The WNBA Playoff Field Is Set And Seeding Still Matters (Week 17 Update)

We lock in the Week 17 WNBA top eight and call out which teams have already clinched playoff spots while the seeding fight stays alive. We debate the league’s best duos, spotlight Angel Reese and Kelsey Mitchell’s record streak, and lay out the first-round matchups we hope the bracket gives us.

• Top eight rankings and why the playoff field looks settled
• Lynx vulnerabilities versus strong bigs and the Nefisa Collier duo talk
• Valkyries elite defense, easy remaining schedule, and why they feel real
• Aces rise up the board and the case for A’ja Wilson plus Jackie Young
• Dream surge, Angel Reese praise, and the “best player” question
• Fever drop, Kelsey Mitchell scoring streak, and Boston versus Clark as duo partner
• Liberty outlook with Leonie Fiebich back and key health questions
• Mystics kudos, standout seasons, and why the surprise should be over
• Wings playoff concerns without a key player and what their path looks like
• Preferred playoff matchups and why some series should be saved for later

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

Transcript

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Welcome And Quick Housekeeping

SPEAKER_00 0:00

What's up everybody? It's your favorite show's favorite show get a bucket. I'm your host, Trey, and as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're gonna talk about the week 17 WNBA update. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button, comment on anyone who's anyone about the show. Trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And if you wonder where 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.

Top Eight Teams Rundown

SPEAKER_00 0:23

Now, for those of y'all who are new, we're gonna talk about the top eight teams because those are the playoff teams, right? But then we're gonna talk about a few other things on top of that, too. So with that being said, let's let's round it out because y'all who've been here before, y'all know how this goes. So, number one, we got the links, number two, the Valkyries, number three, the Aces, number four, the Dream, number five, the Fever, number six, the Liberty, number seven, the Mystics, and number eight, the wings. To be honest with you, ladies and gentlemen, these are probably going to be the playoff teams. I don't even care to mention any other squad. It's it's we've seen enough people, enough teams be eliminated already. So, like right now, point in time, I think it's fair to say y'all know the three teams that were in the playoffs last last week. We got four new teams now, it being the Dream, the Fever, the Liberty, and the Mississippi. They all secured a playoff spot. The Wings are the only team that have not secured it, but to be clear, they they should be clearing the uh the uh securing their playoff spot

Lynx Questions And Duo Debate

SPEAKER_00 1:25

very soon. Now, for the Lynx, real quick, just because they're number one, right? I do wonder, because probably the next time we're gonna give like a major update is playoffs. I mean, the rest of the way is gonna be easy, right? So the Lynx, obviously, like I said, the number one. When they go up against a team with a good big, it is a little tricky. Now keep in mind they got a bunch of forwards on their squad for sure. That's gonna be a little tough. Their strength of schedule remaining is like the third toughest, though. So I am curious what comes up of that, right? Like they just played the Valkyries recently, they lost the the second game, even though they won the first game. But it was a pretty spectacular game, right? Made me wonder, actually, do the Lynx in fact have the top WNBA duo? And they got a couple people to choose from, but it's obviously Nefisa Collier. And could it be Olivia Miles, the rookie? That may be the top duo that they had that we have in the WNBA. Uh, but let's talk about though, because we still gotta talk about the Valkyries,

Valkyries Defense And Rising Stock

SPEAKER_00 2:16

right? The Valkyries. What I noticed, well, kind of throughout this whole season, but recently specifically, their defense is elite. I just again I watched them play the play play against the Lynx. They had the chip on their shoulder this second game. But keep in mind, the way they looked, like I started getting 04 Detroit Pistons vibes. Could they in fact win with the with the with the with the characters they got on their team, and it's starting to look like there's a world where they can win. I'm starting to buy a little more stock in the Valkyries this season. Don't get me wrong, they're not my favorite, but they have won me over. Insane. We can consider them like a at least a playoff contender, at least meaning they're gonna go to the playoffs. I can see them getting to the second round, too, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, and with the fourth easiest remaining schedule, a strength of schedule, I don't expect them to really drop in the seedings too much. So they did what they needed to do. The last time we talked about strength of schedule, they didn't drop. So I expect them to remain a two-seed going into playoffs. That's pretty spectacular. And Gabby Williams is the star that I expected her to be. Again, quality performer. Like they have a good team, man. Even Burton on the squad is pretty smooth as a point guard. Like when we talk about Olivia Miles, Paige Beckers, Caitlin Clark, we got to put Veronica Burton in there. She's one of the top guards under 25, ladies and gentlemen. And if you haven't watched her, she does it on both ends of the flow. But again, Valkyrie's number two, they look pretty good. Aces,

