By 
With the WNBA routine season reaching its last days, the playoff photo is ending up being clearer. However, placing in between seeds 5 through 8 is still quite up in the air, and the 8th and last individual still is uncertain. We understand it will be either the Chicago Sky or Los Angeles Sparks. Chicago presently has the area thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker. But with 2 video games to go, the race for 8 is far from over.
On Wednesday, simply one video game was on the schedule, with the Atlanta Dream hosting the Seattle Storm. By winning the video game 79-68, the Dream formally clinched a playoff berth.
Atlanta played up to their complete capacity, with 4 gamers in double digits. Monique Billings set up a season-high 15 points together with 14 rebounds in the success. The opening quarter was rocky for Atlanta, however a 14-4 go to end the very first half offered the Dream the benefit at the break and they never ever recalled.
The win was a conclusion of what head coach Tanisha Wright and the Dream company have actually been pursuing given that she took control of the group prior to last season. Atlanta will be playing postseason basketball for the very first time given that 2018.
“Making it to the playoffs is not an easy thing to do in this league,” Cheyenne Parker stated post video game. “So, to be able to do it with this group is special and important to me. I’m really excited for the journey.”
Los Angeles Sparks (16-22) vs. New York Liberty (31-7)
Thursday’s one video game is a huge one, as Los Angeles defend their playoff lives versus the New York Liberty in the Big Apple.
The Sparks likely need to win their next 2 video games to even have an opportunity of making the playoffs. They presently are connected with the Sky with a 16-22 record, however, with Chicago holding the tiebreaker, LA requires to end up with a much better record to delve into the 8th seed.
The following is the @LASparks Game Status Report for tomorrow’s match versus the New York Liberty:
Nia Clouden – OUT (knee)
Lexie Brown – OUT (non-covid disease)
Chiney Ogwumike – OUT (foot)
Nneka Ogwumike – DOUBTFUL (knee)…— LA Sparks PR (@LASparksPR) September 6, 2023
Winning their penultimate video game is looking alarming for Los Angeles. Not just is their challenger the Liberty, who have actually won 7 directly and 9 of their last 10 video games, however the injury report likewise notes All-Star Nneka Ogwumike and starter Karlie Samuelson as doubtful. If both gamers miss out on Thursday’s video game, it’s difficult to envision them beating the Liberty on the roadway.
If LA loses, they are not out of the playoff race, however would require Chicago to lose upcoming video games versus the Minnesota Lynx on Friday and the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The Sparks then would need to win their last video game versus the Storm.
Everyone appears to be offered for New York, consisting of Sabrina Ionescu, who has actually been doubtful since late with a calf injury. With the No. 2 seed protected, the Liberty have the high-end of resting gamers, if they want.
Game details
Los Angeles Sparks (16-22) vs. New York Liberty (31-7)
When: Thursday, Sep. 7 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY
How to view: Prime Video
Sparks injury report: Nneka Ogwumike (doubtful; knee), Karlie Samuelson (doubtful; abdominal area), Chiney Ogwumike (out; foot), Lexie Brown (out; non-COVID disease), Nia Clouden(out; knee), Katie Lou Samuelson (out; maternity leave)
Liberty injury report: No injuries to report
Comments