In 2021, the Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun were the two best teams in the WNBA throughout the regular season — very clearly, the two best. They both dominated opponents en route to No. 1 and 2 seeds for the postseason, earning double-byes and seeming destined to meet in the Finals.
But the Chicago Sky upset the Sun in the semis right before the Phoenix Mercury did the same to the Aces, leaving the two clubs limping into the offseason.
