The WNBA playoff bracket is nearly set, but the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics could create dangerous first-round matchups.
The WNBA playoff schedule has been released, and the postseason will begin on Sunday, Sept. 27. With the postseason approaching, the bracket is almost set, and while the top seeds may appear to be the favorites, there are plenty of dangerous lower seeds lurking in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
Currently, the WNBA is on break due to international play. The season will resume on Sept. 17 where teams will have only four to five games remaining.
As of now, the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, and the Las Vegas Aces are in the top three seeds. The Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever are the fourth and fifth seeds.
Despite expectations, there may not be a clear winner, considering the New York Liberty is the sixth seed. If the playoffs started today, the Liberty could take on the defending champion Aces.
Aces and Liberty Enter the First Round Without Starting Forwards
If the current standings remain the same on Sept. 27, the Aces could face the Liberty in the first round. Both teams have lost major players to season-ending injuries.
New York will be without forward Satou Sabally for the remainder of the season due to a lingering head injury that was aggravated during a previous matchup between these two teams.
On the flip side, Las Vegas will be without forward NaLyssa Smith for the rest of the season after she suffered a non-contact knee injury. Both teams can space the floor, run in transition, and close the floor off on defense.
However, when the Liberty are on a hot streak, they can be a difficult team to guard. Smith was an X-Factor for the Aces, and she often guards multiple positions to take pressure off center A'ja Wilson.
A first-round matchup against New York could ruin Las Vegas's chances of repeating. The Liberty are gelling and have played the season with multiple lineups, but their roster is getting healthier over time.
Mystics Bring Interior Size Against the Valkyries
If the postseason started today, Golden State would face the young Washington Mystics, which could cause a shift in the playoff bracket. The Mystics have nothing to lose as they are developing talent while getting more experience.
Golden State won the season series, but Washington did snap their nine-game winning streak before the All-Star break.
Both teams can run the floor in transition and score in spurts, but Washington does have the interior size to challenge the Valkyries, and they can score in the half-court with multiple players who can create their own shot.
Forwards Shakira Austin, Michaela Onyenwere, and Kiki Iriafen can match up with Golden State's frontcourt and challenge them to score. Not to mention, guard Sonia Citron can create her own offense, move without the ball, and pick apart defenses.
