What To Watch For: WNBA Reaches Its Final Regular Season Weekend
After the two best starts in league history, 12 players returning home with Olympic gold, and one of the greatest shooting streaks ever recorded, the monumental 20th season of the WNBA has reached its final regular season weekend.
Although the playoff picture is set there’s still uncertainty about where some of the eight teams will play, which means that this upcoming weekend just may be the most important of them all. Legends will play their final games, MVP candidates can leave lasting impressions, and a rookie can solidify her place as the next big thing. When the dust finally settles the postseason will be clear and the quest for a championship can truly begin.
Here’s what to watch for this weekend:
Friday
Wings vs. Sun (7:00 EST, League Pass)
Although neither team will continue playing after Sunday, both the Sun and Wings are young, up and coming rosters that need to finish strong to set the tone for next season. Connecticut is fresh off a two-point win over the playoff-bound Fever while the Wings have turned things around of late and could enter the offseason riding a three-game win streak. Also, Skylar Diggins seems to have fully recovered from ACL surgery and is back to her usual energetic antics.
Lynx vs. Fever (7:00 EST, NBA TV)
This intriguing matchup of the number one overall seed heading into the postseason and the current number six seed. If Indiana can capture a win over Maya Moore and Minnesota it will ensure that they host their win-and-advance first round playoff game. Adding more flame to the fire, it will also allow Tamika Catchings to play what could be her last WNBA game in front her home fans. Talk about motivation.
Liberty vs. Sky (8:30 EST, League Pass)
The three and four seed respectively are locked into their playoff spots and will have first-round byes before hosting the win-and-advance showdown. This game is critical for the Sky despite it not meaning anything with regards to playoff seeding because it should give them more time to work out a successful lineup without Elena Delle Donne. The reigning MVP had surgery on her thumb Tuesday and her status going forward is unclear. Courtney Vandersloot and Cappie Pondexter must continue to shoulder the load if the Sky want to make any noise in the postseason.
Stars vs. Sparks (10:30 EST, NBA TV)
L.A. will be the two seed come playoff time and while the team that won its first 11 games of the season seems like a natural choice to make a championship run they’ve gone 1-3 in their last four games. MVP front-runner Nneka Ogwumike will look to an exclamation point on her unbelievable season and lay claim to the WNBA’s most valuable player.
Saturday
Dream vs. Lynx (8:00 EST NBA TV)
Minnesota looks to wrap up the league’s best record in 2016 and with a win on Friday, and then again Saturday, could come within one game of the most wins in WNBA history (29). The Dream will have equally high stakes as they look to remain as the five seed and host their first-round playoff contest. It’s the last time you’ll get to see Maya, Lindsay, Seimone, and Sylvia on the floor until the semifinals, enjoy it.
Sunday
Sun vs. Mystics (4:00 EST, ESPN 3)
Washington was a win away from making the playoffs for a fourth-straight season, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be. Still, Stephanie Dolson, and Emma Meesseman can end their impressive seasons in style with a win on the final day of the regular season.
Wings vs. Fever (4:00 EST, ESPN 2)
Paul George and his 5,000 tickets will be among those on hand to watch Tamika Catchings play her final regular season game. Catch was already a legend before announcing this season would be her last, now we really have reached the conclusion of a storybook career. Luckily, this won’t be the finale just yet as the Fever could host their first-round playoff game and continue Tamika’s journey a little longer. But still, this will be must-see TV as a once in a generation player says goodbye.
Mercury vs. Stars (4:30 EST, ESPN 3)
The Mercury have crept in the postseason through the backdoor, and one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA could potentially make a deep playoff run if they start firing on all cylinders. Brittney Griner’s dominance has be noteworthy since returning from Rio and Diana Taurasi continues to defy the test of time with her shot-making ability. This will also be the final regular season game for both Penny Taylor and Jayne Appel-Marinelli.
Sky vs. Storm (7:00 EST, NBA TV)
Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, and the perennially great Sue Bird, finally have Seattle back in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Although the Storm will likely play their first-round game on the road they have the talent to surprise some teams and could be a potential sleeper pick to make an extended playoff run.
For the aforementioned Stewart, she’s put together one of the best rookie seasons the W has ever seen. Averaging the sixth most points (18.3) and the second most rebounds per game (9.3) Stewie has lived up to the hype and then some. An inaugural season for the record books will be a fitting end to what’s been a thrilling 20th WNBA season.