The end of the 2025 WNBA regular season is nearly upon us, which means the playoffs are nigh — and there's a lot for fans to understand as we head into one of the most exciting times of the year.
So far, the Minnesota Lynx have clinched the No. 1 seed this year. This will give the team home court advantage throughout their entire run. The Lynx came into the 2025 season making it clear they were set on avenging last season's second place loss to the Liberty, and they've made good on that promise.
Three other teams — the Aces, Dream, and Mercury — have also secured playoff spots and are presently sitting in that order (No. 2-4). The Mystics, Sun, Sky, and Wings are already eliminated from contention, which leaves five teams battling it out for seeds 5-8.
Those five teams are the Liberty, Valkyries, Fever, Storm, and Sparks (in that order). There are no guarantees yet, but it's becoming increasingly likely the Sparks will miss out on the playoffs this season and the final four will be New York, Golden State, Indiana, and Seattle.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 WNBA playoffs:
When do the 2025 WNBA playoffs begin?
The playoffs will kick off on September 14. The dates that follow aren't exactly locked in, but the Finals absolutely must be played by October 19.
How do the 2025 WNBA playoffs work?
The top 8 teams in the league make the playoffs. This year's playoffs will have a 2-2-1-1-1 format, which means the higher seed in each match up will host games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (the lower seed will host games 3, 4, and 6).
Games will be played in best-of-three format in the First Round, best-of-five in the Semifinals, and best-of-seven in the Finals.
The Semifinals are set to begin September 21, and the Finals are slated to kick off on October 3.
How can I watch the 2025 WNBA playoffs?
The playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, and will stream on WNBA League Pass and the FUBO TV app.
Have the Lynx ever been the No. 1 seed?
Yes, but this is the first time Minnesota has achieved that goal since 2017. The expertly coached Lynx have enjoyed a strong 2025 season and currently boast a 32-8 record. Having homecourt advantage will be a huge boost for a team that's already thriving — their record at home this season is very nearly perfect.
What happens to teams who are eliminated from WNBA playoffs?
Being eliminated from postseason contention certainly stings, but it also means the Mystics, Sun, Sky, and Wings can focus on something else: their lottery positioning for the 2026 WNBA Draft. Right now, the Wings have the best odds — 40% — of landing the No. 1 overall pick.