We're just over midway through the 2025 WNBA season and a familiar tale is being told: the New York Liberty, aka the most stacked of all stacked teams in the league, and the Minnesota Lynx are mercilessly dominating their respective conferences — and are absolutely setting the stage for a repeat of last year's championship match.
The Lynx currently boast a 22-4 record and the Liberty are sitting at 17-6. The teams will play for the first time this season on Wednesday, July 30, in Minneapolis.
There are a few factors that could slow down each team's march toward the finish line, but if the Liberty and the Lynx keep playing like they have been all season, it's likely their season to lose (until, you know, one of them ultimately has to lose).
The Phoenix Mercury pose a strong threat
The Mercury have certainly been giving both teams a run for their money this season, and they are unlikely to go out quietly. The team's 15-9 record is incredible, especially since many people didn't expect the Mercury to come out of the gate as strongly as they have each and every game.
The Mercury might have begun the season with a lot of uncertainty — Diana Taurasi announced her retirement in May, and Brittney Griner departed to the Atlanta Dream after a decade on the team — they have more than proven that the new roster not only works, it wins a ton of games.
Like the Valkyries, the Mercury have implemented a team-wide effort that is paying off. The Mercury also has a core of veteran stars (Satou Sabally, potential MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper) who are leading the charge, and the return of DeWanna Bonner to the team where she won two championships has only added more power to an already elite squad.
The Seattle Storm are also laser focused (mostly)
The Storm, who currently have a 15-10 record, could also pose a threat to the championship hopes of both teams, especially if the team can rally and begin to play with a the type of consistency that wins games.
Rookie Dominique Malonga recently had the opportunity to show Americans fans what she's made of when she became the youngest player in league history to reach 100 points and to hit a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in 17 minutes of play during the team's recent game against the Sky. Malonga is embedded in a team with truly powerful veterans (like Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, and Gabby Williams) who know what it takes to be great — and who have everything they need to do so.