The WNBA Playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday night, and throughout the week, six teams will compete against each other in single-elimination play for the right to face the Sparks or Lynx in a best-of-five semifinals matchup.
A Lynx-Sparks WNBA Finals isn’t as likely as it was last season
Three reasons we might not get the rematch we’re hoping for.
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
This playoff format is new as of last year, and gives a strong advantage to the two teams with the best records. Not only do they get an extra 10 days off, but they don’t have to worry about their seasons ending in one night. Their next-best competition does.
The Sparks and Lynx took full advantage of their perks last season en route to a Finals duel, but may not be the case again.
These Lynx and Sparks teams aren’t the same as last season, and each is more vulnerable than they once were. Of course they remain the league’s favorites to win it all in a rematch setting, but this year’s playoffs shouldn’t be as simple a run from either team.
Here are three scenarios that could spoil the Lynx-Sparks rematch.
The Liberty stay HOT.
Tina Charles’ Liberty team crushed through August, and finished on a 10-game winning streak that included wins over the Sparks and Lynx. The wins in that span have come handily too, with just one of the 10 games coming down to one possession. This isn’t luck, and they beat the defending champs by 14 points.
Over the last 15 days, New York’s defense has been on another level, holding opponents to 86 points per 100 possessions, according to the WNBA’s website, nearly six points better than the Lynx. The Liberty’s offense scored 106 points per 100 possession as well, which is nearly five points better than the Sparks.
Because of the seedings, New York can’t play the Lynx until the Finals, but L.A. could have its work cut out if it has to face an MVP-caliber Charles who is finally surrounded by the right pieces. Shavonte Zellous, Sugar Rodgers, and Epiphanny Prince make for a complete backcourt.
Jonquel Jones continues to dominate.
Out of nowhere, the Connecticut Sun have become a legitimate threat this season, grabbing the No. 4 seed after missing the playoffs entirely last season. It’s mostly because of the emergence of Jonquel Jones, who just set a single-season rebounding record with 403. The 6’6 center is a true inside-out threat who averaged a double-double easily with 15 points on 45 percent three-point shooting and 12 boards.
Most importantly, she could prove to be a threat to MVP-favorite and Lynx go-to scorer Sylvia Fowles. Fowles has been unstoppable this season with 19 points per game on 66 percent shooting, but Jones held her sort of in check with just 12 points on nine shot attempts in their last meeting. She could cause a stir in the Lynx game plan, which may already have one of its superstars at less than 100 percent.
Lindsay Whalen isn’t fully healed.
The Lynx have been extremely cautious with their legendary point guard, who broke her finger on Aug. 3 and needed surgery. She is expected to return for the playoffs, but just returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday. She has to get back in game shape quickly.
Minnesota went just 7-5 without her, and nearly forfeited its top seed.
It’s clear they’re going to need her to win the championship this year, but nobody knows exactly how she’ll be when she comes back. The injury was to her non-shooting hand, but the PG will need to be as strong on her left side to fulfill her role as a facilitator.
