Although the eight franchises heading to the WNBA postseason are officially set, the battle for playoff seeding remains fierce as the league enters its concluding week of action.
As the regular schedule draws to a close this Thursday, below is a breakdown of the latest league rankings.
Although the Minnesota Lynx currently hold the number one spot, retaining that top position by week’s end is anything but certain. Minnesota is scheduled for a pair of matchups against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, giving the Golden State Valkyries a prime opportunity to capitalize on any mistakes.
On the other hand, the Valkyries face a comparatively lighter schedule this week, going up against a pair of eliminated squads in the Portland Fire and the Los Angeles Sparks. In just their second year, Golden State aims to construct a lengthy postseason run, and claiming the top seed would significantly boost those aspirations.
Similarly, the Atlanta Dream are eager to climb higher in the rankings; a victory against the New York Liberty on Monday narrows the gap toward third place and increases their cushion over the fifth-seeded Fever.
Separated by no more than a single game, the lower four postseason seeds are tightly packed, meaning the layout could shift dramatically by week’s end.
Under normal circumstances, the final stretch allows top contenders an opportunity to rest key players prior to the playoffs, yet that luxury is nowhere to be found this season. This intensity sets up a thrilling conclusion to the schedule right before an anticipated, high-stakes postseason.
