The WNBA playoffs are here, pitting the league’s top eight teams against each other in an expanded postseason format starting with Round 1 on Wednesday.

Now that the regular season is in the rearview mirror, Just Women’s Sports’ WNBA experts got together to make their picks for every major award. While Rachel Galligan, Lyndsey D’Arcangelo and Eden Laase reached a majority decision on most of their selections, they differed on others and explained why.

Let’s dive into the selections, including a bonus lightning round on the WNBA playoffs at the end.

Most Valuable Player

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Galligan: A’ja Wilson

Choosing between Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson for MVP was one of the most difficult decisions on the ballot. What it came down to for me was Las Vegas finishing the season as the No. 1 team in the league. While the Aces have a lot of weapons, Wilson’s consistency, durability and dominance are unmatched. The 2020 MVP finished first in the league in double-doubles, efficiency per 40 minutes and blocks per game, and she came in second in rebounds per game. Wilson is the Aces’ anchor, and she has shown time and time again that she can throw the team on her back in crunch time.

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson

The WNBA hasn’t had an MVP race this tight in quite a while. I was close to flipping a coin and letting fate decide between Stewart and Wilson. Ultimately, I picked Wilson for similar reasons, with consistency on both ends of the floor being at the top of the list. We’ve known what Wilson can do offensively for Las Vegas, but she’s also raised her defensive game in the absence of Liz Cambage, finishing second overall with 7.6 defensive rebounds per game and shouldering 64.2 percent of the Aces’ total blocks for the season while averaging 1.9 per game. She’s been a complete player all season, with the league’s best +/- rating at 8.7.

Laase: A’ja Wilson

I oscillated between Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, but ultimately my gut said Wilson. As Rachel and Lyndsey explained, the stats point to Wilson’s dominance, but so does the eye test. If you watch Wilson on any given possession, she’s making an impact even if she isn’t directly involved in the play. Whether it’s setting an off-ball screen, sealing a lane for a driving guard on offense, preventing a post-entry pass or impacting a guard’s decision to drive because of her shot-blocking ability, the Aces star affects every play for the better.

Rookie of the Year

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Galligan: Rhyne Howard

Rhyne Howard maintained a seamless level of production from college to the WNBA this season, averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 31 minutes per game. The 2022 No. 1 pick proved herself to be a generational talent and cornerstone for the rebuilding Dream. Her contributions to Atlanta, which bounced back from three straight single-digit win seasons to come within a game of the playoffs this year, makes her my Rookie of the Year.

D’Arcangelo: Rhyne Howard

Howard’s transition from college to the pros was so smooth, there were times when I forgot she was even a rookie. The combination of her production and immediate impact she made on the Dream is something we haven’t seen for a few years now from a player straight out of college. Howard has been a clear-cut choice for ROY all season long, winning every Rookie of the Month Award throughout the season.

Laase: Rhyne Howard

There were games this season where, despite the better competition, Howard looked more dominant on a WNBA court than she did playing in college. That speaks to her readiness athletically, mentally, physically and skill-wise. Being the only rookie selected as an All-Star adds another layer of proof to her Rookie of the Year-worthy season.

Coach of the Year

Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces

Galligan: Becky Hammon

This was the second hardest-decision to make on the ballot this year. In fact, I changed my mind on the final day of the regular season. There is a major argument to be made for James Wade, who took the Chicago Sky from a .500 regular season team last year to a top seed this year despite losing two starters from their championship run. But I went with first-year head coach Becky Hammon largely because it is her first season in the WNBA. Hammon integrated herself into a very talented space, quickly earned the respect of her players and found ways to mold this roster in a way that showcases all of the players’ strengths. It’s easy to take for granted how difficult all of that is to achieve in Year 1.

D’Arcangelo: Becky Hammon

Like Rachel, I had Wade as my initial pick. The Sky were the best team in the league for the greater part of the season, and at times it looked like a repeat championship win was destined to happen. But what Hammon has done with the Aces in her first season as head coach — starting the year on a 13-2 run and unleashing a high-octane offense that brought out the best in Wilson, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray — was impressive. Yes, the Aces already had talent, but it takes a certain kind of coach to harness that talent in the right way so players can thrive. Hammon was able to navigate the ups and downs of the season so that Las Vegas finished as the No. 1 team in the league.

