Lynx, Sun Join Liberty, Clinch Spots in 2024 WNBA Playoff Bracket; Updated Standings

Andrew PetersAugust 25, 2024

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Two more WNBA teams are playoff-bound after Saturday night’s action.

The Minnesota Lynx punched their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Indiana Fever while the Connecticut Sun secured a playoff berth with a win over the New York Liberty plus the Fever’s loss.

WNBA @WNBA🚨 CLINCHED 🚨

With their win against the Indiana Fever, the @minnesotalynx have clinched a spot in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/okcHOZepZT

WNBA @WNBA🚨 CLINCHED 🚨

With their win against the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever’s loss to the Lynx, the @ConnecticutSun have clinched a spot in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/SNQlR93ZOU

The Lynx and Sun now join the Liberty as the only teams to have already earned a playoff spot.

After two more teams ensured their playoff fate, here’s a look at the updated WNBA standings.

WNBA Standings

New York Liberty, 25-5 (Clinched postseason)Connecticut Sun, 22-7 (Clinched postseason)Minnesota Lynx, 22-8 (Clinched postseason and Commissioner’s Cup)Seattle Storm, 18-10Las Vegas Aces, 17-11Phoenix Mercury, 16-14Indiana Fever, 13-16Chicago Sky, 11-17Atlanta Dream, 10-18Washington Mystics, 7-22Dallas Wings, 6-22Los Angeles Sparks, 6-23The top eight teams earn a playoff spot, meaning the Dream, Mystics, Wings and Sparks are all on the outside looking in at the moment. The top four teams get to host a best-of-three first-round playoff series, so the Liberty, Sun and Lynx will still need to keep their foot on the gas throughout the rest of the regular season to ensure home-court advantage.

While the Storm, Aces and Mercury have yet to clinch their playoff bids, they’re all in a good position to do so barring any late-season skids.

The Fever, who haven’t been to the postseason since 2016, have found themselves in prime position to make the playoffs thanks to outstanding play from Rookie of the Year frontrunner Caitlin Clark and 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston.

Indiana has won two of its three games since returning from the Olympic break, but faces a handful of playoff teams in the coming weeks that could make things difficult.

While the Sky are in playoff position now, the Dream are right behind them and are looking to claim the eighth spot. ESPN Analytics gives Chicago a slight edge to make the playoffs over Atlanta, with the Sky having a 56 percent chance and the Dream having a 53 percent chance.

Further down in the standings, Washington, Dallas and Los Angeles are a bit further out of reach from the playoffs, but a hot streak to end the year could quickly turn things around.

The end of the regular season is just under a month away, meaning the next few weeks will bring some added intensity as teams look to clinch a playoff spot.