12 WNBA Games With Playoff Stakes
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- The WNBA schedule spotlights 12 games from Aug. 19 through Sept. 24, with the Aug. 31-Sept. 16 FIBA break separating the stretches; top-four finishers host first-round games.
- Minnesota Lynx have clinched a playoff berth and lead the league at 29-7, but seven of their final eight opponents are .500-or-better playoff teams and five games are on the road.
- Golden State Valkyries have clinched a postseason spot, rank first in defensive rating and face pivotal games on Aug. 19 and Aug. 24.
- Las Vegas Aces have clinched a playoff berth as defending champions, and all seven remaining opponents have losing records—the league’s easiest remaining schedule.
- Indiana Fever play five of their final eight games against .500-or-better teams, finish with two games against the 29-7 league leader and enter the stretch with an 11-6 road record.
- New York Liberty will host Atlanta on Sept. 21 and Sept. 23 while pursuing a top-four seed; Atlanta’s Sept. 21 win would make the rematch decisive for the season series.
- Satou Sabally last played June 23 because of ongoing concussion issues, and it remains uncertain whether the New York forward will return this season.
Why it matters: Minnesota has already clinched a playoff berth and owns the league’s best record, but seven of its final eight opponents are .500-or-better playoff teams. Indiana, New York and Atlanta still have home-court and tiebreak stakes, while Las Vegas’s seven-game slate against losing teams is the easiest remaining schedule.
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