The WNBA is in their Bird-Magic era. The nearly 30-year-old league has finally, and rightfully entered the mainstream conversation of professional sports. The 2024 rookie class, highlighted by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, as well as the dynastic Aces, dominant Liberty and Lynx, and gritty hometown Connecticut Sun, provided endless storylines this season. This is the most anticipated WNBA playoffs, perhaps in history. And while we are looking forward to watching, it’s just as exciting to think of the future of the league in the coming years. Here are the prognostications!
First Round
- New York Liberty vs. 8. Atlanta Dream
This series would’ve been a lot more interesting if Angel Reese didn’t get injured and Chicago didn’t fade at the end of the regular season. The Liberty continues their dominance in the opening series.
Pick: Liberty
- Minnesota Lynx vs. 7. Phoenix Mercury
UConn stars young and, let’s just say more experienced, will be on full display in this matchup. Sorry Diana Taurasi, but if this is the end for one of UConn’s greatest players ever, thank you for the memories!
Pick: Lynx
- Connecticut Sun vs. 6. Indiana Fever
Our only professional team here in Connecticut has lost 4 WNBA Finals. The good news is that they won’t lose another Finals this year. The bad news is “Caitlin Clark Fever,” and the Fever themselves, will pull off the upset.
Pick: Fever
- Las Vegas Aces vs. 5. Seattle Storm
Insert the Bernie Sanders “once again asking…” meme for Nika Muhl to get playing time from the Storm here. The back-to-back defending WNBA champs looked like champions once Chelsea Gray returned from injury and the Aces will move on in their quest for a three-peat.
Pick: Aces
Semifinals
- New York Liberty vs. 6. Indiana Fever
The biggest draw in the WNBA under the bright lights of Brooklyn? Sign us up! Clark’s magic will run out though in the semifinals as the Liberty head back to the Finals.
Pick: Liberty
2. Minnesota Lynx vs. 4. Las Vegas Aces
The Commissioner Cup champs don’t pull off the double. The Lynx and Aces on paper will be one of the most entertaining matchups of the postseason. Minnesota won 3 of 4 meetings during the regular season, but the Aces playoff experience will push them past the Lynx.
Pick: Aces
Finals
- New York Liberty vs. 4. Las Vegas Aces
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Even with an unprecedentedly interesting WNBA season, we have a rematch in the Finals. And it will be the same result. The Liberty are denied their first title again, with the four-seed “upsetting” them. The Aces will be the first team to win three in a row since the Houston Comets won the first four years of the WNBA’s existence. A’ja Wilson will continue to ascend to legend status and Becky Hammon adds to her impressive resume.
Pick: Aces
