The New York Liberty are in the driver's seat for the WNBA playoffs, having officially clinched the best record and well-positioned in first place. But things are getting very interesting in the stretch run.
Eight teams make the postseason. Finishing in the top four means a chance to host a best-of-three first-round playoff series. Right now, those four spots look to be decided by five teams: New York, the Connecticut Sun, the Minnesota Lynx, the Seattle Storm and the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
The Liberty, one of the WNBA's original franchises, are still seeking their first WNBA title. New York fell in the WNBA Finals last season to the Aces, but so far in 2024 the Liberty have been the league's most consistent team.
The Indiana Fever haven't been to the playoffs since 2016. With back-to-back No.1 picks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark the past two seasons, the Fever have secured a playoff spot. Who will nab the eighth and final postseason berth?
Breanna Stewart finishes with 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Liberty defeat the Mystics to clinch the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Key remaining dates
Sept. 19: Regular season ends
Sept. 22: Playoffs begin
Oct. 20: Last possible finals date
The WNBA playoff predictor
The ESPN Analytics team breaks down playoff probability updated in real time. The top eight teams make the playoffs -- a best-of-three series in the first round, where teams are seeded based on regular-season performance, and a best-of-five format for the semifinals and finals. Updated nightly:
Clinched a playoff spot: New York, Minnesota, Connecticut, Las Vegas, Seattle, Indiana, Phoenix.
WNBA's top five players by WPA
How much does a single player mean to the team? Win Probability Added (WPA) captures how much probability goes up or down when a player is on the court and gives them approximate credit. Here we break down the league's best in the category. Updated after games:
WNBA's top five rookies by WPA
The 2024 rookie class is worthy of its own breakdown. Win Probability Added (WPA) captures how much probability goes up or down when a player is on the court and gives them approximate credit. These rookies have not only impacted their teams, but the league. Updated after games:
Worth taking a look
• How do the WNBA playoffs work? The dates, format and more
• WNBA awards tracker: Unanimous MVP? Clark or Reese for ROY?
• WNBA Power Rankings: Why the Lynx are the league's hottest team
• 25 reasons to read: Our midseason edition of top 25 player rankings
• WNBA predictions time: 10 things that will happen in the second half
• Rookie tracker: Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese. We're tracking the rookies