The WNBA was filled with exciting games throughout the weekend as the playoff picture attempts to take shape for the newly improved postseason format. 8 games were in action over the weekend, all changing the landscape for the path to the next WNBA Champion.
Fridays Games
Sparks vs. Dream
A “Dream” ending for Atlanta as layup goes in with less than a second to go; take down Sparks.
The Atlanta Dream stay well in the playoff hunt after some late game heroics from forward Cheyenne Parker Friday night. The Dream hand the Sparks their 6th straight loss 88-86. Atlanta was led by another impressive game from Rhyne Howard, who scored 28 points. This makes the tenth game this season Howard has surpassed the 20-point mark in a contest.
As for Los Angeles, they can’t seem to find the “Spark” they are looking for to get out of their losing ways. The team now sits at 12-20 and are at the brink of elimination from playoff contention. The Sparks were led by Brittney Sykes Friday night as she recorded 23 points, but the highlight for L.A. was WNBA history books being rewritten. Forward Nneka Ogwumike moved into 17th all-time in WNBA history with 2,021 made field goals. Her 16 points on Friday moved her past Angel McCoughtry who played 13 seasons in the league.
The Dream move to 14-18 and remain in the thick of the playoff race with only a few games left on the schedule.
Mystics vs. Sky
Mystics miss Delle-Donne as they fall to the Sky.
The Washington Mystics may have already clinched a playoff spot for the 2022 WNBA Postseason, but they are a whole different basketball team when their leading scorer is not in the lineup. They felt it on Friday night as they lost to Chicago 93-83. Thankfully the Mystics leading scorer Elena Delle Donne was out on a schedule rest day and not injury, but her absence was clearly present. The loss for Washington moves them into the 5th seed currently, possibly changing home court advantage in the postseason.
The Sky continue to have the league’s best season as they now move up 2 games ahead of second place Las Vegas. With the victory over Washington, Chicago moves to 24-8 and on the year, tying the franchise record for most wins in a season. The 2013 squad also won 24 games. The Sky should have a new record once this is all over with as the WNBA moved to a 36-game season and Chicago still has 4 games remaining.
Kahleah Copper scored 19 points for Chicago followed by Allie Quigley with 18 points. Courtney Vandersloot continues her impressive career as one of the league’s all-time passers with 7 assists.
Saturdays Games
Fever vs. Wings
Dallas comes back from behind to win 4th straight and even season record at .500.
The Wings defeated the Fever 95-91 in Overtime to grasp sole possession of 6th place in the latest WNBA standings and playoff picture. Kayla Thornton led the scoring for Dallas with 21 points, but the game changer on the court was Marina Mabrey. Mabrey finished with 18 points and added eight assists to help the Wings come back from a halftime deficit of 12 to give the Fever their 16th consecutive loss.
Although the play of Indiana was not enough to snap the horrendous losing streak, it should be noted that the squad played the best during the slump on Saturday night. The team was played as a functional unit compared to games past and yet again showed hopeful moments by some of their youngest stars. Rookie Lexie Hull led Indiana with 17 points and has had her two best games of her young career in the past few outings. Even though the Fever are well out of playoff contention with a 5-29 record they have plenty to be excited about moving forward into the offseason.
As for Dallas, the team moves to 16-16 and is two games up on the rest of the pack fighting for the last three playoff spots.
Liberty vs. Mercury
Mercury defeat New York without top guards Diggins-Smith and Taurasi
The Phoenix Mercury defeated the New York Liberty on Saturday night 76-62, moving ahead of into a playoff spot in the current WNBA Standings. The team won without two of the best front court players in Skyler Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi, but others such as Diamond DeShields, who scored 25 points, and Shey Peddy (20 points) stepped up to move Phoenix to 14-19 on the year.
The Liberty’s night was spoiled, especially for star guard Sabrina Ionescu, as she became the first player in WNBA history to total at least 200 assists and 200 rebounds as well as 500 points in the same season. A feat that has not been accomplish by any player in the leagues historic 26-year existence. Ionescu recorded 20 points in Saturdays outing and was the only member on the Liberty to reach double-digits in scoring.
The Liberty move to 13-19 and are now 0.5 game behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot with only 4 games remaining.
Sundays Games
Sun vs. Sky
Chicago breaks franchise record and strengthens lead as number 1 seed.
Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 94-91 Sunday and set a franchise record for wins in a season. The prior record was held by the 2013 Sky roster with 24 wins. The Sky (now 25-8) now have a two-game lead on the Las Vegas Aces for the best record in the WNBA.
WNBA Legend and Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker scored 18 points and recorded 12 rebounds in the contest and was surrounded by fantastic performances. Courtney Vandersloot had 20 points, five assists, as well as Allie Quigley and Emma Meesseman added 15 points each.
