WNBA playoff chase tightens with under two weeks left in the regular season
With fewer than two weeks to go in the regular season, the playoff push is delivering drama across the league. Only Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces have officially clinched spots, and while the Lynx seem poised to claim the No. 1 seed, nothing is locked in as the final games approach.
One night of action reshaped the landscape
On Thursday, Seattle Storm stunned Minnesota with a 21-point comeback, pulling off one of the season’s biggest wins and climbing back into seventh place. The comeback moment even included Skylar Diggins-Smith’s playful reaction afterward. The result kept Minnesota from securing the top seed on the night.
In the meantime, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury each earned wins to stay in the mix for the No. 2 seed. The Las Vegas Aces continued their remarkable run, beating the Atlanta Dream to extend their winning streak to 12 games and reclaim control of second place. With those results, just 1½ games separate the four teams chasing the No. 2 seed—the Aces, Mercury, Liberty, and Dream.
What’s at stake and what to watch
– The Aces’ 12-game win streak has them in strong position, but the rest of the top group remains tightly packed, keeping the race for seeds competitive heading into the weekend.
– The Friday slate features two games with clear playoff implications:
– Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream, 7:30 p.m. ET
– Indiana Fever at Los Angeles Sparks, 10 p.m. ET
Playoff format and standings snapshot
The top eight teams in the league—regardless of conference—make the playoffs and are slotted into an eight-team bracket. The first round is a best-of-three series, the semifinals are a best-of-five, and the Finals are a best-of-seven.
Standings (as listed in the current update)
1. Minnesota Lynx (30-8)
2. Las Vegas Aces (26-14)
3. Atlanta Dream (24-14)
4. Phoenix Mercury (24-14)
5. New York Liberty (24-15)
6. Indiana Fever (20-18)
7. Seattle Storm (21-19)
8. Golden State Valkyries (19-18)
9. Los Angeles Sparks (17-19)
10. Washington Mystics (16-23)
11. Connecticut Sun (10-28)
12. Chicago Sky (9-29)
13. Dallas Wings (9-30)
Notes on lottery and draft positioning
The Sky owe their first-round pick to the Lynx, while the Sun owe the Sky the Sky’s first-round pick. The Sky also own Mercury’s first-rounder, meaning they’ll receive the better of the Sun/Mercury picks, while the Sun will receive the least favorable of those selections.
What it means
– With two weeks remaining, every game carries weight as teams jockey for seeding, avoid the play-in or lock in a favorable bracket, and determine lottery implications for the bottom teams.
– The race for the No. 2 seed remains wide open, even as the Lynx push toward the top slot and the Aces seek to extend their dominance.
Summary and outlook
The late-season surge and tight standings promise more intense matchups as the schedule winds down. With two pivotal Friday games and a compressed field behind the Lynx and Aces, expectations are high for unexpected twists and roller-coaster finishes as teams chase playoff berths and favorable brackets. The next week should offer clearer clarity on the top seeds and the remaining battles for the final spots.
Optional positive take
The current drama underscores the depth and parity of the league this season, giving fans a compelling finish and meaningful games across the board. Even teams facing long odds are still in the mix, which highlights the unpredictable and exciting nature of the WNBA playoff push.