10 biggest games that will determine the WNBA playoff race - ESPN

Solidifying a qualifying spot in the standings and building momentum toward the playoffs take on even more urgency for WNBA teams with a month remaining in the regular season.

Every game counts. But some weigh more heavily when it comes to postseason implications.

Theoretically, the first-place Minnesota Lynx could still lose their substantial lead over the field. But realistically, they look to have the top seed firmly in grasp and have shown no signs of letting up — even without injured star Napheesa Collier (ankle). The 27-5 Lynx haven't even lost two games in a row this season.

But behind the Lynx is a logjam of teams hoping to be among the other top four seeds.

That's not the only race: While the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun seem anchored at the bottom of the standings, which other two teams will miss the 2025 playoffs?

These 10 matchups over the next four weeks could help determine all of that.

This game will be the last of four meetings between the 2024 WNBA Finals teams; the Lynx won the first two, and these squads also will face off this Saturday. Can the defending champion Liberty get some traction against the Lynx, even with two-time MVP Breanna Stewart out with a bone bruise in her right knee? The Liberty also are in a battle with the Dream for second place.

The Aces' roller-coaster campaign appears to have leveled out; they have won four in a row and seven of their past 10. By contrast, Phoenix is the only team among the top seven in the standings that has a losing record (4-6) over its past 10 outings. Las Vegas and Phoenix split their two meetings in June. The third matchup is set for Friday, and the series concludes six days later. Winning the series as a potential tiebreaker could be