The 2025 WNBA Playoffs carry historic modifications and must-see matchups. Between a revamped playoff construction, expanded finals, and rising groups making waves, this postseason appears to be like to ship drama from tip-off to the ultimate buzzer.
Key Dates & Groups
Playoffs Start: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Finals Finish Date (if full size): Friday, October 17, 2025
Groups Certified (Prime 8 General):
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)
Format Adjustments & What’s New
In 2025, the WNBA launched a number of format updates geared toward rising equity and fan engagement:
| Spherical | Earlier Format | New Format |
|---|---|---|
| First Spherical (Quarterfinals) | Finest‑of‑three, larger seed hosts Video games 1 & 2; decrease seed might solely host Sport 3 (2‑1 format) | Finest‑of‑three in 1‑1‑1 format, that means: larger seed hosts Sport 1, decrease seed hosts Sport 2, larger seed hosts Sport 3 if wanted. |
| Semifinals | Finest‑of‑5 with 2‑2‑1 sample (larger seed hosts Video games 1,2,5) | Unchanged: nonetheless finest‑of‑5 (2‑2‑1) |
| WNBA Finals | Finest‑of‑5 sequence since 2005 (sample 2‑2‑1) | Expanded to finest‑of‑seven for the primary time in WNBA Finals historical past, following a 2‑2‑1‑1‑1 format. Larger seed hosts Video games 1, 2, 5, and seven. |
These modifications imply extra potential residence video games for decrease seeds within the first spherical, extra journey, and longer Finals — all creating extra alternative for drama and storylines.
First Spherical Fixtures & Bracket
Listed below are the matchups for Spherical 1, together with which groups have residence‑court docket benefit in key video games:
(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
Residence‑Court docket Notes:
Storylines & Gamers To Watch
Minnesota Lynx: Prime seed with an opportunity to re‑declare their first title since 2017 — motivated after final season’s Finals loss.
Las Vegas Aces: At all times a risk; with constant roster energy, they’re primed for deep runs.
Golden State Valkyries: Growth crew making historical past of their first postseason — large underdog curiosity.
Indiana Fever: With out Caitlin Clark (injured), however robust sufficient within the common season that they might shock.
New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury: 5 vs 4 seed can be an in depth battle; veteran expertise vs toughness.
⚠ What To Preserve An Eye On
Will any sequence in Spherical 1 go all 3 video games? The brand new 1‑1‑1 format will increase the prospect of Sport 3 being decisive on the next seed’s residence court docket.
How will groups take care of journey and momentum? Decrease seeds now get no less than one residence recreation in first spherical — can they capitalize?
Finals: does the very best‑of‑seven stretch change how champions are made? Fatigue, depth, harm danger all come into play greater than ever.
Influence of the document 44‑recreation common season (expanded from 40) on playoff readiness, fatigue, and roster administration.
✅ What This Means for Followers & Betting
Extra alternatives: residence video games for each groups in Spherical 1, extra Finals video games, and thus extra content material, narrative shifts, and betting alternatives.
Larger stakes for each recreation: every playoff recreation turns into extra helpful with nearer residence‑court docket splits.
Underestimate depth at your individual danger — Groups with deep rosters or a number of scorers seemingly fare higher in 7‑recreation sequence.
