WNBA Championship predictions shift ahead of critical Game 2s

Four teams remain in the WNBA playoffs and the betting odds imply any of them could win the WNBA Championship.

The WNBA Championship field is down to four teams and parity seems to be the name of the game. The No. 1 seed, Las Vegas Aces, breezed through the first round, eliminating the Phoenix Mercury in two games. But they lost their second-round opener to the Seattle Storm, 76-73, and face a 1-0 deficit in the best-of-five series.

The Chicago Sky, defending champions and the No. 2 seed, also lost their first game of the second round, 68-63, to the Connecticut Sun. As you would expect with a pair of Game 1 upsets, the WNBA Championship odds have shifted a bit.

Who is the favorite to win the WNBA Championship?

Despite losing Game 1, the Las Vegas Aces remain the favorites. They had the best offense during the regular season, by a wide margin, and feature Defensive Player of the Year and MVP frontrunner A’ja Wilson, as well as Most Improved Player Jackie Young and the No. 2 scorer in the league during the regular season, Kelsey Plum.

However, the Storm have the depth and experience to challenge the Aces and Breanna Stewart is as tough a matchup as there is in the league for Wilson. (She also might steal MVP). Stewart had 24 points in Game 1 and helped hold Wilson to just 8 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

In the other series, we know the Sky are explosive and have the talent to blast back. But the Sun could be a sleeping giant. Their odds have improved significantly here and they finished the regular season with the best point differential in the league, outscoring opponents by an average of 9.5 points per 100 possessions. They have a stout defense and plenty of firepower and shot creation on offense with five different players averaging double-figure scoring during the regular season.

Regardless, basketball fans have two more incredibly balanced series to enjoy, with what, on paper, could be an incredibly competitive WNBA Finals.