aces’ season-ending 16-game successful streak? Ezi Magbegor will get first crack. Maybe it’s a possibility for 6-foot-6 rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 decide within the draft.
X issue: The resuscitation of the Aces’ season roughly coincides with Becky Hammon transferring six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd to the bench. Her scoring, when she’s on, nonetheless can tilt video games.
Kenney: Aces in 2. Las Vegas is the most well liked workforce within the WNBA. The Storm aren’t placing out this fireplace.
Lehman: Aces in 2. A’ja and Co. take the successful streak to 18.
(3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever
Data: Dream 30-14, Fever: 24-20
Season sequence: Tied 2-2
Gamers to observe: Dream G Allisha Grey (18.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 38.4 3P%), Fever G Kelsey Mitchell (20.2 PPG, 3.4 APG, 39.4 3P%)
Key matchup: The Fever’s third-ranked offense versus the Dream’s second-ranked protection. Even with Caitlin Clark largely MIA, the Fever put up 84.9 factors per sport. The Dream allowed simply 76.8 whereas main the WNBA in whole rebounds and defensive rebounds.
X issue: Level guard play. The Fever are on their fourth-stringer in veteran midseason pickup Odyssey Sims. The Dream have Jordin Canada coming off an damage and rookie Te-Hina Paopao.
Kenney: Dream in 2. Atlanta picks up not solely its first playoff win since 2018, however sweeps the sequence.
Lehman: Dream in 3. Fever are stable worth for one win, even with out Clark.
(4) Phoenix Mercury vs. (5) New York Liberty
Data: Mercury 27-17, Liberty 27-17
Season sequence: Mercury 3-1
Gamers to observe: Mercury F Satou Sabally (16.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.5 APG), Liberty G Sabrina Ionescu (18.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.7 APG)
Key matchup: Alyssa Thomas versus Breanna Stewart. Discuss an thrilling frontcourt battle between two greats. Each are the motors of their groups. Thomas averaged 17.3 factors, 10.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists towards New York this season.
X issue: Jonquel Jones. The Liberty’s success is partly depending on what model of Jones reveals up. Will we see 2024 Finals MVP Jones, who has made solely a handful of cameos through the common season?
Kenney: Liberty in 3. The Liberty are lastly wholesome. They’ve by no means performed the Mercury with a full workforce (together with Emma Meesseman.) The one time their Huge 3 had been wholesome, the complete sport towards the Mercury, the Liberty received. The defending champions will take this one.
Lehman: Mercury in 3. Went backwards and forwards right here. Sometimes silly to select towards Breanna Stewart in an elimination sport. However having to play Sport 3 on the street — the place they’ve been iffy all yr — comes again to hang-out the Liberty, who simply run out of time to essentially click on within the brief sequence.
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