The WNBA has entered its most thrilling stretch of the year. If last season’s dramatic Finals taught us anything, it’s that the postseason never disappoints. In the 2024 season, the New York Liberty squad, powered by Breanna Stewart’s Finals average of 18.6 points per game, edged past the Minnesota Lynx to capture their first-ever championship.
That historic series set the stage for even greater anticipation this year. With the 2025 playoffs right around the corner, fans are buzzing with one burning question: How exactly do the WNBA playoffs work?
How Does the WNBA Playoff Format Work?
The 2025 WNBA season features 13 teams split between the Eastern and Western Conferences, but conference standings don’t matter regarding postseason qualification. Instead, the league takes the top eight teams based solely on their regular-season records.
Once the eight teams are set, the playoff picture is arranged in traditional bracket style. The No. 1 seed takes on the No. 8 seed, No. 2 faces No. 7, and so on. The opening round is played as a best-of-three series in a 1-1-1 format.
The higher-seeded team hosts Game 1, while the lower-seeded team hosts Game 2. If necessary, the deciding Game 3Â shifts back to the higher seed’s court.
The semifinals raise the stakes with a best-of-five battle, typically played in a 2-2-1 format. That means the higher seed gets the advantage of hosting the first two games and a potential Game 5.
Finally, the WNBA Finals have expanded to a best-of-seven showdown. Using a 2-2-1-1-1 setup, the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6. This evolution ensures that the championship series truly crowns the best of the best.
“This will give our fans a championship series format that they are accustomed to seeing in other sports,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert last year about the new format.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the WNBA finals will be a best of 7 series starting in 2025. The first round will also move to a 1-1-1 format to guarantee a home game for each team. pic.twitter.com/VBPPVc8Uw7
— correlation (@nosyone4) October 10, 2024
The 2025 postseason officially tips off on Sept. 14, promising weeks of high-stakes action.
What Does the Current 2025 Playoff Picture Look Like?
As the regular season winds down, the playoff race is already taking shape. Four teams have officially punched their ticket to the postseason:
- Minnesota Lynx
- Las Vegas Aces
- Atlanta Dream
- Phoenix Mercury
🔒VEGAS IS IN 🔒
With their win over the Sky, the @LVAces are the second team to clinch a spot in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google
Their 11 consecutive wins is the longest streak in the W this season, during their current run, Las Vegas has climbed from the No. 8… pic.twitter.com/wXkODIysnm
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 26, 2025
Meanwhile, three franchises have already been eliminated from contention:
- Connecticut Sun
- Chicago Sky
- Dallas Wings
With the Sparks’ win tonight, both Dallas and Chicago have been eliminated from playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/t1D8Eojwwr
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) August 21, 2025
The remaining playoff spots remain fiercely contested. Several teams are fighting tooth and nail for the opportunity to extend their seasons and chase championship glory.
