It’s been a fantastic and historic season for the WNBA. All kinds of records were broken on and off the court. There’s been a lot of praise over the rookies and veterans. Most teams looked great no matter the month. Now for the playoffs.
The first round should be a quick but fun time. Four teams must advance to the second round by two games in a three game series. It’s time to pick which four have the best chances to extend their championship run.
#2 Minnesota Lynx v. #7 Phoenix Mercury
Let’s start with an easy series. Minnesota won three of their four games against Phoenix in the regular season. All three were by double digits while the Mercury’s only win was by one point. Phoenix has been through injury roller coasters and doesn’t have a coach who can make similar adjustments to the Lynx’s Cheryl Reeves. This should be a quick series.
Prediction: Lynx win series 2-0
#1 New York Liberty v. #8 Atlanta Dream
Another easy series to predict. The only fun part was wondering which team would get the last playoff seed. New York has their starting five back at full health and will roll over the Dream. Unless it’s the only series on at the time, there’s no point wondering who advances.
Prediction: Liberty win series 2-0
#3 Connecticut Sun v. #6 Indiana Fever
Indiana’s back in the playoffs after a six year drought. Unfortunately they drew the meanest and most physical team for the first round. Connecticut went all-in at the trade deadline and views anything less than a championship as a failure.
The young Fever could steal a game, but the lockdown defense from Alyssa Thomas, DiJonai Carrington and DeWanna Bonner will force Indiana into more mistakes. The Fever defense is still one of the league’s worst and will be exploited by the Sun’s veteran offense.
Prediction: Sun win series 2-1
#4 Las Vegas Aces v. #5 Seattle Storm
One almost feels bad for Seattle. The Storm had a great season and might have drawn an easier first round opponent if Vegas didn’t stumble for half the season.
The Aces dominated Seattle in three of their four games. Center A’ja Wilson might have one of the best playoff series of her career, extending her unanimous MVP season.
Prediction: Aces win series 2-1
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