As the WNBA regular season resumes on Thursday, September 17, all eight playoff squads face a high-stakes scramble for postseason seeding ahead of the September 27 playoffs. Minnesota enters the final stretch holding the No. 1 spot, while New York, Washington, and Dallas battle to avoid a first-round matchup against the Lynx.
Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty Clash in Potential Playoff Preview
The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx return from the FIBA break on Friday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ION, facing off in a game carrying major postseason implications. Both squads sent more players to compete in Berlin than any other postseason team. While this keeps players sharp, it also introduces heavy fatigue from a grueling international schedule.
The regular-season series between New York and Minnesota is currently tied. In their most recent meeting, the Lynx secured a narrow five-point victory, though they surrendered 27 points off turnovers. Both teams also rely heavily on perimeter shooting; they combined for 27 made three-pointers in their last encounter. While the Lynx hold a higher shooting percentage from beyond the arc, the Liberty average more made three-pointers per game.
Golden State Valkyries Chase the Top Seed Against Portland Fire
The Golden State Valkyries eye a late-season surge to steal the No. 1 seed from Minnesota, benefiting from one of the league’s easiest remaining schedules compared to the Lynx’s tough slate. Golden State meets the Portland Fire twice, starting Friday, September 18, at 10:00 p.m. ET on ION, followed by a matchup on Tuesday, September 22, on League Pass.
Golden State currently leads the season series 2-0, having won both previous contests by margins exceeding 15 points. Despite being out of playoff contention, the Portland Fire look to play spoiler. Portland ranks third in average three-pointers per game, making long-range shooting their primary weapon to counter Golden State’s dominant defense and paint presence.
Pro Tip: Watch turnover differentials when evaluating late-season matchups. Teams that limit live-ball mistakes against aggressive defenses like Minnesota and Golden State drastically improve their offensive efficiency.
Indiana Fever Face Tough Schedule Against Washington Mystics
The Indiana Fever hold the toughest remaining schedule among all playoff contenders as they push for a top-four finish and home-court advantage. They face the Washington Mystics on Sunday, September 20, at 4:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Meanwhile, the Mystics aim to climb out of the No. 8 seed to steer clear of Minnesota in the opening round.
Their head-to-head series is tied, with both previous games decided by just two points. Washington secured a 104-102 win by dominating the paint with a 58-28 scoring advantage, while Indiana bounced back with a 78-76 victory by matching that physical inside play. The outcome depends heavily on Washington’s interior duo of Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen against Indiana’s defensive response.
New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream Fight for Positioning
The Atlanta Dream currently sit in the No. 4 seed, holding the final home-court advantage spot, and face the New York Liberty on Monday, September 21, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Peacock/NBCSN, followed by a rematch on Wednesday, September 23, on USA Network. New York aims to secure wins to prevent slipping toward the bottom of the playoff bracket.
When these teams last met in June, the Liberty earned a 104-90 victory behind a stellar 52 percent shooting performance from beyond the arc, draining 16 three-pointers while Atlanta struggled at the free-throw line, leaving 12 points uncollected. Roster changes add intrigue: Satou Sabally is sidelined for the season, but Sabrina Ionescu returns for New York, and Atlanta has added DeWanna Bonner.
Minnesota Lynx Host Indiana Fever in Regular Season Finale
The Minnesota Lynx closed out the pre-break stretch with two losses and face the Indiana Fever twice to wrap up their regular season, starting Tuesday, September 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, and concluding Thursday, September 24, on USA Network.
Their lone previous meeting on August 8 resulted in a 108-100 win for Minnesota. Statistics from that game highlight an evenly matched battle: both teams hit 11 three-pointers at similar percentages and went 11-of-15 from the free-throw line, while tying with 46 points apiece in the paint. Minnesota ultimately won by capitalizing on 12 Indiana turnovers, which translated into 15 points.
Did You Know? The WNBA playoff seeding battle involves tiebreakers based on regular-season head-to-head records, making every late-September divisional game critical for home-court advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the WNBA regular season end?
The regular season concludes in late September, with the postseason officially kicking off on Sunday, September 27.
How many teams make the WNBA playoffs?
A total of eight squads advance to the postseason, where they compete for the championship title.
Which team holds the No. 1 seed heading into the final stretch?
The Minnesota Lynx enter the resumption of play holding the top spot in the league standings.
Where can fans watch the remaining regular-season games?
Broadcast networks covering the final stretch include ION, NBA TV, ESPN, USA Network, Peacock, and League Pass.
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