When Cathy Engelbert first announced this regular season would comprise 44 games, we knew we were in for a 2025 that was more of a marathon rather than a sprint.
That is what we got – and now we know what the postseason field for 2025 will resemble.
The 2025 season is also the first season where the playoffs will feature an expanded postseason format that includes both teams having an opportunity to host a home game in a first-round best-of-three – not to mention the Finals being contested as a best-of-7. Without further ado, here is our look at the 2025 WNBA playoff field.
Minnesota Lynx
If one looks at the totality of the season, Cheryl Reeve’s Lynx are the team to beat.
The phrase we at Beyond The W have consistently used to describe Minnesota has been “revenge tour” or “redemption tour” after coming oh-so-close to winning one for the thumb for Coach Reeve.
We know about the MVP campaign that Napheesa Collier has had. We know that Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams are reliable second and third scoring options. We are familiar with names such Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard, Bridget Carleton and DiJonai Carrington.
For Minnesota, especially after last season, it is not complicated – championship or bust.
Las Vegas Aces
If one looks at the last several weeks of the season, Becky Hammon’s Aces are the team to beat.
After all, Las Vegas’ recent contest at Michelob Ultra Arena against Minnesota where the Aces’ defense held Collier to 12 points was a statement to the rest of the league that Las Vegas was back.
The last few weeks, not only has A’ja Wilson led the Aces back to where an Aces team with Wilson should be in the standings – she has, perhaps, vaulted herself to the top, top, top of the MVP debate.
Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young look like the Point Gawd and Special Agent 0. Jewell Loyd coming off the bench has worked. NaLyssa Smith and Dana Evans have been x-factors. The winning streak Las Vegas has been on entering the postseason has been nothing short of sweet – sweet 16, that is.
The Aces may be the two seed but one may have to treat them as if they are a one-seed. Raise. The. Stakes.
Atlanta Dream
The Dream enters this season’s playoffs tied with the Aces at 30-14 but Las Vegas held the tiebreaker over Atlanta meaning Karl Smesko’s bunch will begin this year’s playoffs as the three seed.
Expectations were high for the Dream when they added Brittney Griner from the Phoenix Mercury and Brionna Jones from the Connecticut Sun. And they remain high after what has been the best season in Atlanta history in terms of regular season wins and losses.
Allisha Gray has posted MVP numbers. Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada and even Naz Hillmon have added to the Dream’s success – Hillmon is a Most Improved Player candidate.
This has the potential to be a special season in the Big Peach. Just one request – move Finals games to State Farm Arena if they make it there.
Phoenix Mercury
There are not too many teams that lose two franchise cornerstones in Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner and still maintain contender status.
That is what the Mercury have managed to do with the retooling that was made in the offseason courtesy of general manager Nick U’ren. Nate Tibbetts assembling has been a tough out this season.
A lot of that has to do with Alyssa Thomas once again being in MVP form. A lot of that also has to do with Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper doing what they do best. DeWanna Bonner has been a worthwhile addition and this has been one of Sami Whitcomb’s better seasons. Monique Akoa Makani is also a name to watch.
The last time the Mercury won 27 games was in 2014 when they won 29 – and the championship – that season.
New York Liberty
Remember when we asked will the real Las Vegas Aces please stand up? We may have the same query currently for the seafoam, black and copper.
Yes, the Liberty have battled injuries all season in its defense of last season’s championship but a team with names such as Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Leonie Fiebich and Marine Johannès should be higher in the standings than a five seed.
Obviously, prevailing over all comers last season takes much of the pressure off for the 2025 Liberty even in New York where said pressure to perform is always high. Going from champions to a possible first-round postseason exit would be a steep drop for coach Sandy Brondello’s bunch.
Indiana Fever
The teams at the bottom half of the postseason field are, of course, entering said postseason with virtually no pressure on them.
With no Caitlin Clark available for Indiana, coach Stephanie White’s team does not have the expectations on it that it would if No. 22 were in a Fever uniform.
When Clark does return in 2026, the Fever will field a big three of her, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Boston and Mitchell have been the MVPs of this Indiana team. Names such as Odyssey Sims, Lexie Hull, Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham and Aerial Powers give the Fever plenty of depth.
This is looking more like a “gauge” season for Indiana – gauging where it is in preparation for 2026 when championship aspirations become much more real with a returning Clark.
Seattle Storm
At the halfway point of the season around All-Star, we at Beyond The W assigned the Storm a B+ grade. It appears Seattle began slacking off in class in the second half while still maintaining a passing grade.
Coach Noelle Quinn’s Storm is a team with plenty of noteworthy veteran names. Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins obviously come to mind but the same applies to Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler and Brittney Sykes who the Storm acquired in a trade with the Washington Mystics.
Then, of course, there is the defensive presence of Ezi Magbegor. The real question is what happens with the Storm’s coach following this season. Needless to say, it would not be a good look for the WNBA as a whole if its sole remaining Black woman coach were to lose her job.
Golden State Valkyries
The Valkyries are playing with enough house money to blanket every centimeter of the entire San Francisco Bay.
After all, this is an expansion team that was expected to struggle, but a team will have other ideas when one has a former Aces assistant in Natalie Nakase at the helm.
The only shame is a scheduling conflict that forced Golden State to stage its playoff contest in San Jose at the SAP Center instead of at Chase Center. Expect those Valkyries fans to bring Balhalla to the South Bay.
Golden State has assembled a solid team between Tiffany Hayes, Cecilia Zandalasini, Janelle Salaün, Kayla Thornton, Iliana Rupert, Temi Fágbénlé and a Veronica Burton who is also a Most Improved Player candidate.
Regardless of what happens with the Valkyries in the playoffs, the mission has been accomplished for this team. Not only has Golden State proven it can win at the WNBA level, it has established itself as a likely attractive destination for free agents.
