Only three weeks remain in the 2021 WNBA regular-season. Every time the buzzer sounds, the playoff race shifts.
Each loss brings a team closer towards the playoffs. Every win could be a chance to improve or continue the season.
A new No. 1 team is at the top of this week's list of changes. A dominant performance by the Connecticut Sun against the Las Vegas Aces made them the No. 1 team. Surprise! The Seattle Storm's inability in the second period to close out games has resulted in them dropping two spots.
What should teams looking for a playoff spot do? (Yes, win is what we mean. Play better defense? Commit fewer turnovers? Close out fourth quarters? Let's see.
Week 1
1. 1.
2021: 20-6
Previous ranking: 3
They won their sixth consecutive victory over the Las Vegas Aces, who were previously the top-ranked team in the league. This clinched the Sun a playoff slot -- and added a big exclamation mark to their name in this standings. Even though Jonquel Jones, MVP candidate, did not score in double digits this season, it was her first time being held below 10 points.
We learned a lot from that game about the potential playoff team for the Sun. DeWanna Bonner, a veteran with championship experience, is there for Jones when Jones isn’t having her best offensive night. With Brionna Jones having completed the "Big 3", Connecticut is now the team that no one wants to face.
Connecticut could still use its remaining regular season games, just one on the road this week, before a break through Labor Day weekend, for some offensive fine-tuning. While the Big 3's performance is notable, Connecticut's average PPG has been just 78.8, which ranks third in the league. This weakness could be a problem, especially in the best of five semifinals.
This week: @WAS
2. Las Vegas Aces
2021: 19-7
Previous ranking: 1
Even after a drubbing, the Aces are not far behind the Sun. This is despite A'ja Wilson's off-night.
The Aces are still the WNBA's top offensive rating team (105.7), and second in defensive rating (95.0). Wilson averages 18.8 points per game and a career high 9.4 rebounds. Liz Cambage, Wilson's frontcourt partner, contributes 14.8 points, 8.4 rebound and 1.6 blocks. Las Vegas is currently 10-3 at home, 9-4 on the roads and perfectly balanced to face any surge team in the playoffs.
The Aces were able to bounce back against both the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever. However, the win against the former was worrying considering the Dream's poor season. This win perfectly demonstrates how deep this team really is. Wilson and Cambage scored just 12 and 11 points, respectively. The rest of the team performed well: Kelsey Plum had 14 points, Jackie Young had 13, Chelsea Gray had 13, and Riquna Wilkins had 15. Cambage and Wilson may have had an off week, but it's not an issue when you consider the depth of the roster.
The Aces now have back-to–back games against Chicago Sky. They are currently on a three game winning streak that includes two wins against the Storm. Both teams will face a tough test in this game, which could prove to be an important test for their playoff hopes.
This week: @CHI, CHI
3. Minnesota Lynx
2021: 15-9
Previous ranking: 4
The Lynx are finally looking like the team they were at the start of the season. Minnesota started the season with four consecutive losses, before they won 15 of their last twenty.
Napheesa Colllier has returned from overseas. Kayla McBride, and AerialPowers, both of whom joined the team during the offseason, have finally clicked. Layshia Clarendon was also cut by New York and quickly settled in Minnesota.
Thanks to everyone's contributions, the team is back in the playoff picture. But it is Sylvia Fowles, a veteran, who stands out. The 2017 MVP is back in the discussion for the 2021 MVP. She recently dropped 29 points, 20 rebounds and four steals to help the Lynx defeat the Storm for the second time in two years.
However, the Lynx need to improve their speed. Sometimes, the ball movement is too slow. Pre-Olympic break they averaged 21.1 APG. But post-break that number has fallen to 19.6. This is not a significant drop but it is important to maintain a fast ball movement and avoid turnovers in order to defeat top-ranked teams.
The Lynx will be at home for three of the remaining games. They'll face three hungry teams looking for a playoff spot. It will be difficult for the Lynx to hold onto their fourth-place standing which allows them to get a bye in the first round of playoffs.
This week: NY, LA and WAS
4. Seattle Storm
2021: 18-10
Previous ranking: 2
Since returning from the Olympic break, Seattle is currently at 4-8. This includes a 3-1 losing streak after Chicago's 32-point defeat. It is the worst record in franchise history. It has only scored 78 points per game in those losses, which is well below the season average (84.9).
This type of dip raises some questions. Are the Storm becoming complacent? Are they cruising to the playoffs (the Aces and Storm are the only two teams that have clinched postseason berths thus far)? Is it possible that their inability in the fourth quarter to close out games signals future playoff struggles
However, the offense must pick up, which is what should happen with Olympic gold medalists Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart, and Sue Bird on your roster. The defense has been a problem since the beginning of the season. It is not possible to match up with Aces teams, so relying on a defensive rating 98.2, which ranks fourth in the league, won't get them far.
