Basketball fans across America are asking “WNBA playoffs 2025 how many teams” make it to the postseason, and the answer is eight teams out of the league’s 13 franchises. The WNBA playoffs 2025 begin on September 14, 2025, featuring the most comprehensive playoff format in league history, with the WNBA Finals 2025 becoming the first-ever best-of-seven championship series.
How Many Teams Qualify for WNBA Playoffs 2025
The WNBA playoffs 2025 include exactly eight teams, representing approximately 62% of the league’s 13 total franchises. Unlike some professional sports leagues that divide teams by conference, the WNBA selects its eight playoff teams based purely on overall regular season record, regardless of conference affiliation. This system ensures the best teams advance to postseason play.
The playoff qualification represents a significant achievement for teams, especially considering the league expanded to 13 teams in 2025 with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries. This means five teams will miss the playoffs entirely, making each playoff spot highly competitive throughout the regular season.
WNBA Playoffs 2025 Teams and Seeding
The WNBA playoff standings have been finalized with eight teams earning postseason berths. The Minnesota Lynx claimed the coveted No. 1 seed with an outstanding 34-10 record, while the Las Vegas Aces secured the No. 2 position at 30-14 after winning a crucial tiebreaker against Atlanta.
Complete WNBA Playoffs 2025 Teams and Seeds
| Seed | Team | Record | Previous Season Result |
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 34-10 | Conference Finals |
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 30-14 | WNBA Champions 2023, 2022 |
| 3 | Atlanta Dream | 30-14 | Missed Playoffs |
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 27-17 | First Round Exit |
| 5 | New York Liberty | 27-17 | WNBA Champions 2024 |
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 24-20 | First Round Exit |
| 7 | Seattle Storm | 23-21 | Conference Finals |
| 8 | Golden State Valkyries | 23-21 | Expansion Team (First Season) |
The Golden State Valkyries made history by becoming the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season, a remarkable achievement that highlights the franchise’s immediate competitive impact.
WNBA Playoff Bracket and First Round Matchups
The WNBA playoff bracket follows traditional seeding, with the highest seed facing the lowest seed in each round. The first round features four compelling matchups that promise exciting basketball action.
First Round Matchups (Best-of-Three Series)
- No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm
- No. 3 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
- No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty
The most intriguing first-round series features defending champion New York Liberty as the No. 5 seed facing Phoenix Mercury. This matchup demonstrates how competitive the 2025 season was, with the reigning champions earning a relatively low seed due to injuries and inconsistent play.
WNBA Playoffs 2025 Schedule and Format
The WNBA playoffs 2025 schedule spans over a month, beginning September 14 and potentially lasting until October 17. The tournament structure includes three rounds with increasing series lengths, culminating in the historic first seven-game WNBA Finals 2025.
Complete Playoff Schedule Breakdown
| Round | Format | Dates | Home-Court Pattern |
| First Round | Best-of-Three | Sept 14-19 | 1-1-1 |
| Semifinals | Best-of-Five | Sept 21-30 | 2-2-1 |
| WNBA Finals | Best-of-Seven | Oct 3-17 | 2-2-1-1-1 |
The WNBA playoff schedule represents the longest postseason in league history, with up to 87 total games possible if every series reaches its maximum length. This expansion reflects the league’s growth and increased fan demand for WNBA basketball.
Historic Changes to WNBA Finals 2025
The WNBA Finals 2025 will make history as the first championship series to use a best-of-seven format. This represents a major evolution from the league’s humble beginnings, when the 1997 Finals consisted of just a single championship game.
Evolution of WNBA Finals Format
- 1997: Single championship game
- 1998-2004: Best-of-three series
- 2005-2024: Best-of-five series
- 2025-present: Best-of-seven series
This expansion aligns the WNBA Finals with other major professional sports leagues and provides fans with potentially more championship basketball than ever before. The extended format also gives teams more opportunities to adjust strategies and showcase their depth.
Key Format Changes from Previous Years
The playoff WNBA 2025 format includes several important changes from previous seasons. Most notably, the first round now uses a 1-1-1 home-court format instead of the previous 2-1 structure, ensuring each team gets to host at least one playoff game at home.
First Round Format Comparison
| Year | Format | Game 1 Host | Game 2 Host | Game 3 Host |
| 2022-2024 | Best-of-Three (2-1) | Higher Seed | Higher Seed | Lower Seed |
| 2025-Present | Best-of-Three (1-1-1) | Higher Seed | Lower Seed | Higher Seed |
This change addresses previous concerns about lower-seeded teams potentially being eliminated without playing a home playoff game, ensuring better fan engagement and revenue distribution across all playoff markets.
Las Vegas Aces Championship Defense
The Las Vegas Aces enter the WNBA playoffs 2025 as the No. 2 seed, looking to capture their third championship in four years. Led by MVP candidate A’ja Wilson, the Aces finished the regular season on a remarkable 16-game winning streak, demonstrating championship-caliber form heading into postseason play.
The Aces face Seattle Storm in the first round, a team that defeated Minnesota twice during the regular season. This matchup features two experienced playoff teams with championship aspirations, making it one of the most compelling first-round series.
Minnesota Lynx Return to Championship Contention
The Minnesota Lynx earned the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Led by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, the Lynx dominated the regular season with a 34-10 record, establishing themselves as the championship favorite.
The Lynx will face expansion team Golden State Valkyries in the first round, a series that pits experience against first-year energy. Minnesota’s championship pedigree and home-court advantage make them heavy favorites, but the Valkyries’ historic playoff berth adds an intriguing storyline.
Playoff Viewing and Broadcasting Information
The WNBA playoffs 2025 will receive extensive television coverage across multiple networks, reflecting the league’s growing popularity. ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 will broadcast games throughout the postseason, with the quadruple-header opening day featuring games from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET.
Broadcasting Schedule Highlights
- Opening Sunday: Four-game slate on ESPN and ABC
- Prime Time Games: Key matchups in evening slots
- Championship Series: All Finals games on major networks
- Streaming Options: Games available on ESPN+ and other platforms
This comprehensive coverage ensures fans across America can follow their favorite teams throughout the extended playoff format.
Record-Breaking Season Leads to Historic Playoffs
The 2025 WNBA season was the longest in league history at 44 games per team, setting the stage for the most extensive playoff format ever implemented. This expansion reflects the league’s tremendous growth in popularity, attendance, and television viewership.
The WNBA playoffs 2025 standings showcase remarkable parity, with multiple teams separated by just a few games. This competitive balance promises exciting playoff basketball and reinforces the league’s rising talent level across all franchises.
FAQ
How many teams make the WNBA playoffs in 2025?
Eight teams out of 13 total WNBA franchises qualify for the WNBA playoffs 2025, representing approximately 62% of the league.
When do the WNBA playoffs 2025 start?
The WNBA playoffs 2025 schedule begins on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with a quadruple-header featuring all four first-round Game 1 matchups.
What is the format for the WNBA Finals 2025?
The WNBA Finals 2025 will be a best-of-seven series for the first time in league history, using a 2-2-1-1-1 home-court format.
Which teams have the best championship odds?
The Minnesota Lynx (No. 1 seed) and Las Vegas Aces (No. 2 seed) enter as championship favorites, with both teams having strong regular season records and playoff experience.
How long will the WNBA playoffs 2025 last?
The playoff WNBA 2025 tournament runs from September 14 through October 17, potentially lasting over a month if the Finals reaches seven games.
What TV networks will broadcast the playoffs?
ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 will provide comprehensive coverage of the WNBA playoff schedule, with games also available on streaming platforms.
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