The end of the WNBA regular season is approaching, and the final three playoff spots remain up for grabs.
Eight teams will make this year’s bracket. While the league’s top five teams have all locked up postseason berths, the next six teams still are battling for the remaining three.
The Dallas Wings, who have the best record among the remaining playoff hopefuls at 16-16, could clinch their spot Monday night with a win over the New York Liberty.
Momentum could be on their side after the team mounted a massive comeback to win their game against Indiana in overtime Saturday. The 20-point rally provided the team’s fourth straight victory and the largest comeback in franchise history.
“I’m proud, like a proud parent in a sense,” Wings coach Vickie Johnson said following the win. “Because I know in my heart and my spirit, they have it in them.”
The Liberty, who are coming off a loss Saturday to the Phoenix Mercury, need the win to keep pace in the playoff race. The Mercury sit just ahead of the Liberty in the eighth and final playoff spot heading into Monday.
Prior to the team’s loss in Phoenix, New York had been on a three-game win streak. If Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu continues to do what she does, Monday’s game could go either way.
The Minnesota Lynx will be hoping for a Liberty loss on Monday, as that would put the two teams in a tie for ninth place at 13-20. The Lynx hold the tiebreaker against the Liberty after going 2-1 in their season series.
For New York, Natasha Howard is doubtful for Monday’s game, while the Wings will be without Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally.