How three WNBA teams can get playoff work done on Labor Day

It might be Labor Day, but there’s work to do for WNBA teams. Specifically for the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm, as well as the Atlanta Dream.

Monday’s three-game slate is headlined by a battle for a spot in the playoffs between the Sparks and Storm (10 p.m. ET, NBA TV), while the Dream will look to improve their chances of securing the No. 2 seed against the Connecticut Sun (1 p.m ET, League Pass). The Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings also are in action (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV), albeit without playoff implications. The Lynx already have claimed the No. 1 seed, whereas the Wings’ postseason dreams long were extinguished.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the line when the Sparks and Storm meet, in addition to why Monday’s game matter for the Dream:

Expect spice, Sparks and Storms in Seattle

After a comeback win over the Lynx, which they celebrated with some extra, electric flair, the Storm avoided flopping in the following game, something they’ve done all too often this season. Instead, looking like the playoff contender they should be, they completed a 79-69 wire-to-wire win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday night, when Nneka Ogwumike’s 20 points led the Storm’s six double-digit scorers.

Now, they go for a third win in a row as they host the Sparks. LA avoided three-straight losses on Sunday night, although they let things get a little too interesting against the visiting Washington Mystics. After leading by as many as 14 points in the second half, the Mystics cut the margin to two points with around four minutes remaining. Kelsey Plum, however, came up clutch, scoring 14 of her 18 points in the final frame to help the Sparks hold on for the three-point win, 78-81.

The victory still leaves Los Angeles outside the playoff picture, although they inched closer to achieving their postseason ambitions. Now 18-20, the Sparks sit two games behind the Indiana Fever, who lost an uncompetitive contest to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday night, 75-63. That result put Golden State in the No. 6 seed, sent Indiana to the No. 8 seed and left Seattle between them at the No. 7 seed.

The season series between the Storm and Sparks already has seen plenty of spice, with a Dearica Hamby game-winner in double overtime giving the Sparks the road win at the outset of August before more late-game heroics from Hamby earned LA another down-to-the-wire win nine days later. Seattle won the first meeting between the two teams in mid-June in blowout fashion. A victory on Monday would give Seattle the series split, while also bumping them into the No. 6 seed; with a loss, they would slip back to No. 8.

Can Atlanta keep No. 2 seed Dreams alive?

For a team fighting for the best playoff seed possible, a five-game season series against the Sun seems like a blessing.

But Atlanta better beware. A one-game road trip to Uncasville, CT for an afternoon tip off on a Monday? This has the makings of a trap game. The Dream have already dropped a game to the Sun, falling prey to a throwback game from Tina Charles in early June. And Monday’s game is the first of three remaining games between the two teams. The Sun, now playing with some extra spunk, can seriously disrupt the Dream’s No. 2 seed designs.

Connecticut’s three rookies, in particular, appear ready to play starring, spoiling roles. Leïla Lacan and Saniya Rivers are sharks, prepared to make it an unpleasant afternoon for Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard as they pester them on the perimeter. On the interior, expect Aneesah Morrow to make it an unwelcome return to Connecticut for Brionna Jones.

The Dream clinched a playoff berth with a taking-care-of-business home win over the Wings on Friday night, 100-78. To match the record of the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces, and avoid falling behind the Phoenix Mercury into the No. 4 seed, they need a similar, no-nonsense performance.

Atlanta Dream (25-14) vs. Connecticut Sun (10-29)

Dallas Wings (9-31) vs. Minnesota Lynx (31-8)

Los Angeles Sparks (18-20) vs. Seattle Storm (22-19)