With the best record in the WNBA's Eastern Conference, clinching a playoff spot is a mere formality for the Connecticut Sun. It could happen as early as tonight with a win at Atlanta and a Chicago victory at Washington.

The Sun lead Washington by six games and Chicago by seven in the loss column with seven games remaining. One more Connecticut win or Chicago loss and the Sky will not be able to overtake Connecticut. If Washington wins tonight, the Mystics would prevent the Sun from clinching regardless of the result in Atlanta.

In reality, the Eastern Conference race will come down to Indiana, Washington and Chicago fighting for one spot. Indiana currently leads Washington by one game in the loss column and is two games up on Chicago in the loss column. Connecticut, Detroit and New York seem secure in the top three spots.

In the Western Conference things aren't quite as routine. San Antonio, Seattle, Los Angeles and Sacramento currently hold down the top four positions. The Silver Stars and Storm have opened a bit of a gap over the rest of the conference but the race for the third and fourth playoff berths could be interesting as four games separate LA, Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Phoenix. Phoenix, the reigning champions, are in trouble.

The Mercury have already lost the season series with San Antonio, Seattle and Sacramento and have a 4-12 record against the Western Conference. Why is that important? Well, head to head is the No. 1 tiebreaker and conference record is next up if head-to-head died not get the job done.

Here is the tiebreaking formula:
(1) Better record in head-to-head games.
(2) Better winning percentage within own conference.
(3) Better winning percentage against all teams with .500 or better record at the end of the season.
(4) Better point differential in games head-to-head.
(5) Coin toss.
(6) Not in playoffs

Needless to say, with Phoenix three games out of the playoffs with six games to play, it is not looking promising especially with center Tangela Smith out for the season and Penny Taylor opting not to play for the Mercury this season.