It's a little too early to seriously discuss the WNBA Finals, but that doesn't mean we can't anyway. And despite the fact that it seems pretty inevitable the Lynx will be one of two teams who make it to the championship game, there's a possibility — however small it might be — that two other teams could end up there instead: the Dream and the Aces.
That's a whole lot to throw out there all at once. The idea that the Lynx won't be in the championship match is, frankly, absurd — but never say never, and stranger things have absolutely happened in the WNBA. Sure, Minnesota is extremely dominant and so well-coached that nearly every game is a marvel to behold, but that doesn't mean someone else can't sneak in and knock them out of contention under the right circumstances.
Now that we've cleared that up, it's important to address another wild card in the scenario: the fact that the Aces are being spoken about as potential 2025 champions at all. That's not a slam against A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and their glorious team, but it's no small secret that Las Vegas struggled mightily for the first half of the season, and everyone including Becky Hammon seemed ready to throw in the towel on this year.
But, to really no one's surprise, the Aces are back where they belong: on top. Las Vegas clinched a spot in the playoffs following Monday night's 79-74 win over the Sky. This makes tomorrow night's game between Las Vegas and Atlanta all the more compelling: the teams are battling it out for spot 2 or 3 in the playoffs, which would ensure they don't have to meet the Lynx twice in the early stages.
Of course, there's another challenger to those crucial spots: the Phoenix Mercury, who have enjoyed a strong season thanks in large part to Alyssa Thomas. The team currently holds a 22-14 record, which puts them just about the New York Liberty (23-15) in current WNBA standings.
The path toward a Finals match between the Dream and the Aces isn't a clear one; it involves both teams locking in a spot that helps them avoid the Lynx early, and it also means the Liberty or Mercury (or the... Storm?) will need to beat the Lynx, a tall order these days now that Napheesa Collier has returned to the floor. But it's not impossible, and there's little doubt a contest between Las Vegas and Atlanta would feed families.