Laase: Becky Hammon

As much as I wish I could bring some originality to this discussion, I agree with Rachel and Lyndsey once again. Hammon, in her first season with the Aces, showed an incredible ability to understand her players’ skill sets and how to use them effectively. It’s no coincidence that both Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young made major jumps this season. That talent has been there; Hammon just figured out how best to use it.

Defensive Player of the Year

Mixed results

Galligan: Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

Alyssa Thomas has had to be a Swiss Army knife for the Sun this season between scoring, rebounding, creating and defending. Thomas is fifth in the league in overall rebounding, pulling down 8.2 per game, including 6.1 on the defensive glass. The forward is also second in the league with 1.8 steals per game, contributing heavily to the Sun’s league-leading 8.8 per contest. Connecticut, second in the league in defensive rating at 96.3, allows 77.8 points per game to opponents, the second-fewest in the WNBA. None of those numbers would be possible without Thomas and her ability to guard position 1 through 5 and impact every game for the Sun on the defensive end.

D’Arcangelo: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

Breanna Stewart’s defense has always been a key factor for the Storm. This season, she is second overall in defensive win shares with 2.3, fourth in defensive rebounds with 6.2 and fifth in steals with 1.6. As a team, Seattle is third overall in defensive rating at 97.4, and Stewart is a big reason why. Her length and agility in the paint and ability to close out shots make her one of the toughest defenders in the league. There were a lot of standouts on defense this year, including Thomas, but I give Stewart the edge.

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

My criteria for MVP is a player who is elite on offense and defense — that’s how I landed on Aliyah Boston for NCAA Player of the Year, for example. So generally, my MVP pick will also be my defensive MVP choice. The same logic applies here. A’ja Wilson averages 7.6 defensive boards (grabbing a defensive rebound 28 percent of the time for her team), 1.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. Wilson is also impactful in ways that don’t show up on a stat sheet. Her post defense, ability to box out and shot-altering presence are just a few examples of her defensive prowess.

Sixth Woman of the Year

Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

Galligan: Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

Brionna Jones is an easy choice for Sixth Woman of the Year. The center finished the regular season averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting a highly efficient 57 percent from the field. She also pulled down 5.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. Her role with the Sun has been that of a steady interior force who can impact the game right away off the bench. When the Sun struggled to score, Jones could get the job done in the paint. With the talent to be a starter on any other roster, the back-to-back All-Star has accepted her role with grace this season, and that is impressive in and of itself.

D’Arcangelo: Brionna Jones

Jones was the only player I had on my list for Sixth Woman of the Year. Her value coming off the bench easily stands above the rest. She’s the third-best player in the league when it comes to win shares, with her 6.3 trailing only Stewart and Wilson, and she has the sixth-highest player efficiency rating at 23.1. Jones has worked on her game since she entered the league in 2017, adding certain elements that have made her a top post player and a two-time All-Star selection. She may start on the bench, but she’s a starter-quality player in every way.

Laase: Brionna Jones

Jones is the obvious pick here. Efficiency is one of the most important qualities a player can have, and Jones certainly has that. The ideal bench player also brings something different to the court, qualities that the starters may not have. For Jones, that’s her incredible strength and size. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, she defends differently than Sun forwards Jonquel Jones and DeWanna Bonner. She’s also able to out-muscle opponents on offense and on the glass, giving Connecticut a unique and potent weapon.

Most Improved Player

Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

Galligan: Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

Jackie Young made a decision last offseason to commit to extending her range while becoming more offensively versatile and productive from the perimeter. Young went from connecting on 25 percent of her 3-pointers in 2021 to 43.1 percent this season, an unbelievable jump and vital tool for the Aces. While there is an argument to be made for Kelsey Plum, she played seven more minutes per game for Las Vegas this season, giving her a greater opportunity to produce. In 1.4 more minutes per game, Young went from averaging 12.2 points to 15.9 this year. Her rebounds, assists, steals and free-throw percentages all increased this season as a result.

