With the 2025 WNBA playoffs opening Sunday, eight teams will play their hardest for a chance at bringing home a trophy.
As we analyze the playoff field as it stands, we’re curious what the biggest storyline is for all eight playoff teams. Who has the most pressure? What sleeper teams should we keep an eye on? Who is the favorite to win it all?
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WNBA PLAYOFFS: 1 x-factor for each WNBA playoff team, including Dream’s Brittney Griner
As we look at all eight seeds from the Minnesota Lynx to the Seattle Storm, let’s discuss what storylines intrigue us the most and why they’re worth attention as the playoff slate heats up on Sunday across the WNBA.
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Can the Lynx add another banner to the rafters after banner season?
Aug 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on against the Indiana Fever in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Lynx have steamrolled through the 2025 WNBA season and survived a stretch of games without MVP candidate forward Napheesa Collier. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeves has plenty of titles to boast during her run with the Lynx, and 2025 gives her a chance for her Minnesota team to avenge a 2024 WNAB Finals loss.
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Honestly, a 2025 Lynx title almost feels rubber-stamped right now, particularly with the recent New York Liberty struggles. The problem with being a frontrunner is running out of gas too soon, so it will be incumbent for Minnesota to keep the foot on the gas once the playoffs start. The last thing the Lynx need is letting so much success go to their heads too quickly. If the team enters this playoffs hungry, it really can go as far as it wants to, even with a tough playoff road ahead.
Will A’ja Wilson cement her GOAT argument with another Aces title?
Sep 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) drives past Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Aces looked dead in the water after their blowout loss to the Lynx, but Wilson and company righted the ship and rattled an incredible win streak to reset Las Vegas as one of the most dangerous teams in the WNBA. Wilson is once again an MVP contender, and the entire operation looks so much more smooth than it ever had earlier in the 2025 season. If Vegas is able to pull off a commanding playoff run and win a third title in four seasons, it’s high time we start taking the argument that Wilson is the best-ever to play in the WNBA very seriously… if we weren’t already.
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Can the makeshift Fever actually make a run in the playoffs?
Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) returns the ball against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Fever shouldn’t be in the playoffs. The team has suffered five season-ending injuries, including a spat of ailments to superstar guard Caitlin Clark that limited her to 13 games. However, Indiana persisted with what it had and punched its ticket to the playoffs.
The team has thrived with hardship players like guard Odyssey Sims, forward Aerial Powers and guard Shey Peddy over the last month, and forward-center Brianna Turner has emerged as a key defensive cog after spending most of the season on the bench. You then factor in elite play from MVP candidate guard Kelsey Mitchell and superstar forward Aliyah Boston, stalwart play from guard Lexie Hull and forward Natasha Howard and the unreal job coach Stephanie White has done to hold this team together through all the adversity. Few people will pick the Fever to win a title, but Indiana at its very best can play playoff spoiler to most any challenger.
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Are the Liberty going to figure things out before it’s too late?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 10: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Lynx during Game One of the WNBA Finals at the Barclays Center on October 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Liberty need to shake off the injury bug to really build momentum for a title defense. Superstar center Jonquel Jones missed a good bit of time at the beginning of the season, and then superstar forward Breanna Stewart left the lineup for a while with a knee injury. Once Stewie got back, superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu started missing games.
New York looks to be healthy right before the playoffs, but this team really needs reps to gel with each other. It’ll now have to do so as the fifth seed, never an easy place to be. Can New York figure things out in time to really push for a spot in the 2025 WNBA finals? The team has talent for days, but cohesion might be harder to come by for N.Y.
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Can the Dream make their dream season a reality?
Jun 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) looks to pass in front of Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
The Dream emerged as one of the biggest surprised in the WNBA this season, with coach Karl Smesko meshing the existing talent on Atlanta’s roster with his 3-happy offensive attack. With veteran bigs Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to command the post and MVP candidate guard Allisha Gray lighting up the arc with star guards Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, Atlanta is going to be a ferocious matchup for any team in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Honestly, you could easily see the Dream snagging one of the spots in the finals. Atlanta is just that potent.
Can the Mercury cash in on its big offseason moves for a title?
Mercury forward Satou Sabally (8) celebrates a three-pointer against the Liberty during a game at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on June 27, 2025.
Phoenix made big splashes in the 2025 offseason by trading for superstar forwards Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas to pair with superstar guard Kahleah Copper. It was the kind of all-in mentality you might not expect in the first season after legendary guard Diana Taurasi’s retirement. The team has proved in 2025 that its internal confidence was justified as it prepares for a meaningful playoff run. Adding superstar forward DeWanna Bonner as a midseason free agent bolstered the team’s depth and championship experience.
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Can Phoenix make a genuine push to flip the WNBA playoff race on its head and win a title? The Mercury won’t be favorites, but don’t count them out.
Will the Valkyries cause a first-round upset? How about more?
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21: Veronica Burton #22 is congratulated by Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries after making a three-point basket late in the second half against the Washington Mystics at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Valkyries locking in a playoff spot in their first season of WNBA competition was nothing short of remarkable. Even after losing their best player in All-Star forward Kayla Thornton for the season, Golden State has kept humming like a well-oiled machine. Major credit to Natalie Nakase to maximizing her talent and crafting a Ballhalla buzzsaw. She is the unquestioned Coach of the Year outside of Smesko. However, can the Valkyries push for even more than a feel-good playoff appearance? With one of the most well-balanced rosters in the WNBA, the Valks can contend.
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What happens with the Storm without real playoff success?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 13: Head coach Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm talks with Brittney Sykes #20 against the Atlanta Dream at Climate Pledge Arena on August 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Storm snagged the eighth seed, but a first-round meeting with the Lynx will be a real challenge for Seattle. The Storm traded for star guard Brittney Sykes to pair with formidable veterans like forward Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams and guard Skylar Diggins and promising rookie Dominique Malonga. It was an aggressive move to win now, but an early playoff exit makes us wonder what the future looks like in Seattle.
Coach Noelle Quinn has real equity built with the Seattle franchise, but her role doesn’t feel safe by any means. With Malonga a real talent for Seattle to build around for tomorrow and all of its star veterans headed to free agency, the Storm could be headed for a rebuild. The question remains if Quinn will be the one to lead it, or if a clean slate is headed to Seattle.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: WNBA playoff storylines for all 8 teams contending for a 2025 title
