Evenly matched WNBA playoffs has everyone believing they have legitimate title shot

NEW YORK (AP) — The race for WNBA playoff seeding went down to the wire, illustrating just how evenly matched the eight teams heading into the postseason are. It’s why every coach, player and fan base in the playoffs all believe they have a legitimate shot to win the title.

“It really doesn’t matter what seed you are. We have homecourt advantage. We all fight for that. There’s a reason why we all fight for that. But no, I don’t think anybody should be surprised at any outcomes,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. "I know the betting people will have favorites and that sort of thing. I wouldn’t pay attention to any of it. I wouldn’t be surprised by anything that happens because I think all the teams are that good.”

Reeve doesn't have to look far to find that reality.

The Lynx open the playoffs against the Liberty. The teams met for the WNBA title two years ago and now New York is an eight seed. No. 2 Golden State will play seven seed Dallas, third seed Las Vegas will play No. 6 Indiana and fourth seed Atlanta will host No. 5 Washington as the playoffs get underway Sunday.

The Liberty, Mystics and Fever all won the regular season series against their first round opponents. The Valkyries swept the Wings.

Every series has star power and intriguing storylines.

A'ja Wilson is looking to lead Las Vegas to its fourth title in five years and starts by taking on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Clark is back in the playoffs after missing last season with an injury, while Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will be making their debuts in the postseason.

Here's a look at the four first round series.

Minnesota still stings from losing in overtime in a decisive Game 5 to New York two years ago in the WNBA Finals. Many of the key players are back for both teams with Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride leading the Lynx. They are led by expected WNBA Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles, who has had a dynamic first season in the league. Minnesota was the best team in the league for most of the season, rising to the top of the standings without Collier, who was sidelined after offseason surgery on both ankles. With her back, the Lynx look to win their first title since 2017.

New York changed coaches during the offseason and have been beset by injuries for most of the year. They still have the talented trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, who led them to the franchise's first championship in 2024. Jones rolled her ankle in the regular season finale and her health will be critical to the Liberty's success.

After winning the title in '24, New York was surprisingly eliminated in the first round by Phoenix last year.

Golden State became the first expansion team to reach the postseason in its inaugural season last year and the Valkyries followed that up by competing for the No. 1 spot this year. Golden State is statistically the best defensive team in the league, holding teams to 78.8 points a game, led by Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton. The Valkyries were swept in the first round last season, but gained valuable experience and have the deepest bench in the league.

Dallas had one of the biggest turnarounds in WNBA history, winning 17 more games this season than last year. Led by Bueckers, the Wings are back in the postseason for the first time in three years. Bueckers has Arike Ogunbowale has a running mate, giving Dallas two great shot-makers. The team's health could be an issue though: No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd is sidelined for the season with a knee injury and Alanna Smith has been out with a left leg injury.

The Las Vegas-Indiana matchup offers the most star power of any opening series with Wilson, Clark and Kelsey Mitchell leading the way. Wilson had another MVP-level season, dominating on both ends of the court.

Clark has been impressive for the past month, scoring over 20 points in eight of the last 10 games. Her backcourt mate, Mitchell, had a WNBA record 27 straight games scoring 20 or more points.

The teams met in the playoffs last season with Clark sidelined by injuries. The Aces came away with an exciting OT victory in the decisive Game 5 of their semifinal series.

Both Atlanta and Washington lately haven't had any luck in the playoffs, but that will change for someone. The Dream added to their roster this year with the acquisition of Reese and DeWanna Bonner, giving Atlanta two major pieces to an already stacked lineup that features Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.

With Reese and Bonner, the Dream hope to win a playoff series for the first time since 2016. They've been knocked out of the postseason in the opening round the past three seasons. Reese gives them added toughness and is the best rebounder in the WNBA. Bonner provides playoff experience and veteran leadership.

Washington, which is the youngest team in the league, is back in the postseason for the first time since 2023. Like the Dream, the team hasn't had any success in the playoffs since winning the franchise's lone title in 2019. The young core led by Shakira Austin, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have anchored the second-best defense in the league and have shown they can play with anyone in the league.

AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this story

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers dribbles during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) dribbles downcourt as Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Caldwell (3) defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles stands on the court during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots over Phoenix Mercury forward Marta Suarez and Mercury forward Maddy Westbeld, right, during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City plans to fight the Premier League for months if found guilty of alleged financial breaches in potentially the biggest scandal in English soccer history.

Reports Friday said an independent panel had upheld nearly all of the 100-plus financial charges against the club in a case that was initiated more than three years ago.

City did not confirm the decision, saying its case with the Premier League was “ongoing” and yet to be completed.

City, however, would appeal a guilty decision and the process would take several months, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to respect confidentiality elements of the process.

The Athletic first reported that City has been found guilty of all but one of more than 100 charges laid by the Premier League, which accused the club in February 2023 of providing misleading information about its finances over a nine-year period from 2009-18. The report said the sanctions have not been decided and all possibilities remain open.

The BBC also reported the story.

In response, City said in a statement: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”

City added that its position “remains consistent” with previous comments about the case. The club has always denied the charges.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years,” City said, “on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

City’s punishment could be a huge points deduction, and as extreme as expulsion from the Premier League.

When contacted by The Associated Press on Friday, the Premier League said it couldn’t comment on the reports.

City has always protested its innocence after supposed leaked emails and documents, likely hacked, were published starting in 2018 by German magazine Der Spiegel. The documents allegedly showed City tried to mask the source of revenue from deals tied to Abu Dhabi, whose ruling family bought the club in 2008 and has overseen the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on some of the world’s best players over the following two decades.

City has been the most dominant team in England over the last 15 years, winning eight Premier League titles since 2012 as well as the Champions League in 2023. Over the period in question — 2009-18 — City won the league three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

Friday's news comes after Pep Guardiola stood down as City manager at the end of last season following an unprecedented period of success.

Guardiola always maintained the club's innocence.

“What people accuse us of we do not agree with what they say,” he said in 2023.

On Friday, former Manchester United and England player Rio Ferdinand suggested City's titles should be expunged and awarded to the runner-up for each season in question.

“Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet,” he posted on X in reference to City’s 2012 title win over United.

The Premier League competition has had financial fair play rules designed to ensure clubs essentially spend what they earn from deals that are assessed to determine if they are at legitimate market value. City had previously been accused by UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, of overstating sponsorship revenue to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

In 2020, UEFA ruled City had committed “serious breaches” of FFP regulations from 2012-16. But a two-year ban was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport because allegations were either rejected or found to have happened too long ago to be investigated.

The Premier League charges came subsequently, after a four-year investigation. City was accused of more than 100 breaches including providing misleading information about its finances and failure to co-operate with the investigation.

Douglas reported from Sundsvall, Sweden

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - A banner celebrating their title win is illuminated outside Manchester City's Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)