Going into the playoffs, there is a clear separation between legitimate contenders, underdogs, and teams that project to be early outs. Still, every team is in the playoffs for a reason, and they are all dangerous in their own ways.
Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers could just take over
The Dallas Wings will have to enter their first playoff series with Paige Bueckers at the helm without Azzi Fudd and as the lower seed. But that doesn’t mean they can be written off as an easy out. Bueckers is one of the best offensive players in the W. If she takes over, the Wings can be in any game.
Washington Mystics: They have nothing to lose
The Mystics are the youngest team in the playoffs. Except for Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, everyone on the roster is 26 years old or younger. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are just in their second seasons. In many ways, the Mystics are ahead of schedule. Washington is perhaps the only team that faces absolutely no pressure to win in the playoffs, and that’s what makes them dangerous. They have nothing to lose. They can play freely and just enjoy the moment, while other teams have to battle the pressure of what losing would mean for their future.
New York Liberty: Their record doesn’t represent the talent on the roster
The Liberty’s regular season has been a hot mess with injuries, inconsistencies, and hiccups that come with hiring a first-time head coach with no WNBA experience. Still, if you gave a top-three team the choice of first-round opponents, none of them would choose a team led by Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu. They did, after all, just win a championship two years ago, and Stewart is still one of the best in the world.
Indiana Fever: They score at a historic level
The Las Vegas Aces hold the record for the best offensive rating in WNBA history with 113 in 2023. With four games left in the regular season, the Fever have an offensive rating of 115.9 and are on track to set a new league best. Between Kelsey Mitchell’s historic scoring tear, Caitlin Clark’s shooting and playmaking, and Aliyah Boston’s presence in the paint, there’s little most teams can do to slow them down.
Atlanta Dream: The ball is never safe around them
The Atlanta Dream may not be the most consistent team when it comes to making 3-pointers and scoring at their best, but they are pretty consistent when it comes to getting steals. They lead all teams in steals per game, largely because of Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Angel Reese. They make up the top three in steals per game among players with 2.3, 1.9, and 1.8 per game, respectively.
Las Vegas Aces: They have A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson isn’t the only reason for the Aces’ success in the 2020s. Becky Hammon is a phenomenal coach, and Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young have contributed their fair share as well. Nevertheless, it always comes back to the fact that Wilson is the best player in the world. Playing and coaching at the highest level is much easier when you have a four-time MVP to work with—and soon maybe even a five-time MVP. Wilson is leading the league in points per game once again, while also remaining a force on the glass and a great rim protector.
Golden State Valkyries: Their defense can shut down anything
The Valkyries aren’t built around star power. They also aren’t built around high-level scoring. They amassed the second-best record in the league behind their stifling defense. The Valkyries regularly hold teams to their season-low in points scored. Even the league-leading Minnesota Lynx could only put up 66 points the last time the two teams met. Facing that kind of defensive pressure in a playoff series will be a nightmare.
Minnesota Lynx: Cheryl Reeve might have finally found the missing piece
The Lynx were in the finals in 2024 and were a championship favorite in 2025 until Napheesa Collier went down with an injury in the second round. Collier, Courtney Williams, and Kayla McBride are all still on the team, but the Lynx are a very different team, largely because of Olivia Miles and her brilliance as a passer and scorer. A rookie point guard isn’t usually someone you’d consider the missing piece for a title contender, but Miles could be just that for Minnesota.
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