WNBA playoff picture, standings, projections: Aces, Liberty pulling away at top; four games separate 4th-9th

There is now less than a month to play in the 2023 WNBA regular season, and the playoff picture is heating up. As expected, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, the two title favorites since February, have separated themselves at the top of the standings. 

Just below them, the Connecticut Sun have carved out a big gap on either side of the No. 3 seed. After that, though, it’s all to play for. There’s a crowded middle of the pack, with two games separating the No. 4 Dallas Wings from the No. 7 Washington Mystics, and two teams, the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks, tied for the No. 8 seed. 

The Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever, meanwhile, appear destined for the lottery. 

As the action continues, here’s a closer look at how things stand:

Current standings

1. Las Vegas Aces (27-3) — Playoff spot clinched
2. New York Liberty (24-6) — Playoff spot clinched
3. Connecticut Sun (21-9)
4. Dallas Wings (16-14)
5. Atlanta Dream (15-16)
6. Minnesota Lynx (14-16)
7. Washington Mystics (14-16)
8. Chicago Sky (12-18)
9. Los Angeles Sparks (12-18)
10. Seattle Storm (9-21)
11. Phoenix Mercury (9-21)
12. Indiana Fever (8-23)

Note: Two-team ties are decided first by head-to-head record and then, if necessary, better record against…