Week 10 WNBA Standings With Real Playoff Stakes

We break down the WNBA Week 10 standings and what they say about who’s real, who’s sliding, and who’s about to get dangerous. Then we map out the playoff matchups if the season ended today and call out the battles that could flip a series fast. 

• Current Week 10 WNBA standings and how the top eight is forming 
• Biggest drop with the Dream and why consistency keeps slipping 
• Biggest jumps from the Wings and Fever and what those moves really mean 
• Liberty cohesion, health, and why their ceiling still scares everyone 
• Valkyries as the problem matchup nobody wants 
• Aces questions around roster changes and winning without key pieces 
• Lynx matchup concerns against dominant size and what changes when reinforcements return 
• Mystics outlook as a young team and the missing point guard piece 
• First-round playoff bracket projections and which series looks most entertaining 
• Key player matchups to watch across Aces vs Mystics, Lynx vs Dream, Valkyries vs Liberty, Wings vs Fever 

Please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone one, about the WNBA, and two, about my show. 

Transcript

Welcome And Week 10 Setup

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What's up everybody? It's your favorite show's favorite show Get a Bucket. I'm your host, Trey as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're gonna talk about the week 10 update in the WNBA. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button. Comment tell anyone who's anyone about the show. Try and get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And you wonder if you heard this before. That's because you've been listening with me Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate your support. Now, told y'all week 10 update for the WNBA, right? We got 21 weeks total. So for you, math heads, that's about 11 weeks remaining before playoffs start. That's right, playoffs do start September 27th, and the season ends September 24th. So make sure that you're staying active and paying attention to the WNBA season because we basically halfway there. Now, on this episode, we're gonna talk about the standings, current standings, and if the season were to end today, the playoff matchups, because realistically, hell, I think we've seen the top eight teams that are going to go to the playoffs. But you know, maybe some things shake up, right? So let's talk about it.

