The final playoff spot is up for grabs on Sunday as the Washington Mystics, Chicago Sky, and Atlanta Dream look to compete in the post season with only a few games remaining in the season. Atlanta sits 1.5 games behind Washington and Chicago who are tied in eighth place with the Mystics owing the tie breaker. Washington is more likely to clinch the spot with wins last week over the Sky and the Dream moving them into eighth place in the standings. Tonight’s games could determine which team will steal the final spot as the Mystics host the Dream for the final time this season, and the Sky play at home against the Mercury.
Early in the season, Washington was not in conversation to make the playoffs this year after going the winless in the first twelve games of the season and losing a few starters to injuries. Since then, the Mystics have gone 13-12 and now seat in the final spot of the standings. Washington have made the playoffs six out seven seasons with a championship in 2019 and are looking to extend their playoff streak. Mystics are led by veteran core players Ariel Atkins, Britney Sykes, Shakira Austin, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough who were part of the team’s playoff appearance in recent years. The Mystics bring back Stefaine Dolson who has championship experience and improve her three-point shooting percentage, Karlie Samuelson the new addition to the roster has played for different WNBA teams and gives the Mystics another great three-point shooter. Washington also added two phenomenal rookies in Aaliyah Edwards, a forward from Canada who played four years at the University of Connecticut and gives Washington a backup post player. Julie Vanloo, the oldest rookie this season from Belgium has overseas and international experience that will help her flourish in the league.
“The Mystics have a fair chance at clinching the final seed as only team to have more playoff experience than both the Sky and Dream’s current rosters combined. The Mystics during this season have played in games where they’ve been close but sometimes fail to execute at the end of game. The team has to continue to be consistent for the rest of the season if they are going to make a run at the postseason.”
Chicago who won a championship in 2021 have dealt with roster and coaching changes in the past seasons where veteran players left in free agency to play for other teams which force the Sky to rebuild around new players. Tersea Weatherspoon, former New York Liberty legend, is in her first season brings defense to a young Sky team trying to clinch their fifth consecutive playoff appearances in franchise history. The Sky finished the first half of the season at 10-14, but since Marina Mabrey was traded to Connecticut and lost Elizabeth Williams to a knee injury, the team has gone 3-11. Weatherspoon would change up the lineup’s occasionally to find the right players that will give energy from the start of the game. Chennedy Carter, who has bounced around the league, finally found a home in Chicago coming off the bench and currently in the lineup with career highs in scoring and assist. Kamilia Cardoso, third pick in the draft who missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury, has been an impact for the Sky lately giving them a big post player that can score, rebound and block shots. Angel Reese, the seventh pick in this year’s draft, made a statement in her rookie campaign leading the league in rebounds, double-doubles and breaking the rebound record before injuring her wrist a week ago that has her out for the season.
“Chicago Sky are a very young team that can play against any team in the league with their ability to attack the rim, spread the floor, and rebound the ball on both ends. Injuries have affected the Sky throughout the season to stay healthy and compete at a high level. The team struggles come from being inconsistent in close games and not getting enough stops which is a problem for them in their last recent games. I think the Sky would clinch if they can utilize their chemistry on offense by taking good shots, sharing the ball and causing problems towards their opponents on the defensive end.”
Atlanta had high expectations coming into the season after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year. The Dream added long-time veteran Tina Charles looking to win her first championship in her career, Jordin Canada, a two-time champion with Seattle who brings ball handling skills and defense with the returns of former Rookie of the Year, Rhyne Howard and two-time all-star Allisha Gray who is coming off her best season in Atlanta. The Dream faced injuries in the first half of the season with Canada out with an arm injury and Howard missing a couple of games with an ankle injury which led the team to go on an eight-game losing streak. Role players, Haley Jones and Naz Hillmon had to set up big with career high numbers in scoring, assist, and rebounds for the team to have success this year. Since then, the Dream have gone 5-8 post-Olympic break with a chance to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons under head coach Tanisha Wright.
“Atlanta has the potential to be a really good team that can make a post season run if they can continue to stay healthy and take every possession important to close out games. The Dream also have to stay in control of their destiny and become an aggressive team on the offensive and defensive end.
