After a grueling 44-game regular season, the stage is set for the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Beginning with a four-game slate on Sunday, eight contenders will battle for the championship. Among them are the defending champion New York Liberty, the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, and the surging Las Vegas Aces, who enter the postseason riding a 16-game win streak.
Last year, New York edged Minnesota in a five-game Finals, but this season the championship series expands to a best-of-seven format. The opening round also shifts to a 1-1-1 setup, guaranteeing each team at least one home game.
For the Indiana Fever, that means their first playoff appearance on home court since 2016. Despite losing star rookie Caitlin Clark to injury in mid-July, Indiana has shown toughness and remains a team capable of making noise.
Now, we take a closer look at all eight playoff squads—their strengths, their weaknesses, and their chances to claim the crown.
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx
First-round matchup: Golden State Valkyries (91.6% chance to advance)
Championship odds (NEWSUSTODAYUSA BPI): 50.0%
The story: Minnesota (34-10) has been the league’s pace-setter all season. After falling short in last year’s Finals, the Lynx are hungry for redemption and chasing a fifth WNBA title — their first since 2017.
Projected starters:
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G Courtney Williams – 13.9 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.9 RPG
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G Kayla McBride – 14.9 PPG, 40.9% 3PT
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F Napheesa Collier – 23.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG
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F Alanna Smith – 9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG
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F Bridget Carleton – 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG
Why they can win: The Lynx are motivated after last year’s bitter Game 5 Finals loss. Collier has been unstoppable, posting a rare 50-40-90 shooting season while ranking second in scoring. Minnesota leads the league in offense (86.4 PPG) and also owns the best defensive rating. Depth has been a huge asset, with players like Williams, McBride, Smith and Natisha Hiedeman keeping the team afloat even when Collier missed time.
Biggest concern: Size. Minnesota’s small frontcourt can be exposed by dominant post duos like Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner, who powered Atlanta to two wins over the Lynx this year.
No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
First-round matchup: Seattle Storm (61.4% chance to advance)
Championship odds (NEWSUSTODAYUSA BPI): 9.3%
The story: The Aces want back into the Finals for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
Projected starters:
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G Jackie Young – 16.5 PPG, 5.1 APG
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G Chelsea Gray – 11.2 PPG, 5.4 APG
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C A’ja Wilson – 23.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG
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F NaLyssa Smith – 8.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG
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F Kierstan Bell – 4.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG
Why they can win: Las Vegas is red-hot, ripping off 16 straight victories after an ugly 53-point loss to Minnesota in August. Wilson has elevated her game to MVP level again, and Jewell Loyd has thrived in a reserve role, bringing energy and defense. After a shaky start without traded guard Kelsey Plum, the Aces are finally clicking.
Biggest concern: Defense was shaky early in the year, though effort has dramatically improved. If cracks appear again, Wilson will need her teammates to sustain the same level of intensity that fueled this surge.
No. 3 Atlanta Dream
First-round matchup: Indiana Fever (66.9% chance to advance)
Championship odds (NEWSUSTODAYUSA BPI): 13.8%
The story: Atlanta doubled its win total from last season, finishing 30-14. The Dream are still hunting for their first championship after falling short in three previous Finals appearances.
Projected starters:
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G Allisha Gray – 18.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG
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G Rhyne Howard – 17.5 PPG, 4.6 APG
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G Jordin Canada – 11.2 PPG, 5.7 APG
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F Brionna Jones – 12.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG
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F Naz Hillmon – 8.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG
Why they can win: Under new coach Karl Smesko, Atlanta became an offensive force (84.4 PPG) while staying elite defensively. They closed the season with 15 wins in 18 games, including a six-game streak. Depth has been a lifesaver, with players like Naz Hillmon and Maya Caldwell stepping up when stars missed time.
Biggest concern: Post play. Atlanta relies heavily on its guards and outside shooting. Against the league’s top frontcourts, their inside presence could be exposed.
No. 4 Phoenix Mercury
First-round matchup: New York Liberty (26.5% chance to advance)
Championship odds (NEWSUSTODAYUSA BPI): 1.1%
The story: Phoenix hasn’t won a playoff game since 2021 but hopes this year’s revamped roster can change that.
Projected starters:
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G Monique Akoa Makani – 7.7 PPG
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G Kahleah Copper – 15.9 PPG
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F Satou Sabally – 16.4 PPG
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F Alyssa Thomas – 15.7 PPG, 9.3 APG, 9.0 RPG
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C Natasha Mack – 4.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG
Why they can win: Alyssa Thomas has thrived in Phoenix, surrounded by shooters and size. She posted a career year with eight triple-doubles, and the Mercury’s versatile lineup can stretch the floor while still defending the paint.