Aces Climb And Star Power

SPEAKER_00 3:42

listen, they actually tied for the biggest rise this week. Last year, last week they were fourth. This week they're third. I actually wonder, do they have the top WNBA duo in Asia and Jackie? I could have said Chelsea Gray too, keep in mind, but Asia Wilson and Jackie Young, those are two WNBA MVP caliber players. WNBA, all WNBA caliber players, ladies and gentlemen. And it sucks because Jackie doesn't get enough credit that she should because of Asia, because of Chelsea. Like they have good players on their team, but Jackie stands out. And it makes me wonder, should this actually be the WNBA top duo? Personally, I actually think so. This is my answer personally. But again, that's just me. And we we already understand that they got a chip on their shoulder, at least a target on their back on a consistent basis. So I just wanted to note that ACES top duo, Asia and Jackie Young, they're gonna need them come playoff time for sure to be the stars that I'm talking about. So let's see what happens.

Dream Surge And Angel Reese Spotlight

SPEAKER_00 4:48

Dream, they are also tied for the biggest rise this week. Again, I told you they scared a playoff spot. Uh they were fifth last week, now they're fourth. So it was really only like a one seed come up. It's right. Angel Reese, we got to give a special love and support because I don't think that I've heard as much congratulations with Angel as I've heard with the Caitlin Clark, for example. Like remember when Caitlin dropped what was it, 45 and 10 in a game? While spectacular. While cool. And I ain't gonna talk about the competition being nothing like that. 45 and 10 is 45 and 10. We gotta acknowledge that Angel Reese dropped 31 points and 14 rebounds. And then followed it up with an 11-point game, 4-14. I hear you. But 26 or 7 rebounds? Like that's that's kind of spectacular, bro. Like that's really freaking good. That's that's close as hell to 30 rebounds. That's ridiculous. So again, when I'm looking at the dream, Angel Reese, she's been having a pretty consistent season. Like, we we gotta actually ask who's the dream's best player. They got Alicia Gray, they got Ryan Howard. Angel Reese has been the most consistent, though. So I mean, is it safe? Is it is it fair to say that Angel Reese is the best player on the dream? I I don't know. I I still gotta sleep on a little bit more. But she's been playing like it. I gotta, I gotta say that. So tip of the cap to the dream, tip of the cap to Angel Reese. I want to make sure I gave her some love. Because again, going into playoffs, there's a couple things we gotta talk about, but let's continue it, shall

Fever Slide And Duo Options

SPEAKER_00 6:17

we? Uh so like we got the fever, they had the biggest fall this week. They were third last week, and that kind of made Stephanie White bolster her up into the coach of the year discussions a little bit more for me, right? They had a two five-game win streaks, and they had two losses right after them five-game win streaks. So that's what kind of helped them go up, right? But they they lost, like I said, two games recently, so that's what made them fall down. Uh, they've secured a playoff spot. They currently still have Kelsey Mitchell, whose 20-point game streak continues is at 23 currently, and that's a WNBA record, to be clear. They they they could have the top WNBA duo with Kelsey Mitchell. Question is though, do we put Aaliyah Balsan there or do we put Caitlin Clark there? Because I honestly you could do either. I if if I want to have a stronger case, I may say Aaliy Balston personally. But that's again, that's personally. I understand why people think Caitlin Clark because of the 20 points, the 21 points, and the eight assists. But sometimes we gloss over the efficiency and turnovers. But they they they have options to choose from, too, ladies and gentlemen. Hell, who knows? In a couple seasons, we might be saying Aaliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are the best WNBA duo. So again, I'm looking at this offense, or at least this fever team. Offensively, they could have the best duo. They could. We gotta we gotta have that discussion, though. That is a discussion to have for sure. But again, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fever dropping right before playoffs starting to hit two. I'll be curious to see what happens. And they got the fifth toughest strength of schedule remaining. That's interesting to note, too. So do they continue to drop? Do they stay at that fifth seed? We're gonna

Liberty Health Watch And Ceiling

SPEAKER_00 7:54

find out. Now, we gotta talk about the Liberty because this is probably one of my favorite teams to watch right now. We got Leone Phoebus who returned, ladies and gentlemen, okay? And this is part, and actually, not even is not even this is I actually have been wondering for a little second now. Should we classify Leone Phoebush as part of the Liberties top duo? Like, could this could could Brianna Stewart and Leone Phoebe be considered a WNBA top duo? And it's crazy to say that because they got Sabrina Ionescu, they got John Clown Jones on the team. John Clown Jones has been playing some good basketball. Sabrina Ionescu been a little shaky this season for me personally, based on her current stand, based on her past standards, right? But she came into the season a little injured, trying to shake off some rusts. I get it. You also got a new team to still figure stuff out with, and you've had injuries along the way, not just to yourself, but to other teammates as well, too. So I get her not looking the exact same. But I was thinking this kind of like last year, too. So Leone Phoebe is that integral into the team for the Liberty, and she's back. Hopefully she stays because if she does, I'm liking the Liberty's chances a little bit more. And I'm talking about winning the whole thing, not not just being good. I mean like winning the whole thing. But we gotta wait to see what happens with Satu Sabale if she returns. She's not gonna be playing in FIBA games coming up. So that is something to note. But Liberty, they could be back on track, and it's gonna be good to see them going up against stiff competition. Second toughest strength of schedule remaining. I don't know. That could be interesting to watch. But yeah, I need them to get to the second round for the playoffs. So let's see what happens with Liberty.