Updated Standings And Biggest Movers

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Currently in the WNBA standings, we have as follows the Las Vegas Aces number one, Minnesota Lynx, number two, Golden State Valkyries, number three, Dallas Wings, number four, Indiana Fever, number five, New York Liberty, number six, Atlanta Dream, number seven, Washington Mystics, number eight. Now here's the thing, ladies and gentlemen, okay? Each team has shuffled just a little bit, with the exception of the Valkyries and the Mystics. Okay, last week we had a little bit different. It was Lynx 1, Aces 2, Valkyries 3, Dream 4, Liberty 5, Wing 6, Fever 7, and Mystics 8. So, what are some things to note, right? Off top, I think it's fair to say that the Dream probably was the biggest team in the standings to fall. They're currently on the five-game losing streak. And keep in mind their big three has been pretty solid this season. A little inconsistent, I'll give you that. Angel Reese, Alicia Gray, Ryan Howard. It's very, it's been very rare to see all three dominate during a game, right? Like Ryan Howard might not give the most efficient offense that night, but Alicia and Angel might do okay. Or maybe Ryan and Alicia do solid, but Angel's not effective on the offensive end in terms of efficiency, right? Like there's always one of these big three not really getting the job done. And then they're starting five, too. Sometimes it gets a little tricky as well. Like Jordan Canada out there, good point guard, but sometimes she's not smart enough the way we might need her to. Like the dream are a little inconsistent, hence why they have fallen. Again, five-game losing street, that's very tough to witness, ladies and gentlemen. I do believe that they can get the job done and get back into the thick of things. But they got to start really reigning it in. I mean, losing to the Valkyries three times, that's just, you know what I'm saying? That's tough. Like, you better hope y'all don't play against them in the playoffs. And then on top of that, you lost to the Storm, who are rebuilding currently, right? And the Mystics. The Mystics, I can understand. They're a young team. You should be able to win a game against them, but I get that one. Like, three, I'll say this. I can understand y'all losing two or maybe even three of the five. But five of those losses, five out of five is ridiculous. So again, we need to see more consistency from the dream. We also got here the biggest team standing jump. Well, that actually looks to be a tie between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever. Now, here's the thing, though. The wings jump is more impressive. Reason why? They actually just recently beat the New York Liberty. And it was before that, the Liberty and the Wings were five and six. Liberty were fifth, wings were sixth. So the fact that they were able to beat the Liberty to become the fourth seed, that's pretty impressive. Now, don't get me wrong, and I've said this before, the Liberty are still trying to figure out their cohesion, right? They've been injured this entire season. And they were able to make it close in stretches for sure in terms of that recent game. But ladies and gentlemen, what we saw was Jessica Shepard giving us another triple double, the only player to have a triple-double this season currently. And on top of that, down the stretch, we saw AZ Fudd getting a bucket. We saw Paige Beckers getting a bucket when they needed him. So it looks like the wings are starting to turn that corner. The only question is, is Arike gonna turn up? When will Arike turn up? Because if she don't turn up, maybe she can get traded to a team like the Washington Mystics, who are in grave need of a point guard. And I just gotta say that right now, desperate need of a point guard. But those two teams rose up for me, the Wings and the Fever. Now keep in mind, the Fever, they were the seventh seed last week, fifth seed now. Their rising was just because other teams fell. Like that's just the end of that's just the end of the day. Kudos to them for winning their recent games, right? But I mean, nothing real impressive about the fever to note thus far. They're still trying to figure some things out, right? They're still trying to make sure that Caitlin can come back to real good form. So let's see if that happens, okay? Aliyah Balston, I think people are having a pretty good season. Kelsey Mitchell's been having a pretty good season. They're the best two players on their team. Caitlin, if she can ever improve her efficiency and cut down her turnovers, I think the fever could be a little interesting. But we got to wait to see, though, because again, I've heard people talk about the fever need to fire their coach. It's not all sunshine and rainbows in Indiana right now. But I'm not saying that they're a bad team. I'm just saying they're beatable for sure. Maybe a first-round exit. The Golden State Valkyries remaining at the third seed, that's pretty impressive. Uh, they are the biggest non-contender that you don't want to see in the playoffs. I think that might be fair to say. I get the wings could be an answer right here, too. But ladies and gentlemen, the way the guy the way the Valkyries look, bro, it's a little disgusting. We'll talk about that in the playoff matchup discussion. But just understand, they can really go up against any team. And the fact that they were just formed last season should give other expansion teams a lot of hope. Like, I do expect the Golden State Valkyrie to be the first expansion team to win a championship. And I could realistically say if things keep going the way they're going, they could do that sooner rather than later. I don't want to say this season, it seems a little premature, but at the same time, I did say it was premature for the Spurs to get to the finals. And, you know, y'all saw them get there. So again, it could be possible that the Valkyries could get to the

Aces And Lynx News To Watch

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WNBA finals. That's just sound that's crazy to say. But let's go ahead and talk about some other teams, right? Because links and aces, yeah, you already know why I got them here, right? Only reason why the links dropped, because they're on a current two-game losing streak. And what I've seen thus far is if they go up against a dominant big, that could cause some problems for them. And they just happened to go up against Brittany Griner during that stretch. So they could always come back up and go past the aces. But you gotta remember, ladies and gentlemen, they're close to getting the feast of Collier back. So, you know, getting the call, getting Collier back, bro, getting feedback, that's gonna be ridiculous. I'm telling you right now, they're gonna maybe take a slight step back. But keep in mind, the way her game play is, she doesn't have to be selfish to be impactful on the team. She can be that elite-level defender, plus another body out there to get some rebounds, do a little playmaking, and get a bucket. So I'm looking for the links to come back ahead of the aces, especially if Asia Wilson is not able to return for the Aces, because that is going to be an interesting note as well, too. It's gonna be a good experience for the Aces to be able to win games or learn how to win games, figure out games without Asia Wilson. Now, here's the thing about the Aces, though, I will say this. They just lost Kennedy Carter. They waived her. I need to hear more as to why they waived her, bro, because like she was hooping really well. She had like, I get the locker room issues that Kennedy Carter has had, like, in the past, but in this current situation, I thought we were gonna be okay. So I really need to hear more as to why she got the boot, bro. Because she was arguably the third best player on her team. And I said arguably, again, I'd lean Chelsea Gray in terms of impact. But this specific season, as of right now, point in time, Kennedy Carter was hooping. She was getting the bucket. She was my winner for Sixth Woman of the Year. Now that award is wide open. We got to start reevaluating some things because it was hers to lose. And she got waived. I wonder if she comes back. Will that help? Will she still be a Sixth Woman of the Year candidate? I gotta think about that. That'd be interesting. But yeah, them losing the Aces losing Kennedy Carter. That's gonna hurt. I ain't gonna lie to you. Maybe their cohesion in the locker room is a little better, but talent on the team is definitely dropped a little bit. But just note those two. Again, the Aces lost the big signing. The Lynx are getting back a big signing. So that would be interesting for them. And finally, the Washington Mystics. Ladies and gentlemen, they're the eighth seed, respectfully. They're supposed to be here. It is what it is. Young team, I expect them to remain as the eighth seed. If a team drops, like if the dream keeps losing, okay, that's one thing. But I expect the Mystics to go into the playoffs as the eighth seed. Again, the youngest team in WNBA history. They're gonna get bumped and bruised. They're gonna get punched in the mouth a couple times. You know, two to the body, one up top. Get you. How they respond is gonna let us know what they need to focus on for the following years. And notice how I said years, because I think they have a young core that can get the job done. And again, they're really just a point guard away from really truly snapping. They have everything that they need. They got a wing who can defend, they got bigs who can rebound and score, get a little bucket. You know what I'm saying? All they need is that true point guard, and that's what they're trying to figure out with Georgia or more. No disrespect, Georgia. This is your first real season in the WNBA, so I get it. That's why I think it'd be important for them to get a veteran point guard. Someone liking Ari K. That could be pretty smooth. But again, ladies and gentlemen, those are the current WNBA standings for week 10.

