What happened: Minnesota, Washington, Golden State, Las Vegas, Dallas, Indiana, Atlanta and the New York Liberty comprise the projected field. Other forecasts have Connecticut securing the top lottery odds, Indiana pursuing a deadline move and A’ja Wilson breaking her scoring record.
Why it matters: Four losses separate eighth-place Washington from Portland, Toronto and Los Angeles. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese each have seven technical fouls, with the next triggering an automatic suspension.
By the numbers: Teams have 15 to 18 games remaining. Wilson is averaging 26.1 points and would need 28.0 per game over her final 18 contests to surpass her 26.87 record.
What to watch: The Aug. 2 deadline could reshape the postseason chase. The eighth-seed gap and Clark’s and Reese’s technical-foul totals bear watching.