The 2025 WNBA playoffs have arrived. All 4 first-round collection will get underway Sunday with an thrilling quadruple header. Notably, the best-of-three first spherical has been switched from a 2-1 format to a 1-1-1 format this season, which not solely ensures each staff a house sport, however offers the upper seed the winner-take-all Sport 3 at residence, if mandatory.
Here is a fast take a look at Sunday’s schedule:
Beforehand, our panel of consultants made their overarching predictions on which staff will raise the trophy subsequent month. Now, it is time to try every first spherical collection.
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries
Collection odds (by way of Caesars): Lynx -4000, Valkyries +1300
Ayala: Lynx in 2. The Valkyries’ give attention to protection has gotten them far of their inaugural season, however it will not be sufficient to get by means of the Lynx. Minnesota is on a mission to return to the Finals and has the desire and the talent to brush within the first spherical.
Gibbs: Lynx in 2. Golden State has been probably the greatest tales of the WNBA season, however they will have to attend till subsequent yr to win a playoff collection. The Lynx merely have an excessive amount of expertise up and down their roster for the scrappy Valkyries to have a shot.
Gonzalez: Lynx in 2. What the Valkyries have achieved of their inaugural yr is spectacular and the longer term is vibrant for the franchise. Nevertheless, the Lynx swept them 4-0 in the course of the common season and Minnesota will not be any simpler to face within the playoffs. The Lynx have been essentially the most dominant staff within the league and their expertise as final yr’s runner-up makes them a tough opponent for anybody.
Maloney: Lynx in 2. It is a mismatch. The Lynx had the most effective defensive score within the league (97.5) and the Valkyries had the worst offensive score (101.5) of any staff to make the playoffs. There is no approach the Valkyries can sustain with the Lynx.
No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm
Collection odds (by way of Caesars): Aces -385, Storm +300
Ayala: Aces in 3. Though Seattle has been an inconsistent staff, they beat Las Vegas twice this season. I feel we’ll see some struggle from the Storm, however the Aces will take the collection in three video games.
Gibbs: Aces in 2. Erica Wheeler salvaged the Storm’s season by hitting the successful shot to get them into the playoffs final week, however I do not suppose the great vibes are going to final — Seattle has been a irritating watch all season, and their inconsistency and lack of fourth-quarter prowess will result in one other postseason disappointment. I don’t anticipate the Aces to undergo the playoffs undefeated, however their successful streak will final for at the least two extra video games.
Gonzalez: Aces in 3. The Aces have been on an unbelievable successful streak and so they actually have all of the instruments to brush Seattle. Nevertheless, I wish to give the Storm some credit score. They’ve been inconsistent all season, however they’re used to tight video games and maybe that have might help them win one.
Maloney: Aces in 3. The Aces have the most effective participant on the planet in A’ja Wilson and closed the season on a 16-game successful streak. They’re rightfully favored within the collection, however the Storm are usually not a typical No. 7 seed. Seattle has an elite protection and a frontcourt able to making life tough for Wilson. And for all of their points with consistency, the Storm do stand up for large video games; they had been 10-9 in opposition to the top-five seeds and 7 of these losses had been by single digits.
No. 3 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
Collection odds (by way of Caesars): Dream -450, Dream +350
Ayala: Dream in 2. Atlanta has arrived as a prime staff underneath Karl Semesko. As a result of Aces’ 16-game successful streak, the Valkyries making historical past of their inaugural season, and the injury-laden Liberty and Fever occupying headlines, the Dream had been underrated within the common season. They’re essentially the most constant staff after the Minnesota Lynx. I anticipate them to be able to win a playoff collection for the primary time since 2016.
Gibbs: Dream in 2. The Fever deserve all of the kudos on the planet for overcoming their virtually comically injury-riddled season and making it to the playoffs, and Indiana followers have each motive to be bullish on the longer term. However the Dream are usually not a fluke as a No. 3 seed, and they’re going to be out to show that time to everybody within the first spherical.
Gonzalez: Dream in 2. The truth that the Fever even made it to the playoffs with so many accidents is applaudable. That is their second consecutive postseason look and I predict many extra within the close to future. That being mentioned, the Dream significantly exceeded expectations in 2025 and the playoffs may be their time to shine even brighter.
Maloney: Dream in 3. The Fever are too shorthanded — along with the 5 gamers sidelined by season-ending accidents, Damiris Dantas has been dominated out for at the least Sport 1 with a concussion — to make another decide right here. However may Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and their crowd may will them to a win at residence in Sport 2? That does appear very believable.
No. 4 Phoenix Mercury vs. No. 5 New York Liberty
Collection odds (by way of Caesars): Mercury +150, Liberty -180
Ayala: Liberty in 3. The Mercury have had the Liberty’s quantity this season and might be a troublesome first spherical check. Nevertheless, I’m leaning in the direction of New York. The Liberty have been injured, however they’ve additionally failed at occasions to regulate the controllables. Nevertheless, I’m betting on the reigning champions to hit the following gear. They should be in what I anticipate to be the first-round collection more than likely to go the gap and provides us an time beyond regulation sport.
Gibbs: Liberty in 3. That is the first-round collection everybody has circled, and for good motive — it’s compelling theater to have the reigning champions go on the highway in a best-of-three collection in opposition to an Alyssa Thomas-led Mercury staff with a chip on its shoulder. However sadly for the proficient Mercury, the Liberty are lastly wholesome after a season within the infirmary, and New York merely has an excessive amount of expertise and struggle to go residence this early.
Gonzalez. Liberty in 3. That is the primary spherical collection I am most enthusiastic about and will in all probability go both approach. Phoenix has been scorching all season (actually and figuratively) and went 3-1 in opposition to New York. Nevertheless, the reigning champs have a ridiculously proficient roster and we’re lastly going to see them at full power.
Maloney. Liberty in 2. With all due respect to Alyssa Thomas and firm, the Liberty had been 13-2 this season when Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones had been all wholesome. And the 2 defeats occurred in video games the place Jones and Stewart, respectively, left early with accidents. In 234 minutes with that trio on the ground, the reigning champions boasted a plus-21.2 web score.
