The 2025 WNBA regular season ends on Sept. 11. That’s exactly one month from today, which means the final sprint to the finish line begins now.
Here’s where the postseason races stand with a month to play:
In The Driver’s Seat: With a 6.5-game lead on the rest of the field, the Lynx’s path to the No. 1 overall seed is clear. With 12 games to play and an 11.5-game advantage on the 9-seed, the Lynx will likely have a chance to clinch a playoff berth this week.
Race For Home Court: Five teams – the Liberty, Dream, Mercury, Fever and Aces – enter the week at least four games over .500 and are separated by just 2.5 games in a race for the 2-4 seeds that earn home-court in the first round of the playoffs.
Race For The Playoffs: Four teams – the Valkyries, Storm, Sparks and Mystics – all hovering around .500 and separated by just 1.5 games are battling to secure a top eight finish.
Running Out Of Time: Three teams – the Sky, Wings and Sun – are each at least 7.5 games back of the current 8-seed. While no teams have been eliminated from playoff contention yet, these are the first three teams in danger.
1. Minnesota Lynx (27-5)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201634" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-41-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Last Week: 1 ↔️
This Week: Sat. vs. NYL
Despite the loss of league-leading scorer (and May, June and July Western Conference Player of the Month) Napheesa Collier to an ankle sprain on Aug. 2, the Lynx have kept rolling. Minnesota went 3-0 on the week to push their win streak to five straight, capped off by their second Finals rematch win over New York on Sunday behind Kayla McBride’s 18 points and four triples.
2. Atlanta Dream (20-11)
Last Week: 2 ↔️
This Week: Wed. at SEA, Fri. vs. SEA, Sun. at GSV
The Dream match the Lynx for the longest active win streak in the league at five in a row as they continue to climb the standings, pulling into a tie with the Liberty for the second-best record in the W. Atlanta also joins Minnesota as the only two teams with double-digit road wins, winning five straight outside of the A. The Dream will try to push both of their streaks (overall and road) to six when they visit the Storm on Wednesday, but may be without Jordin Canada, who left Sunday’s win with a right leg injury.
3. New York Liberty (20-11)
Last Week: 3 ↔️
This Week: Tue. at LAS, Wed. at LVA, Sat. at MIN
The Liberty have held the No. 2 spot in the standings every day since July 16, but their grip on that spot is in danger of slipping. New York is fending off Atlanta – both are 20-11 to open the week – via the head-to-head tiebreaker, while Phoenix is only a game back. After sweeping a home-and-home with the Wings, the Liberty fell to the Lynx at home in the second of four Finals rematches in a three-week span. Their next chance is Saturday in Minnesota, but the Liberty will still be without Breanna Stewart, who is targeting a return from a knee injury by the end of August.
4. Phoenix Mercury (19-12)
Last Week: 5 ⬆️
This Week: Fri. vs. LVA, Sun. at SEA
Sunday’s loss to Atlanta snapped a three-game win streak for Phoenix. In the game, the Mercury shot just 6-of-23 from 3-point range (they are 8-10 when hitting fewer than 10 3s, and 11-2 when making 10 or more) and scored just 66 points (they are 4-9 when scoring under 80, 13-5 when they score 80+). Already a top-tier defense (Phoenix’s 98.8 defensive rating ranks second in the W), finding consistency on offense will be key for the Mercury down the stretch.
5. Las Vegas Aces (18-14)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201633" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-40-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Last Week: 7 ⬆️
This Week: Wed. vs. NYL, Fri. at PHX, Sun. vs. DAL
A’ja Wilson made history on Sunday – posting the first 30/20 game in WNBA history as she finished with 32 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in Vegas’ win over Connecticut. It marked the Aces’ fourth straight win for their longest win streak of the 2025 season. Las Vegas’ hot streak will be challenged quickly as four of the Aces’ next five games come against opponents at least seven games over .500 entering this week – the Liberty, Mercury, Dream and Mercury (again).
6. Indiana Fever (18-14)
Last Week: 4 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. vs. DAL, Fri. vs. WAS, Sun. at CON