Biggest concern: Phoenix dominated lower-seeded teams but went just 2-9 against the league’s top three. That doesn’t bode well for a deep playoff run.
No. 5 New York Liberty
First-round matchup: Phoenix Mercury (73.5% chance to advance)
Championship odds (NEWSUSTODAYUSA BPI): 19.9%
The story: The reigning champs are back, and the Liberty are aiming to defend their crown — and build a dynasty in the process.
Projected starters: G Natasha Cloud (10.3 PPG, 5.3 APG); G Sabrina Ionescu (18.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.5 APG); F Leonie Fiebich (8.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG); F Breanna Stewart (18.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG); C Jonquel Jones (13.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG)
Why they could win: On paper, no team has more star power. The Liberty feature two former MVPs in Stewart and Jones, one of the league’s premier guards in Ionescu, and a defensive anchor in Cloud. Their roster only grew stronger when 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman joined midseason. “Superteam” may actually undersell how much talent this group has.
Biggest concern: Health and consistency. New York looked unstoppable with a 9-0 start but stumbled late, going just 5-5 to close the regular season. Injuries shuffled lineups, disrupting chemistry, and four of those losses came against other playoff teams. With Meesseman joining only in the final stretch, the Liberty are still figuring out their full identity. If they click at the right time, repeating as champions is realistic — but that “if” looms large.
No. 6 Indiana Fever
First-round matchup: Atlanta Dream (33.1% chance to advance)
Championship odds (BPI): 2.9%
What’s at stake: After missing the postseason from 2017-23, the Fever are in the playoffs for the second straight year. They’re still chasing their first series win since 2015. Even with season-ending injuries to Caitlin Clark and five other players, Indiana insists it’s ready to make noise.
Projected starters: G Odyssey Sims (10.3 PPG, 4.0 APG); G Kelsey Mitchell (20.2 PPG, 39.4% 3PT, 3.4 APG); G Lexie Hull (7.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG); F Natasha Howard (11.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG); F Aliyah Boston (15.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Why they could win: The Fever still boast star power. Boston is already one of the league’s best bigs, while Mitchell has carried the offense and may even appear on MVP ballots. Along with Howard and Hull, the core is dangerous, and Indiana gained momentum by finishing the regular season on a three-game win streak.
Biggest concern: The ceiling isn’t as high without Clark and other key contributors. Depth has been patched with hardship signings like Sims, Shey Peddy and Aerial Powers, but Indiana is just 7-6 since early August and has struggled against top-tier teams. Defensively, fouling remains an issue, and with limited offensive firepower, the Fever often rely on Mitchell having a big night to stay competitive.
No. 7 Seattle Storm
First-round matchup: Las Vegas Aces (38.7% chance to advance)
Championship odds (BPI): 2.9%
Projected starters: G Skylar Diggins (15.5 PPG, 6.0 APG); G Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 4.0 APG); F Gabby Williams (11.6 PPG, 4.2 APG); F Nneka Ogwumike (18.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG); C Ezi Magbegor (8.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
What’s at stake: Seattle’s big offseason moves — signing Diggins and Ogwumike — were made with title aspirations. But after a shaky finish to the season, the Storm need at least a strong showing to avoid questions about the direction of the franchise.
Why they could win: Seattle had four All-Stars this year and, at times, looked like a top-tier team. They’ve shown the ability to blow out contenders and have fared well against playoff opponents, losing just one season series to Indiana.
Biggest concern: Half-court offense. Seattle thrives in transition, ranking second in points per possession, but struggles when forced into slower sets. Without Jewell Loyd, late-game scoring has been a problem — the Storm lost nine games by five points or fewer, the most in the league.
No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
First-round matchup: Minnesota Lynx (8.4% chance to advance)
Championship odds (BPI): 0.1%
What’s at stake: Golden State made history as the first expansion team since 2008 and the first to reach the playoffs in its debut season. Now, the Valkyries aim to add another milestone: winning a postseason series.
Projected starters: G Veronica Burton (12.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.4 RPG); F Cecilia Zandalasini (10.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG); F Janelle Salaun (11.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG); F Iliana Rupert (9.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG); C Temi Fagbenle (7.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Why they could win: Defense. Golden State owns the league’s fourth-best defensive rating (99.9) and gives up the fewest points per game (76.4). Burton, Rupert and rookie Carla Leite have been standouts, while veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings bring stability. The Valkyries’ grit and togetherness have been their calling card all year.
Biggest concern: Scoring. Golden State ranks near the bottom of the league in offense, averaging just 78.3 points per game on 41% shooting. With Burton as their top scorer at only 12 points per game, finding enough offense against elite playoff teams could be too tall a task.
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