Three key questions as WNBA playoffs take shape. Plus, Rudy Gobert returns to Beef Court

Sparks finally get playoff berth, can they make some noise?

The Los Angeles Sparks finally ended their three-year playoff drought with a 87-84 win over the Dallas Wings on Sunday. The Sparks finished the regular season with a 15-21 record, good for seventh place in the Western Conference.

The Sparks will open the playoffs on Tuesday against the second-seeded Seattle Storm. The Storm won two of the three meetings between the two teams this season.

Despite their struggles this season, the Sparks have a few things going for them heading into the playoffs.

• They have a lot of experience. Six players on the Sparks' roster have won at least one WNBA championship.
• They have a good coach. Derek Fisher is one of the most respected coaches in the WNBA.
• They are playing with nothing to lose. The Sparks are not expected to win the championship, so they can play free and easy.

The Sparks are a long shot to win the championship, but they have the potential to make some noise in the playoffs.

How far can the Liberty go?

The New York Liberty finished one game behind the Sparks for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. N.Y. lost two of its last four games to end the season, decreasing their chances at homecourt advantage in the first round.

The Liberty will open the playoffs on Wednesday against the third-seeded Chicago Sky. The Sky won two of the three meetings between the two teams this season.

The Liberty are a young team with a lot of potential. Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, is a rising star. Betnijah Laney and Natasha Howard are two other key players for the Liberty.

The Liberty are not a favorite to win the championship, but they have the potential to make a run in the playoffs. They are a well-coached team with a lot of young talent.

Will Rudy Gobert return to Beef Court?

Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves is expected to make his return to "Beef Court" on Tuesday when the Timberwolves host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gobert and Grizzlies center Steven Adams had a physical altercation on Jan. 5, 2022 during a game in Memphis. Gobert was suspended for one game, while Adams was suspended for two games.

The Grizzlies won the season series against the Timberwolves, 3-1. Memphis is currently the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, while Minnesota is the No. 7 seed.

It will be interesting to see how the Grizzlies and Timberwolves play when they meet again on Tuesday. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning, and there is sure to be a lot of intensity in the game.