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    What we know about the 2025 WNBA playoffs: Teams, bracket, start date and more

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    By Eric Mullin

    Copyright nbcchicago

    What we know about the 2025 WNBA playoffs: Teams, bracket, start date and more

    The chase for the WNBA title is about to begin.

    The field for the 2025 playoffs is set, with eight of the league’s 13 teams earning a chance to compete for this year’s championship. Although, there are still seeding battles taking place over the final two days of the regular season.

    The reigning champion New York Liberty have carried their title defense to the postseason, but they aren’t the No. 1 seed like last year. That top spot was earned by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier and the runner-up Minnesota Lynx, who followed up their crushing 2024 Finals defeat by posting a league-best 33-10 record.

    A couple of new-look teams — the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury — secured home-court advantage in Round 1, while three-time MVP A’ja Wilson powered the Las Vegas Aces to a top-three seed thanks to an ongoing 15-game winning streak.

    Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries secured a historic playoff berth as the first expansion team to ever reach the postseason in its debut season.

    Rounding out the playoff field are the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm. The Fever captured this year’s Commissioner’s Cup without Caitlin Clark, and they’ll be without their superstar guard in the postseason as well. Clark’s injury-ridden sophomore season ended after just 13 games due to a groin injury.

    So, what are the first-round matchups? And when do the playoffs begin? Here’s everything you need to know about the WNBA postseason:

    How many teams make the WNBA playoffs?

    The league’s top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs.

    What teams are going to the WNBA playoffs?

    Here’s a full look at the eight squads in contention for this year’s title (teams in bold are locked into seed):

    Minnesota Lynx, 33-10

    Las Vegas Aces, 29-14

    Atlanta Dream, 29-14

    Phoenix Mercury, 27-16

    New York Liberty, 26-17

    Indiana Fever, 24-20

    Golden State Valkyries, 23-20

    Seattle Storm, 23-21

    When do the WNBA playoffs start?

    The WNBA playoffs tip off Sunday, Sept. 14 — three days after the 44-game regular season ends.

    How do the WNBA playoffs work?

    The WNBA playoffs begin with a first round featuring best-of-three series where the matchups are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. In the first round, the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1 and, if necessary, 3.

    The postseason moves to best-of-five series in the semifinals, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5. And, for the first time in the league history, the WNBA Finals will have a best-of-seven format. The higher seed will host Games 1 and 2, along with Games 5 and 7, if necessary.

    Do the WNBA playoffs reseed teams?

    Teams are not reseeded following the opening round of the playoffs. That means the winner of the 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of the 4-5 matchup, with the other series featuring the 2-7 and 3-6 matchup winners.

    WNBA playoff bracket: Round 1 matchups

    Just one first-round matchup is set so far, as the No. 5 Liberty will face the No. 4 Mercury. Here’s a look at the playoff bracket possibilities:

    No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Storm/Valkyries

    No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty

    No. 2 Aces/Dream vs. No. 7 Fever/Storm

    No. 3 Dream/Aces vs. No. 6 Fever/Valkyries

    The Aces have the inside track for the No. 2 seed. Las Vegas will get the two-seed with an Atlanta loss to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, or by beating the Los Angeles Sparks on the final day of the regular season Thursday.

    The Valkyries can earn the No. 6 seed and bump the Fever down to No. 7 with a win against the Lynx on Thursday. But a loss will drop Golden State to No. 8 and move Seattle up to No. 7.

    What is the Round 1 schedule in the WNBA playoffs?

    The WNBA hasn’t announced any first-round series schedule details just yet. This section will be updated as information is released.

    Where to watch, stream the WNBA playoffs

    The WNBA playoffs will air across ESPN networks and ABC. The postseason action can also be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

    Who won the WNBA Finals in 2024?

    The Liberty outlasted the Lynx in a five-game WNBA Finals thriller last year, securing the franchise’s first championship in the process.

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