:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65196959/1151686116.jpg.0.jpg)
The playoff matchups are nearly locked in and the last two game days are set to play a role in the final standings. Tonight’s games feature five playoff teams, with two of the games pitting them title-chasers head-to-head.
The Connecticut Sun are at home against the Chicago Sky. The Sun are one game back of the first-place Washington Mystics and cannot afford a loss. The Sun have the potential to set a new single-season record for home wins if they get past the Sky. The Sky have their fate to worry about, too — they are just a half-game behind the Las Vegas Aces for fourth place. The Sky also need to be wary of the Minnesota Lynx who are two games behind them. If the Sky were to drop their last two games and the Lynx were to win theirs, the Lynx would move into fifth place by virtue of owning the tiebreaker via head-to-head matchup record.
The Washington Mystics welcome the Dallas Wings to D.C. The Wings have dropped their last two games, which includes a loss at home to the Mystics. When these teams faced off in June on the Mystics’ home court, the Wings were run out of the building. Poor road performances have plagued the Wings all year and it is likely going to continue in this one.
The Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty had higher hopes prior to the season. With all of the young talent on both of these teams, their meeting presents an intriguing late-season matchup. No playoff stakes here, just pride, development and hope that losing now will lead to wins in the future.
The night caps off with an always exciting matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx have the chance to move up one spot as previously discussed. For that to happen, they need to win tonight and on Sunday with some help from other teams beating the Sky. For the Mercury, they need to show some execution as they head into the playoffs. The seventh-place Seattle Storm own the head-to-head matchup, so there is no way for the Mercury to improve their seed.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s games:
Game information
Washington Mystics (24-8) vs. Dallas Wings (10-22)
When: Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Entertainment and Sports Arena, Washington, DC
How to watch: Twitter, NBCSWA+, Monumental
Keys to the matchup: The Mystics have been the best team in the league all year and are 15-2 in their last 17 games. Elena Delle Donne scored 30 points in the Mystics’ last game and is shooting a career-high 51.6 percent from the floor. The Wings will have to play on their heads to get a win.
New York Liberty (9-23) vs. Indiana Fever (11-21)
When: Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, Yes, SN1
Keys to the matchup: The matchup between Teaira McCowan and Tina Charles will be fun to watch for sure. McCowan has been a good scorer for the Fever down the stretch but fouls have been an issue: She picked up four or more fouls in a game 12 times this season and fouled out once.
Connecticut Sun (23-9) vs. Chicago Sky (19-13)
When: Friday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, NESN+, The U Too
Keys to the matchup: Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot make up one of the best backcourts in the league and are sure to cause problems for the Sun. On the other side, how the Sky handle Jonquel Jones will determine their fate.
Phoenix Mercury (15-17) vs. Minnesota Lynx (17-15)
When: Friday, Sept. 6, at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
How to watch: WNBA League Pass, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports North Plus
Keys to the matchup: The Lynx have taken the first two matchups this season, but this will be the first meeting of the year in Phoenix. DeWanna Bonner was the main feature for Phoenix, scoring over 20 points in both games. But Bonner has scored in single figures in three of the last four games. Britney Griner has come on as a force, scoring over 20 points in eight of the last nine games. The three-headed monster of Odyssey Sims, Sylvia Fowles and Napheesa Collier will make its mark on the game for the Lynx.