MINNEAPOLIS — The WNBA season has been dominated by discussions surrounding the rookie class, primarily Sky rookie Angel Reese and Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.
While both have had historic seasons, neither has their team in title contention just yet. The true title contenders are all being led by MVP-caliber veterans.
The Liberty, who could have clinched the No. 1 seed Friday night with a Lynx loss, are anchored by an MVP frontcourt tandem of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. In Minnesota, Cheryl Reeve has a team — projected by many to finish outside of the playoff race — second in league standings. Their success can, in part, be attributed to their veteran experience and Reeve’s ability to find the right free agents this offseason to complement MVP candidate Napheesa Collier.
The third-place Sun, led by reigning coach of the year Stephanie White, have leaned on the cohesion provided by their core four. Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and DiJonai Carrington have spent the last four seasons playing together. The reigning champion Aces are anchored by the should-be unanimous MVP this season, A’ja Wilson, one of the league’s best veteran point guards in Chelsea Gray and two former No. 1 overall picks in Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.
If the season were to end today, the Sky would meet the Liberty in the first round of the playoffs. The Fever would face the Sun.
The 2024 class undoubtedly has taken the league to new places. Beyond the Sky and Fever, the Sparks’ future looks promising with rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in the fold. Rookie Aaliyah Edwards will be a key to the Mystics’ eventual return to the top of league standings.
However, the 2024 season still belongs to the stalwarts
Playoff picture
Over the next week, the race for the eighth and final playoff spot will likely tighten even further, considering the league’s schedule.
The Sky play the Dream on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Mystics and Dream will meet each other again on Sunday after going head-to-head on Friday night. In the scenario of a three-way tie, the league’s tiebreaker rules will not change.
The first tie-breaker goes to whichever team has a better record in head-to-head matchups. In the case of the Sky and Mystics, that tiebreaker belongs to the Mystics.
Tuesday’s game against the Dream could be the decider in their head-to-head series this season if the Sky win. They currently have a 2-1 advantage over the Dream. Sunday’s game between the Dream and Mystics could be the decider of that series. If any series is split, the second tiebreaker goes to the team with the better winning percentage against teams with a .500 record or better.
Injury update
Diamond DeShields traveled with the Sky for their road game against the Lynx on Friday. However, it seems unlikely that she will be available before the end of the regular season next Thursday against the Sun.
She is still wearing a boot on her right foot after spraining her ankle in the Sky’s win over the Wings on Sept. 8. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said pregame that she is “progressing.”
The Sky signed forward Kaela Davis to a hardship contract earlier in the week after rookie Angel Reese was ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured left wrist. Reese will not be traveling with the Sky for their remaining road games, but that could
change if they make the playoffs.
The Sky have 10 available players with Davis and could technically sign one more if they were willing to rule out DeShields for the rest of the season.