WNBA playoff preview: Eight players who will define the 2024 postseason

The 2024 WNBA playoffs tip off on Sunday with four games.

Here are eight players to watch ahead of one of the most anticipated postseasons in league history.

1. New York Liberty (32-8)

Player to watch: Forward Jonquel Jones

While Jones might take a backseat to Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu in the headlines, she’s their peer on the court and a huge reason why the Liberty should like their chances of winning their first WNBA title.

The 2021 league MVP with Connecticut has led New York in field goal percentage this season, including posting the league’s best percentage on two-point attempts (63.6%). She also made 39.1% of her threes during the regular season, her highest clip since 2018.

Jones also ranked in the top ten this year in rebounds per game (nine) and blocks per game (1.3). During the 2023 playoffs, Jones averaged 17 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game on 55.9% shooting, and she’ll be expected to pick up where she left off when the Liberty tip off their first-round series against the Dream.

2. Minnesota Lynx (30-10)

Player to watch: Guard Bridget Carleton

Forward Napheesa Collier is the engine that makes the Lynx run, but Carleton is a major key to their league-best three-point offense.

The six-year WNBA veteran ranked fifth in the league with a 44.4 three-point percentage in 2024, making 2.3 of her 5.3 attempts from beyond the arc.

Minnesota led the W in three-point percentage during the regular season (38%. When paired with the Lynx’s elite defense — Minnesota held opponents to a league-worst 41% shooting percentage — if Carleton’s shots fall with the same consistency as in the regular season, the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup champs could double up and win the franchise’s fifth league title.

3. Connecticut Sun (28-12)

Player to watch: Forward Alyssa Thomas

An 11-year veteran, Thomas does it all for the Sun. She leads the team in rebounds per game (8.4) and assists per game (7.9) and is tied for the team lead in steals per game (1.6).

Midseason acquisition guard Marina Mabrey has added a necessary three-point component to the Sun’s offensive attack, but the team is led by its defense, which limited opponents to 73.6 points per game this season, the lowest in the association.

Thomas leads Connecticut in defensive win shares (2.8), and her defense will be key to stopping the Fever’s high-flying attack in the first round.

4. Las Vegas Aces (27-13)

Player to watch: Center A’ja Wilson

Wilson should be a unanimous MVP this year after setting the WNBA single-season record for points (1,021) and rebounds (451) in a season.

While she makes room for a third MVP award in her trophy collection, Wilson can also add a third championship ring by leading the Aces to back-to-back-to-back WNBA titles.

Despite falling a step behind the Liberty, Lynx and Sun in the regular season standings, the Aces are primed for a deep playoff run. In the first round, they get the Storm, who could struggle to take advantage of Las Vegas’ weakness in defending the three. Per Her Hoop Stats, the Aces ranked ninth in opponent three-point field goal percentage (35%) while the Storm are last in three-point shooting (28.8%).

5. Seattle Storm (25-15)

Player to watch: Guard Jewell Loyd

With Seattle struggling from deep, Loyd’s ability to penetrate and make her midrange shots, plus get to the foul line, could keep the Storm’s first-round series against the Aces close.

Per Her Hoop Stats data, Loyd ranked fourth in midrange field goal attempts (198) in 2024 but only made 39.4% of her shots from that area. 

She was successful in drawing fouls, averaging 8.1 free-throw attempts per game. Her 21.4% free-throw rate ranked 13th in the league, and free throws accounted for 30.5% of Loyd’s points, the league’s fourth-highest rate. 

6. Indiana Fever (20-20) 

Player to watch: Guard Caitlin Clark

The undisputed Rookie of the Year gets her first taste of postseason action against the team she started her WNBA career against: the Sun.

Clark and the Fever have improved significantly since their 92-71 opening-game loss at Connecticut, going 19-12 after a 1-8 start.

The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer was as great as advertised as a rookie, finishing the year averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 41.7%, including 34.4% on 8.9 three-point attempts per game.

7. Phoenix Mercury (19-21)

Player to watch: Guard Diana Taurasi

With rumors swirling about Taurasi’s future, this could be the last time we see one of the all-time greatest women’s basketball players on the court.

The 20-year WNBA veteran has plenty left in the tank, which she showed while averaging 14.9 points per game during the regular season.

The Lynx present a slew of challenges to a Phoenix squad that allowed opponents to attempt the highest-rate of three-pointers (34.4%) during the regular season. With a daunting task ahead, we should embrace and appreciate Taurasi’s greatness while it lasts.

8. Atlanta Dream (15-25)

Player to watch: Center Tina Charles

The Dream beat the fading Chicago Sky and surging Washington Mystics for the league’s last playoff spot, giving all-time great center Tina Charles a victory lap after setting the WNBA records for career rebounds (4,014) and double-doubles (194) in Atlanta’s regular-season finale against the Liberty, a 78-67 win.