sabrina-ionescu-with-the-hoop-harm

Sabrina Ionescu with the hoop & harm

2025 Playoffs

After the first 44-game season in WNBA history, the playoff field is set with eight teams vying for the 2025 WNBA championship.
The field features seven of the eight teams from the 2024 playoffs, including the defending champion Liberty, the top-seeded Lynx and the scorching-hot Aces, who bring a 16-game win streak into the playoffs.
The one new addition to the playoff field is historic as the Valkyries became the first expansion team to reach the postseason in their inaugural season.
Before we dive into each team and series, a few reminders on changes for the 2025 playoffs. After two decades of the WNBA Finals being decided in a best-of-five, the series will now feature a best-of-seven to determine the champion. The opening round remains a best-of-three, but will feature a 1-1-1 format, guaranteeing all teams will host at least one playoff game. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-wnba-postseason-faq">Playoff Schedule &amp; FAQ</a>
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<h2>(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203744" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234255339.jpg" alt="Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx drives toward the hoop against Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries" width="960" height="640" />
Minnesota (34-10): After losing in the 2024 Finals in heartbreaking fashion on the road, the Lynx played the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder as they rolled to the best record in the league, securing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Led by MVP candidate Napheesa Coller – who just posted the second-ever 50-40-90 season in league history – the Lynx are seeking their record fifth championship and first since 2017.
Golden State (23-21): In a season full of historic moments, the Valkyries will make more on Sunday when they tip off their first-ever playoff game in their inaugural season. Golden State has defied the odds all season long thanks to breakout seasons from players like Veronica Burton, Ilana Rupert and rookie Janelle Salaün along with veteran Tiffany Hayes, who brings a team-high 33 games of playoff experience but has been ruled out for Game 1 (knee).
Season Series: Lynx 4-0
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 1: Lynx 86, Valkyries 75</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">July 5: Lynx 82, Valkyries 71</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sept. 6: Lynx 78, Valkyries 72</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sept. 11: Lynx 72, Valkyries 53</li>
</ul>
The Matchup: In an ironic twist of fate, this 1 vs. 8 matchup was solidified in the final week of the regular season as the Valkyries lost two games to the Lynx as part of a three-game losing streak that dropped Golden State from the sixth to the eighth seed. Now, the Valkyries will try to find a way to solve the Lynx with the stakes at their highest. This matchup features two of the top three defenses in the WNBA, but Minnesota also touts the league’s top offense, while Golden State ranks 10th.
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<h2>(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203745" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2229161472.jpg" alt="A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots a layup against Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm " width="960" height="751" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2229161472.jpg 4508w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2229161472-300x235.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2229161472-768x601.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Las Vegas (30-14): No team in WNBA history has come into a postseason run on a hotter streak than the Aces, who won their final 16 regular season games (by an average of 12.4 points) to earn the No. 2 seed. Sitting at .500 (11-11) at the season’s midpoint, Las Vegas went 19-3 behind the extraordinary play of A’ja Wilson, the two-way brilliance of Jackie Young, the addition of NaLyssa Smith and Jewell Loyd thriving in a reserve role. And don’t forget about the Point Gawd – former Finals MVP Chelsea Gray – running the show.
Seattle (23-21): With Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and trade deadline addition Brittney Sykes, the Storm feature a league-high four 2025 All-Stars, but needed a win in their final regular season game to secure a playoff berth after going just 9-12 following the All-Star break – the lowest win percentage of any playoff team. The Storm boast a top-four defense and led the WNBA in steals and points off turnovers. That defense will be tested as Vegas, which has averaged 88.6 points per game during their win streak.
Season Series: Tied 2-2
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">May 25: Storm 102, Aces 82</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 1: Aces 75, Storm 70</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 20: Storm 90, Aces 83</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Aug. 8: Aces 94, Storm 90</li>
</ul>
The Matchup: These teams meet in the first round for the second straight postseason after Las Vegas eliminated Seattle 2-0 a year ago. That Storm team featured Loyd, who requested and was granted a trade in the offseason after spending her first decade (and winning two titles) in Seattle. The teams split their season series 2-2 with three of the four games decided by seven points or less. While both teams finished with a league-high 14 wins in games featuring clutch time – score within five points in final five minutes – the Aces went 14-5 in such games compared to the Storm’s 14-15 mark.
