MINNEAPOLIS — The WNBA season has been dominated by discussions about the rookie class, primarily the Sky’s Angel Reese and the Fever’s Caitlin Clark.
While both have had historic seasons, neither has their team in title contention. The true title contenders are all being led by MVP-caliber veterans.
The Liberty, who could have clinched the No. 1 seed Friday night with a Lynx loss, are anchored by an MVP frontcourt tandem of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Cheryl Reeve’s Lynx — once projected by many to finish outside the playoff picture — are second in the league standings. Their success can be partly attributed to their veteran experience and Reeve’s ability to find the right free agents to complement MVP candidate Napheesa Collier.
The third-place Sun, led by reigning coach of the year Stephanie White, have leaned on the cohesion provided by their core four. Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and DiJonai Carrington have played together for the last four seasons. The reigning-champion Aces are anchored by A’ja Wilson, who should be a unanimous MVP; Chelsea Gray, one of the league’s best veteran point guards; and Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, two former No. 1 overall picks.
If the season were to end today, the Sky would meet the Liberty in the first round of the playoffs. The Fever would face the Sun.
The 2024 class undoubtedly has taken the league to new places. Beyond the Sky and Fever, the Sparks’ future looks promising with rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in the fold. Rookie Aaliyah Edwards will be a key to the Mystics’ eventual return to the top of the standings.
Playoff picture
Over the next week, the race for the eighth and final playoff spot will likely tighten even further, considering the schedule. The Sky play the Dream on Tuesday, and the Mystics and Dream will meet again Sunday after going head-to-head Friday.
The first tiebreaker goes to whichever team has a better record in head-to-head matchups. In the case of the Sky and Mystics, that tiebreaker belongs to the Mystics. The Sky’s game Tuesday against the Dream would be the decider in their head-to-head series if the Sky win. They have a 2-1 advantage.
The Dream-Mystics game Sunday could be the decider of that series. If any series is split, the second tiebreaker goes to the team with the better winning percentage against teams with a .500 record or better.
In a three-way tie, the first tiebreaker still goes to the team with the best head-to-head record among the three teams. That currently belongs to the Mystics. The second tiebreaker is best record against .500 teams.
Injury update
Diamond DeShields traveled with the Sky for their road game against the Lynx on Friday. However, it seems unlikely that she will be available before the last game of the regular season Thursday against the Sun.
She’s still wearing a boot on her right foot after spraining her ankle in the Sky’s win over the Wings on Sept. 8. Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said before the game that she’s “progressing.”
The Sky signed forward Kaela Davis to a hardship contract earlier in the week after Reese was ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured left wrist. Reese won’t travel with the Sky for their two remaining road games next week, but that could change if they make the playoffs.
The Sky have 10 players available with Davis and technically could sign one more if they were willing to rule out DeShields for the rest of the season.