Only four games remain for the Storm, with one remaining on the road. They must win games against all four of their opponents to secure their playoff spot.
This week: NY
5. Chicago Sky
2021: 14-12
Previous ranking: 6
Sky is right where they want it to be.
They are the third best offense in the league (83.3 PPG). Courtney Vandersloot is one of the most skilled point guards in WNBA. Their ball movement is outstanding, averaging 22.0 APG, which is a league-leading feat.
Candace Parker is also a part of their success. They are an incredible 12-4 team when Parker is playing. They're only 1-8 without her.
There's also 2021 All Star Kahleah copper, who scored 26 and 13 points respectively in the Sky's back to back wins against the Storm. Allie Quigley was crowned the 2021 All-Star Game's 3-point champion. Team USA won a gold medal in 3x3 basketball thanks to Stefanie Dolson.
It is therefore a mystery as to why Chicago (14-12, sixth in the standings) took so long to establish a winning record. Health is a major factor. Parker missed eight games in the 2021 season before the Olympic break. Quigley missed several games due to a hamstring injury and Dolson was unavailable due to Team USA commitments. This lack of play time has caused a lack in continuity on the court. The Sky turn the ball over 15.2 percent per game, which is second in the league.
The Sky are all the pieces, and they showed it in their series against Storm. This included a 32-point win to close the week. The Sky also lost narrowly to the Wings, and Lynx. They will just need to use their players correctly, and any momentum gained from wins over Storm could lead to wins in the postseason.
This week: @LV, PHO, LV
6. Phoenix Mercury
2021: 15-10
Previous ranking: 5
Talk about timing. The Mercury won six consecutive games after returning from the Olympic break, a time when the team had struggled to string together winning streaks. They beat teams with sub-.500 records, but they won six straight games.
Skylar Diggins Smith's performance in five of these wins stands out. She shot 62.7% overall from the field and 64.7% from 3 point range. She also dropped 27 points and received seven assists to seal her sixth consecutive win against Liberty.
Brittney Griner, Brittney's teammate, quietly has been building a MVP-caliber season. She's also dunk for the 15th consecutive time -- the rest of WNBA has seen only three other dunks in their careers -- and she's averaging 20.7 points per game, which is second in the league. Griner is fourth in the league, with 9.8 RPG and first with 2.0 BPG.
Phoenix's win over New York was an excellent example of how great this team can be. Diggins-Smith and Griner were the "Big 3" and Diana Taurasi, Phoenix's "Big 3", perfectly played their roles. Taurasi scored 21 points and had nine assists.
Phoenix's health is a concern. Griner was injured in Wednesday's victory over New York, and she sat out Friday’s rematch. Her availability, which is limited to seven games before the season's end -- the next two games against Chicago at home and Indiana on the road -- could impact the team's chances for staying at No. 5 in the standings.
This week: @CHI and @IND
7. Dallas Wings
2021: 11-15
Previous ranking: 7
The Wings had to improve their consistency before the Olympic break. You can't beat a team with 10+ points and then lose the next game against the same team by double-digits. This performance was only maintained after the break. They are at risk of losing a playoff spot because of this inconsistency and the loss Satou Sabally (12.4 ppg, 6.3 RPG), whom they have lost to an Achilles injury, which has made it difficult for them to maintain a.500 season.
They are one of only five players with five years of league experience, making them one of most entertaining teams. How can they keep their first playoff spot since 2018? Marina Mabrey, who is the frontrunner to win Most Improved Player, and Arike Ogunbowale (paging), who can score anywhere. They are the reason the Wings have the fourth best scoring offense in the league (83.3 ppg).
They just need to keep going and carry their offense when they can. Their teammates should step up when they are having off nights. Now they need to be careful not to give away unnecessary games like they did with the Fever's two-point defeat at home. They also have yet to defeat the Dream this season, who they will face twice at home.
This week: ATL and ATL
8. New York Liberty
2021: 11-16
Previous ranking: 8
Since 2020, when they won just two games, the Liberty have made a significant turnaround. Their hot start has since cooled.
They were just 2-2 in July and are now 1-5 since the Olympic break. This includes a four-game losing streak. This is not the record you want, especially when you are just holding on to the eighth seed for playoffs. They averaged 78.3 points per game in six post-break games and gave up 89.7 points per game. They average 79.0 ppg, which is fourth in the league.
