The WNBA season is heating up, and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is predicting some playoff upsets.
The eight playoff teams are already set, with the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Dallas Wings, Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty making the cut. However, Engelbert believes that Washington will still make the top eight, citing their easier remaining schedule and pick swap with Chicago in the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The Mystics have an easier remaining schedule than the rest of the field, with fewer games against playoff contenders. This could give them an edge in the final stretch of the season. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky have a better net rating than the Mystics this season, but they still trail by two losses.
The WNBA season is known for its unpredictability, and Engelbert is not alone in her predictions. The league has seen several upsets in recent years, with teams like the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces making deep playoff runs despite being seeded lower than their opponents.
A'ja Wilson is on pace to break her own single-season scoring record, averaging 26.1 points per game so far this season. She could break her mark by averaging 28 points for the remaining 18 games, a feat that would be impressive even by her own standards. Wilson's Aces have a better offensive rating than they did in 2024, when she set the record.
Dominique Malonga is expected to dunk in a game for the Seattle Storm. The second-year center made dunking look easy during the All-Star Game, and now that she has that one under her belt, it should be easier for her to throw one down during a Storm game.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are sitting at seven technical fouls apiece, with the next one resulting in a suspension. Clark and Reese will likely face disciplinary action if they continue to accumulate technical fouls.
The WNBA season will continue to unfold in the coming weeks, with several storylines to follow. The playoff upsets predicted by Engelbert will be one to watch, as teams like the Mystics and Fever look to make a deep run in the postseason.
Source: Yahoo Sports