Sun in line for No. 1 seed but plenty left to be settled
NEW YORK — The WNBA playoff chase might come down to the final day of the regular season on Sept. 19.
Six teams have already clinched postseason spots, although where they will finish in the standings is still up for grabs.
Connecticut remains the top seed, riding a ninegame winning streak. The Sun haven’t lost since the season resumed from the Olympic break and hold 3 ½ - game lead on third place Minnesota with five games to play. Connecticut has a 2-game margin over second place Las Vegas.
While it would take a major collapse for the Sun to fall out of the top two seeds, Las Vegas has been beset by injuries and illness. Center Liz Cambage was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week despite being vaccinated. It’s unclear when she’ll return. Reigning twotime sixth woman of the year Dearica Hamby has been sidelined with a sprained ankle.
That has left the door open for Minnesota. Seattle and Phoenix to potentially take the No. 2 seed and earn one of the two coveted double byes to the semifinals.
The Lynx have won five games in a row although they are dealing with their own injury issues. Damiris Dantas is lost for the season with a Lisfranc injury in her right foot and Layshia Clarendon has been sidelined with a leg injury.
The Storm have faltered lately, looking tired since the Olympic break. The team dropped three in a row before rallying to beat New York. Seattle has had some time to rest with its most recent game five days ago.
Phoenix has equaled Connecticut’s nine-game winning streak to vaunt into contention to earn at least one bye in the playoffs. The team’s star trio of Brittney Griner, Skylar DigginsSmith and Diana Taurasi have all taken turns leading the team during the current run.
While those five teams are jockeying for byes, Chicago should finish in sixth. The Sky have three games to play and hold a 2½ game lead on seventh place Dallas.
The Wings, Liberty, Mystics and Sparks are all in contention for the final two playoff spots.