An Update on the Battle for the Eight Seed in the W
Who will win the last spot in the playoffs?
This is an update to my earlier blog on the Battle for the Eight Seed.
There are three teams left in contention for the eighth seed, all with five games left, who will be the team left standing?
With Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks eliminated from playoff contention, here are the updated standing.
Chicago Sky -
Atlanta Dream 1 GB
Washington Mystics 2 GB
Chicago Sky
The Sky would be in the playoffs if they started today. Before the Olympic break, they were on track for the postseason, and then they traded Marina Mabrey to the Sun. Since the trade, the Sky has gone 3-7.
Then came the second blow: Their star rookie Angel Reese was hurt in a victory over the Sparks two games back. Her injury will keep her sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The Sky responded with a win over the Wings in their first game without Reese. The Sky looked good shooting 50% from the field.
It will be interesting to see if Chicago can keep their hot shooting going without Reese or if it is just foolgold.
As I’m writing this news has broke that Diamond DeShields is out with an ankle injury with no timetable for return. This is not a knockout blow for the Sky but she has played at least 12 minutes a game in Chicago’s last six games.
The Sky may fall out of contention due to injuries not talent.
Remaining Games
9/11/24 vs Wahsington
9/13/24 at Minnesota
9/15/24 vs Phoenix
9/17/24 at Atlanta
9/19/24 at Connecticut
The Sky need to beat the Mystics and the Dream to have a chance at the playoffs. They are 1-2 against the Mystics and 2-1 against the Dream. If Connecticut can’t improve their seeding when the Sky play them on the 19th, they may rest their starters which could allow the Sky to back their way into the Playoffs.
Atlanta Dream
I predicted the Dream would be the last team into the playoffs based on their strength of schedule, one week ago. Since then they have gone 1-2 with an overtime win over Dallas and losses against Phoenix and Indiana.
The win against the Wings was almost a lost but the Dream fought back in the second half and ultimately won the game in overtime.
The loss to Indiana should have been a win. Atlanta was up 16 points in the third quarter before allowing the Fever to push the game to overtime which led to the loss.
A real positive for the Dream is they are finally healthy and Rhyne Howard has been on an absolute tear. In Howard’s last three games, she has scored 31, 33, and 36 points.
Remaining Games
9-10-24 vs Minnesota
9-13-24 vs Washington
9-15-24 at Washington
9-17-24 vs Chicago
9-19-24 at New York
The Dream is the Captain of their destiny with three winnable games. Minnesota should handle them just fine but with two games in three days against Washington followed by a game at home against the Sky, they can slam the door on the Sky.
The matchup with New York should be a win, the Liberty are dealing with injuries and will probably rest their starters for that game.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics are playing with a real desperation post-Olympic break racking up five wins to go 5-5. They had just six wins in their prior 24 games.
Washington has been unbeatable on the road lately winning their last four road games. The most impressive part of their road-winning streak is they were only favored in one of those games.
The Mystics are talented enough to be a playoff team but may just run out of time.
Remaining Games
9/11/24 at Chicago
9/13/24 at Atlanta
9/15/24 vs Atlanta
9/17/24 vs New York
9/19/24 vs Indiana
I hate to say it but the Mystics have a chance at going 3-2 or 4-1. They are healthy, playing well, and have a legit chance of climbing into the 8th seed but they have to be nearly perfect and most likely win both games against the Dream.
I’m still backing the Dream, they are the better of the three teams but they will have to prove it. If they can win both games against the Mystics and beat the Sky they should be in the playoffs. A split with the Mystic and a win over the Sky should get them in too with a win over New York to finish the season.
As a fan, I’m super pumped for the final five games of the season, as a gambler I’m excited to see what gambling opportunities present themselves.
I will be continuing my coverage of the W throughout the playoffs, make sure to check back in frequently.
