The 2024 WNBA season has been nothing short of thrilling, and as it draws to a close, we’ve entered that nail-biting phase where every game matters. The playoff picture is almost clear, but a few teams are still vying for that coveted final spot. With fewer than ten games remaining, Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever squad have already clinched a playoff berth, marking the end of an eight-year postseason drought for the franchise. However, the battle for the eighth seed is as intense as ever, with the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Dallas Wings all fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Let’s dive deep into the current WNBA playoff standings, clinching scenarios, remaining schedules, and what to expect from the key players and teams as we inch closer to the postseason.
Updated WNBA Playoff Picture and Standings
As of September 6, 2024, seven teams have clinched playoff spots, leaving one position still up for grabs. The Liberty, Lynx, Sun, Aces, Storm, Fever, and Mercury have all secured their tickets to the postseason. The Chicago Sky are clinging onto the eighth seed, but with the Dream hot on their heels, this final spot could go down to the wire.
| Rank | Team | W-L | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | x – New York Liberty | 28-6 | .824 | — |
| 2. | x – Minnesota Lynx | 25-9 | .735 | 3 |
| 3. | x – Connecticut Sun | 24-10 | .706 | 4 |
| 4. | x – Las Vegas Aces | 22-12 | .647 | 6 |
| 5. | x – Seattle Storm | 20-14 | .588 | 8 |
| 6. | x – Indiana Fever | 18-17 | .514 | 10.5 |
| 7. | x – Phoenix Mercury | 17-18 | .486 | 11.5 |
| 8. | Chicago Sky | 12-22 | .353 | 16 |
| — | Atlanta Dream | 12-22 | .353 | 16 |
| — | Washington Mystics | 11-23 | .324 | 17 |
| — | Dallas Wings | 9-25 | .265 | 19 |
| — | o – Los Angeles Sparks | 7-27 | .206 | 21 |
X: Clinched playoffs
O: Eliminated from playoff contention
The Fever’s Playoff Clinch: Caitlin Clark’s Impact
The Indiana Fever, led by rising star Caitlin Clark, clinched a playoff berth on September 3. It’s a monumental moment for a franchise that has been on the outside looking in for the past eight seasons. Clark, who has become synonymous with highlight-reel plays and game-changing performances, is thriving under the pressure. Her leadership and ability to take over games have been pivotal in the Fever’s resurgence this season.
But let’s be real, Indiana’s recent success is no fluke. This team has been brewing with potential all season long. With Clark’s electrifying play—think Allen Iverson crossover vibes with a modern flair—the Fever are poised to make some noise in the playoffs. In fact, Clark’s ability to run one of Iverson’s old plays to perfection has caught the attention of analysts and fans alike.
Will Caitlin Clark carry the Fever deep into the playoffs? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this Fever team is cooking, and it’s not just the opposing teams that are feeling the heat!
The Chicago Sky’s Fight for Survival
The Sky are currently holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot with a tenuous grip. They’re tied with the Atlanta Dream and only a game ahead of the Washington Mystics. It’s a precarious position to be in, and with just six games remaining on their schedule, every win is crucial.
The Sky’s remaining games are a mixed bag, with some winnable matchups and a few tough challenges. They’ll need to dig deep, and if there’s any player who can rise to the occasion, it’s Angel Reese. The forward has been a rebounding machine, even going viral recently for a 22-rebound performance that had everyone talking (and not always for the right reasons).
Let’s take a look at the rest of Chicago’s schedule and what they’ll need to do to clinch the final playoff spot.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 8 | vs. Wings | 6 p.m. | — |
| Wednesday, Sept. 11 | vs. Mystics | 8 p.m. | — |
| Friday, Sept. 13 | at Lynx | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sunday, Sept. 15 | vs. Mercury | 6 p.m. | — |
| Tuesday, Sept. 17 | at Dream | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | at Sun | 7 p.m. | — |
WNBA Playoff Tiebreakers: What’s the Tie Situation?
If teams finish with identical records, the WNBA employs a series of tiebreakers to determine playoff seeding. Here’s how it works:
- Head-to-Head Record: The team with the better record in head-to-head matchups takes the higher seed.
- Conference Winning Percentage: Teams are evaluated based on how well they performed against teams within their own conference.
- Record vs. Teams with .500+ Record: The team with the better winning percentage against teams with records at or above .500 gets the advantage.
- Point Differential in Head-to-Head Games: Who scored more points when the teams faced off? That’s another deciding factor.
- Coin Toss: If all else fails, luck (or the flip of a coin) will decide the seeding.
If more than two teams are tied, the tiebreakers get even more interesting, but the basic principles remain the same.
Remaining Schedule for Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever
As mentioned earlier, the Fever have already punched their ticket to the postseason. Now, they’re focused on improving their seeding and gearing up for what could be a deep playoff run. Clark has been the driving force behind the team’s success, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 8 | vs. Dream | 4 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Wednesday, Sept. 11 | vs. Aces | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Friday, Sept. 13 | vs. Aces | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sunday, Sept. 15 | vs. Wings | 3 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | at Mystics | 7 p.m. | Prime Video |
Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
The race for the final WNBA playoff spot is heating up, and as we head into the final stretch of the regular season, every game matters. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are cruising, but for the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Dallas Wings, it’s do-or-die time.
Will the Sky manage to clinch the final playoff spot, or will we see a last-minute shake-up? As the WNBA playoffs approach, one thing is clear: this league continues to deliver thrilling basketball, game after game.
If you haven’t been watching, now’s the time to start!