Photo Courtesy of Jessica Hill/AP
The WNBA season is almost over, and the playoffs will be here shortly. Some teams are down to less than five games in their season, and for the teams doing well, they are gearing up for a potential championship run. And when the playoffs begin, fans will see who has what it takes to win a championship.
The playoffs begin on Sept. 13, but it is not too early to discuss them. With that said, here are five teams that could win it all.
1.) Las Vegas Aces
The Las Vegas Aces are currently the top team in the league. They have a record of 30-6 (as of this article) and despite a two-game losing streak, they are still a tough team to beat. The defending champions are a tough team to beat on their home floor, and if they remain the first seed, they will have the home court advantage.
The Aces are led by A’ja Wilson. Wilson is the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. She could be on her way to winning those awards again with her impressive season. Most recently, Wilson tied the WNBA scoring record for most points in a game. Wilson had 53 points (her career-high) in a win over the Atlanta Dream. The last player to score 53 was Wilson’s former teammate Liz Cambage. Cambage reached 53 in 2018.
The Aces have a talented team, and if they continue to play well, they could win their second championship.
2.) New York Liberty
The New York Liberty are another top team. They are second in the league with a record of 28-7. The Liberty are a fun team to watch, and they have the pieces to win a championship. Sabrina Ionescu has been with the Liberty since they drafted her in 2020. She remains one of their top players as the Liberty have added other stars. Breanna Stewart joined the Liberty in free agency, and has had impressive performances including multiple 40-point games. The Liberty also have Jonquel Jones (who they acquired in a trade with Connecticut). New York is a strong team that has given the defending champions a hard time. They beat Las Vegas to win the Commissioner’s Cup, and on Monday, they beat the Aces 94-85. New York is one of the favorites, and it will be interesting to see what they do in the playoffs.
3.) Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun are a talented (sometimes slept on) team that is capable of winning a championship. The Sun reached the WNBA Finals last season, where the Aces defeated them 3-1. They are playing well again this season, and if everything goes their way, they could see themselves in the finals once again. With players like Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Sun have the talent to go far. It should also be noted that the Sun handed the Aces their first loss of the season this year. So, they can do great things. Connecticut is third in the league with a record of 25-11.
4.) Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings are a tough team that does not back down. In fact, they are one of the few teams to beat the Aces this year. On July 7, the Wings beat the Aces 80-78. The Aces had five players in double figures, and the Wings matched that energy. Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale was one of five players in double figures. Ogunbowale is one of the most talented scorers in the league, and she can have big games at any moment. And with players like Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally playing well, the Wings are not a team to take lightly.
The Wings are currently fourth in the league with a 19-16 record. If everything goes well, they will remain in that spot.
5.) Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics may be one game under .500 but as it stands, they are currently fifth in the league. The Mystics picked up a big win over the Aces on Saturday with their star player Elena Delle Donne leading the way. Delle Donne battled injuries this season but played well in this game. Delle Donne is no stranger to winning. She won a championship in 2019, which was the same year she won MVP. So, injuries aside, Delle Donne could help the Mystics get their second championship. The other teams on this list may have better odds, but the Mystics could still be a team to watch out for.
The WNBA playoffs will be exciting and in the end, the best team will win it all.