Phoenix Mercury eliminated from 2026 WNBA playoffs after loss to Atlanta Dream

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/wnba/team/mercury/roster/ The Phoenix Mercury have been officially eliminated from the 2026 WNBA playoffs following a 99-89 loss to the Atlanta Dream. With this defeat, the Mercury’s record fell to 13-24, ending their postseason hopes. Alyssa Thomas achieved a triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, while coach Nate Tibbetts expressed that the team is now “playing for pride.” The win for the Atlanta Dream secured their playoff berth and potentially improved their seeding position, highlighting the competitive shifts within the league. Markets are reacting to the Mercury’s elimination, with implications for the broader WNBA championship dynamics. The New York Liberty, among other contenders, might indirectly benefit from Phoenix’s exit as it alters the competitive landscape. Sub-market odds for the Liberty’s championship prospects currently indicate a range of 8% to 45.5% YES, reflecting mixed sentiment about their path to the finals. The removal of the Mercury from contention appears to have prompted a slight decrease in some championship odds, though the changes are not uniform across all teams. The New York Liberty’s odds exhibi...