2025 WNBA Playoffs: Eight Teams Compete for Championship Glory

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The 2025 WNBA playoffs are set to begin this Sunday, featuring eight teams vying for the coveted championship title. The playoffs will kick off with a four-game slate, showcasing the league’s top talents.

The defending champions, the Minnesota Lynx, enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. The Lynx finished the regular season with an impressive record of 34 wins against 10 losses. They will face off against the expansion franchise Golden State Valkyries, who made history as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season.

Also in contention are the Las Vegas Aces, who come in as the No. 2 seed after a remarkable 16-game winning streak to end the regular season. Their opponents will be the Seattle Storm, a team determined to turn their season around after struggles in the second half. The Dream from Atlanta will host the Indiana Fever, who ended a seven-year playoff drought last year.

The playoffs have brought excitement and new formats. This season, the first round will use a 1-1-1 format, ensuring every team gets to host at least one home game. Coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty noted the season’s ups and downs while trying to gain momentum heading into the postseason.

Teams like the Aces and Dream have been under pressure to perform due to their rich history and player talent. A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier are among the star players to watch for potential MVP honors as they lead their respective teams.

The playoffs will begin on Sunday with Golden State facing Minnesota at 1 p.m. ET, followed by other matchups involving Indiana and Atlanta, New York and Phoenix, and Seattle against Las Vegas. Viewers can watch the games on ESPN and ABC.