WNBA Playoffs Begin With Eight Teams, Finals Expand to Best-of-Seven

The 2025 WNBA playoffs are set to begin following the conclusion of the regular season, with the Seattle Storm clinching the final playoff spot and the Minnesota Lynx securing the top seed. The playoffs will feature the top eight teams, including expansion team Golden State Valkyries making their first postseason appearance, and will open with a 1-1-1 first-round format, followed by best-of-five semifinals and a best-of-seven finals series for the first time. Key matchups include the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx facing the No. 8 Seattle Storm, a potentially competitive series given their split regular-season meetings, and the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury battling the No. 5 New York Liberty, highlighted by star players like Sabrina Ionescu and Phoenix's 'Big 3.' Injuries continue to impact teams such as the Indiana Fever, who will be without Caitlin Clark for the playoffs. The WNBA's playoff format changes and the league's expansion plans reflect its growth, with ownership increasingly tied to NBA affiliations, contrasting with a few independent teams that missed the postseason. The WNBA Finals are scheduled to potentially conclude on October 17, with widespread TV coverage across ESPN and ABC networks.