A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
The WNBA playoffs tipped off Sunday with all eight teams on the floor and the New York Liberty are trying to go back-to-back. For more on the playoffs, we called Ben Pickman. He covers the WNBA for The Athletic. So, Ben, now, what stood out from all the games yesterday?
BEN PICKMAN: I like that you started with the New York Liberty because they were really the team that stood out. They played in a overtime win over the Phoenix Mercury, and they had to do so on the road. It's been a little bit of a weird season for the New York Liberty, they've dealt with a ton of injuries. And so, they've gone through this slide after a 9 and 0 start to the season. Again, being just the five seed, having to go on the road, a great performance from Natasha Cloud, one of their acquired guards in the offseason. But the other storyline coming out of the game, Breanna Stewart, one of the best players in the WNBA, she left late in overtime due to injuries, so we're waiting to see what the status of her will be for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah, the top two seeds, Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces, they dominated their games. And I think the two best players on each team, A'ja Wilson for the Aces and Napheesa Collier for the - for Minnesota, they both just said, look, this is why we're the two best players, and they dominated.
PICKMAN: Yep, that is exactly what you need to be said - what needs to be said here. Almost 30-point wins for each of those teams. The Las Vegas Aces, what is so crazy, they are the two seed, they haven't lost since August 2. They have won 17 games in a row, 16 in the regular season, one on Sunday night, as you said, A. It's just an unbelievable streak of success for them. There's no reason to suggest it's going to end in this first round series...
MARTÍNEZ: No.
PICKMAN: ...Against the Seattle Storm, and then I think things are going to get really tough because they're going to play the Atlanta Dream, potentially, if the Dream can get past the Indiana Fever, and the Dream, too, now have won seven games in a row.
MARTÍNEZ: Now, the Indiana Fever, they're in the playoffs, but if anyone was tuning in to see Caitlin Clark, they did not see her. Why not?
PICKMAN: Yeah, Caitlin Clark has not played since July 15 when she injured her groin at the end of a win over the Connecticut Sun. She did do some rehab in the second half of the season. She was seen practicing, you know, 5 on 0 at times, non-contact practices with her teammates, but she hasn't seen the court since. She missed All-Star Weekend, which was actually played in Indianapolis, especially crushing for her and her teammates. And again, did not play in the second half of the year. Just a few weeks ago, 10 days ago, really, she ruled herself out for the remainder of this season. So, Indiana, trying to fight off the Dream, as I said, we'll see if they can do it. But yes, it has been a tough season for Caitlin Clark and the Fever.
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah, quad, groin, ankle injuries, the whole thing with her. Now, the Golden State Valkyries is the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its first season. What do you make of their chances?
PICKMAN: Well, they've had an incredible season, a historic season, as you said. First expansion team to make the post-season, and there's a ton of reasons to be optimistic about their future. Team development is clearly something they've proven that they can do. But do I like their chances in this first round series against the Minnesota Lynx? No, I do not. They fell in Game 1 of their series, 101 to 72, and, frankly, at times, it wasn't even that close in the second half.
MARTÍNEZ: The season is not over, Ben, but what kind of a year overall did the league have?
PICKMAN: You know, it's been a kind of funny year, A, partly because of those injuries we mentioned, Caitlin Clark missing the second half of the year. Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky also missing chunks of the year. Breanna Stewart, as I said, missing time this year. Other stars, too. Injuries for star players is one of the prevailing themes throughout the year. There were also just kind of weird things that happened. I don't know if you tracked the story involving sex toys being thrown on WNBA courts. There's also...
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah.
PICKMAN: ...A little bit of controversy as it relates to a potential sale of the Connecticut Sun and where they go. And there's also this kind of looming CBA negotiation. And so there's just a lot going on. I guess the good thing, though, is the basketball's been good. They've still set tons of record ratings, attendance is up...
MARTÍNEZ: Cool.
PICKMAN: ...Merch sales are up, so a positive year in the W, but a weird one at the same time.
MARTÍNEZ: Ben Pickman covers the WNBA for The Athletic, Ben, thanks.
PICKMAN: Thanks a lot for having me.
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