D’Arcangelo: Kelsey Plum

I was torn between Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum for this award. Young has been so impressive in her evolution for all of the reasons previously mentioned. She can not only still get into the paint and drive to the hoop, but she has also added a consistent mid-range jumper and three-point shot to her game. But the leap Plum has made this season, especially after coming back from an Achilles injury in 2020, is just too hard to ignore. She’s the second-leading scorer in the league at 20.2 points per game, first in 3-pointers made with 3.1, and ninth in assists with 5.1. In a better place physically and mentally this year, Plum is having the best season of her career.

Laase: Kelsey Plum

Plum’s jump from Sixth Woman of the Year to an MVP candidate is enough for me to give her the Most Improved Player nod. Her minutes went up, so it makes sense that her number have too, but the way Plum approaches the game also stands out. She carries herself like she’s the best player on the floor and she has a true scorer’s mentality. Her 3-point shooting has been key for an Aces team that more than doubled its 3-point makes, from 162 last season to 342 in 2022.

The WNBA implemented a new process for the All-WNBA teams this year, in which voters did not have to take a player’s position into account when making their selections. Voters previously chose two guards, one center and one forward per team. The results of our selections are as follows:

All-WNBA First Team

Galligan: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Candace Parker and Skylar Diggins-Smith

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, Skylar Diggins-Smith

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Candace Parker, Jonquel Jones

All-WNBA Second Team

Galligan: Emma Meesseman, Kahleah Copper, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot and Alyssa Thomas

D’Arcangelo: Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Sylvia Fowles, Chelsea Gray

Laase: Sabrina Ionescu, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Alyssa Thomas, Emma Meeseman, Courtney Vandersloot

All-Rookie Team

Galligan: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

D’Arcangelo: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

Laase: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

All-Defensive Team

Galligan: Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Sylvia Fowles, Natasha Cloud, Aerial Atkins

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, Sylvia Fowles, Courtney Vandersloot

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Sykes, Natasha Cloud

Bonus lightning round

Top seed most likely to be eliminated

Galligan: Las Vegas Aces

It pains me to say it, but the Aces’ depth issues give me pause. It will also be interesting to see if the Sun can hit a new gear and finally get over the hump in the playoffs. If they can, they have a shot at winning it all.

D’Arcangelo: Connecticut Sun

I don’t want to say the Sun, but I’m going to have to say the Sun. As good as they can be, if they have a tough series with a hungry lower-seed, such as the Dallas Wings in the first round, they might be packing their bags early yet again.

Laase: Connecticut Sun

The Sun, strictly because of the matchup. The Wings are playing excellent basketball right now, winning six of their last eight games. Teaira McCowan has blossomed down the stretch and Marina Mabrey is thriving. If Arike Ogunbowale comes back from injury, this team will be even more dangerous.

Bottom seed most likely to surprise

Galligan: Dallas Wings

The Wings have a ton of confidence right now entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. Marina Mabrey and Teaira McCowan have been a force down the stretch, combining for 35 points per game as the Wings won seven of their last 10 games in the regular season. The Wings integrated McCowan more heavily into their system the second half of the season and it has paid off. Dallas beat Connecticut two of the three times the teams faced each other in the regular season, so they know what it takes.

D’Arcangelo: Dallas Wings

I agree with Rachel. The Wings have come alive in the closing weeks of the regular season, and their matchup against the Sun couldn’t be better. They are playing together as a team and have shown they can excel with and without top scorer Arike Ogunbowale on the floor. Back-to-back wins against the Sky and the Aces in the first week of August are indicative of what this team is capable of against formidable opponents.

Laase: New York Liberty

I’ll also throw out the Liberty as a team to watch. They clinched their playoff bid with back-to-back wins over a talented Atlanta squad and ended their season on a 7-3 run. Betnijah Laney is back and the team is certainly gelling. Plus, the playmaking of Sabrina Ionescu and Marine Johannès is always going to give opponents trouble. If they can secure a first-game win over the Sky, the Liberty have a shot at getting out of the opening round.

