WNBA Playoffs Start: Top Teams Win, Storm Needs Big Comeback

The WNBA playoffs have started with top teams like the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream winning their first games. The Seattle Storm needs to play much better after losing Game 1.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The WNBA playoffs have commenced, with the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx and third-seed Atlanta Dream securing Game 1 victories in their respective first-round series. The playoff format dictates a return to Indianapolis for Game 2 on Tuesday, where the Dream will once again host their opponent. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm faces an immediate challenge to regroup after a lackluster Game 1 performance, needing a significant shift in momentum and home-court energy to contend in the upcoming games.

The initial slate of first-round matchups has begun, painting a picture of early dominance by the league's leading teams. The Minnesota Lynx, boasting a 34-10 regular-season record, demonstrated their strength against the Golden State Valkyries (23-21). Key performers in this series include the Lynx's Napheesa Collier, averaging 23 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, and the Valkyries' Veronica Burton, who contributes 12 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6 assists. The series pits the Lynx's vaunted defense against the Valkyries' offense, ranked 10th in the league.

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Another tightly contested series features the New York Liberty facing the Phoenix Mercury, with both teams finishing the regular season with identical 27-17 records. The season series saw the Mercury hold a slight edge, winning 3 out of 4 contests. Standout players include the Mercury's Satou Sabally (16.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.5 APG) and the Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu (18.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.7 APG). A pivotal matchup within this series is anticipated between Alyssa Thomas and Breanna Stewart.

The broader playoff landscape also includes the Las Vegas Aces, who closed their regular season with a remarkable 16-game winning streak, positioning them as significant contenders. The record 44-game regular season has set the stage for this postseason tournament, with all four first-round series now underway. The Storm, in particular, are in a precarious position, requiring a stark improvement from their Game 1 showing to avoid an early exit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won their first WNBA playoff games?
The Minnesota Lynx and the Atlanta Dream won their Game 1 playoff matches. The Lynx are the top seed, and the Dream are the third seed.
Q: What happened to the Seattle Storm in Game 1?
The Seattle Storm had a poor performance in Game 1 and lost. They need to play much better in the next games to stay in the playoffs.
Q: Which teams have identical records?
The New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury both finished the regular season with 27 wins and 17 losses. The Mercury won 3 out of 4 games against the Liberty during the regular season.
Q: Which team had a long winning streak before the playoffs?
The Las Vegas Aces had a strong finish to their regular season, winning 16 games in a row. This makes them strong contenders for the championship.