Wings, Mystics Clinch WNBA Playoff Berths

The Dallas Wings clinched the final WNBA playoff spot with a 96-78 win over Portland, securing the eighth seed and a possible first-round matchup with Minnesota as they improved to 23-16 under first-year coach Jose Fernandez. The turnaround from last season’s 10-34 record has been powered by Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Jessica Shepard, and Arike Ogunbowale, though Fudd will miss the rest of the season due to an arthroscopic procedure. The Washington Mystics clinched a playoff berth with a 105-100 win over the Portland Fire, bolstered by career-best scoring from Shakira Austin and a 7th-place standing with potential movement based on remaining games. Washington’s young core—Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Lauren Betts—has emerged as a foundation, with Citron and Iriafen earning All-Star honors and the franchise building toward a deeper postseason run. Earlier, the Mystics beat Phoenix 94-84 behind Citron’s 19 points and Iriafen’s 18 points with 10 rebounds, underscoring coach Sydney Johnson’s rebuilding progress and the team’s growing playoff trajectory. The update shows a broader playoff field as seven of eight spots have been clinched.