Introduction to the WNBA Playoffs 2025
The chase for the WNBA title is about to begin. The field for the 2025 playoffs is set, with eight of the league’s 13 teams earning a chance to compete for this year’s championship. The postseason bracket was finalized on the final night of the regular season Thursday.
The reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty have carried their title defense to the postseason, but they aren’t the No. 1 seed like last year. That top spot was instead earned by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier and the reigning runner-up Minnesota Lynx, who followed up their crushing 2024 Finals defeat by posting a WNBA record-tying 34 victories this regular season.
Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson powered the Las Vegas Aces to the No. 2 seed thanks to a 16-game winning streak to end the season, while a couple of new-look teams in the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury secured home-court advantage in Round 1, as well.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries secured a historic playoff berth as the first expansion team to ever reach the postseason in its debut season.
History at Chase Center in front of another sellout crowd. The Golden State Valkyries are the first WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Rounding out the playoff field are the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm. The Fever captured this year’s Commissioner’s Cup without Caitlin Clark, and they’ll be without their superstar guard in the postseason as well. Clark’s injury-ridden sophomore season ended after just 13 games due to a groin injury.
How Many Teams Make the WNBA Playoffs?
The league’s top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs.
Teams Going to the WNBA Playoffs
Here’s a full look at the eight squads in contention for this year’s title, along with their regular-season records:
- Minnesota Lynx, 34-10
- Las Vegas Aces, 30-14
- Atlanta Dream, 30-14
- Phoenix Mercury, 27-17
- New York Liberty, 27-17
- Indiana Fever, 24-20
- Seattle Storm, 23-21
- Golden State Valkyries, 23-21
Here are five things to know about Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier.
When Do the WNBA Playoffs Start?
The WNBA playoffs tip off Sunday, Sept. 14.
How Do the WNBA Playoffs Work?
The WNBA playoffs begin with a first round featuring best-of-three series where the matchups are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. In the first round, the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1 and, if necessary, 3.
The postseason moves to best-of-five series in the semifinals, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5. And, for the first time in the league history, the WNBA Finals will have a best-of-seven format. The higher seed will host Games 1 and 2, along with Games 5 and 7, if necessary.
Do the WNBA Playoffs Reseed Teams?
Teams are not reseeded following the opening round of the playoffs. That means the winner of the 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of the 4-5 matchup, with the other series featuring the 2-7 and 3-6 matchup winners.
WNBA Playoff Bracket: Round 1 Matchups
Here’s the first-round bracket:
- No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
- No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm
- No. 3 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
Here are five things to know about Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.
What is the Round 1 Schedule in the WNBA Playoffs?
All four series will begin Sept. 14 and the opening round is slated to run until Sept. 19 at the latest. Here’s each series schedule:
- No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
- Game 1: Valkyries at Lynx, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, Sept. 17, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3 (if necessary): Valkyries at Lynx, Sept. 19, time TBD, ESPN
- No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty
- Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, Sept. 14, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3 (if necessary): Liberty at Mercury, Sept. 19, time TBD, ESPN2
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm
- Game 1: Storm at Aces, Sept. 14, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Aces at Storm, Sept. 16, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3 (if necessary): Storm at Aces, Sept. 18, time TBD, ESPN2
- No. 3 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
- Game 1: Fever at Dream, Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 2: Dream at Fever, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3 (if necessary): Fever at Dream, Sept. 18, time TBD, ESPN2
Where to Watch, Stream the WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA playoffs will air across ESPN networks and ABC. The postseason action can also be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Who Won the WNBA Finals in 2024?
The Liberty outlasted the Lynx in a five-game WNBA Finals thriller last year, securing the franchise’s first championship in the process.
The New York Liberty secured their first WNBA title in franchise history, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in overtime of Game 5.
Conclusion
The WNBA playoffs promise to be an exciting affair, with top teams like the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, and Atlanta Dream vying for the championship title. The historic playoff berth of the Golden State Valkyries adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition. Fans can catch all the action on ESPN networks and ABC, and stream the games on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
FAQs
- Q: How many teams qualify for the WNBA playoffs?
- A: The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs.
- Q: When do the WNBA playoffs start?
- A: The WNBA playoffs tip off on Sunday, Sept. 14.
- Q: What is the format of the WNBA playoffs?
- A: The playoffs begin with a best-of-three series in the first round, followed by best-of-five series in the semifinals, and a best-of-seven series in the WNBA Finals.
- Q: Where can I watch the WNBA playoffs?
- A: The playoffs will air on ESPN networks and ABC, and can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
