With the WNBA regular season winding down, all eyes are on the intense battle for the #8 playoff spot. As things stand, the Washington Mystics, Chicago Sky, and Atlanta Dream are fighting for the final postseason berth, but the pressure has never been higher. Tuesday night’s matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Atlanta Dream will likely determine which team secures that last playoff spot.
Barring any surprises where playoff-bound teams like the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun start to rest their starters, it’s looking like the Mystics are unlikely to win another game this season. If the Mystics drop their remaining matchups against the Liberty and Fever, they would finish at 13-27, leaving them out of playoff contention.
Meanwhile, both the Sky and Dream face difficult opponents this week. The Dream will take on the Liberty and the Sky will face the Sun, with both teams likely underdogs in those contests. This leaves only one realistic opportunity for either team to lock up the final playoff spot—their head-to-head showdown this Tuesday night.
Whichever team comes out on top will have a leg up in securing the eighth seed, while the loser could be left on the outside looking in. It’s a game with playoff-like intensity before the postseason even begins, and it’s likely to be the defining moment of the season for both the Dream and Sky.
How We Got Here: The Impact of Sunday’s Game
The stakes are so high on Tuesday because of the events that unfolded today. The Atlanta Dream faced off against the Washington Mystics in a pivotal matchup that both teams desperately needed. From the start, the Dream came out with determination, taking an early double-digit lead in the third quarter thanks to some key plays by Naz Hillmon and Allisha Gray. Atlanta built their momentum with a 10-2 run midway through the quarter, but Washington fought back.
With the game tied late in the fourth, Tina Charles found Hillmon for a spot-up jumper that sent the game to overtime. The Dream kept their composure, with Charles leading the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, earning her 19th double-double of the season and setting a new franchise record.
Despite Washington’s efforts, Atlanta dominated overtime, holding the Mystics to just 20% shooting while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The Dream outlasted Washington to secure the victory and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The win not only boosted the Dream’s playoff chances but also set the stage for the pivotal game against Chicago. Washington, now with slim hopes of making the playoffs, will need a miracle to win their remaining games, leaving the Sky-Dream matchup as the deciding factor in the race for the #8 spot.