Player to watch

Galligan: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

Plum’s ability to rise to the occasion with an unwavering sense of poise makes her unique, and in the playoffs she has the potential to take her game to another level. I also am keeping my eye on Kahleah Copper, who earned the spotlight last year after elevating her play in crunch time.

D’Arcangelo: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

Sabrina Ionescu has reached another gear this season. The guard was a big reason why the Liberty were able to move up and secure the seventh playoff spot during the final weekend of the regular season. In the beginning of August, she scored 31, 20, 20 and 32 points in games, respectively, and now enters the postseason leading her team in scoring (17.3) and assists (6.3). She has the ability to rise to the occasion and show up in big games when the Liberty need it most.

Laase: Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics

I left Elena Delle Donne off my WNBA awards list because she played only 25 games this season due to injury, but the Mystics star is playing at an All-WNBA level. Delle Donne is averaging 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Three years removed from her heroics in the 2019 WNBA Finals, a playoff run would be a great way to cap her comeback from multiple back surgeries.

Championship prediction

Galligan: Aces over Sky in 5

I could go so many directions with this, but my best bet right now is Las Vegas and Chicago in the Finals. Even though Chicago has been the deepest and most consistent team in the league, it is hard to repeat, and the Aces have one of the most dangerous squads despite their short bench.

D’Arcangelo: Aces over Sky in 5

An Aces-Sky Finals matchup would be an incredible series. Both teams have dominated in league play but also struggled at times, with the Aces hitting a rut midseason and the Sky getting off to a slower start. Now, it almost seems destined for the two best teams in the league to be playing the last games of the season.

Laase: Aces over Sky in 5

It feels like the season has been leading up to the Aces and the Sky, and I can’t envision it going any other way in the Finals. Both teams are loaded with talent, and even as I’m typing this out, I don’t know who I’m going to choose. My gut says the Aces, and if I were a betting woman, I’d put money on it being a five-game series.

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

Lyndsey D’Arcangelo is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports, covering the WNBA and college basketball. She also contributes to The Athletic and is the co-author of “Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League.” Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

For the first time in the NWSL's 12-year history, fans can now buy their own goalkeeper jerseys. And while replica goalkeeper jerseys representing all 14 NWSL teams hit the market on Wednesday, some didn't stick around for long. 

Fans across women's soccer have long vocalized their discontent over the position's lack of availability on social media, often comparing the shortcoming to the widespread availability of men’s goalkeeper jerseys. And as the NWSL has grown, so has demand — and not just from those in the stands. 

"To have goalkeeper kits available for fans in the women’s game as they have been for so long in the men’s game is not only a long-awaited move in the right direction, it’s just good business," said Washington Spirit goalie Aubrey Kingsbury in an team press release. "I can’t wait to see fans representing me, Barnie [Barnhart], and Lyza in the stands at Audi!"

just went looking at #nwsl goalkeeper kit stock out of curiosity — Alyssa Naeher's $145 kit already sold out S-XL (league announced GK jerseys on sale 3 hours ago)https://t.co/8bYA7tlwcx

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 17, 2024

Business does, in fact, appear to be booming. Alyssa Naeher’s Chicago Red Stars kit sold out less than three hours after the league's announcement. Jerseys for other keepers like DiDi Haračić, Abby Smith, Michelle Betos, Katelyn Rowland, and Bella Bixby aren’t currently available via the Official NWSL Shop, though blank goalkeeper jerseys can be customized through some individual team sites. Jerseys start at $110 each.

"This should be the benchmark," said Spirit Chief Operations Officer Theresa McDonnell. "The expectation is that all players’ jerseys are available to fans. Keepers are inspiring leaders and mentors with their own unique fan base who want to represent them... I can’t wait to see them all over the city."

Decorated gymnast Simone Biles took to the popular Call Her Daddy podcast this week to open up about her experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, revealing she thought she was going to be "banned from America" for her performance.

After Biles botched her vault routine due to a bout of the "twisties," she withdrew from the team final as well as the all-around final in order to focus on her mental health. She later reentered the competition to win bronze in the individual balance beam final.

