The 2025 WNBA Playoffs have arrived, officially marking the final stage of the biggest season in WNBA history. This year’s playoffs promise to be one of the most exciting yet. Let’s take a look at each round one matchup.
Minnesota Lynx vs Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries have had one of the best first expansion seasons of all time. Not only are they the first team to make the WNBA playoffs in the inaugural season, but they also broke the WNBA attendance record by selling out all of their home games. First-year head coach Natalie Nakase has crafted a perfect scheme and identity for her team; shooting a lot of three-pointers. The roster was already made up of former role players who mainly shoot catch and three-pointers, so Nakase didn’t bother to change it. The Valkyries take the most threes per game while also allowing the fewest points. However, despite the high volume, they rank near the bottom in three-point efficiency. Three-point shooting variance is something to keep an eye on during this year’s playoffs. Unfortunately, they have found themselves matched up with the juggernaut that is the 2025 Minnesota Lynx.
After losing in the finals in a tight five-game series, they bounced back by winning a franchise-record 34 games and clinching the No. 1 seed. Led by Napheesa Collier, one of the best players in the league, the Lynx had the highest scoring offence this season along with the second-best defense.
Collier had a season for the ages and the best of her young career, averaging 23.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.2 APG and 3.2 steals/blocks. Alongside All Star teammates in Kayla McBride, a sharpshooter who shoots 40% from three, and Courtney Williams, 2nd in the W in assists per game, they form one of the best and complementary trios in the league. They also have a very strong bench unit, with Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard and DiJonai Carrington all having the ability to score 20 at any point. With a high-powered offense and a lockdown defense, the Lynx are the favorite to win their first championship since 2017.
Las Vegas Aces vs Seattle Storm
The Aces started off the season incredibly slow, thanks to a slew of departing players such as Alysha Gray, Sydney Colson, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin and most importantly, Kelsey Plum, who was an All Star for Aces the past three seasons. She was traded for Jewell Loyd in a three-team trade that sent Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. Loyd struggled early and the Aces were fighting to stay .500.
Las Vegas was 14-14 midway through the season and started an incredible run, finishing on a 16-game winning streak, the second longest in WNBA history. Leading the charge was A’ja Wilson, the current favorite for MVP, who led the league in PPG (23.8) and was second in RPG (10.1). If A’ja Wilson is Batman, Jackie Young is Robin. With Chelsea Gray getting older and Plum gone, Jackie has taken on more on-ball playmaking role. The Aces were 12-2 this season when Jackie scored at least 20 points and 16-1 when she had at least 6 assists. She’s the X-factor of this playoff run.
Seattle has had a year of ups and downs. The Storm clinched a playoff appearance in the last game of the season. Center Nneka Ogwumike is the leading scorer for this team, but their guards are the players to watch in this series. Sklar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler and recently acquired Brittney Sykes all average double digits, but struggle with consistency.
Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever
After a first round playoff exit and losing record, the Atlanta Dream doubled their wins and finished with the second best offence and defense. Offensively it is an ultimate team effort, eight players averaging over 5 per game, highlighted by All Star guard duo Allisha Gray (18.6 PPG) and Rhyne Howard (17.5 PPG). Atlanta controls the glass better than anyone, allowing the least amount of offensive rebounds per game and lead the league in total rebounds per game
The Indiana Fever has had some brutal luck when it comes to injuries. With championship expectations entering the year, five players have had their year cut short due to season-ending injuries, including Caitlin Clark, the superstar guard that ran their offense. Still, the Fever were able to stay afloat thanks to the incredible play by Kelsey Mitchell. She was one of three players to average over twenty points-per-game. Mitchell and forward Aliyah Boston provide a deadly one-two punch that allows the Fever to hang in with anyone.
Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty
Injury luck has also not been kind to the defending champion New York Liberty. From the third game of the season on May 24 to their second-to-last game on Sept. 9, at least one player was on the injury report, with each starter missing a minimum of five games. Still, the Liberty may have the most talented roster of any playoff team. Sabrina Ionescu is in MVP conversations and Brenna Stewart and Jonquel Jones form one of the most complete offensive frontcourts in the WNBA. As a team that relies on their starters heavily, the question will be if they can stay healthy and the contributions from bench units.
Despite losing four starters from last year’s team, the Phoenix Mercury reloaded in a major way. While the Mercury don’t find themselves atop any stat list, they remain solid at everything. Alyssa Thomas, signed from the Connecticut Sun, is a threat to drop a triple double every night and is the hub for their offence, leading the WNBA in assists per game. Satou Sabally is the team’s leading scorer, but struggles with efficiency, so her performance on a game-to-game basis will be something to watch. Kahleah Copper is the only returning starter for the Mercury. While she has had a lessened role on this year’s team, partially due to her missing the start of the season due to injury, Copper can be an electric scorer. If she is making her shots, the Mercury will be a tough out this playoffs.