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<h2>(3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203746" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2224200674.jpg" alt="Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream passes the ball during the game against the Indiana Fever" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2224200674.jpg 3500w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2224200674-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2224200674-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2224200674-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Atlanta (30-14): The Dream doubled their win total from last year, shattered the team record for wins in a season (30) and finished with their highest win percentage (.682) in franchise history. Powered by the All-Star trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones, the Dream are the hottest team outside of Vegas entering the postseason – winning 15 of their last 18 games, including their final six games. Under first-year coach Karl Smesko, the Dream finished second in both offensive and defensive efficiency – after finishing 12th and 6th, respectively, last season.
Indiana (24-20): The Fever earning the No. 6 seed is a testament to the team’s ability to overcome adversity all season long. Indiana saw Caitlin Clark limited to just 13 games (she last played on July 15), the midseason departure of DeWanna Bonner and five players with season-ending injuries that forced the Fever to sign and incorporate multiple players at the end of the season. Helping keep Indy afloat were All-Stars Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, who will each have to continue to play a major role if the Fever hope to advance.
Season Series: Tied 2-2
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">May 20: Dream 91, Fever 90</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">May 22: Fever 81, Dream 76</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 10: Dream 77, Fever 58</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">July 11: Fever 99, Dream 82</li>
</ul>
The Matchup: One of these two teams will win their first playoff series in a decade – the Dream last won a series in 2016, while the Fever’s last series win came during their 2015 run to the Finals. Atlanta and Indy split their season series, but Sunday’s Game 1 will be their first meeting in over two months – that July 11 game featured four of the five players Indy lost to season-ending injuries. This matchup features the second- and third-ranked offenses in the WNBA in Atlanta (108.2) holding a slight edge on Indy (106.2), which means this series may come down to which defense steps up the most.
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<h2>(4) Phoenix Mercury vs.  (5) New York Liberty</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203747" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2232368341-1.jpg" alt="Satou Sabally #0 of the Phoenix Mercury looks to pass the ball as Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty plays defense during the game" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2232368341-1.jpg 3803w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2232368341-1-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Phoenix (27-17): After being swept by the Lynx in last year’s first round, the Mercury underwent a roster overhaul – returning only two players in Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack, while adding MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, former No. 2 pick Satou Sabally and nine more new players. In early July, they added former Mercury champion DeWanna Bonner following her exit from Indiana. With Thomas orchestrating the offense (racking up a league-high eight triple-doubles) and a top-five defense, the Mercury enjoyed their best season (.614 win percentage) since their last title run in 2014.
New York (27-17): The Liberty opened their first title defense by going 9-0 out of the gate, looking like a well-oiled machine. But injuries struck – first to Jonquel Jones and followed by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud – which disrupted the team’s flow and saw New York drop to fifth in the standings. One silver lining has been the addition of Emma Meesseman, who was signed to help fill the void left by Stewart, giving New York three former Finals MVPs (Stewart in 2018 and 2020, Meesseman in 2019, Jones in 2024). With everyone healthy to open the playoffs, can the Liberty make another title run?
Season Series: Mercury 3-1
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 19: Mercury 89, Liberty 81 </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 27: Mercury 106, Liberty 91</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">July 25: Liberty 89, Mercury 76</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Aug. 30: Mercury 80, Liberty 63</li>
</ul>
The Matchup: The Mercury and Liberty finished with matching 27-17 records, with Phoenix earning home-court advantage by winning the season series 3-1. Between the matching records and the tale of the tape – NY fifth in offense and sixth in defense, Phoenix seventh in offense and fifth in defense, both teams top four in pace – this is shaping up to be a tight series. One key person in this matchup won’t be in uniform. It’s Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who returns to Phoenix, where she led the Mercury to eight straight playoff appearances, including the 2014 title run and 2021 Finals run – the latter includes Phoenix’s last playoff victory.
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<h2>Playoff Power Rankings</h2>
Each week throughout the regular season, I power ranked all 13 teams to go beyond the simple win-loss record and give a more complete look at each team’s overall strength and performance at that time in the season.
I’ll do the same throughout the playoffs at the beginning of each round. With the opening round tipping off today, the red-hot Aces take over the top spot after closing the regular season on a 16-game win streak. Las Vegas has not lost a game since Aug. 2.
The other team to get a bump up from their playoff seed is the Liberty, who will begin their title defense with something they haven’t had for months – a healthy roster. After opening the season 9-0, New York was hit by the injury bug as Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud all missed significant time.
The Liberty enter their title defense with the most playoff experience of any team in the field. How much will that experience come into play this postseason?
<ol>
<li> Las Vegas Aces</li>
<li> Minnesota Lynx</li>
<li> Atlanta Dream</li>
<li> New York Liberty</li>
<li> Phoenix Mercury</li>
<li> Indiana Fever</li>
<li> Seattle Storm</li>
<li> Golden State Valkyries</li>
</ol>