First Round Matchups If Today Ends

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And with that, let's go ahead and talk about the current playoff matchups. Because again, there's a world that this could be the playoff matchups when the playoffs start. So the first round, it would be the Aces versus the Mystics. Then the Lynx versus the Dream, the Valkyrie versus the Liberty, and the Wings versus the Fever. I gotta say this, ladies and gentlemen. Off top, it might be the Valkyries versus the Liberty that might be the most entertaining series. Don't get me wrong, Aces versus Mystics would be interdiction to watch. Lynx versus Dream, that would be interesting to watch as well, too. Wings and Fever, personally, I hope that happens. But Valkyries vs. Liberty, that one's gonna be the most interesting one. Off talent. I think, like I said, the Valkyries, they are the biggest non-contender team that people don't want to see in the playoffs. When I say non-contender, I mean I don't believe that the Valkyries are quite contenders at this current point in time. But that does not mean they can't beat contenders. And that's what I view the Liberty to be one of the contenders for the WNBA season. All right? Now, the Valkyries can prevent players like John Quell Jones from dominating, right? Because Akia Stokes out there. Akia Stokes been playing some good basketball defensively. Can John Quell dominate? That's a question that we got to figure out. Is Stewie gonna get bothered by Gabby, or will Gabby have more of an impact than Stewie does on the series? Because Gabby's defense and scoring ability is pretty smooth. So is Stewie's now. Don't get me wrong, Stewie's elite. But Gabby's on another level when it comes to defense. And then offensively, I think Stewart's higher than Gabby. So they might even be a wash in some areas. So that's gonna be interesting to note. Also, Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, the guards. How do they go up against a player like Sabrina Ionescu? That's gonna be interesting. And as point guards, too, by the way, how are they gonna go up? Well, more so Veronica and Sabrina. Kayla Thornton's not a point guard. But those players will be guarding Sabrina, and they're gonna have to knock her off her horse for a little bit because Sabrina's coming back. She's gonna be in good form by playoff, barring any injuries. So that's gonna be a good battle to see. Also, Satu, Sabaly, and Leone Phoebe. I believe they're gonna be the X factors for the series. Because they have the height and the versatility to match up against the Valkyrie and cause some fits while still being able to score and at least put get some putbacks. So imagine if Sabrina's jacking up the ball right from three, can't knock it down. They can at least get some rebounds, some clean putbacks. That helps win games. So again, and also, can the Wibberdy, can the Liberty actually win ugly style games? Because I believe the Valkyries can. So again, ladies and gentlemen, I think this one's gonna be really entertaining to watch. Definitely stay tuned. Let's see what happens. But again, that's my most entertaining matchup thus far. We got the Aces versus Mystics. I think the Aces Big Three, again, this is all barring injuries, ladies and gentlemen. That means everybody comes into the playoffs injury-free. I think the Aces

