When Do the 2025 WNBA Playoffs Start? Date, Current Playoff Picture, More

The 2025 WNBA regular season is winding down, and the playoff picture is finally starting to come into focus. With less than two weeks left, one team has already secured the top seed, and a few others have locked in postseason berths. What about the others? They are still fighting in the last stages, desperately trying to keep their dream alive.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s playoff schedule, the seeding battles, and the biggest storylines heading into the postseason.

Key Dates for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

• Regular season ends: Sept. 11, 2025
• Playoffs begin: Sept. 14, 2025
• First Round: Best-of-three series
• Semifinals: Begin Sept. 21, best-of-five format. (Game 1 for the first semi-finals matchup will tip off at 3:00 p.m. ET)
• Finals: Begin Oct. 3, best-of-seven format (2-2-1-1-1 format) (tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET)
• Last possible Finals game: Oct. 19, 2025

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google and WNBA Finals presented by @YouTubeTV schedule is here 🗓️

Round 1 is set to tip-off Sunday, September 14th!

Stay locked in as we enter the final weeks of the regular szn to see what 8 teams clinch a spot in the playoffs 🏀

*All… pic.twitter.com/48K0Gfn2qO

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 20, 2025

Where to watch the WNBA playoffs?

The WNBA playoffs will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN 2, and streaming options will be available on WNBA League Pass and the Fubo TV app.

WNBA Standings (as of Sept. 1, 2025)

1. Minnesota Lynx (31-8) — Clinched playoff berth
2. Las Vegas Aces (26-14) — Clinched playoff berth
3. Atlanta Dream (25-14) — Clinched playoff berth
4. Phoenix Mercury (25-14) — Clinched playoff berth
5. New York Liberty (24-16)
6. Indiana Fever (21-19)
7. Seattle Storm (22-19)
8. Golden State Valkyries (21-18)
9. Los Angeles Sparks (18-20)
10. Washington Mystics (16-25) — Eliminated from playoff contention
11. Connecticut Sun (10-29) — Eliminated from playoff contention
12. Chicago Sky (9-30) — Eliminated from playoff contention
13. Dallas Wings (9-31) — Eliminated from playoff contention

Storylines Going Into WNBA Playoffs

Minnesota Lynx Lock in No. 1 Seed

The Minnesota Lynx have been dominant all season, and their 31st win over the Connecticut Sun officially clinched them the top overall seed. Not only do they get home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but they also have a chance to break the 2023 Las Vegas Aces’ record of 34 wins in a season if they finish strong.

Aces, Dream, and Mercury Close Behind

• The Las Vegas Aces have surged with a 12-game winning streak, reminding everyone why A’ja Wilson and company are perennial title threats.
• The Atlanta Dream have been this year’s biggest surprise, clinching their first postseason berth since 2018 and looking like dark-horse title contenders.
• The Phoenix Mercury just scored a massive win over the defending champion New York Liberty, tightening their hold on the No. 4 seed.

The Mid-Tier Battle: Liberty, Fever, Storm, and Valkyries

• The New York Liberty have battled injuries all season, and while Sabrina Ionescu has carried them at times, the absence of Breanna Stewart has left them vulnerable.
• The Indiana Fever, led by Kelsey Mitchell, are hanging onto the sixth seed but desperately need Caitlin Clark to return from injury to make a playoff run.
• The Seattle Storm remain inconsistent despite a star-studded roster featuring Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
• The Golden State Valkyries are pushing hard in their debut season to secure the final playoff spot.

Sparks on the Outside Looking In

The Los Angeles Sparks haven’t reached the postseason since 2020. Their recent skid has put them two-and-a-half games behind the Valkyries. With just a handful of games left, they’ll need help, along with some perfection, to break their drought.

Lottery-Bound Teams

The Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky, and Dallas Wings have all been officially eliminated. While these franchises will miss the postseason, their focus now turns to draft positioning. Dallas is the only team to fully control its own first-round pick.

This year’s WNBA playoffs are shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent times. Some teams are chasing history, while others are clinging to life in a quest for a repeat. Every single game carries major implications now.

Once the playoffs tip off on Sept. 14, fans can expect powerhouse performances, surprises, and history-making moments.