WNBA playoffs set with Dream clinching final spot: Understanding format.

Atlanta Dream Clinches Final WNBA Playoff Spot in Thrilling Final Day

NEW YORK — On the final day of the 2024 WNBA season, the Atlanta Dream secured the eighth and final postseason spot with a thrilling 78-67 victory over the New York Liberty.

Entering the evening, Atlanta needed a win to secure their second consecutive playoff berth. Despite New York already clinching the No. 1 overall seed, they played their regular rotation throughout the game, making for an intense matchup.

Center Tina Charles had a stellar performance, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds, setting new WNBA career records for rebounds and double-doubles. She surpassed Sylvia Fowles’ record early in the game and solidified her place in history as the only player to achieve over 4,000 rebounds and 7,000 career points.

Key contributions from Dream players Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon, who each scored 13 points, helped secure the crucial win.

With this victory, the Dream made consecutive postseason appearances for the first time in over a decade, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the season.

Coach Tanisha Wright praised her team’s efforts, stating, “This year is special. This has definitely been the toughest year for us with everything that has gone on. I’m really proud of our athletes for continuing to fight and never giving in.”

The thrilling final day also saw other teams vying for playoff spots, setting the stage for a competitive postseason. The Washington Mystics clinched a playoff berth, while the Chicago Sky fell short, paving the way for the Dream to secure their spot.

Upcoming Playoff Matchups

Here are the matchups for the upcoming playoffs, with games scheduled for Sunday:

Liberty (1) vs. Dream (8) — 1 p.m. ET
Lynx (2) vs. Mercury (7) — 5 p.m. ET
Sun (3) vs. Fever (6) – 3 p.m. ET
Aces (4) vs. Storm (5) 10 p.m. ET

WNBA Playoff Format Changes

After the 2021 season, the WNBA made changes to its playoff format, allowing the top eight teams from the regular season to qualify for the postseason. The new format features best-of-three series in the first round, eliminating single-elimination games and byes for top seeds. The upcoming playoffs promise intense matchups and opportunities for history-making achievements.

Historic Milestones and Records

The upcoming playoffs offer the potential for historic achievements, including:

The Aces aiming for a third consecutive championship.

The Liberty seeking their first championship in franchise history.

The Sun’s DeWanna Bonner eyeing a record for most career postseason appearances.

Diana Taurasi adding to her postseason scoring record.

Courtney Vandersloot poised to break the career assists record in the postseason.

Caitlin Clark making her playoff debut for the Fever.

The Lynx and Storm tied for the most championships among active WNBA franchises.

Stay Tuned for the Exciting WNBA Playoffs!

As the WNBA playoffs kick off, fans can expect an exhilarating postseason filled with historic milestones, competitive matchups, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for the action-packed games ahead!

(Photo: Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)