series-preview-2025-playoffs-first-round

First Round Series Preview: 2025 WNBA Playoffs

Several players are entering the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google bringing a wealth of postseason history to their teams, and their leadership could be the difference-maker in tight matchups. Here&#8217;s a look at the most postseason-tested active players and teams in this year&#8217;s run in the Playoffs.
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<h3 id="topindividualplayoffappearances">Top Individual Playoff Appearances</h3>
Leading the pack is DeWanna Bonner of the Phoenix Mercury, who has made 15 playoff appearances. Following her is Natasha Howard of the Indiana Fever with 11 appearances.
A three-way tie for third place with 10 playoff appearances includes:
<ul>
<li>Brittney Griner (Atlanta Dream)</li>
<li>Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm)</li>
<li>Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces)</li>
</ul>
Other notable names include:
<ul>
<li>Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix) and Jewell Loyd (Las Vegas) with 9 appearances</li>
<li>A large group tied with 8 appearances, including stars like Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, Jonquel Jones, and Emma Meesseman.</li>
</ul>
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<h3 id="championshippedigree">Championship Count</h3>
Among this year’s postseason participants, three players stand out with three WNBA championships each:
<ul>
<li>Natasha Howard (Indiana)</li>
<li>Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas)</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart (New York)</li>
</ul>
Several others have won two titles, including:
<ul>
<li>DeWanna Bonner, Sami Whitcomb, Kiah Stokes, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, Jordin Canada, and Sydney Colson.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 id="teamplayoffexperiencebygamesplayed">Team Playoff Experience by Games Played</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203734" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/playoff-exp-2025_4x5.png" alt="" width="700" height="905" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/playoff-exp-2025_4x5.png 1170w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/playoff-exp-2025_4x5-792x1024.png 792w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/playoff-exp-2025_4x5-768x993.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
When it comes to collective playoff experience, the New York Liberty lead all teams with 252 games played by players on their active roster. Close behind are the Las Vegas Aces with 249 games, followed by the Minnesota Lynx (211) and Indiana Fever (197).
Here’s the full breakdown:
<ol>
<li>New York Liberty – 252 GP</li>
<li>Las Vegas Aces – 249 GP</li>
<li>Minnesota Lynx – 211 GP</li>
<li>Indiana Fever – 197 GP</li>
<li>Phoenix Mercury – 195 GP</li>
<li>Atlanta Dream – 149 GP</li>
<li>Golden State Valkyries – 129 GP</li>
<li>Seattle Storm – 107 GP</li>
</ol>

