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Entering the final week of the regular season, the playoff lineup is set. However, seeding matchups are still up in the air.
If the standings remain as they are now, today’s headline matchup features a future first-round playoff bout. The Chicago Sky have dropped their last two games while the Phoenix Mercury have won their last two. The difference between where Chicago sits at fifth and Phoenix at eighth is just two and a half games. With three games to play for the Sky, they can ill afford to lose games and miss out on hosting a single-elimination game in the first or possibly second round.
The Minnesota Lynx are in sixth place with a chance to host a playoff game. They welcome the Indiana Fever to town, who have been playing the best of the eliminated teams with a 5-5 record over their last 10 games. The Fever lost by just four points in their last visit to the Target Center and won when the Lynx visited Indianapolis.
The Seattle Storm are 3-7 in their last 10 games and have dropped their last two games. The Atlanta Dream visit having won two of their last three games after enduring a 12-game losing streak. These teams have split their previous two matchups, with the road team winning by double digits in each. This is likely the final home game of the season for the Storm unless they can string some wins together to earn a home game in the single-elimination rounds.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s games:
Game information
Chicago Sky (18-13) vs. Phoenix Mercury (15-15)
When: Sunday Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, The U Too
Keys to the matchup: The Mercury bring their MVP candidate Britney Griner to take on the Sky frontcourt, which is a daunting task for any team. However, the Sky are a high-scoring team proven by the fact that they have not scored below 80 points since July 21.
Minnesota Lynx (16-15) vs. Indiana Fever (11-20)
When: Sunday Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MIN
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports Indiana
Keys to the matchup: Sylvia Fowles and Teaira McCowan face off in the post and it should interesting to watch how the rookie performs against the future Hall of Famer. McCowan has posted three straight double-doubles and has scored over 20 points in those performances. In the Lynx’s last game, Fowles scored a season-high 25 points in just 26 minutes of play while also contributing 12 rebounds.
Seattle Storm (15-15) vs. Atlanta Dream (7-23)
When: Sunday Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena, Seattle, WA
How to watch: NBATV, Joe TV, WSB Now, NBA TV Canada
Keys to the matchup: Jordin Canada and Jewell Loyd for the Storm vs. Renee Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes for the Dream is the matchup that will have the most impact on the game. These teams are at their best when these players are playing well. There is one more trick up the Storm’s sleeve: Natasha Howard. However, Howard has averaged just 11 points in Seattle’s last three games.