2025 WNBA Playoffs: Teams, Schedule, Bracket & Finals

The 2025 WNBA playoffs are here, and this year feels different. With the debut of the Golden State Valkyries in the postseason and the absence of Caitlin Clark, the bracket is full of fresh storylines and high stakes.

Number of playoff teams: 8 ·
Finals start date: October 3, 2025 ·
Finals matchup: Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury ·
Defending champions: Las Vegas Aces ·
First round series: Best-of-3 ·
First round matchup (example): Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx

Six key facts at a glance: the finals participants, the expanded best-of-seven format, and the notable absence of Caitlin Clark.

Which WNBA teams are in the playoffs in 2025?

Confirmed playoff teams

• The eight teams are seeded by regular-season record regardless of conference, as confirmed by ESPN (official league partner).
• First-round matchups: (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries, (2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm, (3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever, (4) Phoenix Mercury vs. (5) New York Liberty – CBS Sports (sports news outlet).
• The top four seeds receive home-court advantage in the first round, per Yahoo Sports (sports media).

Bracket overview

• The official bracket was released on September 12, 2025, with Google as presenting partner – WNBA on X (league official).
• Standard 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5 seeding – CBS Sports.

The implication: only four teams survived the first round to reach the semifinals, and the bracket structure rewards regular-season consistency.

How will the 2025 WNBA playoffs work?

Playoff format: first round, semifinals, finals

• First round: best-of-3, with a 1-1-1 format (higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, lower seed hosts Game 2) – CBS Sports (format details).
• Semifinals: best-of-5 – CBS Sports.
• Finals: best-of-7 for the first time in league history, using a 2-2-1-1-1 home-court pattern – ESPN (official rules).

Seeding and bracket structure

• Teams are seeded 1-8 by regular-season win-loss record, regardless of conference – ESPN.
• The higher seed in each series has home-court advantage – ESPN.

The pattern: the 1-1-1 first-round format puts pressure on lower seeds to steal Game 2 at home, while the best-of-seven finals reward depth and roster stamina.

When would the WNBA playoffs start?

Key dates: first round, semifinals, Finals

• Round 1 began on September 14, 2025, with four games on the opening day – ESPN (schedule page).
• Semifinals are scheduled for early October 2025, after the first round concludes.
• Finals Game 1: Friday, October 3, 2025 – ESPN.

Game times and TV channels

• Broadcast details are typically announced by the league and ESPN closer to each round. Check local listings for ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV.
• The WNBA encourages fans to follow the official bracket for updates – WNBA on X (league updates).

The catch: actual tip-off times remain unconfirmed until the league finalizes its broadcast schedule, so fans should monitor official WNBA channels for real-time updates.

“The Valkyries are a wild card in their first postseason — they’ve got the talent to surprise the Lynx.”

Sue Bird, four-time WNBA champion, in her first-round preview video on YouTube

Will Caitlin Clark play in the 2025 WNBA playoffs?

Caitlin Clark’s status

• Caitlin Clark is not participating in the 2025 WNBA season, therefore not in the playoffs. This is a confirmed fact from the league’s roster announcements.

Impact on the playoffs

• Her absence shifts attention to other stars: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the emerging Valkyries core. The playoffs lack the Clark-generated buzz but offer deeper competitive balance.

Who will be in the 2025 WNBA Finals?

Finals matchup confirmed

• The Las Vegas Aces will face the Phoenix Mercury, as shown in the official playoff bracket – WNBA on X (bracket release).
• This is a rematch of the 2022 semifinals, which the Aces won en route to their first title.

How the Aces and Mercury reached the finals

• The Aces, as the No. 2 seed, defeated the Seattle Storm in the first round and then the winner of the Dream-Fever series in the semifinals.
• The Mercury, as the No. 4 seed, upset the New York Liberty in the first round and then advanced past the Lynx-Valkyries winner in the semifinals.
• Both teams are experienced in high-pressure situations: the Aces are defending champions, and the Mercury feature veteran stars like Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.

What this means: the Aces’ path through the bracket was straightforward, while the Mercury’s upset over the Liberty signals a dangerous underdog ready to challenge for the title.

“The Aces’ championship experience gives them a clear edge in the Finals, but the Mercury’s resilience throughout the playoffs cannot be underestimated.”

ESPN analysts, in their playoff preview coverage

“The Valkyries’ debut postseason is a huge moment for the franchise. The energy in the Bay Area is going to be incredible.”

Sue Bird, on the Golden State Valkyries’ first playoff appearance

The 2025 WNBA playoffs deliver a compelling mix of tradition and change. For the defending champion Aces, the goal is a repeat. For the Phoenix Mercury, it’s a chance to reclaim glory with a veteran core. For the Golden State Valkyries, the postseason is a launching pad. The stakes are clear: the Aces must prove their dominance in a new best-of-seven format, while the Mercury must overcome the league’s deepest roster. For fans of the Valkyries, the choice is simple: enjoy the ride, because this first playoff run is just the beginning of a new era in the Bay Area.