After a 44-game regular season, one that featured a lot of parity, the race for the WNBA championship begins on Sunday.
That’s when the first round of the playoffs will begin. Eight teams qualified, including the expansion Golden State Valkyries for the first time and the Indiana Fever, even without Caitlin Clark.
The first round is a best-of-three, followed by a best-of-five in the conference finals, and a best-of-seven (new) in the WNBA Finals.
The first round format has also changed, with the lower-seeded team hosting the second game, which means if a lower-seeded team can win on Sunday, it would have the chance to close out the series on its home floor in the next game.
The format, as well as the parity around the league this year, with second through fifth in the standings being separated by just three games, should make for an exciting postseason.
However, not every team is capable of winning it all. In the WNBA, one of these five teams will win the league championship, and here is the case for each.
Minnesota Lynx (34-10)
The Lynx might have the league’s best overall player, Napheesa Collier, who might not win the WNBA MVP award despite becoming just the second player in league history to make 40 percent from three-point range, 50 percent from the field, and 90 percent from the free-throw line over the course of a season.
Minnesota has the No. 1 offensive rating in the league (112.3) and the best defensive rating (100.0). They are second in points allowed and field-goal percentage defense.
The Lynx are the odds-on favorite for a reason, especially with the emergence of players like Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride.
Las Vegas Aces (30-14)
Winners of 16 games in a row, Las Vegas looked like an also-ran early in the season before a drastic turnaround. A’ja Wilson, who led the league in scoring (23.4 ppg) and win shares (9.5), is the favorite to win another MVP award.
With a nucleus that also includes Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Lloyd, there is enough talent in Vegas to win a third title in four years. The Aces have made the WNBA Finals three straight years.
Atlanta (30-14)
Rhyne Howard became just the ninth player in WNBA history to make over 100 three-pointers in a season. Her teammate, Allisha Gray, finished with 98.
The Dream also finished with the No. 2 offensive and defensive rating in the WNBA, in addition to being tied for the best record. Brtiney Griner has been coming off the bench.
Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada each averaged double figures this season, giving Atlanta a sneaky-deep roster.
New York Liberty (27-17)
The injury bug took a toll on the defending WNBA champs, but Breanna Stewart is back and scored 24 points in 24 minutes against Chicago on Thursday. The tandem of Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu is still as good or better than any in the WNBA.
The Liberty might be seeded fifth, but make no mistake, they are title contenders if they can put the pieces together.
Phoenix Mercury (27-17)
Alyssa Thomas was a top-three player in the WNBA this season, leading the league in assists (9.3), plus scoring 15.6 points and grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game. Nobody should sleep on the Mercury, especially with the dynamic Satou Sabally.
The first-round series against New York should be fascinating. DeWanna Bonner and Kahleah Copper, along with Sami Whitcomb. She made 88 three-pointers this season.
Defense might be what holds back Mercury, yet they have the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
