2025 WNBA Playoffs — Full Preview The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are here, bringing excitement, drama, and major changes to women’s basketball. With rising stars, format overhauls, and new teams making waves, there’s a lot to unpack. Here’s your full guide.
What’s New in 2025
- Expanded Finals Format
For the first time in WNBA history, the Finals will be a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1 home-court pattern). Prior to 2025, Finals were best-of-five. - First Round Format Changed to 1-1-1
The first round is best-of-three. The higher seed hosts Game 1 and Game 3 (if needed); the lower seed hosts Game 2. This ensures each team gets at least one home game. - Regular Season Length & Seeding
The regular season had 44 games for each team. The top eight teams overall, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs. Seeds are based purely on regular-season record.
Qualified Teams & Seeding
Here are the eight teams that made it to the 2025 playoffs, along with their regular-season records:
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 34-10 |
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 30-14 |
| 3 | Atlanta Dream | 30-14 |
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 27-17 |
| 5 | New York Liberty | 27-17 |
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 24-20 |
| 7 | Seattle Storm | 23-21 |
| 8 | Golden State Valkyries | 23-21 |
Notably, the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team in their inaugural season, have made the playoffs — a rare achievement.
Playoff Matchups & Schedule
Here are the first-round matchups:
- (1) Minnesota Lynx vs (8) Golden State Valkyries
- (2) Las Vegas Aces vs (7) Seattle Storm
- (3) Atlanta Dream vs (6) Indiana Fever
- (4) Phoenix Mercury vs (5) New York Liberty
Schedule details: 2025 WNBA Playoffs — Full Preview
- First Round begins Sunday, September 14, 2025.
- First Round runs until September 19 (if all Game 3s are needed).
- Semi-finals (best-of-five) begin around September 21 and conclude by September 30.
- Finals begin October 3 and can stretch to October 17, if the full seven games are needed.
Teams & Players to Watch
- Minnesota Lynx — As the #1 seed, they have been the strongest through the regular season. Napheesa Collier has been stellar.
- Las Vegas Aces — Always dangerous, especially with star power. They have one of the more balanced teams.
- Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty — This could be a tight series. Liberty are defending champs but seeding lower; Mercury have momentum
- Indiana Fever — They lost key player Caitlin Clark due to injury, but still made it in. Their resilience is going to be tested.
Why This Season Matters
- The shift to best-of-seven Finals raises the stakes and gives more room for comebacks, consistent performance, and reduces chance upsets.
- Format changes (1-1-1 in first round) are more fair in terms of home-court advantage spread.
- Expansion team Valkyries making the playoffs in their debut season suggests the league is growing more competitive.
FAQs: 2025 WNBA Playoffs — Full Preview
Here are some questions people often have, with quick answers.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When do the playoffs start? | September 14, 2025. |
| How many teams make the playoffs? | Top 8 teams based on overall regular season record, regardless of conference. |
| What are the series formats? | First Round: best-of-three (1-1-1). Semi-finals: best-of-five (2-2-1). Finals: best-of-seven (2-2-1-1-1). |
| Does the bracket reseed after the first round? | No. The bracket is fixed: 1 vs 8 plays winner of 4 vs 5, etc. |
| Which teams are favourites? | Likely Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces are strong picks. But upsets are possible, especially in short series. Phoenix vs New York could also be tight. |
| How to watch / where to follow? | Games are on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, etc.) in the U.S.; outside U.S., WNBA League Pass is an option. |
Potential Angles / Storylines
- Underdogs vs favorites — Will lower seeds pull off surprises in short first-round series?
- Injury impact — E.g. how Indiana manages without Caitlin Clark.
- New team success — The Golden State Valkyries’ journey, growth, debut season.
- Format changes — Cover how the longer Finals and different home-court patterns affect strategies.
- Star performances — Players pushing for MVP, historic seasons (like shooting percentages etc.).
Conclusion
The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever. With format changes, standout teams, and high stakes across every round, fans have a lot to look forward to. Whether you’re following particular players, rooting for underdogs, or just want good basketball, this postseason will not disappoint.
1 thought on “2025 WNBA Playoffs — Full Preview”