2025 WNBA Playoffs: An Exciting Look Ahead

In 2025, there was quite a disparity between the first and eighth seeds in the WNBA playoffs—eleven games apart, to be precise. This year, however, things are different. The competition feels much tighter.

The league has reached a level of parity that, honestly, we might not have seen before. There’s a real possibility for upsets, and the championship is anyone’s for the taking.

Will the top team maintain its dominance and secure the title? Or could we see a franchise finally win its first championship?

Perhaps, just maybe, a dark horse could make a surprising run.

It all kicks off this Sunday.

Let’s break down the matchups for the best-of-three first round:

No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty

Game 1: at Minnesota, Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2: at New York, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET, USA/CNBC
Game 3*: at Minnesota, Thursday, TBD

Matchup to watch: The Liberty managed to slow down Olivia Miles in their last encounter by essentially doing everything they could. But, did they reveal too much too early?

Prediction: Lynx in 3.

No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings

Game 1: at Golden State, Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, USA/CNBC
Game 2: at Dallas, Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: at Golden State, Friday, TBD

Matchup to watch: The Valkyries boast the league’s top defense, aimed at stifling star players—including Paige Bueckers. Meanwhile, the Wings are dealing with injuries that could hinder their chances in this series.

Prediction: Valkyries in 2.

No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever

Game 1: at Las Vegas, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2: at Indiana, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
Game 3*: at Las Vegas, Thursday, TBD

Matchup to watch: The Fever’s historically strong offense will face the Aces’ formidable top-five defense. Plus, we have a fun subplot: A’ja Wilson versus Aliyah Boston, both alums of South Carolina, vying for praise from Dawn Staley.

Prediction: Fever in 3.

No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics

Game 1: at Atlanta, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
Game 2: at Washington, Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: at Atlanta, Friday, TBD

Matchup to watch: This series features a showdown of bigs—Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen of the Mystics will clash with Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon from the Dream. Controlling the paint is essential for advancing.

Prediction: Dream in 3.