2025 Year in Review: WNBA

[Editor’s note: This article is from Athlon Sports’ 2025 “Year in Review” magazine, which celebrates the year’s champions and relives the biggest moments from across the world of sports. Order your copy online today, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]

There’s a new dynasty in the WNBA.

Led by superstar A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces cemented themselves in 2025 as one of the most dominant franchises in WNBA history, winning their third title in four years.

The Aces overcame a poor start to not only end the regular season on a 16-game win streak but also return to the Finals and reaffirm their reign.

After back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Las Vegas stumbled in the 2024 semifinals to eventual champion New York. But this year, with Wilson playing better than ever, the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in four games in the league’s first-ever best-of-seven championship series to hoist the trophy once more.

In the process, Wilson strengthened her case as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. She became the first player in either the WNBA or NBA to win the league scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year (Wilson shared the honor with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith) and Finals MVP — all in the same season.

“This group here, we were battle-tested — top to bottom, battle-tested,” Wilson said after the Aces’ championship win. “We showed up every single day with a mind of being great. … Greatness is just being patient, waiting on your turn, waiting on your moment.

“I think that’s what defines us, is you’ve got to be great when the lights aren’t on you. You’ve got to be great when nobody’s in the gym with you. You’ve got to be great when you may not get anything in the end.”

The Aces made two major moves following their 2024 semifinals elimination by the Liberty. First, longtime assistant Natalie Nakase departed to become head coach of the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Then came the shocker: Las Vegas traded Kelsey Plum — a key starter — in a three-team deal between Los Angeles and Seattle. The Sparks landed Plum, the Storm received the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and Vegas added All-WNBA guard Jewell Loyd.

While the Aces returned their other four starters from 2024 (Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kiah Stokes), the new lineup took time to click. From June 7 to July 10, Las Vegas went 5–9, including three straight losses in mid-June. Whether it was figuring out where Loyd fit or finding the right big to complement Wilson down low, something wasn’t working. A shake-up was needed.

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon reacts during the second half of a WNBA game against the Chicago SkyKamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The first part of a solution came on June 30 when the Aces traded a 2027 first-round pick to Dallas in exchange for forward NaLyssa Smith. Head coach Becky Hammon replaced Stokes with Smith in the starting lineup a week later as the Aces returned from the All-Star break sharper but still searching for rhythm.

In another part of the makeover, Hammon moved Loyd to the bench and inserted forward Kierstan Bell into the starting five. The Aces won two straight with Bell in the lineup before crashing hard in the first weekend of August, losing 111–58 at home to the Minnesota Lynx. It was the largest home loss in league history — a humbling reminder that the dynasty was wobbling.

Instead of tearing things apart, Hammon and her players doubled down. Wilson took ownership, Loyd embraced her new role and the Aces rediscovered their chemistry.

From that loss forward, the Aces didn’t lose again in the regular season, closing with a 16-game win streak — the second-longest in WNBA history.

They entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed behind top-seeded Minnesota. Las Vegas defeated Seattle 2-1 in the first round, powered by Wilson, who averaged 29.3 points per game across the series.

In the semifinals, the Aces faced a relentless Indiana Fever squad that kept pace despite losing most of its roster — including Caitlin Clark — to injuries. Wilson dropped 35 points in Game 5 to send Las Vegas back to the Finals after the Fever pushed the deciding game to overtime.

“I think that streak we went on prepared us for moments like this, how to fight through the highs and lows of the game,” Wilson said. “It allows us to never take our foot off the gas.”

Phoenix arrived in the Finals rested and ready, setting the tone early in Game 1 behind 19 first-half points from Kahleah Copper. But the Aces didn’t flinch. Reserve guard Dana Evans drained three fourth-quarter threes to seal an 89–86 victory.

Las Vegas then cruised through Game 2, winning 91-78 behind 32 points from Young and 14 rebounds from Wilson.

Game 3 went down to the wire after Phoenix exploded for 29 points in the fourth quarter. With 2.2 seconds left, Wilson did what Wilson does — hitting the game-winning shot over Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner to win 90–88.

“Those are playoff basketball moments,” Wilson said afterward. “Those are the moments you live for.”

Phoenix had nothing left in Game 4, especially without star Satou Sabally, who exited Game 3 with a concussion. Everything went Vegas’ way as the Aces cruised to a 97–86 victory to clinch the 2025 championship. Wilson was named Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

“This one hits different because it was different,” Hammon said after her team’s Finals sweep. “There was probably a lot more adversity than any of us anticipated, and at the end of the day, we’re all human. But we’re humans who wanted to get it right and get it right together.”

