The 2025 WNBA playoffs are set to commence on September 14, following the conclusion of the regular season on September 11. Eight teams will advance to the postseason, with the league-leading Minnesota Lynx being the first to officially clinch a berth. As the playoff picture takes shape, the Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, and Chicago Sky have already been eliminated from contention.

The playoff structure includes a best-of-three first round, which utilizes a 1-1-1 format where the higher seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals will be a best-of-five series, played in a 2-2-1 format with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2, and 5. A significant change for 2025 is the expansion of the WNBA Finals to a best-of-seven series, featuring a 2-2-1-1-1 structure, meaning the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

Several teams have already secured their place in the hotly contested playoffs.

The Minnesota Lynx, largely led by MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier, have held a commanding lead in the standings for most of the season. They began their campaign with nine consecutive victories and won 17 of their first 19 games, becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot on August 12. Their impressive consistency saw them avoid back-to-back losses for the first three months, a streak that only ended recently with road losses while Collier was sidelined with an ankle injury, though the team managed a 5-2 record during her three-week absence.

The Atlanta Dream secured their postseason berth with a win over Dallas on August 29, marking the franchise's 11th trip to the playoffs. A six-game winning streak from late July to mid-August significantly propelled them up the standings. Despite opening the season as a mystery with new coach Karl Smesko and new free agents Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, the Dream have proven to be one of the WNBA's most talented rosters and the top rebounding team. Allisha Gray is having a career year, averaging 18.7 PPG, three more than her 2024 average, while the team awaits the return of point guard Jordin Canada due to a hamstring injury.

The Phoenix Mercury are also playoff-bound, a result of their strategic offseason acquisitions of perennial MVP contender Alyssa Thomas and All-Star Satou Sabally. Alongside Kahleah Copper, this “big three” has driven Phoenix back into the playoffs, with each player averaging at least 15.8 points. Sabally leads in scoring at 16.7 PPG, while Thomas showcases remarkable versatility, averaging a team-high 9.0 rebounds and 9.2 assists. Thomas has broken her own single-season WNBA record with seven triple-doubles this season and holds the WNBA record for 18 career triple-doubles. The Mercury clinched their berth when Atlanta won on August 29, riding an impressive run of eight wins in their past 11 games.

The Las Vegas Aces, despite a rocky start that saw them at .500 by the All-Star break and suffering a record 53-point home loss to Minnesota on August 2, have dramatically turned their season around. They embarked on an 11-game winning streak, becoming the second team to clinch a playoff bid. This surge puts them in a strong position to host first-round games. Reigning MVP A'ja Wilson has been instrumental in this turnaround, scoring at least 30 points in five of these victories, and notably achieving the first-ever 30-point, 20-rebound game in WNBA history on August 10.

With some berths clinched, the intense battle for the remaining three spots is underway, with five teams realistically vying for them: the Seattle Storm, Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and Washington Mystics.

The Seattle Storm, currently positioned sixth, have experienced an inconsistent season. A six-game losing streak in early August threatened their playoff hopes, but they have since recovered with four wins in their last five games, including a buzzer-beater victory over Washington. The Storm, known for being better on the road (12-8) than at home (8-10), will conclude their season with four consecutive home games, hoping to avoid a tough first-round matchup. Pivotal player Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old talent, has emerged as an indispensable part of the rotation, showcasing her high ceiling with multiple 20-point games and double-doubles in August.

The Indiana Fever, despite facing numerous injuries including limited availability for Caitlin Clark (13 games) and three other guards out for the season, are fighting for consecutive playoff appearances. While new additions like Odyssey Sims, Shey Peddy, and Aerial Powers bring veteran experience, the Fever have won only two games since August 5, raising concerns about their breaking point. Their upcoming schedule is challenging, primarily featuring teams also battling for playoff berths or seeding. The potential return of Caitlin Clark, who participated in a shootaround after an extended absence, remains a critical factor in their late-season push.

The Golden State Valkyries have far surpassed preseason expectations as an expansion team, already setting a WNBA record for most wins by a debut franchise. They are now within reach of becoming the first WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season, despite dealing with a host of injuries, including the season-ending loss of All-Star Kayla Thornton. Veronica Burton has been a revelation for the Valkyries, leading active players in scoring, assists, and steals, and is a strong candidate for WNBA Most Improved Player. Her stellar two-way play, especially on offense, will be crucial as Golden State hosts five consecutive home games before ending the season on the road.

The Los Angeles Sparks, after missing the postseason since 2020 and trading for Kelsey Plum, made playoffs a paramount goal for 2025. They gained momentum around the All-Star break with an eight-wins-in-nine-games stretch but have since been inconsistent. With nine games remaining, the most among playoff hopefuls, including six in the final 11 days, the Sparks need to improve their defense, as emphasized by Kelsey Plum after a recent win. Rickea Jackson has been a crucial offensive force during their recent surge, increasing her scoring average from 12.1 PPG to 17.3 PPG in the last 15 games.

The Washington Mystics, behind the rookie All-Star tandem of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, have been one of the season's pleasant surprises. However, after trading Brittney Sykes and dropping nine of their past 12 games, their playoff chances are now a slim 0.6%. Sitting 3.5 games out of eighth place with only six games left, the Mystics appear likely to miss the playoffs, potentially content with landing back in the lottery as they continue their Year 2 rebuild. Shakira Austin, alongside Citron and Iriafen, is an increasingly important player, recently delivering a 30-point, 5-rebound, 4-block performance.

As the WNBA regular season draws to a close on September 11, the competition for playoff seeding and the final few berths is reaching a fever pitch, promising an exciting conclusion to the season and an intense postseason.