A pause before we pop off again

WNBA team news:

Are the Valkyries the team to beat in the playoffs?

The Wings showed yesterday that they can only go as far as Paige Bueckers takes them.

The Aces are leaning on their depth as they look to close out the Fever tomorrow.

Indiana is in a must-win situation.

The Lynx are in a familiar position, needing a road playoff win to save their season.

The Tempo are headed into the offseason with valuable clarity.

WNBA player news:

A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart showed yesterday why they're two of the best.

The league thought Olivia Miles would be good. She became a phenomenon.

Janelle Salaun sacrificed a starting role, and the Valkyries are reaping the rewards.

Routs on day one of the playoffs

Today's first-round, game 1 results:

The Liberty dominated the Lynx, 91-75.

The Aces powered past the Fever, 102-85.

The Dream came back from behind to take the Mystics, 92-77.

The Valkyries blitzed the Wings, 104-80.

WNBA player news:

Olivia Miles conquered her rookie season. The playoffs are a different test.

AP awards:

The AP's full list of season honorees.

Let the postseason festivities commence

All eight playoff teams hit the hardwood tomorrow, for the first round........

WNBA team news:

The Dream are looking different for the playoffs this season......can the Mystics stop them?

The Aces know what it takes to win. The Fever are trying to learn.

The Liberty are brushing off concerns about their injured stars before the playoffs.

The Valkyries have a real championship window.

Golden State expects the Wings to put up a fight.

How Dallas developed their intricate team handshakes.

Toronto players remain upbeat......and they dish on life in the city during the season.

WNBA player news:

How Napheesa Collier went from playoff heartbreak to leading her team to another championship chase.

A'ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston are set for another physical battle.

Paige Bueckers is leaning on big-game experience going into the playoffs.

Ty Harris broke her left fibula in Indiana's game against Minnesota Thursday, and will miss the playoffs.

The lead up is underway

WNBA playoff news:

The evenly-matched playoffs has every team believing they have a legitimate title shot.

The top-ranked Lynx are the heavy favorites to win a title......the team is chasing its fifth chip.

The Liberty may have a psychological edge over Minnesota in their first-round matchup.

Can the Aces flip a switch and win their fourth championship?

Valkyries-Wings playoff preview.

The Dream will face the Mystics.

WNBA team news:

Dallas is rapidly expanding their footprint in their home city.

Where will the Mercury go after a disappointing season?

WNBA player news:

Paige Bueckers steps into the playoffs for the first time.

WNBA coach and GM news:

Stephanie White is in ruthless pursuit of a WNBA championship.

Lynne Roberts was fired by the Sparks today.

Will Tyler Marsh be let go?

GM Monica Wright Rogers sees promise beneath the wreckage of the Tempo's first season.

The regular season comes to a close

Today's results:

The Sun stopped the Tempo, 95-81, for their final game in Connecticut before the franchise moves to Houston.

The Mystics defeated the Sky, 101-93.

The Lynx blew out the Fever, 86-66.

The Aces closed out the Mercury, 100-82.

The Valkyries rallied from behind to nip the Sparks, 76-75.

WNBA team news:

How each of the eight playoff teams could win the title.

Did the Wings just have their best season ever?

A look back at the history and impact of the Sun.

The Mohegan Tribe made an early bet on a WNBA team, which is now leaving.

Connecticut fans are sad and upset at the team's departure.

The Tempo are tied for having the best draft lottery odds.

WNBA player news:

Nneka Ogwumike leaves the WNBA transformed, and marked by her influence.

Kelsey Mitchell's long streak of 20-point games ended tonight, but she set another record.

How Flau'jae Johnson flourished despite the Storm's losing season.

Seeds locking and seasons ending

Today's results:

The Dream dumped the Liberty, 83-65, and locked up the fourth seed.

The Wings got the best of the Storm, 103-91.

WNBA playoff news:

The Lynx clinched the No. 1 playoff seed with the Valkyries' loss last night, and will face New York on Sunday.

Kayla Thornton remains invaluable for Golden State as they prepare for the playoffs.

The Aces are chasing a championship as coach Becky Hammon cautions that they are not a finished product.

Is New York a real title contender?

WNBA team news:

The Fire's first season was a success, despite no playoff berth......the team is full of promise.

Seattle's young core went into tonight's last game with mixed feelings.

WNBA player news:

Angel Reese left tonight's game after being hit in the face, and Jonquel Jones tweaked her ankle.

Breanna Stewart sat out tonight's game as a precaution.

Olivia Miles will miss Minnesota's regular-season finale.

Still grinding

Today's results:

The Mystics eclipsed the Sun, 79-69, for a franchise record 27th win.

The Fever rolled past the Lynx, 96-77.

The Sky downed the Tempo, 97-85.

The Aces topped the Sparks, 89-79.

The Fire needed an OT to upend the Valkyries, 90-82.

WNBA team news:

How losing could boost Toronto's chance for the No. 1 draft pick next year.

WNBA player news:

"Born a leader," Shakira Austin has guided the youthful Mystics back to the playoffs.

Nneka Ogwumike is grateful for her 15-year career.

Jessica Shepard's breakout season for Dallas doesn't surprise her, or teammate Paige Bueckers.

How making a conscious effort to avoid an eighth tech has helped Caitlin Clark play better basketball.

In letting Olivia Miles be herself, Minnesota unleashed a star.

Gabriela Jaquez is reminding us why Chicago chose her at No. 5.

Breanna Stewart's nine-year record of not getting a technical foul ended last night in the Liberty's loss to the Dream.

Rachel Banham is starting to think about life after basketball.

Pushing and pushing

Today's results:

The Dream beat the Liberty, 95-84.

The Mercury edged the Wings, 87-86.

WNBA playoff news:

The final week of the regular season sees the playoff picture still muddled.

Dallas could be seeded as high as fifth.

WNBA player news:

NaLyssa Smith is finding a new perspective from the sideline.

WNBA team president news:

Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti will relocate with the team to Houston.

Records made and broken, and a statue is unveiled

Today's results:

The Lynx put away the Sun, 101-89.

The Liberty crushed the Tempo, 106-69.

The Mystics routed the Fever, 93-77.

The Sparks made work of the Fire, 105-84.

The Aces ran past the Storm, 98-77.

WNBA team news:

The Libs are getting their own Air Force 1 shoe.

Toronto's support of their team in their home finale was evident.

WNBA player news:

Nneka Ogwumike today became the fourth player in WNBA history to score 8,000 career points.

A'ja Wilson became the first player in league history to log two 1,000-point seasons.

Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark's rookie points record for most scored in a season.

Lisa Leslie's statue was unveiled today at Crypto.com Arena.

No surprises on this day

Today's results:

The Wings bested the Mercury, 87-82, in their final game at College Park Center.

The Dream dominated the Sky, 101-86.

The Valkyries silenced the Storm, 70-57.

WNBA player news:

Paige Bueckers claimed the league record for most points scored in their first two seasons.

Why Olivia Miles is known as "The Spectacle."