The Sun did this one without head coach Curt Miller as head was on leave for bereavement. Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas led the team for the Sun with 17 and 16 points respectfully.
Sparks vs. Mystics
Mystics lose game in controversial fashion as Sparks playoff hopes to remain alive.
The Sparks snapped a 6-game losing streak after defeating the Washington Mystics 79-76 Sunday night, however ended on quite a controversial call.
Mystics Natasha Cloud shot a contested three-point shot to attempt and tie the game as time was expiring. Sparks Jordin Canada was guarding Cloud, and went for the block, a foul was called, but later waved off by the refs to end the game. Later on, Cloud went to social media to express her frustration with the call.
The Sparks were led by Brittney Sykes, as she scored 21 points. With this win for L.A., they remain in the mix for one of the last three playoff spots remaining. They currently sit in 11th place, but only 1.0 game behind 8th place heading into the final week.
Leading the scoring for Washington was the duo of Myisha Hines-Allen and Ariel Atkins, who each put up 20 points. This loss for the Mystics moved them a 0.5 game behind the Storm for the 4th seed, a pivotal position in the postseason, giving home court advantage in round one.
Aces vs. Storm
Vegas spoils Sue Bird’s final home game in Seattle
The Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle was sold out and reached the largest attendance in franchise history Sunday night as Sue Bird took the court at home for the final time in the regular season. Bird who has announced this season is her last has played all 18 seasons with the Seattle Storm. Unfortunately, her last game in Seattle was met with a loss by the second-place Aces.
Vegas completed the act as party crashers mainly on the shoulders of A’ja Wilson who had 29 points and 6 rebounds. She also was helped by Plum, Gray and Young as all three of them scored over 15 points. Kelsey Plum led both teams with the best plus/minus on the floor with +13.
The Storm saw a stellar performance from Breanna Stewart as she finished with a season-high 35 points. Former WNBA All-Star Tina Charles also added 19 points to the scoring for the Storm. Sue Bird finished with nine points in her final homestand as well as 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
However, this loss at home may not be the last time Bird is on the court in Seattle as they currently hold the 4th seed in the playoffs and would bring a first round to the Climate Pledge Arena. Bird did not seem to be worried regarding the loss and is focused on her final postseason.
“I just want to say I love you, thank you so much and I’ll see you in the playoffs.”
Sue Bird, Seattle Storm Guard after playing in her final home regular season game
Dream vs. Lynx
Napheesa Collier returns to keep playoff hopes alive.
The scoring leader for the Minnesota Lynx made her season debut Sunday in hopes for a last minute playoff push. Napheesa Collier returned after being out early this year after giving birth to her daughter in May. The return of Collier helped the Lynx stay in the mix and defeated Atlanta 81-71.
The Lynx relied on Kayla McBride to keep their postseason hopes alive as she scored 20 points in the contest. Moriah Jefferson also recorded 18 points and had an impressive +18 +/- in the matchup. Napheesa only played 21 minutes and recorded 6 points in her return.
The Dream had an off day, but still remain in 7th in the playoff picture. Atlanta was outshot in this contest as they only shot 39.1% from the field. Rhyne Howard led the team in scoring with 16, but no started established a positive plus/minus for the game. With 3 game remaining, Atlanta will need to find some better shooting if they want to play after this week.
Playoff Picture
| # | Team | Win | Loss | GB |
| 1 | Chicago Sky -x | 25 | 8 | – |
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces -x | 23 | 10 | 2.0 |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun -x | 22 | 11 | 3.0 |
| 4 | Seattle Storm -x | 20 | 13 | 5.0 |
| 5 | Washington Mystics -x | 20 | 14 | 5.5 |
| 6 | Dallas Wings | 16 | 16 | 8.5 |
| 7 | Atlanta Dream | 14 | 19 | 11.0 |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 14 | 19 | 11.0 |
| 9 | New York Liberty | 13 | 19 | 11.5 |
| 10 | Minnesota Lynx | 13 | 20 | 12.0 |
| 11 | Los Angeles Sparks | 13 | 20 | 12.0 |
| 12 | Indiana Fever -o | 5 | 28 | 20.5 |
Monday Preview
Liberty vs. Wings
Huge playoff implications are on the line in the only matchup for Sunday’s meeting between New York and Dallas. With a victory, the Wings could solidify their spot in the postseason.
As for New York, the team controls its own destiny, and likely will have to win at least 75% of their remaining 4 games to make the playoff picture.
Tip off for this one is at 8pm EST and is on NBA TV and WNBA League Pass.
What are your Thoughts?
Be sure to let us know on SlasherSports.com. Slasher Sports is available Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Listen to the Latest from The Slasher Sports Show!
Slasher Drip
Get your Slasher Sports swag and show everyone you’re here to KILL the game! As always, choke up on the bat……..and stay alive!