After putting together a season-long five-game win streak, the Fever dropped two straight before righting the ship on Sunday with a win over the Sky in the opening game of WNBA Rivals Week. Unfortunately, Indiana’s run of losing guards to injury continues as both Sydney Colson (ACL) and Aari McDonald (broken foot) have been ruled out for the season – along with the ongoing absence of Caitlin Clark. Indy signed veteran guard Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract to help fill the void.
7. Los Angeles Sparks (15-16)
Last Week: 9 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. vs. NYL, Fri. at DAL, Sun. at WAS
The busiest team in the league last week, the Sparks went 3-1 to improve to 9-2 over their last 11 games following their 6-14 start to the season through 20 games. During this 11-game stretch, the Sparks have been led by former Vegas teammates Kelsey Plum (19.5 ppg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 3pm) and Dearica Hamby (19.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 62.6% FG). Meanwhile, Cameron Brink has made an impact in her first six games back from last year&#8217;s torn ACL, averaging 7.0 points, 2.2 blocks and 46.7% 3P% in limited minutes (14.2 mpg).
8. Golden State Valkyries (15-15)
Last Week: 8 ↔️
This Week: Mon. vs. CON, Wed. at WAS, Fri. at CHI, Sun. vs. ATL
Saturday’s win over the Sparks helped the Valkyries avoid a three-game skid and get back to .500 ball in their inaugural season. Golden State is set to be the busiest team this week with four games on the schedule – including the first three against opponents under .500 as the Valkyries attempt to gain some separation in the jam-packed middle of the playoff race.
9. Seattle Storm (16-16)
Last Week: 6 ⬇️
This Week: Wed. vs. ATL, Fri. at ATL, Sun. vs. PHX
So far, August has not been kind to the Storm, who have dropped their first five games of the month – all by four points or less. No team has played in more clutch games – score within five points in the final five minutes – than the Storm with 22, but Seattle is just 10-12 in those games. While the wins have not gone in Seattle’s favor, this month has been a breakout for rookie Dominique Malonga. The 6-6 center from France is averaging 14.4 ppg on 64.6% shooting with 7.8 rpg in just 22.3 minutes in August, while becoming the youngest player in WNBA history (19 years old) to post back-to-back 20+ point games.
10. Washington Mystics (14-17)
Last Week: 10 ↔️
This Week: Wed. vs. GSV, Fri. at IND, Sun vs. LAS
Rookie All-Stars Kiki Iriafen (career-high 23 points, 10 reb) and Sonia Citron (18 pts, 6 ast) shined on Sunday as the Mystics defeated the Wings to snap a four-game losing streak. It was Washington’s first win since trading All-Star Brittney Sykes to the Storm in exchange for three-time WNBA champ Alysha Clark, young guard Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round draft pick.
11. Chicago Sky (8-23)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201635" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/08/Thumbnail-42-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Last Week: 12 ⬆️
This Week: Wed. at CON, Fri. vs. GSV
The Sky’s win over the Mystics on Tuesday was Chicago’s only win over the past 11 games. All-Star Angel Reese has only appeared in three of those 11 games due to a back injury that has kept Chicago’s leading scorer (14.2 ppg) and the league’s leading rebounder (12.6 rpg) out of the Sky lineup.
12. Dallas Wings (8-24)
Last Week: 11 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. at IND, Fri. vs. LAS, Sun. at LVA
Dallas enters the week looking to snap one streak while extending another. The Wings will look to end a five-game losing streak on Tuesday when they visit the Fever. During that game, rookie Paige Bueckers will look to score 10+ points for the 26th straight game to begin her WNBA career, which would break a tie with Ruthie Bolton for the fourth longest such streak in league history. The only players with more are Cynthia Cooper (92), A&#8217;ja Wilson (37) and Candace Parker (32) – a trio of legends that each won multiple MVPs and championships.
13. Connecticut Sun (5-25)
Last Week: 13 ↔️
This Week: Mon. at GSV, Wed. vs. CHI, Sun. vs. IND
The Sun close out a four-game road trip tonight against the Valkyries in San Francisco, looking to snap a pair of losing streaks – four straight overall and 12 straight on the road as the Sun’s only road win of the season came back on May 30. Tonight’s game will be the second in a Sun uniform for Aaliyah Edwards, who Connecticut acquired at the trade deadline. The former UConn standout was the sixth overall pick in the 2024 Draft.

