The WNBA playoffs remain in flux, as No. 1 Minnesota fell to No. 4 Atlanta 89-81 last night — failing to clinch the No. 1 seed ahead of the FIBA World Cup break in last night’s Lynx vs Dream loss.
Guard Allisha Gray led the Dream with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Angel Reese bolstered the scoreline with her history-making 29th double-double of the season.
“They were able to physically dictate in ways that we just didn’t respond well to,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “I think it’s a good look at what the playoffs are going to be.”
Minnesota’s two-game skid puts No. 2 Golden State in the running for top seeding. The Valkyries sit just two games back after Sunday’s 86-69 win over No. 9 Portland.
29-11 Golden State closed out August on four straight victories, as they look to challenge the Lynx’s 31-9 record with four regular-season games to go.
“When they come back, the mindset [is] being ready for playoffs,” Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said. “[Making] sure that they’re clear, their mind is clear, because we’re gonna go deeper.”
