WNBA rankings, postseason prospects, calendar: Lynx hold lead for top spot; Fever and Aces contend for fifth position

WNBA rankings, postseason prospects, calendar: Lynx hold lead for top spot; Fever and Aces contend for fifth position

WNBA Playoff Race Heats Up as Regular Season Nears End

As the WNBA regular season enters its final stretch, the race for playoff spots is heating up, with several teams fighting for a chance to make it to the post-season.

Current Standings

As of August 19, 2025, the WNBA playoff standings are as follows:

1. Minnesota Lynx (28-5) – Already clinched a playoff spot and likely the No. 1 seed
2. Atlanta Dream (22-12)
3. Las Vegas Aces (21-14)
4. New York Liberty (21-13)
5. Phoenix Mercury (20-13)
6. Indiana Fever (19-16)
7. Golden State Valkyries (16-15)
8. Seattle Storm (16-16)

The top eight teams make the playoffs, with no reseeding during playoff rounds. The first round is best-of-three, semifinals best-of-five, and the Finals are best-of-seven for the first time in 2025. The playoffs begin September 14, shortly after the regular season ends on September 11.

Injury Impacts

Several top contending teams are dealing with injuries, which could potentially impact their playoff performances.

• The Minnesota Lynx have maintained dominance despite star Napheesa Collier’s ankle injury, showing no signs of letting up. Collier, the MVP frontrunner, went down with a sprained ankle on Aug. 2 and was expected to miss at least two weeks.
• The New York Liberty, runner-up from last season, are contending without two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, who is out with a bone bruise in her right knee—a significant loss that could affect their playoff strength against top teams like Minnesota.
• The Indiana Fever, on the playoff bubble, recently lost key guard Sophie Cunningham for the season due to a knee injury, which adds uncertainty to their playoff prospects despite a recent comeback victory led by Kelsey Mitchell.

Challenges for Contenders

Several teams are facing challenges in their bid for playoff spots.

• The Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team, are still in contention for a playoff spot, aiming to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
• The Washington Mystics are still in the running for a playoff spot, but their trade of All-Star guard Brittney Sykes at the deadline might affect their chances.
• The Seattle Storm have lost five games in a row and have plummeted into seventh place.
• The Sun will get the least favorable of the Sun/Mercury picks, while the Sky will get the more favorable of these selections.
• The Dream’s starting point guard, Jordin Canada, was injured in their win over the Mercury on Sunday.
• The regular season will conclude on Sept. 11, and each team has between 12-14 games remaining in the season.

Lottery-Bound Teams

The Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, and Connecticut Sun are all lottery-bound this season, with little chance of making the playoffs.

As the regular season winds down, the WNBA playoff picture is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable race. Stay tuned for updates as the teams fight for their spots in the post-season.

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