Are Paige Bueckers' Wings and Angel Reese's Sky eliminated from playoff race? Update on WNBA standings

Following the LA Sparks' clutch win over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, the Wings and the Chicago Sky have been eliminated from playoff contention, much to the disappointment of fans hoping to catch Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese in action in the postseason.

According to Courtside's Karli Bell, the Sparks' 81-80 win has sent Dallas and Chicago to the draft lottery. Kelsey Plum's game-winning shot at the buzzer didn't just ruin Buecker's 44-point performance, but also gave Los Angeles a boost with less than a month left in the regular season.

The Sparks improved to 17-18 and are just 0.5 games behind the Seattle Storm for the eighth and final playoff spot. On the other hand, the Wings dropped to 9-27. The Sky are 8-26 and have lost nine of their last 10 games.

Five teams are now battling for the final three spots. Only three games separate the No. 6 Indiana Fever and the No. 12 Washington Mystics.

Paige Bueckers exploded for a WNBA record 44 points in the loss to the LA Sparks. She shot 17-for-21 from the field, going a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

However, the Dallas Wings' defense collapsed on the final play. Kelsey Plum got the switch she wanted and easily drove to the lane to hit the game-winner.

Paige Bueckers speaks on challenges of playing on a losing team

Speaking to reporters before Wednesday's game against the LA Sparks, Paige Bueckers acknowledged how hard it is to have motivation amid the Dallas Wings' underwhelming season.

"It hasn't been easy," Bueckers said, according to TalkSport. "There's been a lot of challenges, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of learning. It's been a process. I'm trying to attack every single day with the coaching staff. My teammates have done a great job of welcoming me and helping me feel confident in who I am."

Bueckers' 44-point performance and the Wings' loss highlighted the ups and downs of their season.

About the author

Juan Paolo is a journalist for Sportskeeda who covers the NBA and WNBA. He's been writing about basketball since 2015 and has been with Sportskeeda since 2021.

Juan's allegiance lies with the Golden State Warriors and his journey with the Warriors began with their memorable victory over the Lakers in 2000, and he experienced the successes of the 'We Believe' era and the rise of Steph Curry.

What Juan loves most about basketball is its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from adrenaline-fueled excitement to the highs of victory and the lows of defeat. To ensure complete accuracy in articles, he conducts thorough research before writing his articles.

The Warriors' victories in the 2022 and 2017 championships hold a special place in Juan's memories, as well as iconic moments like Baron Davis' dunk over Andrei Kirilenko and Goran Dragic's performance in the 2010 Western Conference semifinals.

Off the court, Juan enjoys watching football, TV and movies, caring for his numerous cats, and cooking whenever time permits.

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Edited by Juan Paolo David