Even though Sami Whitcomb is the best 3-point shooter of the WNBA, he will be out until mid-September with an ankle injury. New York must also remember that it still has Betnijah Kyley (17.9 PPG), 4.3 RPG and 5.2 APG), Sabrina Ionescu (10.5 APG and 5.9 APG), 5.6 RPG and Natasha Howard (14.9 PM, 6.4 RPG), who won 2020's championship with Storm. Howard has to draw her team into the playoffs.
New York must also improve its ability to close out games. New York is averaging 16.9 turnovers per match, which is a league record. It was also outscored 68 to 115 in the fourth quarter of its four most recent losses.
The Liberty will have to finish the season on the road, until their last game. If they want to see their season continue, they will need to play their best basketball with the Lynx Storm Wings Sun.
This week: @MIN
9. Los Angeles Sparks
2021: 10-16
Previous ranking: 9
Like the Sky, the Sparks were plagued by injuries all season. They are now trying to catch up and secure a playoff spot. They have Nneka Ogwumike, who is healthy, so it's possible. They are now 4-3 since the Olympic break. Ogwumike's averages have been 14.5 PPG (7.0 RPG) and 5.0 APG (5.0 APG).
Los Angeles' offense is, however, lacking. It averages a WNBA-worst 73.2 points per game and shoots just 40.4% from behind the arc. It is also last in WNBA for assists per game (15.4) and rebounds (29.7).
If the Sparks are to win a playoff spot, scoring is their top priority. To do this, the Sparks must capitalize on their defense (they average 8.4 steals per games (second) and 4.55 blocks per game (4th). This will allow them to have more offensive opportunities.
It will not be easy. Four of their six remaining games are on the road and four against teams with a better track record.
This week: @IND and @MIN
10. Washington Mystics
2021: 10-15
Previous ranking: 10
This year, the Mystics were subject to a number of tragic events. They were plagued by injuries during the entire pre-Olympic break but finally looked healthy and ready to compete for a playoff spot. After a 22-month absence from the team due to back surgery, they were anchored by Tina Charles, league-leading scorer and MVP candidate (25.4 PPG, 9.7 RP), and welcomed back Elena Delle Donne as their 2019 MVP.
Charles was then taken to the hospital with a hip injury. Delle Donne was also removed from her third game as a precaution. The offense of the Mystics continues to struggle with both Charles and Delle Donne out.
Washington's shooting percentage is just 40.6% from the floor, which ranks second in the league. The Mystics' average 80.6 PPG won't get them wins against the teams that they need to defeat; they have gone just 3-7 in their last 10.
Others need to step up, especially in the second half. The team has lost five games since the Olympic break. In the fourth quarter, it was outscored 83-115.
The Mystics, currently ranked ninth in the standings are aiming for a playoff berth. However, they have a difficult schedule ahead. The playoffs still have a chance if they win some games and the teams below them lose some.
This week: CON and @MIN
11. Atlanta Dream
2021: 6-19
Previous ranking: 11
The Dream had 5-6 wins at one time and seemed to be in some form of hope. They are currently on a 10-game losing streak and although they haven’t been eliminated from the playoff race, they are out of the 2021 postseason. They should now focus on the positives that can be gleaned from 2021 and then apply this to 2022.
Courtney Williams is one of those great things. The 2021 All-Star has a career-high of 15.9 PPG, 6.5% RPG and 4.2 APG. Tiffany Hayes, who was injured in the MCL, had an average of 14.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 2.9 aPG in her 14-game return.
Atlanta's offense will be able to grow if it builds around Hayes and Williams, particularly if it brings back top scorer Chennedy Carrett -- currently suspended indefinitely for conduct that was detrimental to the team since July -- as a centerpiece. It can also continue to build 2021 No. Aari McDonald is the third overall pick. He has been a few times a double-digit scorer.
Atlanta must improve its offense (98.3, ninth place in the league) as well as defense (105.3, the second-worst) to be able to compete with deeper teams in the league.
This week: @DAL and @DAL
12. Indiana Fever
2021: 5-19
Previous ranking: 12
The Fever won just five games this season, and they may soon be out in playoff contention. However, they have had some successes, including a win over the Sun. In those narrow wins, Danielle Robinson (9.9 ppg, 3.7 APG and 3.5 RPG), Kelsey Mitchell (16.3 ppg, 2.6 RPG. 2.3 APG), and Teaira McCowan (11.1 ppg, 8.9 RPG) were all bright spots.
They will be able to build depth around them, which is what Indiana should do. It will also welcome back Kysre Gondrezick (2021 lottery pick), who was withdrawn from the team late in the season due to personal reasons.
They will be facing teams who are going to play their best basketball to secure a playoff spot. The Fever can learn two lessons from watching these teams play basketball: how they move the ball and how they defend.
This week: LA and PHO
