The Battle for the 8th Seed in the W
There are four teams within two and a half games of the 8th seed, who will take home the prize?
Dallas Wings
Current record 9-23
Two and a half games out of the eighth seed
After making a run to the WNBA Semi-Finals last year it has been a bumpy road for Dallas. With injuries to Satu Sabally, Maddy Siegrist, and Natasha Howard the Wings have had a down year.
With all the above players healthy, the wings have been playing better winning three of their last four. Those three wins came against Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Minnesota. The victories over the Lynx and Aces came in back-to-back games, pretty impressive for a team that had been struggling.
Remaining Schedule
The third hardest strength of schedule
Four home and road games
Home opponents- Mystics, Liberty x2, Storm
Road opponents-Dream, Sky, Fever, Aces
The good thing for Dallas, they face all three teams (Mystics, Dream, Sky) that they are battling for the eighth seed but their other four opponents are no joke.
It would be great for the Wings to make a run but I’m not sure they can do it.
Washington Mystics
Current record 9-23
Two and a half games out of the eighth seed
The Mystics have made the playoffs eight times in the last ten years, including two finals appearances and one championship. But with Elena Delle Donne sitting out this year, Natasha Cloud leaving in free agency, and a slew of injuries it has not been their year.
The good news is they have their point guard Brittney Sykes back but one of their key players, Shakira Austin continues to struggle with injury. Austin brings a real toughness in the paint that fits this team well.
Remaining Schedule
The fifth hardest remaining schedule
Four home games and four road games
Home opponents-Lynx, Dream, Liberty, Fever
Road opponents-Wings, Mercury, Sky, and Atlanta
The good thing for the Mystics, they have two games with the Dream and one each with the Sky and Wings. Bad thing they play Minnesota, New York, and Indiana.
The Indiana game may be key for Washington, it is the last game of the year and if Indiana can’t improve their playoff position, the Fever may rest their starters.
The Mystics are in the same boat as the Wings, it isn’t looking good for them to return to the playoffs.
Atlanta Dream
Current record 11-21
Tied with Chicago for the eighth seed but the Sky have the head-to-head tie-breakers
The Dream has had a nightmarish season with missing two key pieces in Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada most of the season.
Both players are back which led to a three-game winning streak post-Olympic break but since then they lost four of five. This team has a great blend of youth and experience and could push a one-seed to three games.
Remaining Schedule
The seventh hardest remaining schedule
Four home and four road games
Home opponents- Wings, Lynx, Mystics, Sky
Road opponents-Mercury, Fever, Mystics, Liberty
Having the Mystics twice and the Sky once will help Atlanta’s goal of making the playoffs. The game against the Liberty will be the season finale, if the Liberty have their seeding locked up, they should rest their starters.
Chicago Sky
Current record 11-21
If the playoffs ended today they would be the eighth seed
The Chicago Sky did very well in the draft this year with their selections of Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Both rookies have shown why they were first-round draft picks.
The Sky made a puzzling move right before the All-Star break. They traded their most consistent three-point threat, Marina Mabrey to the Sun. It felt like the front office was punting on the season.
Remaining Schedule
The ninth hardest remaining schedule
Four home games and four road games
Home opponents-Sparks, Wings, Mystics, Mercury
Road opponents- Aces, Lynx, Dream, Sun
The games against the Sparks, Wings, and Mystics in Chicago come all in a row. That three-game homestand will be a make-or-break moment for the Sky.
I’m sure the league wants Chicago in the playoffs but I don’t like their chances.
Prediction
My prediction for who will be the last team in is the Atlanta Dream.
The Dream has a favorable schedule and a deep roster that is finally healthy. With Tina Charles, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Jordin Canada Atlanta has the talent and experience to make a push.
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