By Tiffany Williams –
The WNBA playoffs are already bringing drama, and four first-round series are setting the tone. After Sunday’s openers, the pressure is squarely on the lower seeds to keep their seasons alive in Game 2.
Indiana and Atlanta clash Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the Fever already on life support. Atlanta took Game 1 behind 20-point nights from Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, cruising to an 80-68 win. Kelsey Mitchell dropped 27 for Indiana, but the Fever’s depth has been gutted by injuries. Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Chloe Bibby, and Damiris Dantas are all out. That leaves a short-handed roster trying to topple a 30-win Atlanta team with momentum. Game 2 feels like the end of the road — the Dream’s firepower should be too much, and they’re primed to close this series out in Indy.
Out west, the Aces don’t look like a team slowing down anytime soon. Las Vegas rolled Seattle 102-77 in Game 1, with A’ja Wilson stuffing the box score and Jackie Young doing a little of everything. The Aces have now rattled off 17 straight wins, matching the 2014 Mercury for the second-longest streak in league history. The Storm have heart and talent — Gabby Williams, Dominique Malonga, and Skylar Diggins kept them afloat — but they’re outgunned. Seattle has the home crowd for Game 2, yet Las Vegas looks unstoppable. Expect the sweep.
In New York, the Liberty hold a 1-0 lead after a grind-it-out overtime win in Phoenix. Natasha Cloud’s 23 points and Breanna Stewart’s steady presence were the difference, though Stewart limped off late with a left knee injury. Her status looms large heading into Wednesday’s Game 2 at Barclays Center. Kahleah Copper led the Mercury in the opener, but Phoenix’s offense sputtered down the stretch. Even without Stewart at full strength, New York should ride its backcourt depth and home floor to end the series.
The expansion Valkyries were riding high heading into their first postseason appearance, but Minnesota smacked them with a reality check. After a fast start in Game 1, Golden State collapsed as the Lynx ripped off a 101-72 rout. Napheesa Collier poured in 20, and Natisha Hiedeman gave Minnesota a huge lift off the bench. Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Game 2 shifts to San Jose, where the Valkyries will need their crowd and composure to avoid elimination. The Lynx, though, have too much playoff muscle. A sweep feels likely.