WNBA playoffs scenario: Sept. 6

Just two weeks away from the 2024 WNBA playoffs and only one spot remains unclaimed.

The top four teams will host a best-of-three first-round series. There are currently five teams battling for the top four spots: Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty and Seattle Storm.

Seven teams have clinched a postseason berth: New York Liberty (28-6), Connecticut Sun (24-9), Minnesota Lynx (24-9), Las Vegas Aces (21-12), Seattle Storm (20-14), Indiana Fever (18-16) and Phoenix Mercury (17-18).

Let’s dive into teams to watch this postseason.

Indiana Fever-Young Team on the Rise

The Indiana Fever clinched a playoff spot for the first time in eight years. The Caitlin Clark effect is no joke as this young team with an average roster age of 26, makes the playoffs.

The Fever highlight the significance of back-to-back rebuilding seasons with the 2023 WNBA No. 1 draft pick in Aliyah Boston and the 2024 WNBA No. 1 draft pick in Clark.

The two of them averaged a combined 32.6 points, 14.9 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game this season.

Clark is heavily favored to win the Rookie of the Year Award. 2003 winner Cheryl Ford and 2011 winner Maya Moore are the only two players to be crowned Rookie of the Year and win the WNBA Finals.

The Fever started their season 1-8 but found their internal fire and are ready for a playoff run.

Las Vegas Aces-Back-to-Back Champs Stumbling

A’ja Wilson, 2023 WNBA Finals MVP, continues to shine for her Aces, the reigning champions for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Averaging 27.5 points and 12.1 rebounds a game, she poses the highest threat to the opposing defense.

As great as Wilson and Kelsey Plum are, the Aces have struggled defensively, especially after the Olympic Break. They give up an average of just over 80 points per game.

Luckily, the Aces lead the league in points scored per game at 87.3.

New York Liberty-Revenge Tour

Losing in the 2023 Finals to the Aces in a 3-1 series, the Liberty entered this season with high aspirations-to make it back to the title game and win it all this time.

Breanna Stewart won the league’s regular season MVP award last season and has continued her excellent level of play contributing an average of 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season.

She makes up an average of 23% of the Liberty’s nightly offense.

Guard Sabrina Ionescu enters her fourth season in the league and it’s been her best one yet averaging 19 points per game and leading the Liberty in assists with six per game.

Stay tuned to the end of the regular season as the WNBA playoffs are almost here.

Julia Henry is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism and labor and human resources, to contact her please email jbh6443@psu.edu.