Everything to Know About the 2025 WNBA Playoffs: Schedule, Teams & Format

The 2025 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) postseason begins Sunday, September 14 and runs through mid-October. The league has made some major changes this year — most notably to the Finals format — that could impact how the champion is crowned. Here’s everything you need to know.


Teams & Standings

  • Eight teams qualified for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. Seeding is based on regular season records, regardless of conference.
  • Final regular season standings of the playoff field:
    1. Minnesota Lynx (34-10)
    2. Las Vegas Aces (30-14)
    3. Atlanta Dream (30-14)
    4. Phoenix Mercury (27-17)
    5. New York Liberty (27-17)
    6. Indiana Fever (24-20)
    7. Seattle Storm (23-21)
    8. Golden State Valkyries (23-21)

Format & Changes

  • First Round: Best-of-three series using a 1-1-1 format (higher seed hosts games 1 and 3, lower seed hosts game 2).
  • Semifinals: Best-of-five series (format 2-2-1).
  • Finals: For the first time ever, the WNBA Finals will be played as a best-of-seven (format 2-2-1-1-1).

Key Storylines & What to Watch

  • Minnesota Lynx enter as the top seed with the league’s best record.
  • Las Vegas Aces bring strong momentum after a late season surge.
  • Upset potential: Matchups like Mercury vs. Liberty and Dream vs. Fever could go either way.
  • The expanded Finals format means more endurance, more opportunities for comebacks, and greater emphasis on roster depth.

How to Watch

  • All playoff games will broadcast via ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and ABC in the U.S.
  • International viewers can tune in via WNBA League Pass and select regional broadcasters.

Conclusion

With format changes, intense matchups, and talented playoff teams, WNBA Playoffs 2025 is set to be a milestone in league history. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, there’s plenty to be excited about: first-round drama, a longer Finals, and potential upsets that could reshape the league’s future.


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