10 largest video games that can decide the WNBA playoff race

Solidifying a qualifying spot within the standings and constructing momentum towards the playoffs tackle much more urgency for WNBA groups with a month remaining within the common season.

Every recreation counts. But some weigh extra closely in the case of postseason implications.

Theoretically, the first-place Minnesota Lynx might nonetheless lose their substantial lead over the sphere. But realistically, they appear to have the highest seed firmly in grasp and have proven no indicators of letting up — even with out injured star Napheesa Collier (ankle). The 27-5 Lynx have not even misplaced two video games in a row this season.

But behind the Lynx is a logjam of groups hoping to be among the many different high 4 seeds.

That’s not the one race: While the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun appear anchored on the backside of the standings, which different two groups will miss the 2025 playoffs?

These 10 matchups over the subsequent 4 weeks might assist decide all of that.

This recreation would be the final of 4 conferences between the 2024 WNBA Finals groups; the Lynx received the primary two, and these squads additionally will face off this Saturday. Can the defending champion Liberty get some traction in opposition to the Lynx, even with two-time MVP Breanna Stewart out with a bone bruise in her proper knee? The Liberty are also in a battle with the Dream for second place.

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The Aces’ roller-coaster marketing campaign seems to have leveled out; they’ve received 4 in a row and 7 of their previous 10. By distinction, Phoenix is the one group among the many high seven within the standings that has a shedding file (4-6) over its previous 10 outings. Las Vegas and Phoenix cut up their two conferences in June. The third matchup is about for Friday, and the collection concludes six days later. Winning the collection as a possible tiebreaker may very well be essential.

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Aug. 23: New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream

The Dream have received 5 in a row and 7 of eight, together with three victories over Phoenix. Atlanta will play eight of its ultimate 11 regular-season video games at house, together with this matchup versus the Liberty. And two of the Dream’s three away video games in that closing stretch are in opposition to last-place Connecticut. So, the schedule seems to favor Atlanta ending robust. A win over the Liberty right here would stage their season collection; New York received two of the primary three.

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Aug. 30: New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury

Stewart stated she hopes to return to motion by her thirty first birthday, which is Aug. 27. If she stays on that timetable, her first recreation again can be Aug. 28 at house versus the Washington Mystics. The Liberty miss her rather a lot, however signing ahead Emma Meesseman has helped. Meesseman will proceed to be an enormous asset when Stewart returns. The Mercury received two of the primary three conferences with New York, so the Liberty hope to stage the collection.

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This contest would be the second of back-to-back video games for the Sparks, who will host the Mystics on Aug. 31. The Sparks’ season has rotated: They had been 4-6 within the 10 video games earlier than the All-Star Game, and they’re 7-3 within the 10 since. If the standings stay as they’re now, the Sparks and the Storm shall be battling for the eighth and ultimate playoff spot.

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Sept. 2: Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury

We do not know when Caitlin Clark (groin) would possibly return. Despite her absence and the double whammy of shedding fellow guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson to season-ending accidents final week, the Fever are hanging in. They will open September with this recreation in Phoenix. Will Clark be again or on the verge of a return? Indiana and Phoenix cut up their first two conferences, so this one will settle the collection.

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Sept. 5: Los Angeles Sparks at Atlanta Dream

We talked about the Sparks’ outing at Seattle to open September. Two consecutive video games in Atlanta come after that. Los Angeles ahead Cameron Brink can have been again for a few month. (She made her 2025 debut July 29 after an ACL damage lower brief her rookie season final yr.) And the Sparks may very well be making a push up within the standings. These three highway video games in a five-day span might show pivotal for L.A.

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Sept 9: Minnesota Lynx at Indiana Fever

This will conclude the common season for the Fever. (The Lynx will end two days later in opposition to the visiting Golden State Valkyries.) Might Clark be again on courtroom by this level? The Fever are in the midst of the playoff pack, which is spectacular contemplating all they’ve been by means of with accidents. This recreation might imply one thing for Indiana’s playoff place.

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The Valkyries have been resilient of their first season. Losing high participant Kayla Thornton (knee) in July might have derailed them, however they continue to be within the playoff hunt. Making the postseason can be an enormous accomplishment for the enlargement franchise. Meanwhile, Seattle has misplaced 5 in a row and 7 of 9 for the reason that All-Star Game. The Storm will end the common season with this matchup, which could decide the playoff destiny of certainly one of these groups.

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Sept. 11: Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks

We’re rolling the cube that the final recreation of the 2025 common season — tipping off at 10 p.m. ET — might have penalties. It may not if all playoff spots are already set. But if they don’t seem to be, everybody shall be staying up late to see how this one seems.