🌴 Layup Lines: L.A.'s last stand

Plus, Minnesota clinches the No. 1 seed.

Author

Everett Cook
August 31, 2025

Happy Sunday and welcome back to Layup Lines, your quick recap of what’s going on in the WNBA. I meant to send a newsletter yesterday, but am in the middle of a move and the day just got away from me.

  • The excuse train keeps rolling tomorrow, when I’ll be driving across the country with an ornery cat and an anxious ass dog. See you back here Tuesday!

This 427 word newsletter should take less than 2 minutes to read.

🏀 Washington’s done, L.A. might be next

Courtesy @wnba

  • With the Fever beating the Sparks by a point on Friday and the Mystics getting blown out by the Valkyries last night, we’re getting closer to a finalized playoff field.

    • The real drama now lies in the seeding. Seattle and Indiana both don’t want to play Minnesota in the first round, which means staying ahead of Golden State (or, theoretically, L.A.).

    • The Aces, Dream and Mercury would much rather play Indiana or Seattle than current 5 seed New York, so they have to keep their foot on the gas.

    • And after getting smoked last night to lose the season series 3-1, I think the Liberty want to play anyone but the Mercury.

  • With the last game of the regular season on Sept. 11, prepare for some major jostling.

Courtesy ESPN

📺 Today’s games

  • After going 1-1 with picks on Friday, we’re 82-94 this season and have $228 remaining to wager.

  • There are two games today — Washington @ L.A. (8:00pm ET, League Pass) and Indiana @ Golden State (8:30pm, NBA TV).

    • L.A. is 2.5 games behind Golden State with seven games left and essentially has to win this game. I think the Sparks roll tonight, give everyone some false confidence, and then don’t make the playoffs.

      • Bet: L.A. -8.5, $50 to win $43.

    • Don’t care that the Valkyries played last night — I’m happy to take a well coached team needing a win in the best home environment in the league as underdogs.

      • Bet: Golden State moneyline, $50 to win $55.

💰 Card of the day

Photo courtesy @SportsCardInv

😼 Graphic to go

  • After winning a franchise-record 31 regular season games and clinching the No. 1 seed and home court advantage, the playoffs officially run through Minnesota.

Layup Lines is written 100% by a human being. I very much appreciate you reading and will see you back here Tuesday.

— Everett Cook, Founder & Editor