The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are set to ignite on Sunday, September 14th, featuring a star-studded cast of teams vying for the coveted championship. While the postseason will be without some of the league's brightest young talents like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers due to injuries, the remaining playoff picture is brimming with established stars and compelling storylines. The top eight teams, determined by overall standings regardless of conference, will battle it out in a revamped postseason structure that guarantees every round is played as a series, culminating in a historic best-of-seven WNBA Finals.

Leading the charge as the No. 1 seed are the Minnesota Lynx, who have been the league's most dominant team throughout the 44-game regular season. With home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, the Lynx are aiming for their fifth championship in franchise history. They enter the postseason as favorites, carrying the experience of being last year's runner-up and boasting the league's best defensive rating. Close behind are the Las Vegas Aces, who secured the No. 2 seed after an incredible 16-game winning streak to end the regular season. Led by two-time AP Player of the Year A'ja Wilson, the Aces are chasing their third championship in four years.

The defending champion New York Liberty, despite a strong finish, enter as the No. 5 seed due to injuries and inconsistency during the season. They will face the Phoenix Mercury in the first round, a team featuring Alyssa Thomas, who has had an outstanding season, leading the league in assists and triple-doubles. The Atlanta Dream, exceeding expectations with a franchise-record 30 wins, earned the No. 3 seed and will host the Indiana Fever. The Dream are looking to win a playoff series for the first time since 2016.

This year's playoffs also feature a new format for the championship series. The WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven affair, marking the first time in league history for such a format. This change aligns the WNBA Finals with traditional championship structures in other professional sports, promising extended drama and a true test of endurance for the competing teams. The first round will be contested as best-of-three series with a 1-1-1 format, ensuring each team hosts at least one home game.

The remaining first-round matchups include the Seattle Storm as the No. 7 seed facing the Las Vegas Aces, and the Golden State Valkyries, who made an impressive debut season, clinching the No. 8 seed to play against the top-seeded Lynx. With a blend of veteran leadership, surging contenders, and a historic championship format, the 2025 WNBA Playoffs are poised to deliver an exciting and competitive postseason.