The WNBA playoffs officially started on September 14th with 8 qualifying teams. The Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, and the Golden State Valkyries. As round one began, many people had their eyes on the exceeding teams: the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, and the New York Liberty.
(Just Women’s Sports)
The top 2 seeds are favored to make it to the finals. The Minnesota Lynx are ranked as the number one seed coming off a hot season with 34 wins and 10 losses. Minnesota’s star player, Napheesa Collier, has averaged 22.9 points, 3.2 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game this past season. The Las Vegas Aces hold the No. 2 seed spot overall, finishing with 30 wins and 14 losses. The Aces center A’ja Wilson helped lead the Aces to a 15-game winning streak. Wilson averaged an impressive stat line of 23.4 points, 3.1 assists, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in the regular season. Wilson’s continued play helped the Aces advance past the Seattle Storm in the 1st round with a 2-1 series win.
(Newsweek)
Liberty won 27 and lost 17 games, landing the defending champs the No. 5 seed. Coming off a solid season, Liberty’s forward Breeana Stewart and their guard Sabrina Ionescu have given their franchise high hopes for the playoffs. Stewart, leading the team, averaged 12 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. The New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury played 3 hard-fought, electric games. In the end, Mercury was able to knock out the defending champions in the first round. This came as a surprise to many fans who hoped to see Liberty repeat. The Indiana Fever surprised many, eliminating the Atlanta Dream with their star player, Catlin Clark, out due to a season-ending injury. The Fever’s two key players, Kelsley Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, stepped up in Clark’s absence and carried their team to victory. Mitchell and Boston’s relentless defensive efforts shut down one of the Dream’s top scorers, Rhyne Howard, by limiting her looks at the basket. The Fever are facing the Las Vegas Aces and are tied 1-1 through the first two contests.
The Golden State Valkyries made history for the WNBA, as they became the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. They finished as the No. 8 seed, securing their spot in the playoffs for the 2025 season. While making it to the playoffs in their franchise’s first existence, they were simply outmatched by the No. 1-seeded Minnesota Lynx, who dominated the series.
Minnesota has advanced to the 2nd round by sweeping the Valkyries 2-0. Mercury continues their hot play, upsetting the No. 1 seed, Minnesota Lynx, in game 2 of the semi-finals. They overcame a 20-point deficit to force overtime and eventually won by 6 points on Minnesota’s home court to tie the series 1-1. The pivotal Game 3 is scheduled for September 26. The winner of this game will have the inside track to making the WNBA finals.
In the other semi-finals, the Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever will face off on Friday, September 26, with the series also tied at 1-1. The Aces look to advance for the 5th time in their franchise’s history to the finals. The Fever, who won the championship by beating the Lynx in 2012, are seeking their 4th finals appearance. The 2025 championship will be an electric battle on the court between the best two teams, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
