WNBA recap: Playoff standings finalized as history-making regular season draws to a conclusion
The 2024 campaign has experienced an extraordinary surge, breaking previous records and introducing one of the most buzzed-about rookie classes in league history – and we've yet to even reach the playoffs.
Eight out of the 12 WNBA teams qualify for the playoffs, regardless of conference placement.
The regular season concluded on a Thursday night with all teams in action. While some teams knew their playoff standing, some positions were still uncertain on the final day, driving numerous storylines.
Diana Taurasi addresses Mercury faithful following what might be her final regular season game
Although the Phoenix Mercury lost to the Seattle Storm 89-70 on Thursday, the post-game events received significant attention.
Diana Taurasi, widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players of all time, spoke to the Phoenix fans on the court after what could potentially be her last regular season game.
Drafted first in 2004 by the Mercury, Taurasi, at 42, has spent her entire WNBA career with the Mercury. A former MVP, a three-time WNBA champion, six-time EuroLeague champion, six-time Olympic gold medalist, 11-time WNBA All-Star, and the league's all-time scoring leader, her future as a player is a subject of speculation.
While the rumors remain unconfirmed, Taurasi delivered an emotional speech to her cherished home supporters.
"There's nowhere to begin, but there's always a place to end," she stated. "It appears to be the same place, which, as you guys know, when I arrived in 2004, I felt I'd be here for a long time. I had a feeling that this was home in a peculiar and mysterious way.
"I want to thank every single coach, every single player, every single person who has worn a WNBA jersey because it takes a village, and our league is about uplifting each other. In return, we can see the place we are now – 28 years later – for those who played before, the league is where it is now, and we're thankful for you guys, and we're thankful for the next generation.
"If it is the last time, it felt like the first time," she added.
Taurasi will get at least one more chance to perform in front of the home crowd, as the seventh-seeded Mercury face the second-seeded Minnesota Lynx in a best-of-three first-round playoff series.
A record crowd witnesses Caitlin Clark's final regular season rookie game
Records were broken in attendance and viewership throughout the season, even until the end of the regular season.
20,711 fans packed into Capital One Arena in Washington DC as the Mystics beat the Indiana Fever 92-91, setting a new record for the highest-attended WNBA game.
After breaking the single-season assist record earlier in the month, sensational rookie Caitlin Clark entered the game needing just eight three-pointers to equal the single-season record of 128 set by Sabrina Ionescu in 2023.
Though Clark did not achieve Ionescu's mark in the game, she made two triples to increase her total to 122, taking second place from Taurasi.
Indiana's playoff return after a six-year absence signaled an impressive resurgence for the team. Starting 3-10, the franchise climbed back to .500 and secured a postseason spot following the Olympic break.
"I'm just proud of their growth, their resilience," Fever head coach Christie Sides said following the game. "They worked hard, they improved. We didn't have the time initially, but they kept improving as the season progressed.
"They deserve to play in the playoffs."
Washington entered the game as the ninth seed, knowing they needed a win to hold playoff hopes, but a dramatic comeback just fell short, as the Atlanta Dream took over the postseason fate.
Sika Koné led the way with 20 points, and four other Mystics players scored in double figures in the crucial victory, but a playoff berth wasn't on the cards, as the Dream secured the eighth spot.
Tina Charles makes history as Dream clinch the final playoff spot
Atlanta edged past the Mystics for the eighth seed with a 78-67 victory over the New York Liberty, with Tina Charles establishing a new WNBA record in the process.
Charles, a former MVP and eight-time All-Star, grabbed her third rebound of the game in the first quarter, making her the all-time leading rebounder in the WNBA with 4,007 boards, surpassing Sylvia Fowles in the process.
Her record-breaking performance came at the perfect time for Atlanta, which needed a boost before the road matchup against the Liberty. With Atlanta holding the eighth seed but still within one game of the Mystics, only a victory would guarantee a playoff berth.
According to Charles, however, the outcome was never uncertain.
"We came here with our bags packed," said the 35-year-old postgame. "We knew we had to take care of business. For us, honestly, the playoffs had started maybe a week ago just because of the situation that we had been in."
Charles wrapped up the game with a score of 10 points and 10 rebounds, achieving her 194th career double-double, which is the most by any player in the league's history. Previously, this record was held by Fowles.
The encounter between Atlanta and New York served as a sneak peek into the playoffs. The Dream will face off against the top-seeded Liberty in the first round of the postseason.
Before Thursday's game, the Liberty had already secured the No. 1 spot. It remains to be seen how they'll perform against an energized Dream team when the stakes are high.
Complete WNBA playoff pairings
The first-round series are best-of-three games.
Away @ Home (Game 1)
No. 8 Atlanta Dream @ No. 1 New York Liberty
No. 7 Phoenix Mercury @ No. 2 Minnesota Lynx
No. 6 Indiana Fever @ No. 3 Connecticut Sun
No. 5 Seattle Storm @ No. 4 Las Vegas Aces
In the context of the WNBA, Diana Taurasi expressed gratitude to her teammates and supporters, acknowledging the league's growth and her potential role in its history. Her emotional speech followed a potentially final regular season game for her.
Recently, Caitlin Clark established a new record as the second-highest single-season three-point scorer in WNBA history, surpassing Diana Taurasi's previous record.
