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WNBA playoff scenarios: Each team’s paths to clinching or elimination

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Brianna Turner and Jennie Simms of the Mercury battle Sylvia Fowles of the Lynx. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

The WNBA season is coming down to the wire, with two playoff spots up for grabs heading into the final day of competition.

Four teams remain in contention for the final two postseason bids. The Minnesota Lynx, Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury all stood at 14-20 entering Friday, but Friday night’s games shook up the playoff race.

The Lynx close the season at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on the road against the Connecticut Sun. The Liberty and Dream face each other in New York at 2 p.m. ET, while the Mercury host the Chicago Sky at 5 p.m. ET.

How each team can clinch a playoff spot

The Minnesota Lynx clinch a playoff berth if:

  • Minnesota wins and Phoenix loses.
  • Minnesota wins and New York loses.

The Minnesota Lynx are eliminated if:

  • Minnesota wins and Phoenix wins games and New York wins.
  • Minnesota loses.

The Atlanta Dream clinch a playoff berth if:

  • Atlanta wins and Phoenix loses.

The Atlanta Dream are eliminated if:

  • Atlanta wins and Phoenix wins.
  • Atlanta loses.

The New York Liberty clinch a playoff berth if:

  • New York wins.
  • New York loses and Phoenix wins and Minnesota loses. 

The New York Liberty are eliminated if:

  • New York loses and Phoenix loses.
  • New York loses and Minnesota wins.

The Phoenix Mercury clinch a playoff spot if:

  • Phoenix wins.
  • Phoenix loses and Minnesota loses.

The Phoenix Mercury are eliminated if:

  • Phoenix loses and Minnesota wins.