Valkyries Versus Liberty Chess Match

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Big Three is better than the Mystics Big Three. Plus, the team execution is better point in time. When I say point in time, I mean this particular time period in their lives. As time goes on, as we get older, I expect it to flip towards the Mystics. But right now, the Aces got it. The Mystics bigs, can they cause enough problems for Asia Wilson? Because I will say this now. If they showed to be a challenge for Asia, now we got to think about does Sonia Citron outduel Jackie Young? And that's a really good matchup to watch. I think Jackie's a little stronger, more fit, a little older, right? She's still in her prime, if I'm not mistaken. Sonia's on the up and coming. So again, that's gonna be a great battle to watch. I think it's a current versus a future battle. When I say that, I mean like a future team going up against the current team. They're gonna get their bruises. Should be a good series to watch, though. That could be a sweep, maybe even, maybe even one game. But I expect it to go to Aces. Lynx versus Dream. I actually like this for a couple reasons. One, the Dream actually have a chance at beating the Lynx. Angel Reese can actually dominate in this series. Like they have the personnel to go up against the Lynx, to be clear. Like Jordan Canada versus Olivia Miles, that's gonna be a great point guard matchup. You might lean Olivia Miles, but don't sleep on Jordan Canada. And then we got what? Nafisa Collier, Caleb McBride, Courtney Williams going up against Ryan Howard and Alicia Gray. Ladies and gentlemen, I think that's a better matchup than what people might at what people might want to admit. I ain't gonna lie to you. And then we got Nas Hillman to throw out there, too. Natasha Howard's out there. Also, Natasha Howard and Ryan Howard are cousins. So we get to see that matchup in the playoffs. I like this. Now, I would lean the links to win, right? I think the links would win the rebounding battle. And again, that's their biggest weakness currently. So if they're gonna win the rebounding battle, I think they win the skill battle as well, too. It's a close battle, but I think they win the skill battle. Execution, I lean links, right? And that's my biggest worry for the dream. Will they execute well enough? They have the talent to do so. The bench for the dream, we still got to figure out some things. But remember, by this time, Breonna Jones is probably gonna be back. So that will at least bolster up the bench. So again, ladies and gentlemen, I do like to see the links versus the dream for a multitude of reasons. Although I do lean the links. And again, Olivia Miles and the Fisa Collier, those two players I expect to have a good series versus the Dream because they're gonna need them in order to win. Natasha Howard, I expect you to have an ugly series because you're gonna be going up against Angel Reese, battling it out. You're also gonna be throwing up against Alicia Gray, Ryan Howard, your cousin. You know what I'm saying? Nas Hillman. So you got to do the dirty work in that situation. And I'm assuming that your stats are gonna drop offensively just a little bit. But she also can hit a bucket, too, ladies and gentlemen. So everybody on the links is gonna be able to get a bucket and defend. I don't know if we can make that same statement for the dream as comfortably. So again, I lean links, but it's gonna be an entertaining game to watch. Maybe third entertainment entertainment. And the reason why I say third, Aces versus Mystics would be last. But the wings versus fever for me would be top quality. Because we got here Aaliyah Boston versus Jessica Shepard. And Shep has been playing some good basketball. Okay. Aaliy Boston was the number one voted player for All-Star this season. That's pretty spectacular, pretty interesting, pretty new, especially considering the fact that she was outvoted by Caitlin Clark. Is that right? That's crazy. But Aaliy Boston's been playing some good basketball. She's actually the fever's best player. Meanwhile, Jessica Shepard is the most improved player this season. And she's been looking pretty spectacular, both are All-Star starters this season. So who wins that matchup? That's gonna be entertaining to watch. Also, we could be talking about the wings and fever going forward, maybe even making the finals as a matchup. That could be entertaining.

