With just a month left before the WNBA postseason tips off, the playoff picture is taking shape—and a few surprises might still be in store. Here are eight hot takes for the stretch run.
1. Atlanta passes New York for the No. 2 seed
The Dream have caught fire, winning six straight and going 8–2 in their last ten games. New York’s closing schedule is brutal, featuring matchups against Las Vegas, Minnesota twice, and Chicago, while Atlanta has a more favorable path. That could be enough for the Dream to leapfrog the Liberty in the standings.
2. Caitlin Clark could return, but Angel Reese likely won’t
Indiana’s rookie star is working toward a possible late-season comeback, which could give the Fever a boost in their playoff push. On the other hand, Chicago’s Angel Reese is dealing with a back injury, and with the Sky far from contention, she may prioritize long-term health over returning this season.
3. Seattle makes the playoffs despite recent skid
The Storm have lost six in a row, including two to the Sparks, and now sit in eighth place. Still, their strong point differential and underlying metrics suggest they’ll hold on to a playoff spot.
4. The Sparks should have had more All-Stars
Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens have been outstanding, with Stevens averaging 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and shooting 42% from three. Since early July, Los Angeles has been among the league’s best, leading in offensive rating, yet still saw limited All-Star recognition.
5. Dallas could shake up the playoff race
The Wings may not be postseason-bound themselves, but they face several playoff hopefuls down the stretch. Matchups against the Sparks, Valkyries, and Storm could determine who makes it in.
6. No head coaches will be fired this offseason
Even with five teams struggling—Los Angeles, Washington, Dallas, Chicago, and Connecticut—there’s a belief that all current head coaches will keep their jobs. In Dallas, despite fan frustration, coach Chris Koclanes has strong backing from the front office.
7. First-round playoff series should be best-of-five
With the WNBA Finals now best-of-seven, expanding the first round from best-of-three to best-of-five would create fairer matchups, allow for more adjustments, and reduce the impact of travel fatigue.
8. Cathy Engelbert’s leadership is paying off
Since taking over in 2019, Engelbert has expanded media coverage, introduced the Commissioner’s Cup, implemented charter flights, extended the Finals, and set a target of 18 teams by 2030. While challenges remain, her tenure has driven significant progress.
