WNBA playoff qualification: Current standings, schedule, as Fever triumph over Sparks, enhancing their playoff prospects

WNBA Update: Playoff Races Heat Up as Teams Jockey for Position

The WNBA regular season is entering its final stretch, with four playoff spots still up for grabs and several teams battling it out for position.

The Indiana Fever secured a crucial one-point win over the Los Angeles Sparks, thanks to a go-ahead basket from Odyssey Sims with just 13 seconds remaining. This victory has significant playoff implications, as the Fever are now three games up on the ninth-place Sparks.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces continue their impressive form, winning 12 consecutive games and currently holding down second place. The Minnesota Lynx, who clinched a playoff berth earlier, are the clear favourite for the No. 1 seed.

The Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury have joined the Lynx and Aces in securing playoff spots. The Dream's playoff berth was confirmed after their recent win, while the Mercury clinched their spot following a hard-fought game.

However, no team is yet locked into a playoff spot, and the race for the remaining positions is heating up. The teams still in contention include the New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, and possibly the Phoenix Mercury or the Golden State Valkyries.

The playoffs are set to begin on September 14, with the regular season wrapping up on September 11. The last possible Finals date is October 19.

Intriguingly, the Chicago Sky will get the more favourable of the Connecticut Sun/Phoenix Mercury picks, while the Sun will get the least favourable. The Sun also owe the Chicago Sky their swap rights to their first-round pick. The Chicago Sky, in turn, owe their first-round pick to the Minnesota Lynx.

The Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky, and Dallas Wings are officially lottery bound, while the Washington Mystics have lost five games in a row. The Mystics, along with the Seattle Storm, who have extended their losing streak, will be hoping to turn their fortunes around before the playoffs begin.

The WNBA is gearing up for an exciting finish to the regular season, with several teams still fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds.

WNBA playoff qualification: Current standings, schedule, as Fever triumph over Sparks, enhancing their playoff prospects