WNBA playoff seeding finalized

The WNBA playoff seeding has been finalized following the conclusion of the regular season. The Minnesota Lynx clinched the No. 1 overall seed after an 86-66 victory over the Indiana Fever in their season finale. The Lynx are scheduled to face the eighth-seeded New York Liberty in a best-of-three opening round series starting this Sunday.

The Indiana Fever have entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed and will face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the first round. Their final game was marked by significant injuries, including Aliyah Boston, who exited with a right lower-leg injury, and Tyasha Harris, who was carried off the court with a left ankle injury. Caitlin Clark recorded a career-low two points on 1-of-12 shooting during the loss.

The New York Liberty finished as the eighth and final seed. The team faces major health uncertainty; Breanna Stewart continues to manage left knee soreness, and center Jonquel Jones is dealing with a left ankle injury after stepping on a fan’s foot during a game against Atlanta. During that matchup, Atlanta’s Angel Reese was involved in a flagrant foul incident where Sabrina Ionescu struck her in the face.

Other seeding developments include the Golden State Valkyries at No. 2, the Las Vegas Aces at No. 3, and the Atlanta Dream securing the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage after defeating the Liberty 83-65, finishing the season with a 30-14 record. The Washington Mystics have clinched the fifth seed, while the Dallas Wings have locked in the No. 7 seed. Off the court, the Connecticut Sun franchise is preparing for its relocation to Houston following its sale to Tilman Fertitta.