2025-wnba-power-rankings-week-10

2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 10

game-recap-mercury-vs-fever-7-30-25

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

game-recap-aces-vs-fever-7-24-25

Game Recap: Aces vs. Fever (7/24/25)

<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-200759-1" width="640" height="360" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/20250716_W_IND_NYL_RECAP.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/20250716_W_IND_NYL_RECAP.mp4">https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/20250716_W_IND_NYL_RECAP.mp4</a></video></div>

game-recap-fever-vs-liberty-7-16-25

Game Recap: Fever vs. Liberty (7/16/25)

<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-199388-1" width="640" height="360" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/20250610_WIND_WATL_RECAP.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/20250610_WIND_WATL_RECAP.mp4">https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/06/20250610_WIND_WATL_RECAP.mp4</a></video></div>

game-recap-fever-vs-dream-6-10-25

Game Recap: Fever vs. Dream (6/10/25)

game-recap-sparks-vs-lynx-9-19-24

Game Recap: Sparks vs. Lynx (9/19/24)

indiana-fever-vs-los-angeles-sparks-game-highlights-4

Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks - Game Highlights

los-angeles-sparks-vs-minnesota-lynx-game-highlights-6

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx - Game Highlights

highlights-from-aari-mcdonald-6-assist-game-2

Highlights From Aari McDonald 6-Assist Game

aari-mcdonald-with-23-points-vs-las-vegas-aces

Aari McDonald with 23 Points vs. Las Vegas Aces

Latest

Aari McDonald

2022 WNBA Season (ATL):
<ul>
<li>Scored a career-high 20 points off five made three’s against Las Vegas (5/13), just the third game of the season.</li>
<li>Put up 11 points with 3 rebounds in a win over Indiana (5/15).</li>
<li>Pulled down a career-high 6 rebounds in a win over Indiana (5/17).</li>
<li>Led the team with 10 points at Washington (5/24).</li>
<li>Grabbed a career-high 8 rebounds in a 27-point win over Phoenix (5/29), adding on five assists and two steals.</li>
<li>Recorded 7 steals against Minnesota (6/1), just the third Dream player to do it, one off the franchise record, and the fourth player in WNBA history to record 10+ points and 7+ steals in a single game.</li>
<li>Moved into the starting lineup at Phoenix (6/10), scoring 13 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.</li>
<li>Started and scored 19 points with a team-leading 5 assists and 3 steals at Connecticut (6/15).</li>
</ul>
2021 WNBA Season (ATL):
<ul>
<li>Played in 30 games with four starts.</li>
<li>WNBA and AP All-Rookie Team honoree.</li>
<li>Led all first-year players in the league in 2021 with 59 assists and 25 steals, ranked second with 189 total points, 32 three-pointers made and 104 three-pointers attempted.</li>
<li>Set the Atlanta Dream record with 31 consecutive made free throws, a streak that started on May 25 (at Chicago) and ended on August 25 at Phoenix.</li>
<li>One of four Dream players in 2021 with 4+ steals in multiple games (Bradford, Hayes, Sims), recording four at Phoenix on 8/15 and again against Indiana on 9/14.</li>
<li>Back-to-back 15-point games at Minnesota on 6/4 and 6/6; she took a season-high 12 shots in the first game and made a season-high 4 three-pointers; went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the second game.</li>
<li>Recorded a season-high 4 steals and tied her season records with 4 rebounds and 5 assists against Phoenix (8/15), her first return to Arizona since leading the U of A Wildcats to the NCAA Finals in 2021.</li>
<li>Made her way into the starting lineup at Washington (9/10), where she played a season-most 33 minutes and set her season-high record with 5 rebounds.</li>
</ul>
Overseas: 
<ul>
<li>2021: UNI Győr, Hungary</li>
</ul>
College: 2021 Pac-12 Player of the Year and 2021 and 2020 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year &#8230; Two-time All-American &#8230; 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Winner &#8230; Arizona single-season scoring record holder (890), Arizona single-game scoring record holder (44 points at Texas on Nov. 17, 2019) &#8230; Led Arizona to its first NCAA Finals appearance in 2021 &#8230; Averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 assists over her three years with the Wildcats &#8230; During Arizona’s incredible run to the NCAA Championship game in 2021, McDonald averaged 24.8 points over six games, including 33 against Indiana in the Elite Eight. She is the first Wildcat to ever be drafted in the first round of a WNBA Draft. 
Before Arizona, McDonald transferred from the University of Washington, where she was named to the 2017 Pac-12 All-Freshman team and was their third-leading scorer behind WBCA All-Americans Kelsey Plum and Chantel Osahor. Additionally, McDonald was named a finalist for the U19 U.S. World Cup Team and was named Pac-12 Freshman of the week twice last season. Regarded as one of the top freshman point guards in the country, she played in 28 games last season while starting in 21 of them. She averaged just under 10 points per game while shooting 47% from the field in 24.1 minutes per game while scoring in double-figures 12 times last season with a season-high 23 against CSUN. In the NCAA Tournament, McDonald averaged 13.7 points per game.
High School: McDonald was the No. 51 player in the country and the seventh-ranked point guard by prospectsnation.com while averaging 26.3 points and 9.3 rebounds as a junior at Brookside Christian High School. The Fresno, Calif. native was named to the MaxPreps All-State Third Team in California, was a first-team selection for Division IV and was the Stockton Record All-Area Player of the Year. During her junior year, she had six triple-doubles, a quadruple-double and scored 46 points in one game.
Personal:
<ul>
<li>Daughter of Andrea and Aaron McDonald</li>
<li>Has three older brothers, Tre, Anthony and AJ, and two older sisters, Shinaed and Shayna</li>
<li>Uncle Benny Johnson served in the U.S. military</li>
<li>Brother Tre played basketball at UNLV, sister-in-law Erica Helms played basketball at UNLV, and cousin Verenique Warren played basketball at Jackson State University.</li>
</ul>