WNBA_Playoffs_2025_Google_white

2025-postseason-appearances-by-players

2025 WNBA Playoffs: Most Postseason Appearances by Individual Active Players

We have finally arrived at the finish line of the 2025 WNBA regular season. The postseason bracket is finally set, with some wildly entertaining first round matchups such as the Seattle Storm against the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty against the Phoenix Mercury. 
Ahead of the first day of the First Round contests on Sunday, September 14, we can dive into the X-factors on each playoff team, and how key those players’ contributions will be for their teams looking to make deep runs. 
&nbsp;
<h3>Minnesota Lynx: Natisha Hiedeman (18.9 MPG)</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203703" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2233255277.jpg" alt="Natisha Hiedeman #2 of the Minnesota Lynx dribbles the ball against the Seattle Storm" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2233255277.jpg 4917w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2233255277-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Regular season stats: 9.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.8 APG
The Lynx have plenty to write home about in their starting lineup, beginning with All-Star forward Napheesa Collier. They’re a powerhouse on both ends of the court, and they have been the runaway top seed in the league for quite a while. 
Of course, a team with championship aspirations is only as good as its bench. That’s where Hiedeman makes her case as one of Minnesota’s most valuable players. The seven year veteran has completely come into her own this season, averaging a career-best 49 percent on her field goal attempts on a steady diet of 6.8 shots per game. 
She’s a steady force in the midrange, equipped with speed which can muck up a lot of defensive assignments. It’s what makes her so valuable to the Lynx as they seek out offense whenever Collier, Kayla McBride, or fellow StudBud Courtney Williams don’t have the ball in their hands. 
She’s a huge X-factor for the Lynx. Her doggedness on defense is often underrated, and her ability to sneak around screens will be huge for her ability to battle with physical guards such as Skylar Diggins/Veronica Burton. 
<hr />
<h3>Las Vegas Aces: NaLyssa Smith (22.7 MPG w/ LVA)</h3>
Regular season stats w/ LVA: 8.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG
When the Aces traded for Smith from the Dallas Wings this season, it wasn’t necessarily seen as a “blockbuster” deal for a team witnessing some major regression. Smith, a fourth year forward who has already bounced around the league a fair deal, landed with Las Vegas amidst some major changes to their roster and starting lineup. 
She had struggled to find a comfortable role with both the Indiana Fever and the Wings prior to ending up with the Aces, so the chances of her doing so while working behind A’ja Wilson felt slim. 
What we’ve seen from Smith’s 27 games with Las Vegas have been anything but questionable. Smith is such a huge X-factor for the Aces not because of her ability to become a sponge around Wilson, which has seemingly contributed to her newfound confidence with scoring in the post and acting as a rim protector when Wilson is on the bench, but because of her durability. She hasn’t missed a single game in two seasons, and her health is nothing to sneer at as a measurement of her value to this Aces team. 
Her ability to stay on the court is exactly why Las Vegas has benefited so strongly from acquiring her. The team went from zero answers at backup to Wilson to one, very reliable, one. 
<hr />
<h3>Atlanta Dream: Naz Hillmon (25.5 MPG)</h3>
Regular season stats: 8.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.4 APG
The Dream, heralding a new head coach in Karl Smesko and a promising core in the duo of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, have completely dominated the 2025 regular season. They were consistently atop the standings thanks to some otherworldly shooting improvement from Gray and a solid bench helmed by future Hall of Famer Brittney Griner, and thanks to the impact of Naz Hillmon throughout the year. 
Hillmon, another Dream player who decided to improve drastically upon her three point shot, has developed into one of the most important players for Atlanta as they look ahead to the postseason. In her first two years in the WNBA, she shot zero percent from three point range &#8211; she wasn’t even looking in the basket’s direction if she was 22 feet out. This year, she’s attempting 3.8 per game and hitting them at a clip of 32.1 percent. 
If she can maintain her confidence from deep while coming off the bench, she can help keep Atlanta’s dream alive of making a deep postseason run. Gray and Howard are sure to be the focal points of any teams’ defense in the playoffs &#8211; Hillmon can make them pay. 
<hr />
<h3>Phoenix Mercury: Kahleah Copper (27.2 MPG)</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203705" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2222807547.jpg" alt="Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Las Vegas Aces" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2222807547.jpg 2988w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2222807547-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Regular season stats: 15.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG
Copper is not a “fringe” star or performer for the Mercury by any means. On the contrary, she’s one of the most important pieces to their offense that’s led by perpetual engine Alyssa Thomas. Her three level scoring capabilities in addition to her length on defense that can quickly disrupt screens or backcuts are what make Copper an All-Star in any other year. Injuries are the only thing that kept her back from achieving that accolade in 2025. 
Nonetheless, she’s an X-factor in the postseason because of the Mercury’s first round matchup against the New York Liberty. 
The Liberty have struggled to find a perfect defensive scheme to stop Copper from getting hot, and the closest defender they have to pair against her is Leonie Fiebich. Copper’s ability to take advantage of this matchup &#8211; which she’s done consistently in the regular season &#8211; is what makes her an X-factor for Phoenix ahead of the playoffs. She’s averaging 22 points per game on 41 percent shooting from deep against New York in 2025, creating a formidable task for Fiebich and the Liberty. 
Health makes her another X-factor, as she only played in 28 games out of a possible 44 this year. But, she seems completely healthy to close out the year, averaging 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and just over one assist and steal over her last ten games for Phoenix. 
<hr />
<h3>New York Liberty: Leonie Fiebich (28.4 MPG)</h3>
Regular season stats: 8.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.7 APG 
 
