Three key questions before WNBA playoffs. Plus, which NBA contender can dethrone Celtics?

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Who else had former All-Star Jeff Teague becoming an MVP-level NBA podcaster on their bingo card?

WNBA Playoffs Imminent

Three questions with Ben Pickman

Before we tap into NBA talk, I’m going to tag in WNBA writer Ben Pickman of The Athletic to discuss some of the league’s biggest storylines as the regular season wraps. With the playoffs nearing, it’s time to preview the bigger picture, so let’s see what Ben thinks ahead of the postseason.

With MVP favorite A’ja Wilson setting the WNBA single-season scoring record, how dominant a playoff run could we expect as the Aces seek a three-peat?

Ben: Wilson has undoubtedly been the WNBA’s most dominant player this season, perhaps recording the most prolific season in league history. (Entering Sunday’s action, she was averaging 27 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.) Nevertheless, Las Vegas will enter the playoffs with more questions than in years past. The Aces had the WNBA’s best defense last season, but they have slipped to fifth in 2024. In both 2022 and 2023, they were the WNBA’s best first-quarter team, with net ratings above plus-14.5. This season, though, they have a mere plus-1.9 net rating in the opening frame. While Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum all played on the U.S. Olympic team, the trio has also not been as effective as in past seasons. Could Las Vegas still three-peat? Absolutely. But the Aces aren’t as good as in past years and a date with New York in the semifinals (in which the Liberty will have home court) awaits.

The one. The Only. A’ja Wilson 👑

A look back at some of A’ja Wilson’s toughest buckets throughout the szn that helped her become the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a single season#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/vARRmDTWP1

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 15, 2024

Still writing HER-story 🖋️

With 2 games remaining in the regular szn, A’ja Wilson nailed her 1,000th PT on the year, becoming the first player in league history to score 1K points in a single season

Wilson dominated with 29 PTS, 9 REB and a win over the Sun 🙌#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/plpgME1ig4

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 16, 2024

What are your predictions for the other WNBA awards?

Ben: With a week to go, a lot that could change in the award race. But it seems likely that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will end up taking home her fourth Coach of the Year honor, which would break a tie with Mike Thibault and Van Chancellor for most all time. Caitlin Clark is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, and Wilson the favorite for the MVP. For me, the most interesting award has been the Most Improved Player of the Year race.

Is there a dark horse playoff team contenders should fear?

Ben: Other than the Aces, look to the Fever as a franchise that nobody wants to play in the playoffs. Prior to its consecutive defeats vs. the Aces last week, Indiana had won eight of its first 10 games in the second half and had a plus-6.1 net rating, the third-best mark in the league. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell is averaging 24.4 points per game since the All-Star break (the second-most in the league) while Caitlin Clark is averaging the third-most points (23.4) and a league-leading nine assists per game since play resumed. Add in All-Star center Aliyah Boston, and Indiana becomes a difficult opponent, even without factoring the wave of fans that follows them across the country.

The Latest From Shams

Lakers add center; Morris returns to New York

Out West, the Lakers and seven-footer Christian Koloko have agreed on a deal, agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports says. The 24-year-old Koloko will have an opportunity for a role in Lakers’ frontcourt after he receives clearance from the league’s fitness panel.

In New York, the Knicks and veteran forward Marcus Morris have agreed to a one-year deal, agent Yony Boy of the LAA Partners tells The Athletic. The 14-year veteran shot 40.3 percent from deep while splitting time with the 76ers and Cavaliers. Morris returns to the Knicks, where he started 43 games in the 2019-20 season, during which he averaged nearly 20 points.

Can Celtics Repeat?

Would be first repeat champs since 2018

It’s way too early to ponder whether the Celtics will become a dynasty, even though things seem in place for them to have a chance to make that happen. But going for back-to-back rings would be a big step in starting that conversation.

The Celtics will have confidence from winning the 2023-24 title and their two best players having reasons to be salty about the summer. The latter could be the extra bit of motivation to help Boston get through the doldrums of the regular season.

Jayson Tatum won gold on the United States Olympic team but didn’t play much. Last season, Tatum was an All-NBA First Team selection, but he sat behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant on Team USA’s depth chart. Jaylen Brown won Finals MVP but was passed over as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard on Team USA in favor of his Boston teammate, Derrick White.

Yes they did 😤 https://t.co/fSR8pvjV2h

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 11, 2024

If both play with an edge of a duo that hasn’t proven anything, that wouldn’t hurt Boston’s title chances. Repeat champions sometimes need new mental challenges to stay focused.

Kristaps Porziņģis could return from ankle surgery as early as December. That would give the Celtics the best starting lineup in the NBA, unless another team jumps out to prove differently. Even if that happens, shouldn’t the champions get the edge if it’s close?

The East should be tougher, but the Celtics are still the favorites to get back to the NBA Finals.

If Boston Can’t Repeat …

Could these four teams take its crown?

Miami, if Jimmy Butler bullies Boston? Can Minnesota figure things out? Is it too soon for Oklahoma City? Did Dallas get lucky last season? What if one of the OGs from the Olympics (LeBron’s Lakers, KD’s Suns or Steph Curry’s Warriors) get hot?

Oh, isn’t it fun to speculate in September?? Here are four teams that are in position to trip up Boston’s bid for back-to-back titles:

76ers: I know, I know: Joel Embiid hasn’t seen playoff life beyond the second round. I also get many people don’t have faith in the 34-year-old Paul George in the postseason (but he’s been to the conference finals three times). But I believe in Tyrese Maxey and what he can be as he grows as a player. That trio could give Boston problems, especially with Embiid at center.

Nuggets: I’m wary of how Denver will look without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, because its depth was shaky last season. This is a nod to Nikola Jokić because a deeper team can lose when the opponent has the best player. Jokić would be the best player in the series.

Bucks: This is based on the assumption Giannis Antetokounmpo will finally be healthy in the postseason. He has the ability to dominate a series and overcome Boston’s depth. With some clutch play from Damian Lillard, the Bucks could return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2021.

Knicks: This only matters if Julius Randle plays. From Jan. 1 to Jan. 27, after the Knicks added OG Anunoby to the lineup, New York’s offensive efficiency improved by 10 points when Randle played (491 minutes). Without him, Jalen Brunson and a collection of players relying on grit while playing 47 minutes won’t be enough to beat the Celtics.