WNBA Playoffs 2022 (Odds for Every Team Heading into Postseason)

The WNBA Playoffs are officially set, with the final eight teams set to tip-off the postseason on Wednesday, August 17.

Following Sunday's action, the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury found their way into the last two spots up for grabs in the postseason; leaving the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream on the outside looking in. The Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks had been previously eliminated.

How Does the WNBA Playoffs Work?

In the 12-team league, eight teams make the postseason and are matched up in a bracket style competition; regardless of whether they play in the Eastern or Western conference. In this case, the Las Vegas Aces are the No. 1 seed in the postseason and play in the West. In the NBA model, the Chicago Sky would have been the No. 1 seed in the East, but since every team is seeded based off win/loss record, they are now the No. 2 seed in the WNBA postseason.

The first round is a best-of-three series, with the higher seed (lower numbered) seeds hosting Games 1 and 2. Therefore, if a road team steals home court advantage, they'd end up hosting a potential winner-take-all matchup in Game 3.

In the semi-finals, as well as the WNBA Finals, the series move from a best-of-three, to a best-of-five, where the home team hosts Games 1, 2 and 5 if necessary.

2022 WNBA Playoff Schedule

Here are the dates for Game 1 of every WNBA playoff series, along with each team's odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook:

New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky Game 1 Odds, Spread and Total

• DATE: Wednesday, August 17, 8 p.m. ET
• SPREAD: Liberty +6.5 (-106) | Sky -6.5 (-114)
• MONEYLINE: Liberty +245 | Sky -325
• TOTAL: 164.5 (OVER -108 | UNDER -112)

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Game 1 Odds, Spread and Total

• DATE: Wednesday, August 17, 10 p.m. ET
• SPREAD: Mercury +14.5 (-114) | Aces -14.5 (-106)
• MONEYLINE: Mercury +790 | Aces -1400
• TOTAL: 167.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun Game 1 Odds, Spread and Total

• DATE: Thursday, August 18, 8 p.m. ET
• SPREAD: Wings +10.5 (-110) | Sun -10.5 (-110)
• MONEYLINE: Wings +420 | Sun -600
• TOTAL: 162.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm Game 1 Odds, Spread and Total

• DATE: Thursday, August 18, 10 p.m. ET
• SPREAD: Mystics +3.5 (-105) | Storm -3.5 (-115)
• MONEYLINE: Mystics +136 | Storm -168
• TOTAL: 158.5 (OVER -108 | UNDER -112)

WNBA Championship Odds 2022

All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:

1. Las Vegas Aces +175
2. Chicago Sky +230
3. Connecticut Sun +380
4. Seattle Storm +600
5. Washington Mystics +1100
6. Dallas Wings +5500
7. New York Liberty +8000
8. Phoenix Mercury +13000

WNBA Championship Prediction and Pick

I keep coming down to the Aces and Sky to wager on, and in fairness, I've had Chicago ranked ahead in my last sets of power rankings throughout the second half. However, over the last week of games, Las Vegas took the top spot from under Chicago and earned it; winning four consecutive games heading into the postseason; including an 89-78 win vs. the Sky last Thursday.

One problem, I don't love their potential matchup with Seattle in the second round.

The Storm lost on Sunday to Las Vegas at home, but they showed they can play their style of up-tempo, fast-paced offense despite nothing to play for locked into the 4-seed. In fact, since the start of August, Seattle owns the top offensive rating in the sport (116.6), as well as better defensive rating and net rating over Las Vegas over the final two weeks. The Aces should cruise past Phoenix, but Seattle will be ready for them.

Meanwhile, the bracket sets up well for Chicago. They lost to the Liberty just once in four games this year, and can beat New York on both ends of the floor. Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Howard are dangerous, but Chicago has Candace Parker and Emma Meesseman inside, Kaleah Copper and Courtney Vandersloot on the wings, and and Allie Quigley and Azura Stevens to help spread the floor. Even with Stefanie Dolson playing great in the final stretch of the season, the Sky have too many willing defenders that can take her out.

Should they advance, they'll likely match up with the Connecticut Sun who the Sky swept in four games during the regular season.

With the Sky taking on my upset pick of the Storm in the WNBA Finals, I'll back Chicago to repeat as champs for the second season in a row. Seattle still finished with the third-best defensive rating in the sport; but Chicago is just a few points behind them, and were far more consistent on offense all season.

The addition of Tina Charles has been a welcome one, but I ultimately trust the Sky's help defense, positional versatility, ability to create offensively, and veteran leadership to hold off Brianna Stewart and Sue Bird in her final season to raise another banner.

Regardless of who plays, expect a terrific WNBA Finals in 2022.

PICK: Sky +230

WNBA Championship Dark Horse Pick

As mentioned, I think the Storm are live in their projected second round series against the Aces, and can match up their stars against Vegas'.

While Las Vegas has been more consistent, I still buy Seattle's ability to make the necessary changes defensively to get back to the elite unit they've been all season long. They've shown an ability to be elite on both sides of the ball at different points of the season. That series vs. the Aces will be the deciding factor as to whether they can be elite on both ends at the same time.

At 6/1 odds, I think it's worth a flyer.

PICK: Storm +600

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