Fiebich, conversely, will be the Liberty’s X-factor this postseason. She’s the teams’ best 3 and D wing, able to get hot from three point range and savvy enough to navigate through the chaos and get decent open looks from beyond the arc consistently. On defense, she is often paired up against opposing teams’ wings, like Copper, and asked to stop the bleeding from beyond the arc. 
One stat that stands out for Fiebich ahead of this postseason is her true shooting percentage, a stat that measures field goals made from both two and three point range, and one that measures free throw efficiency. Fiebich has the best true shooting percentage of anyone in the WNBA in 2025 amongst players who have featured in 30 or more contests. 
She’s a threat, full stop. However, Fiebich’s usage percentage of just 12.8 percent this season doesn’t feel like a recipe for success for New York, especially if they’re trying to find shooting outside of Sabrina Ionescu, Emma Meesseman, and Jonquel Jones from beyond the arc. 
<hr />
<h3>Indiana Fever: Natasha Howard (24.1 MPG)</h3>
Regular season stats: 11.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
Howard has been one of the Fever players that kept the ship afloat this season. Playing in all 44 contests, Howard has been a vital veteran presence in a sea of changing faces in the starting lineup for Indiana due to numerous injuries. She’s managed to provide reliable scoring in the post, hitting 55 percent of her field goals this year. That’s good for second best in her career, just behind her 2016 year with the Lynx.  
Another stat that speaks to her impact on the Fever’s injury-riddled squad is how many steals she alone has contributed to Indiana &#8211; 28 percent of them through 44 games, good for best on the team. Her defensive impact when slotted in alongside Aliyah Boston can’t be ignored in the postseason. 
Howard has struggled to be a proper rim protector for Indiana this season, with Boston often taking over in that regard. But, she’s still got the length to properly end an opponent’s drive into the paint. A wall is easily constructed by herself and Boston in the post, and that’s not a tool many teams can utilize in the postseason. 
<hr />
<h3>Golden State Valkyries: Cecilia Zandalasini (23.7 MPG)</h3>
Regular season stats: 10.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.7 APG
Zandalasini recently returned to the Valkyries from a calf injury, a welcome sight considering she had been one of the teams’ best bench scorers prior to going down with that. A former Minnesota Lynx X-factor, Zandalasini is suddenly going to be thrust into postseason action for the WNBA’s latest expansion team. 
As mentioned, her shooting this season has been unreal &#8211; she’s averaging 44 percent from three point range on 4.7 attempts per game. She can start or come off the bench for Golden State, providing a pop whenever she’s utilized. Her length is key to her ability to match up well with other wings this postseason, and her defense has been solid around the perimeter. 
As Golden State navigates a postseason without Kayla Thornton back from injury, Zandalasini comes back at the perfect time to provide versatility on defense and to contribute to the third-highest scoring bench in the WNBA at 24.4 points per game. 
<hr />
<h3>Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga (14.3 PPG)</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-203722" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234035186.jpg" alt="Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm looks on against the New York Liberty" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234035186.jpg 3891w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234035186-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234035186-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/09/GettyImages-2234035186-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Regular season stats: 7.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG
After a slow start from the French rookie, Malonga has quickly become an important piece to Seattle’s bench unit led by Erica Wheeler. Now averaging just over 14 minutes per game, Malonga has begun to look like every bit of the scoring threat she’s been while playing overseas. Her 22 point explosions against the Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces were proof that she had finally arrived with Seattle, and had clearly endeared herself to head coach Noelle Quinn. 
Malonga is an X-factor for Seattle as they prepare to face off with the Las Vegas Aces. Seattle’s bench is averaging 18.4 points per game, good for only 11th in the league. More utilization for the rookie center could go a long way for helping produce a more efficient offense when starters are resting. If the Aces are also relying on Smith’s backup minutes when Wilson is off the floor, the best matchup defensively for her would be Malonga. 
A key stat reflecting just how impactful she is when on the court is her PIE, or Player Impact Estimate. She’s got the second-highest PIE on the Storm (13.8), just behind Nneka Ogwumike (15.9). Malonga can throw a wrench into some game plans if Quinn decides to up her minutes at any point in the first round, or beyond.