Mystics Respect And Playoff Praise

SPEAKER_00 9:24

The Mystics, ladies and gentlemen, I've talked all I can about the Mystics, actually. You know, shout outs to Shakira Alston for having a phenomenal season, even though being snub from the all-star list. Kiki Erieffen, Sonia Citron. Y'all been playing some good basketball. Y'all got a good team, bro. And I'm surprised that people are surprised that y'all are in the playoffs. Like I said before the season started, I actually had them going fifth. Like I put them as high as fifth on my list. Because again, I believe that much in the talent, and I'm happy that they are in the playoffs, ladies and gentlemen. So kudos to the Mystics. Thank y'all. And I'm gonna try to go watch a Mystics playoff game this season. Yeah, because I do like T and the Mystics play personally. They give good basketball. So again, I just wanted to say give a kudos to the Mystics. And then also, ladies and gentlemen, let's just go ahead and say this with the

Wings Without Key Injury Answer

SPEAKER_00 10:10

wings, right? For AC. I told y'all, they're gonna secure it. Here's the issue, right? There's no more AZ FUD this season. She's gone due to injury. So that's tough. I'm also curious what the wings are going to do in the playoffs, because they right now have the second easiest strength of schedule, so that does help you securing that playoff spot. But you're possibly going to go up against the number one seed in the Lynx. And like, respectfully, I don't know if y'all got enough in the tank to get over the links, especially without AZ Foot. Like I said that statement with AZ Foot. I'm still gonna want to watch Olivia Miles versus Paige Beckers. I want to see Shep and Alana go up against her for their former team just from last year. But ladies and gentlemen, wings, I think their wings could be a little clipped this playoff season. And again, keep in mind, I didn't think they were gonna make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. I thought they could that they let me rephrase that. I thought they had a shot. But the listing that I gave, I didn't put them there. They might have been like ninth or tenth, one of those two. But but but again, though, I like who thought Jessica Shepard was gonna come up the way she did, bro. That's why she's most improved player. I thought there was gonna be a little turmoil. You got AZ, you got they're trying to usher in that new era, that new wave. I thought that's what's gonna I I didn't think they were gonna be here. I didn't think they was gonna be as high as four during the season for as long as they did. But they're playoff balance. So again, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I do gotta say this. They are pretty good, and it's gonna be a good first round exit to watch. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we're gonna we we gonna we're gonna yeah, we're gonna talk

Ideal First Round Matchups

SPEAKER_00 11:52

about playoffs right quick. Because I'm telling you right now, there's a couple playoff matches that I do I gotta say this right quick. Because again, next time we probably do an update, it'll probably be basic. Like I I'd go through these really quickly. So the playoff matchups, if they do happen, I just want to say this. Please, I would rather see the aces versus the fever and the dream versus the liberty in the first round. Because right now we're looking at Liberty versus Aces, and I really wish we could save that to at least the second round. At least, man, please, because in the second round, I'd rather see the Lynx versus the Liberty and the Valkyries versus the Aces. I think that could be a really smooth playoff. I really truly do. So I really hope that this is accurate. I really do. I'll probably talk about some playoff team or players to follow up and and and really put eyes on, right? Next episode. But you know what? I'm gonna say this right now. I'm gonna get I I I got at least 20 names now I'm gonna list off. So I'll talk about that at some point in time this week. You know what I'm saying?

Final Thoughts Listener Questions

SPEAKER_00 12:56

But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that is the week 17 WMA update. We didn't have too much change. The fever were the was the biggest drop, right, in losing two seeds, two rankings. That's cool. But it's a little bit more basketball left. So I'll be curious to see what happens as the season winds down. We already know who the playoffs are, teams are. We just gotta see what the seedings are going to be. And then after that, we can talk about the legitimate playoff matchups, which I've talked about a couple matchups already before. But I'm curious, ladies and gentlemen, what are your thoughts for this week's update? Is there a team that surprised you? Is there a team that you just really don't care about? Let me know your thoughts. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the 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 Get a Bucket. I hope you are all having a good one. Take care.