WNBA Playoffs 2025: Bracket, Schedule, Star Matchups & How to Watch Live

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs tip off Sunday, September 14, and the path to the league’s next champion is loaded with storylines, star power and must-see matchups. Eight teams, seeded strictly by record, will battle through a best-of-three first round, best-of-five semifinals and a best-of-seven Finals — the most demanding format in league history. First-Round Matchups and Schedule 1. Minnesota Lynx (34-10) vs. 8. Golden State Valkyries 2. Las Vegas Aces (30-14) vs. 7. Seattle Storm 3. Atlanta Dream (30-14) vs. 6. Indiana Fever 4. Phoenix Mercury (27-17) vs. 5. New York Liberty Game 1 of every series is Sunday, with Game 2 on Tuesday, September 16, and if needed, Game 3 on Thursday, September 18. The higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, so early upsets could swing home-court in a hurry. Key Storylines to Watch • Lynx-Aces collision course? Minnesota posted the league’s best net rating, while two-time defending champion Las Vegas owns the postseason’s most battle-tested core. If both advance, their potential semifinal clash could feel like a Finals preview. • Rookie takeover: No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark has powered Indiana back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, averaging 19.4 points and 7.8 assists. Can she spark a first-round upset of Atlanta? • Liberty’s redemption arc: A year removed from a Finals loss, New York added sharpshooter Allie Quigley at the deadline. Sabrina Ionescu’s 46-percent three-point shooting since the All-Star break suggests the offense is peaking at precisely the right moment. • New market buzz: Expansion darling Golden State enters its postseason debut behind MVP candidate A’ja Wilson’s former teammate Nneka Ogwumike and rookie phenom Cameron Brink, giving the Bay Area instant playoff stakes. Players Who Can Swing the Bracket • A’ja Wilson, Aces – Averaging 22.3 points, 10.8 boards and a career-best 2.7 blocks, Wilson is eyeing a third title in four seasons. • Napheesa Collier, Lynx – The likely MVP runner-up leads the league in win shares and anchors the W’s stingiest defense. • Jewell Loyd, Storm – Last season’s scoring champ just dropped 35 on Los Angeles to clinch Seattle’s berth. • Kahleah Copper, Mercury – Since moving to Phoenix, Copper’s downhill bursts have produced 28 fast-break points per 100 possessions, highest among playoff guards. How to Watch and Stream Every first-round contest airs nationally on ESPN platforms or NBA TV, with authenticated streaming on ESPN+ and WNBA League Pass. Fans outside the U.S. can access games via the league’s new FIBA CourtPass partnership, which offers multi-language commentary and condensed replays. Semifinal Outlook According to ESPN’s projection model, Minnesota (41 percent) and Las Vegas (33 percent) have the best odds to reach the Finals, but Phoenix’s balanced offense and New York’s elite spacing make the 4-5 quadrant the postseason’s true “group of death.” Ticket and Fan Experience Single-game tickets are on sale through team sites and Ticketmaster, starting as low as $25 in Seattle and $35 in Las Vegas. For fans on the fence, the WNBA’s “Level Up” flash sale returns Monday at noon ET, slashing select upper-bowl seats by 50 percent for 24 hours. Why This Year Feels Different • Record parity: The gap between seeds 1 and 7 is the smallest in league history (four games). • TV momentum: National broadcasts averaged 1.36 million viewers this season, up 29 percent year-over-year. • Global reach: With stars representing 14 countries, social impressions on international WNBA accounts have doubled since Opening Night. Bottom Line The 2025 WNBA Playoffs promise elite basketball, generational talent and the possibility of a new champion. Whether you’re tuning in for highlight-reel threes, lockdown defense or a rookie’s first postseason shine, circle September 14 on the calendar — the road to the trophy begins now, and every minute matters.