2025-playoffs-x-factors-first-round

2025 WNBA Playoffs X-Factors: First Round

Betting + Odds

From May to September, the 2025 WNBA season brought elite talent, nonstop entertainment, and storylines fans couldn’t ignore. The Las Vegas Aces ripped off a 16-game winning streak that not only locked up the No. 2 seed, but reshaped the futures market, while a crowded standings race kept playoff odds shifting week to week.
With the bracket finalized and postseason games tipping off Sunday, September 14, we’ll break down the playoff picture, <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA odds</a>, and futures available on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Stay locked into the playoffs with game previews, best bets, and predictions all postseason long on <a href="https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/">DraftKingsNetwork.com!</a>
<hr />
<h2>WNBA Playoff Picture</h2>
The No. 1 seed in the 2025 playoffs belongs to the Minnesota Lynx, and it’s no surprise. After finishing 34-10 and locking up the top spot on August 30, they roll into the postseason with elite defense, depth, and 5x All-Star Napheesa Collier leading the charge. Minnesota has held firm as the DraftKings Sportsbook favorite since overtaking the defending champion Liberty in mid-August, and they haven’t looked back. Still, plenty of movement has shaken up the WNBA Finals odds. More on that below.
The No. 2 seed belongs to (and I say this with full enthusiasm) the Las Vegas Aces. Closing the regular season on a 16-game tear, the two-time champs have surged into second place behind the unstoppable play of reigning MVP and current -550 favorite A’ja Wilson. At 29, Wilson is leading the league in points (23.4), rebounds (10.2), and blocks (2.3) per game, and over her last 10 she’s been even more dominant, averaging 26.9 points, 10.7 boards, and 2.9 blocks. That’s elite status, plain and simple.
The No. 3 seed goes to the Atlanta Dream, who wrapped the regular season at 30-14. Built on tough, defense-first basketball, they thrive on turning stops into transition buckets and have the weapons to pressure any top seed. Rhyne Howard paces the scoring while Allisha Gray adds two-way versatility, and with Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones holding it down inside, this squad’s athleticism and depth give them real sleeper value in the 2025 playoff field.
The rest of the seeding is as follows:
No. 4: Phoenix Mercury — 27-17
No. 5: New York Liberty — 27-17
No. 6: Indiana Fever — 24-20
No. 7: Seattle Storm — 23-21
No. 8: Golden State Valkyries — 23-21
<hr />
<h2>Playoff Schedule — Round 1: Sunday, September 14th</h2>
Golden State Valkyries at Minnesota Lynx, 1:00 PM ET — Line: MIN -12.5
Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream, 3:00 PM ET — Line: ATL -7.5
New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury, 5:00 PM ET — Line: NY -1.5
Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces, 10:00 PM ET — Line: LV -6
<hr />
<h3>Championship Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook</h3>
Let it be noted — the odds to win the WNBA Championship on DraftKings Sportsbook kept shifting right up until Thursday night. The reason? The Las Vegas Aces.
The Favorite: Minnesota Lynx (+110) — The Lynx have held the top spot for weeks, backed by the league’s best offensive and defensive ratings. They lead the WNBA in scoring and assists while shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc. Napheesa Collier is a force on both ends, and with Courtney Williams orchestrating as a playmaker and Kayla McBride stretching defenses as a lethal shooter, Minnesota has the depth and star power to fuel a championship run.
