A WNBA update: on-court headlines only

The GIST: Believe it or not, there’s plenty of actual basketball happening in the WNBA these days, so let’s catch up on the latest from the hardwood. Hoops only, please.

🏆 The eight-team playoff picture is starting to take shape with the youthful Seattle Storm eliminated from contention, and the juggernaut Minnesota Lynx already clinching a spot in the postseason.

• There’s a substantial gap between the W’s top eight squads and its bottom seven, so barring an unprecedented turn of events, it feels like the field is set. That said, playoff positioning and the accompanying home-court advantage is still TBD.

🌎 In the midst of the playoff race, the FIBA World Cup tips off early next month, and many squads are already planning ahead. Take Golden State Valkyries superstar Gabby Williams, who’s been playing fewer minutes to prevent burnout ahead of an anticipated heavy workload with France.

👌 Atlanta Dream sharpshooter Rhyne Howard drained her 100th three-pointer of the season on Monday, needing just 31 games to reach the century mark and eclipse the previous record of 33 she shared with the legendary Diana Taurasi.

🔮 Cue Nelly Furtado — the Washington Mystics saw their seven-game win streak snapped with last night’s 86–76 loss to the defending champ Las Vegas Aces. Expect these kids to dress for revenge when they rematch four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and Vegas tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET.

🔥 Simply put, Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell can’t be stopped. After setting a new record for consecutive games with at least 20 points on Saturday, Mitchell extended the mark to 17 last night, scoring 20 points in the first half of Indy’s 106–92 win over the NY Liberty. Too hot to handle.