The dashed line on the chart is the pace of the final playoff spot.
Clinch key
x
clinched a playoff place
Turning points
The lead changed hands 4 times.
The Los Angeles Sparks trailed by as many as 2 games on June 20, 2004.
The Los Angeles Sparks took first place for good on July 7, 2004.
The Los Angeles Sparks won 7 games in a row from July 19, 2004 to September 3, 2004, the longest run of the race. It runs either side of the Olympic break.
The Seattle Storm led by 2 games as late as June 21, 2004.
The Los Angeles Sparks went 7-1 from June 22, 2004 to July 10, 2004, turning a deficit of 2 games into a lead of 2.5 games.
The top two ended the day within one game of each other on 39 of the 73 days played.
Five teams held or shared first place.
The Los Angeles Sparks spent 75 of the season's 123 charted days in first place. The season's charted days include the Olympic break.