In her interview with podcast host Alex Cooper, Biles admitted to feeling like she let the entire country down by failing her vault attempt.

"As soon as I landed I was like 'Oh, America hates me. The world is going to hate me. I can only see what they’re saying on Twitter right now,'" she recalled thinking. "I was like, ‘Holy s---, what are they gonna say about me?'"

"I thought I was going to be banned from America," she continued. "That’s what they tell you: Don’t come back if not gold. Gold or bust. Don’t come back."

Widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles has hinted at a desire to join her third Olympic team in Paris, though her participation won't be confirmed until after the gymnastics trials in late June. She holds over 30 medals from the Olympic Games and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships combined, and if qualified, would be a sure favorite heading into this summer’s games.

Caitlin Clark is reportedly close to cementing a hefty endorsement deal with Nike.

The Athletic was the first to break the news Wednesday evening, commenting that the deal would be worth "eight figures" and include her own signature shoe. On Thursday afternoon, the publication tweeted that the deal would top $20 million, according to lead NBA Insider Shams Charania. Both Under Armour and Adidas are said to have also made sizable offers to the college phenom and expected future WNBA star.

The new agreement comes after Clark's previous Nike partnership ended with the conclusion of the college basketball season. She was one of five NCAA athletes to sign an NIL deal with the brand back in October, 2022. 

Considering Clark's overwhelming popularity and Nike's deep pockets, the signing's purported value doesn't exactly come as a shock. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s deal with the brand is reportedly worth $24 million, while NBA rookie and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s deal is rumored to weigh in at $100 million. And in 2003, LeBron James famously earned $90 million off his own Nike deal. 

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Clark’s star power continues to skyrocket, with the NCAA championship averaging 18.9 million viewers and the 2024 WNBA Draft more than doubling its previous viewership record. Following the draft, Fanatics stated that Clark's Indiana Fever jersey — which sold out within an hour — was the top seller for any draft night pick in the company’s history, with droves of unlucky fans now being forced to wait until August to get their hands on some official No. 22 gear.

In Wednesday's Indiana Fever introductory press conference, the unfailingly cool, calm, and collected Clark said that turning pro hasn’t made a huge impact on how she’s conducting her deals.

"If I’m being completely honest, I feel like it doesn’t change a ton from how I lived my life over the course of the last year," she said. "Sponsorships stay the same. The people around me, agents and whatnot, have been able to help me and guide me through the course of the last year. I don’t know if I would be in this moment if it wasn’t for a lot of them."

Former Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo has signed on with Athletes Unlimited and will compete in the AU Pro Softball AUX this June.

The NCAA record holder in career home runs (122), total bases (761), and slugging percentage (.987), Alo was originally drafted by the league in 2022 but opted instead to join the newly debuted Women’s Professional Fastpitch. 

Alo currently plays for independent pro softball team Oklahoma City Spark, with team owner Tina Floyd reportedly on board with her recent AUX signing. AUX games are scheduled for June 10-25, while the Spark's season will kick off June 19th. Alo will play for both. 

Among those joining Alo on the AUX roster are former James Madison ace pitcher Odicci Alexander and former Wichita State standout middle infielder Sydney McKinney.

According to Alo, the decision to play in the Athletes Unlimited league was fueled by her desire to propel women's sports forward as well as provide more exposure to a sport that's given her "so many opportunities."

"Not only to challenge myself more, but just for the growth of the game," Alo said, explaining her reasoning to The Oklahoman. "I genuinely believe that professional softball can be a career for girls."

Joining AUX is also one more step in her plan toward representing Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I’m constantly thinking about how can I do these little things right in these four years to prepare me for the biggest stage of softball," she told The Oklahoman. "I definitely want to play in the Olympics, for sure."

Alo further expressed enthusiasm in the hope that the rise of other women’s sports, like women’s basketball and the NWSL, will push softball’s professional viability even higher.

"We’re seeing the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) get their stuff going, I see the WNBA starting to get hot," she continued. "I feel like the softball community is like, 'All right, it’s our turn and it’s our turn to just demand more.'"