As four teams remain in the WNBA playoffs, four playoff teams have already said their goodbyes to the season.
After two rounds of action-packed single-elimination games, it's time to assess how the losing teams fared. Was a postseason berth in itself worth celebrating? How short of the season goal was a second-round finish? Where do these teams go from here?
New York Liberty
Regular season record: 14-20 (8th seed)
Lost to Phoenix in the first round
Forget the fact that the Liberty got into the postseason by the skin of their teeth. They booked their ticket to the playoffs thanks to losses from the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks, but that shouldn't take away the strides they made this year.
A 14-win season, plus a playoff berth for the first time since 2017, has been a total turnaround compared to the measly two wins they had the previous season.
The most exciting part about the Liberty's development are the core pieces in place. Last season’s Most Improved Player Betnijah Laney was a huge pickup in the offseason from the Atlanta Dream. She continued to showcase her talent in New York, posting 16.8 points on 45.1 percent shooting, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.
The Liberty also gained firepower, veteran leadership, and championship experience when they acquired Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Howard from the Seattle Storm.
There's also the sophomore campaign of Sabrina Ionescu, who averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in her first full season. Add Rookie of the Year frontrunner Michaela Onyenwere, New York basketball is on the upswing.
The Liberty have had a rollercoaster of a season but much can be attributed to Howard's MCL sprain that left a gaping hole on both ends of the court. Still, they were able to build an identity of a gritty, guns blazing squad, highlighted by them breaking the single-season team record for most 3s with 321.
They might have stumbled on their way to the playoffs, but the Liberty have a lot to build on for next season.
Dallas Wings
Regular season record: 14-18 (7th seed)
Lost to Chicago in the first round
A young team on the lookout for next year are the Dallas Wings.
The Wings fell in the first round to the Chicago Sky but they took home a lot of positives after head coach Vickie Johnson's first year. The core is a budding squad with Arike Ogunbowale at the forefront. Ogunbowale earned her first All-Star appearance and won All-Star MVP honors. She's a bonafide scorer with a scoring average of 18.7 points with a 37.6 shooting clip from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Satou Sabally also had an All-Star season while Allisha Gray became an Olympic gold medalist. Third-year guard Marina Mabrey also deserves a mention as the team's second-leading scorer with 13.3 points per game. Ogubowale and Mabrey actually led the league with a combined 143 made 3-pointers, the most by any duo.
Top picks of the 2021 WNBA Draft Charli Collier and Awak Kuier did not see a lot of action in their rookie year but they showed flashes of their potential.
A key takeaway for the Wings is the experience gained under coach Johnson's first year at the helm, including a playoff battle against a veteran team like the Sky. They have a lot of young pieces that will be building blocks for a consistent playoff team.
Minnesota Lynx
Regular season record: 22-10 (3rd seed)
Lost to Chicago in the second round
The Lynx were one of the teams that became victims of the single-elimination format after securing a bye into the second round. By all accounts, the Lynx had a strong year as exhibited by their 22-10 record and third seed finish. Sylvia Fowles won Defensive Player of the Year. Napheesa Collier became an Olympian. Aerial Powers recovered from injury just in time as the team geared up for the playoffs.
It was a good season that went down the drain after one really bad game.
Nonetheless, the Lynx still have the mold of a playoff contender for next year, maybe even a championship squad. 2020 Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield didn't have the same scoring output as last season, but continued to play a critical role for the team. The acquisition of sharpshooter Kayla McBride in the offseason gave the team an outside presence. Same goes for the brilliant midseason addition of Layshia Clarendon that filled the team's needs in terms of ball handling and playmaking.
If everyone can be healthy and on the same page, the Lynx can produce another competitive season and make a deep playoff run next year. The franchise hasn't won a title since 2017 but another championship team may be just around the corner.
Seattle Storm
Regular season record: 21-11 (4th seed)
Lost to Phoenix in the second round
The biggest cloud that will hang over Seattle's offseason is the status of Sue Bird. The legendary point guard will reportedly be mulling over whether or not she will suit up for a potential 19th WNBA season.
Bird started 30 games for the Storm this season, averaging 10.0 points and 5.3 assists. She went to the Tokyo Olympics, captured her fifth gold medal, and won the Commissioner's Cup trophy upon her return.
The Storm were on pace for a repeat as they started the year strong but they couldn't gain the same consistency post-Olympics. The final blow proved to be the late-season foot injury to their best player, Breanna Stewart. Jewell Loyd had a stellar year, but couldn't catch fire in the single-elimination playoff game versus the Phoenix Mercury.
Stewart remains the centerpiece of a championship team and as long as she's healthy, the Storm remain a contender. As for the status of Bird, the identity of the franchise has always been tied with her. It will be the end of an era if she does decide to hang up her sneakers.