Wings Versus Fever Rivalry Energy

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That can be entertaining. And the narrative now starts here. Also, Arique and AZ going up against Kelsey Mitchell. That's gonna be real entertaining. Kelsey versus Arique, they supposed to be two all WNBA caliber guards, or at minimum all-star guards. And then AZ are people are expecting her to get their remember. She was the number one pick, ladies and gentlemen. And not to mention, these this matchup does hold the last four number one picks, right? We got AZ Fudd, you got Paige Beckers, you got Caitlin Clark, and then you got Aliah Balston. So again, ladies and gentlemen, this matchup across the board looks spectacular. And and and again, will the wings get all-star production from Arike? Because also this type of matchup would help us decide if Arique is going to stay or get traded. Like despite her performance, whatever it, however it goes, that's gonna help determine if she can stay, if she stays or gets traded. Because currently point in time, I think the I think the trajectory is leaning towards Paige, AZ, and Shep as their big three for the future. I think that's what the Dallas Wings would prefer. And having a Rike out there, let's see what happens. Maybe they want to get some wings, some forwards, and make Paige and AZ the point guards and shooting guards, the backcourt, if you will. Now, speaking of Paige and Caitlin, we get to see this matchup. And y'all know I've been talking about this for a while, ladies and gentlemen. Paige versus Caitlin. I lean Paige as a player and as a point guard. Some people, some stands, try to say I'm stupid about this. Well, fine, let's put the money where our mouths are, ladies and gentlemen. Let's wait and see who wins this matchup. Who wins? Who's more dominant? Who's more impactful? That's what I'm waiting to see. But I expect that to be a monumental, a monumental storyline that the WNBA has been waiting to have happen. And I'm so happy that it happens now. I really will. Like I really hope that the Wings versus the Fever is a first-round matchup. Because again, it just sets the precedent for this now becoming a rivalry. Again, two of the better young point guards in the WNBA going up against one another, two of the better young teams going up against one another. And we have expectations of them eventually going to the finals at some point in time. Maybe not against one another, but that would be lovely to see happen too. That'd be entertaining. But again, ladies and gentlemen, wings versus fever. I have this as my second most entertaining one. And I already told you about my first one, which was the Valkyries versus Liberty. So again, to recap, my matchup focuses Asia versus the Washington Mystics Biggs. And Jackie versus Satron. Also, can Chelsea Gray dominate versus the guards? I talked real disappointing about the Washington Mystics guards. So Chelsea Gray should be able to dominate. So we'll have to watch for those matchups. But those are my matchup focuses between Aces and Mystics. Lynx versus Dream. I got Nafisa and Olivia and Natasha versus Ryan, Alicia, and Angel. Keep in mind there are other matchups to follow as well, too. But those big threes are going to be pretty spectacular to watch. Because again, they match up against one another pretty well. The focus is going to be on all three of these teams. And I think it's going to be a good battle. So you got to watch and wait and see what happens, but I promise you you won't be disappointed. Then next, we got to talk about the Valkyries versus the Liberty. Now we got Gabby, right? Ronka Burton, Kia Stokes, versus the Liberty's big five. And I said big five because when healthy, again, their lineup of Sabrina Ionescu, Satu Saboli, Leone Phoebus, Brianna Stewart, and John Quell Jones is just flat out ridiculous. It's disgusting. And can the Valkyries keep up with the Liberty? Now we've seen the Valkyries do pretty well against teams. We have. The Liberty, again, they're still not at their best. So come playoff time, ladies and gentlemen. I would expect them to be at their best and gelling. And again, this is all barring injury. That's gonna be my matchup focus. Can the Valkyries team do well against the Liberty's big five? And I'm talking about those big three for the Valkyries. And you can we can throw Thornton in there too, Kayla Thornton, because she matters as well. Don't get me wrong. But that's a tall task for the for the Valkyries, I ain't gonna lie to you. And then again, to round it off, wings versus fever. Page, Jessica, and Arike versus Leah Kelsey and Caitlin Clark. And keep in mind I didn't throw AZ Fudd in there because I think it's a little bit premature. But I'll have a little focus, a little eye on AZ as well. But those big but that big three for the wings, which is Paige, Jessica, and Arique right now versus the big three for the fever, those are the matchups I'm focusing on. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the

Recap Questions And Sign Off

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episode. So I'm curious, one, which team in the WNBA's current standing are you surprised at the most this week? Which team are you not surprised by the most? And then also, which playoff matchup do you like the most and the least? Which matchup player-wise are you looking forward to seeing in that particular in that first round hypothetical? I'm curious of your thoughts. And again, this is all based on the current standings as it is. Because again, this could very well be a playoff matchup in 11 more weeks. That's crazy. We're at the halfway mark. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, like I said, that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone one, about the WNBA, and two, about my show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Good A Bucket, and I hope you are all having a good one. Take care.