As the WNBA season sprints toward the finish line, the postseason race is entering its most thrilling stretch yet. With less than a month left in the regular season, teams are fighting tooth and nail for playoff spots—and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx are setting a blistering pace that has the rest of the league in hot pursuit.
Minnesota Lynx: The Team to Beat
The Minnesota Lynx have dominated the 2025 season, boasting a 28-5 record and clinching their place in the playoffs early. Sitting atop the standings with a 6.5-game lead, they’re the clear favorite for the No. 1 seed. What’s even more impressive is that the Lynx have sustained their strong momentum even after losing star Napheesa Collier to an ankle injury. Riding a five-game winning streak, this battle-hardened squad looks locked in as they set their sights on a championship run—especially after last year’s heartbreak in the Finals against New York.
Seeds Two Through Five: Anyone’s Game
If the Lynx have the top spot well in hand, the next tier is anything but settled. The Atlanta Dream (22-12), New York Liberty (21-13), Phoenix Mercury (20-13), and Las Vegas Aces (21-14) are packed tightly together, separated by a mere 1.5 games. The Aces, in particular, are heating up at the right time—stringing together seven consecutive wins behind a dominant run from reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, who’s been averaging a double-double every night.
Every game counts in this segment, as Atlanta and Phoenix pick up key victories while New York looks to recover after falling to Minnesota. The battle for home-court advantage in the early playoff rounds will likely come down to the final days of the regular season.
The Wild Fight for the Final Playoff Spots
Beneath the top five, the competition intensifies. The Indiana Fever (19-16) made waves with a stunning 21-point comeback to grab sixth place. Right behind them, the Golden State Valkyries (18-16) and Seattle Storm (17-18) are clinging to postseason dreams, while the Los Angeles Sparks (16-18) and Washington Mystics (16-18) remain within striking distance. With just a couple of wins separating these clubs, the race for the last playoff berths promises drama all the way to the finish.
What’s New for Playoffs in 2025
This season brings a fresh wrinkle to the postseason. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, make the playoffs. The first round moves to a best-of-three series, ensuring every team gets at least one home game. The semifinals adopt a best-of-five format, and—for the first time—the championship series becomes a best-of-seven showdown. The regular season wraps up on September 11, with the playoffs beginning September 14. If the Finals go the distance, the WNBA champion could be crowned as late as October 19.
In the News: Cleveland’s New Franchise
Amid the playoff race, the league welcomed a major off-court announcement: Cleveland’s new WNBA franchise has brought on Allison Howard as its president, adding even more excitement and momentum to a league brimming with storylines.
Where Things Stand: August 19, 2025
Here’s a glance at the current playoff picture:
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 28-5 |
| 2 | Atlanta Dream | 22-12 |
| 3 | New York Liberty | 21-13 |
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 20-13 |
| 5 | Las Vegas Aces | 21-14 |
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 19-16 |
| 7 | Golden State Valkyries | 18-16 |
| 8 | Seattle Storm | 17-18 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Sparks | 16-18 |
| 10 | Washington Mystics | 16-18 |
The coming weeks will decide who claims those coveted postseason spots and who falls just short. With so many teams in contention and every game carrying added weight, the 2025 WNBA finish promises to be must-see action from start to end.
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