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And there was one. That’s how many games each team has left to play in the 2024 WNBA regular season. Thursday, we end the season with a bang, starting off with a trio of games at 7 p.m. ET.
The Chicago Sky will try to remain alive for the eighth playoff spot, needing to beat the Connecticut Sun on the road, as well as get some help, to do so. Like the Sky, the Atlanta Dream are looking to be that eighth team. They have the spot right now, so a win against the New York Liberty in Brooklyn is all they need. With the No. 1 seed locked up and nothing to play for, will the Liberty go easy? The third game that tips at 7 p.m. ET features the Washington Mystics playing at home against the Indiana Fever. The Mystics still have playoff hopes, and with Caitlin Clark and company unable to improve their standing, the Mystics are certainly hoping the Fever take it easy.
At 8 p.m. ET, the Minnesota Lynx will take on the last-place Los Angeles Sparks. There is not much reason to watch this game besides morbid curiosity. The nightcap brings a double feature at 10 p.m. ET, with the Las Vegas Aces hosting the Dallas Wings and the Phoenix Mercury playing the Seattle Storm in what could be the last game of Diana Taurasi’s career.
Battle for the No. 3 and No. 4 seed
The Sun currently hold the No. 3 seed, but if they lose and the Aces win, Las Vegas will hold the No. 3 spot due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Aces have the advantage of playing later, so they can wait and see if their game still has playoff implications before stepping on the court. If the Sun win, it looks like the Aces will not play their core players. Hopefully, the WNBA will make an adjustment and have all teams playing simultaneously on the season’s final day to avoid similar scenarios in the future.
The @LVAces have listed their “Core Four” of A’ja, Kelsey, Jackie and Chelsea as doubtful for tomorrow night with rest. I would presume they don’t play unless Connecticut loses and the Aces have a shot at 3rd.@TheNextHoops #ALLINLV #WNBA
— Matthew Walter (@MatthewWalter96) September 19, 2024
Three teams vying for eighth
Not one, not two, but three teams are trying to win that eighth and final playoff spot.
So, who will meet the Liberty in the first round? Right now, Atlanta has the edge and can only drop out if they lose and the Mystics win. Chicago needs to win and both the Mystics and the Dream to lose for a chance to extend their season beyond Thursday. If all three teams finish with the exact same record, Washington will be heading to the postseason.
Game information
Connecticut Sun (27-12) vs. Chicago Sky (13-26)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
How to watch: League Pass
Sun injury report: Tiffany Mitchell (out; illness)
Sky injury report: Elizabeth Williams (out; knee), Angel Reese (out; wrist), Diamond DeShields (out; ankle), Kamilla Cardoso (doubtful; shoulder), Chennedy Carter (questionable; foot)
New York Liberty (32-7) vs. Atlanta Dream (12-25)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
How to watch: NBA TV
Liberty injury report: none
Dream injury report: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (out; ankle), Aerial Powers (out; calf), Haley Jones (probable; calf)
Washington Mystics (13-26) vs. Indiana Fever (20-19)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC
How to watch: Prime Video
Mystics injury report: Shakira Austin (out; left ankle), Aaliyah Edwards (out; right ankle)
Fever injury report: none
Minnesota Lynx (30-9) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (7-32)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
How to watch: League Pass
Lynx injury report: Dorka Juhász (questionable; right foot), Napheesa Collier (out; rest), Kayla McBride (out; rest)
Sparks injury report: Cameron Brink (out; left knee), Lexie Brown (out; Crohn’s), Layshia Clarendon (out; mental health reasons), Aari McDonald (out; right ankle), Odyssey Sims (probable; right hand)
Las Vegas Aces (26-13) vs. Dallas Wings (9-30)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV
How to watch: League Pass
Aces injury report: A’ja Wilson (doubtful; rest), Jackie Young (doubtful; rest), Kelsey Plum (doubtful; rest), Chelsea Gray (doubtful; rest)
Wings injury report: Stephanie Soares (out; knee), Teaira McCowan (out; technical foul limit)
Phoenix Mercury (17-20) vs. Seattle Storm (24-15)
When: Thursday, September 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ
How to watch: League Pass
Mercury injury report:
Storm injury report: Ezi Magbegor (out; concussion), Jewell Loyd (questionable; right knee)