WNBA SEASON IN REVIEW

The 2025 WNBA season was one for the record books. On the court, the biggest stars lit up the hardwood with dominant, history-making performances. Off it, the league reached a level of visibility and scrutiny it had never seen before.

Between an expansion team that overdelivered, a franchise sale the league reportedly tried to stop and a superstar who was unafraid to take on the commissioner, the WNBA reached a turning point.

Players discovered they had more power than ever — and that was never more apparent than during contentious, high-profile CBA negotiations. Young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers have brought unprecedented attention to the game, yet the league has struggled to keep pace with its own momentum.

The 2025 regular season showcased the league’s remarkable growth — it was the most-watched in WNBA history, averaging 1.3 million viewers across a record 44 ESPN-televised games — but it also exposed its growing pains.

As the Las Vegas Aces wrapped up their third title in four years, the league was left with as many questions as answers. But before looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, here’s a look back at the 10 biggest storylines from the WNBA’s 29th season.

‘Worst Leadership in the World’

Three days from the start of the WNBA Finals, Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier ripped into the league’s leadership, particularly Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, in her end-of-year media exit interview.

In her four-minute prepared speech, Collier said the WNBA has “the worst leadership in the world” and said that Engelbert told her in February that stars, like Clark, “should be grateful” for the popularity the WNBA is giving them. Engelbert later denied making those remarks during her annual pre-Finals media appearance.

‘Pay Us what You Owe Us’

Ahead of the 2025 All-Star Game in Indianapolis, players surprised the league by wearing matching black warmup T-shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” across the front. This show of unity by the league’s biggest stars was in response to the WNBA’s first in-person meeting with players regarding CBA negotiations. After the All-Star Game concluded, fans chanted “Pay them! Pay them! Pay them!” when Engelbert awarded Collier the MVP trophy.

Connecticut Sun Mess

The Connecticut Sun franchise is for sale, and the WNBA made things messy by getting involved. Located in the league’s smallest market, the Sun remains the only team without a dedicated practice facility.

Over the summer, ownership groups from Boston and Hartford submitted bids of $325 million to purchase and relocate the team — a figure that would set a record for the highest sale price in professional women’s sports. However, the league blocked those offers and instead submitted its own $250 million bid, signaling its intent to move the team to a city that has already gone through the expansion process.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Injuries Plague Caitlin Clark

The 2024 Rookie of the Year and the league’s most popular player was limited to just 13 games for the Indiana Fever due to a groin injury and eventual bone bruise. She was still named an All-Star starter but had to sit out the game and the playoffs. Clark averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals during her time on the court.

Angel Reese Calls Out Sky Leadership

Reese, arguably the league’s second-most popular player behind Clark, criticized Chicago’s front office and coaching staff during a September interview with the Chicago Tribune, saying the team has “to get great players” or she “might have to move in a different direction” regarding her future with the Sky. Her comments went viral, leading the team to suspend her for half a game.

Paige Bueckers’ Debut Season

The 2025 national champion and No. 1 overall draft pick was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Dallas Wings. Bueckers, who was the only first-year player to be named an All-Star starter, set the rookie single-game scoring record by dropping 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 20.

A’ja Wilson Wins MVP … Again

The Las Vegas center earned her fourth — and second consecutive — regular-season MVP by averaging 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals. She added WNBA Finals MVP honors after the Aces’ championship series win over Phoenix, becoming the first player in either the WNBA or NBA to win regular-season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and the scoring title in the same season.

“You have your Mount Rushmore, she’s alone on Everest,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said after her team completed a sweep of Phoenix in the Finals. “There’s no one [else] around.”

Golden State Shines in Historic First Season

The Valkyries surpassed all expectations in the franchise’s debut season. Not only did they sell out the majority of their home games at Chase Center (capacity 18,064), but they became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in Year 1.

Collapse of the New York Liberty

The 2024 WNBA champs struggled to find rhythm in 2025 after being hit hard by the injury bug. Despite adding Belgian star Emma Meessemen at the trade deadline, the Liberty fell to Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs. On Sept. 23, the franchise shocked the WNBA world by announcing it had let go of head coach Sandy Brondello.

Stud Budz on Display

Minnesota stars Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman — aka the Stud Budz — gave fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at the league by streaming live on Twitch throughout the season. They showcased their authenticity and personalities — most memorably with a 72-hour livestream during All-Star Weekend.

The Lynx faithful returned the love during the team’s final home game, filling the stands with fans in pink wigs to celebrate the charismatic backcourt pair.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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