Next in Line: Las Vegas Aces (+300) — A 16-game winning streak isn’t just about padding the win column — it’s about building toughness, confidence, and belief. A’ja Wilson has surged into serious MVP-favorite territory while proving she can take over against anyone, even the top-seeded Lynx. Add in steady production from Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd, and this veteran-loaded roster looks every bit like a team built to make another Finals run.
In the Mix: New York Liberty (+340) — The reigning champs may have finished as the 5-seed at 27-17, but playoff experience matters. With Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu still leading the charge, plus Natasha Cloud adding grit and defensive versatility, New York’s core knows how to win on the biggest stage. Even through injuries and a late-season slump, their depth has kept them afloat, and you can’t discount a team that already knows what it takes to raise the trophy.
Longer Odds: Atlanta Dream (+1100) — The Dream closed the season strong to secure their playoff spot and enter the postseason with momentum on their side. First-year head coach Karl Smesko has them playing faster with better spacing, creating a perimeter-heavy attack that keeps defenses guessing. With Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard lighting it up on the wing and Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones anchoring the paint, Atlanta has the balance to surprise and make a deep run.
&nbsp;
Stay locked into the playoffs with game previews, best bets, and predictions all postseason long on <a href="https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/">DraftKingsNetwork.com!</a>
All odds and lines provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
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2025-playoffs-championship-odds

2025 WNBA Playoffs Picture: Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook

Below are answers to some of the main questions regarding the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google and the 2025 WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.&nbsp;

When will the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google begin?

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google begin Sunday, September 14 at 1 pm ET. The full game schedule can be found HERE.&nbsp;

Which teams qualify for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google?

The top eight teams in the league, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs. Teams are seeded by their regular season records.&nbsp;

Which teams have qualified for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google?

What are the game formats for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google and the 2025 WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, and how have they changed?

The WNBA postseason consists of three rounds: a best-of-three (1-1-1) First round, followed by best-of-five (2-2-1) Semi-Finals and best-of-seven (2-2-1-1-1) Finals.&nbsp;

New this year, the WNBA Board of Governors approved a 1-1-1 setup for the best-of-three First Round of the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google, with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3 and its opponent hosting Game 2 – a change from the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 2 and its opponent hosting Game 3. &nbsp;

The Board also approved a new, best-of-seven format for the WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, replacing the best-of-five format.&nbsp;

What is the game schedule&nbsp;for the 2025 WNBA postseason?

Find below the days, dates, times, and TV networks for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google and the 2025 WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV:&nbsp;

2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google – First Round: 

2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google – Semi-Finals: 

2025 WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV: 

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