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Phoenix Mercury Top Plays vs. Minnesota Lynx

Semis Game Recap

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Game Recap: Mercury vs. Lynx (9/23/25)

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Betting + Odds

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are off to a hot start, with dominating wins and nail-biting finishes. The Minnesota Lynx wasted no time, sweeping the Golden State Valkyries to advance to the semifinals, while the Indiana Fever pulled off an upset to knock out the Atlanta Dream. The Las Vegas Aces edged the Seattle Storm in a thrilling Game 3 that came down to the final seconds, and the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury will close out Round 1 with a deciding Game 3 on Friday.
Let’s break down the latest <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA Finals odds,</a> preview Friday and Sunday’s matchups, and highlight my best bets 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>
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<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=team-futures&amp;subcategory=champion">2025 WNBA Finals Odds</a>
The Favorite: MIN Lynx (-130)
The favorite to win the Finals coming into the postseason hasn’t changed one bit, with the Lynx (-130) holding strong. Minnesota opened with a 101–72 blowout over Golden State before facing real resistance in Game 2, when the Valkyries built a 17-point lead in the third quarter. But the Lynx showed why they’re the top seed, powering back in the fourth with the balance, depth, and relentlessness that has defined their season to secure the sweep. Backed by the league’s best offense and defense, Minnesota looks every bit like a team built for another championship run.
The Aces (+170), meanwhile, remain right in the hunt. A’ja Wilson is playing beyond MVP level, pouring in nearly 40 points in Thursday’s elimination win. Jackie Young is averaging 21.5 points this postseason, while Jewell Lloyd continues to light it up as a scoring threat of her own.
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WNBA Best Bets and Weekend Preview
New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury — Friday, September 19th, 9:00 PM ET
The Liberty and Mercury split the first two games in very different fashion. New York escaped with a 76-69 overtime win in Game 1 behind big nights from Natasha Cloud and Breanna Stewart, though turnovers nearly cost them late. Phoenix answered in Game 2, dominating from the second quarter on and rolling to an 86-60 win as Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, and Kathryn Westbeld all hit double figures. Stewart’s lingering knee issue was evident, and New York’s offense never found a rhythm.
That sets up a decisive Game 3 on Friday in New York. I’m leaning toward the Mercury here — their balanced scoring, defensive intensity, and ability to ride momentum from their hot shooting in Game 2 give them the edge. On the other side, I’m fading Breanna Stewart; her knee looks too limiting for New York to overcome in a win-or-go-home spot. With Phoenix surging and New York searching for answers, the Mercury feel like the better play to advance.
Lean: PHO -2.5
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=player-points&amp;subcategory=points-o-u">PICK: Breanna Stewart Under 13.5 Points (-120)</a>
Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — Sunday, September 21st, 3 PM ET
The Indiana Fever showed grit in their first-round series with Atlanta, bouncing back from a rough Game 1 to dominate Game 2 behind Aliyah Boston’s inside presence and Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring. Mitchell stayed hot with 24 points in Game 3, while Boston’s go-ahead bucket sealed the upset and gave Indiana its first playoff series win in a decade. A tough Round 2 matchup now awaits.
The Aces punched their ticket to the semis with a thrilling 74–73 Game 3 win over Seattle, capped by Jackie Young’s clutch putback with 12 seconds left. A’ja Wilson has been unstoppable, averaging 29.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in Round 1, highlighted by a 38-point Game 3. Young’s consistency — double figures in 12 straight games — combined with Chelsea Gray’s playmaking and Wilson’s dominance makes Las Vegas a daunting opponent for anyone.
With the Aces proving to be dominant at home, I&#8217;m leaning towards the two-time champs to pull out a Game 1 W on Sunday.
Lean: LV ML
<a href="%20Jackie%20Young%20Over%2015.5%20Points%20(-120)">PICK: Jackie Young Over 15.5 Points (-120)</a>
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All odds and lines provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
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2025 WNBA Playoffs: Updated Finals Odds, Best Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook

First Round Game Recap

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Game Recap: Mercury vs. Liberty (9/17/25)

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Game Recap: Mercury vs. Fever (7/30/25)

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Game Recap: Dream vs. Mercury (7/23/25)

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Top Plays of the Day, 6/11/25

Latest

Kathryn Westbeld

NOTABLE: Played the 2024-25 season in Hungary for Szekszárd, averaging 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in league play &#8230; Played four seasons at Notre Dame (2014-18), where she helped lead the Fighting Irish to a 2018 NCAA Championship and averaged 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists for her career &#8230; Her sister, Maddy Westbeld, also played at Notre Dame and was drafted 16th overall by Chicago in the 2025 WNBA Draft. WNBA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS • Entering first season in the WNBA. WNBA CAREER TRANSACTIONS • Signed training camp contract with Phoenix on Feb. 10, 2025 • Signed training camp contract with Los Angeles on April 29, 2018 &#8230; Waived on May 15, 2018 2024-2025 SEASON (Szekszárd l Hungary) HUNGARY-A DIVISION (27 games) • Averaged 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks. • Led team in points and rebounds per game / third in steals per game. • Ranked second in Hungary-A Division in points per game, fifth in double-doubles (7) and eighth in rebounds per game. • Recorded nine games with 20+ points and a career-high 34 points on Dec. 14 vs. BKG Prima. EUROCUP (8 Games) • Averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks. • Led team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals per game. • Recorded 27 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals vs. Estudiantes on Nov. 27. OVERSEAS CAREER • 2024-25: Szekszárd (Hungary) • 2023-24: Maccabi Haifa (Israel) • 2022-23: Akronos Moncalieri (Italy) • 2021-22: USLG Cherbourg (France) • 2019-21: Atenienses de Manatí (Puerto Rico) • 2019: Adelaide Lightning (Australia) • 2019: IDK Gipuzkoa (Spain) OVERSEAS AWARDS/TITLES • All-Hungarian League First Team (2025) • All-Hungarian League All-Defensive Team (2025) • All-Hungarian League All-Imports Team (2025) • All-Puerto Rican BSNF Forward of the Year (2021) • 2x All-Puerto Rican BSNF First Team (2018, 2021) • 2x Puerto Rican BSNF All-Star Game (2018, 2021)
COLLEGE &#8211; NOTRE DAME (2014-18) • Appeared in 141 games (91 starts) in four season, averaging 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 55.8% FG. • NCAA Champion (2018) • 3x ACC Tournament Champion (2015, 2016, 2017) • 4x ACC Regular Season Champion (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018*) *co-champion • Advanced to two NCAA Championships (2015, 2018), one NCAA Elite Eight (2017) and one NCAA Sweet 16 (2016). • The Fighting Irish posted an 82-9 record when she started. • Her senior season, ranked first in the ACC in 2PT% (62.2) and second in FG% (59.2). • Recored a team-high 9 rebounds in the 2018 NCAA Championship game vs. Mississippi St. PERSONAL • Born in Kettering, Ohio. • Daughter of Susan and Jim Westbeld. • Is the third of five children. • Her sister, Maddy, also played at Notre Dame and was drafted 16th overall by Chicago in the 2025 WNBA Draft. • Passionate about cooking and has an Instagram account, @Kats.Kuisine. • Was a three-year letter winner in volleyball in high school.