WNBA playoffs preview

The front runners in the league, New York Liberty are looking to secure their first franchise title in program history, and same for the No. 3 seeded Connecticut Suns.

The champions of the last two seasons, the No. 4 Las Vegas Aces look to 3-peat whilst the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx look to earn their fifth title which would be the most championships by any franchise in WNBA history.

The lower-seeded teams will make some noise too with the No. 6 Indiana Fever making the playoffs for the first time in eight years, led by star rookie guard Caitlin Clark.

The playoffs are set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET and there are some very interesting matchups to look out for! All eight teams have something to prove and are hungry to compete for a title.

New York Liberty (1)

Breanna Stewart, the fourth leading scorer in the league averaging 20.6 ppg has something to prove. Coming off a finals loss last year against Las Vegas, New York is hungrier to win it this year. They remained at the top of the standings all year, with their core starting five giving production and sustaining such great chemistry.

Minnesota Lynx (2)

Napheesa Collier, the Lynx's best player has been exceptional averaging 20 ppg and 9.7 rpg and is also in the MVP race. With the addition of returning players Bridget Carleton and Kayla McBride, who is averaging a career-high in 3-pointers per game the Lynx have been front runners in this league.

Free agency was big for this team after picking up guard Courtney Williams and forward Alanna Smith.

Connecticut Suns (3)

The Connecticut Sun completed the regular season with a record of 28-12 record, returning to the playoffs for the eighth straight time. Dewonna Bonner and Brianna Jones continue to shine, averaging a combined 19 ppg, while newcomer Marina Mabrey from the Chicago Sky significantly boosted the team's depth averaging 15 ppg.

Las Vegas Aces (4)

The Aces were having a surprise underperforming year with a record of 27-13. A'ja Wilson continued to excel, averaging a career-best 27 ppg solidifying her status as an MVP candidate. They look to excel in the postseason and strive for a three-peat.

Seattle Storm (5)

The new additions of All-Stars Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike excelled this Seattle team forward with the sport to compete in postseason play. They doubled their wins from last season with a record of 25-15. They finished the season out as best as they could going 7-6 without key players Jewell Llyod and Ezi Magbegor due to injury.

Indiana Fever (6)

They started off 1-8 at the beginning of the season but clicked after the Olympic break being led by the dynamic backcourt duo, Kelsey Mitchell and star rookie guard Caitlin Clark. In addition to former rookie of the year, Aliyah Boston.

Other players that have made an impact are forward Nalyssa Smith and guard Lexie Hull with her consistent 3-point shooting. They plan to continue on their hot streak and make some in the postseason.

Phoenix Mercury (7)

Phoenix struggled with staying consistent with the year staying right around .500 all season. Center Brittney Griner had a toe injury earlier in the season which caused her to miss 10 games. The positive was the fresh new faces that joined the team this year. Star wing guard Kaleah Copper who leads the team in scoring, and guard Natasha Cloud.

This was a team that was trying to find their identity throughout the season. Going into the playoffs, they will need to have a big series to defeat a stacked Minnesota Lynx team.

Atlanta Dream (8)

Atlanta had their fair share of injuries at the beginning of the season, with one coming from their star player Rhyne Howard. After the 2024 Olympic break, they were .500 and had to battle in every game up until their matchup against New York which locked them in for the final spot in the playoff race.

Tina Charles was a huge lift for them this season averaging a double-double after not competing in the league since 2022.

Kiera Baker is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact her, please email ksb5617@psu.edu.