The 2025 WNBA Playoffs kick off on Sunday, September 14, featuring an exciting all-day quadruple-header that begins at 1 p.m. ET and continues until the final game starts at 10 p.m. ET. This year, the playoffs will showcase the top eight teams based on their overall standings, moving away from a conference-based selection. This format shift marks a significant change from previous years, as the WNBA adapts to enhance the competitive landscape of women's basketball.
Prior to 2022, the WNBA postseason employed a format where the top two seeds received first-round byes, and the initial rounds consisted of single-elimination games. However, beginning in 2022, the league introduced a new playoff structure that eliminated both byes and single-elimination rounds. Now, the playoffs comprise three rounds, with each round played as a best-of series. Teams that advance from the first round compete in the semifinals, and the winners of those matchups will progress to the WNBA Finals, which for the first time in league history will be a best-of-seven series.
The 2025 WNBA playoffs will run from Sunday, September 14, through Friday, October 17. The first round begins on September 14 and concludes on September 19, with potential third games played if necessary. The semifinals will commence on September 21 and continue until September 30. The highly anticipated WNBA Finals will start on October 3 and could extend to October 17, allowing the final two teams an opportunity to battle it out in the inaugural seven-game series.
The teams competing in the 2025 WNBA playoffs include:
Minnesota Lynx (34-10)Las Vegas Aces (30-14)Atlanta Dream (30-14)Phoenix Mercury (27-17)New York Liberty (27-17)Indiana Fever (24-20)Seattle Storm (23-21)Golden State Valkyries (23-21)The seeding for the playoffs is now confirmed. The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 1 seed, while the Las Vegas Aces claimed the No. 2 seed after a decisive 103-75 victory over the Sparks. The Atlanta Dream fell to the No. 3 seed, despite having the same record as the Aces, due to the latter winning the season series 3-0. The Lynx will face the Golden State Valkyries in the first round, allowing them to avoid a matchup with the Seattle Storm, who proved to be a challenging opponent during the regular season.
Here’s how the WNBA playoff bracket looks for the first round:
No. 1 seed Lynx vs. No. 8 seed ValkyriesNo. 2 seed Aces vs. No. 7 seed StormNo. 3 seed Dream vs. No. 6 seed FeverNo. 4 seed Mercury vs. No. 5 seed LibertyHome-court advantage in the WNBA playoffs is awarded to the team with the best regular season record. In the first round, the top four seeds will host Games 1 and 3 (if necessary). As the playoffs progress to the semifinals and finals, the home games will alternate based on the teams' seeding, ensuring competitive balance throughout the series.
The full schedule for the 2025 WNBA playoffs is as follows:
First RoundSunday, Sept. 14: Game 1: Lynx vs. Valkyries at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN) Game 1: Fever vs. Dream at 3 p.m. ET (ABC) Game 1: Liberty vs. Mercury at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN) Game 1: Storm vs. Aces at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN) Tuesday, Sept. 16: Game 2: Dream vs. Fever at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Game 2: Aces vs. Storm at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Wednesday, Sept. 17: Game 2: Mercury vs. Liberty at 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN) Game 2: Valkyries vs. Lynx at 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN) Thursday, Sept. 18: Game 3^: Fever vs. Dream at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Game 3^: Storm vs. Aces at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Friday, Sept. 19: Game 3^: Lynx vs. Valkyries at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Game 3^: Mercury vs. Liberty at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) SemifinalsSunday, Sept. 21: Game 1: 3 p.m. ET (ABC) Game 1: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN) Tuesday, Sept. 23: Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Game 2: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Friday, Sept. 26: Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Game 3: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Sunday, Sept. 28: Game 4^: 3 p.m. ET (ABC) Game 4^: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Tuesday, Sept. 30: Game 5^: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPNU) Game 5^: 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPNU) WNBA FinalsFriday, Oct. 3: Game 1: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Sunday, Oct. 5: Game 2: 3 p.m. ET (ABC) Wednesday, Oct. 8: Game 3: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Friday, Oct. 10: Game 4: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Sunday, Oct. 12: Game 5^: 3 p.m. ET (ABC) Wednesday, Oct. 15: Game 6^: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Friday, Oct. 17: Game 7^: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)During the WNBA playoffs, coaches will utilize challenges similarly to how they do in the regular season. A coach may call for a timeout and signal their challenge by twirling an index finger. Each team is allowed up to two challenges per game. If a challenge is successful, the coach receives an additional timeout along with another challenge opportunity. Conversely, if the challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses a timeout and cannot challenge again for the remainder of the game.
Overtime in the WNBA playoffs consists of five extra minutes, during which each team is allotted two timeouts, in addition to a reset timeout, ensuring that teams are adequately prepared for high-pressure situations.
With the 2025 WNBA playoffs set to deliver an action-packed postseason, fans are encouraged to tune in and support their favorite teams as they vie for the championship title!
