It's Crunch Time in the WNBA

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We are down to the final weeks of the 2025 WNBA season, and what a finish it is going to be. The playoff push is in full effect, and teams are working hard to secure their best postseason positions, while others are fighting for a chance to play postseason basketball. Let’s take a closer look at the teams and what is unfolding before our eyes.

Positions 1-4

The most sure thing in the WNBA is that the Minnesota Lynx are on a mission. After last year’s heartbreaking five-game loss to the NY Liberty in the Finals, the Lynx made it no secret that their only goal is winning the title, and nothing less. Their response is a WNBA-best 27-5 record, six games better than the Liberty. Napheesa Collier has already established how great she can be. Her response is being the front-runner for MVP this year. Now granted, she is not playing due to injury, but even if that takes her out of the MVP chase, it won’t deter from the ultimate goal for an organization that knows what winning championships is all about. Then, the Lynx went out before the trade deadline and acquired DiJonai Carrington, one of the premier defenders in the league, from the Dallas Wings, sending a clear message to the rest of the league about their intentions. After the Fever’s loss to the Wings last night, the Lynx clinched a playoff spot.

The New York Liberty (21-11) came into this year knowing well that the Lynx would be ready. But the play of the Liberty has not matched that of the Lynx. Granted, they have been plagued by injuries all season long. Jonquel Jones missed playing time earlier in the year, and it hurt the team. Now, they have Kennedy Burke, Nyara Sabally, and Brianna Stewart on the bench with injuries that have caused coach Sandy Brondello to scramble with her lineup. The addition of Emma Meesseman was a good move by the team. Her championship pedigree will be key down the stretch. At some point, the injured players will return, and they will have to get it together in a hurry. Being the defending champs guarantees the Liberty nothing. Stewie is going to have to get back to playing championship basketball. The production from Sabrina Ionescu is what has kept this team from falling further in the standings, as she is 5th in the league in scoring and three-pointers made. Other players like Marine Johannes and Isabelle Harrison have defined their roles on the team. But it is going to take a lot for this Liberty team if they intend to get back to the Finals, much less repeat as champions.

The Atlanta Dream (20-11) and the Phoenix Mercury (19-12) have been two of the best stories this year. Brittney Griner moved on from the desert to the ATL, and with the MVP-type play of Allisha Gray, along with the other offseason acquisition in Brionna Jones, the Dream find themselves in the #3 spot behind the Liberty and Lynx. A great supporting cast that includes Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard looks to make their case for the playoffs. The Mercury lost Griner and has gotten even better. Alyssa Thomas is making her case for the MVP with the best season of her career, averaging almost a triple-double per game. The addition of her wife, DeWanna Bonner, has also lifted the team, along with contributions from Monique Akoa Makani and Satou Saballay. The Mercury need to get Kahleah Copper back to All-Star form if they hope to make a deep playoff run.

Positions 5-8

These teams are trying to keep their position while not falling out of the playoff race. For the #5 Las Vegas Aces (18-14), it has been a season of challenge. A roster that includes ALL-WORLD, ALL-EVERYTHING, A’ja Wilson should not be fighting as hard as they have to keep pace with the rest of these teams they are bunched with. The Aces are a two-time champion with a roster that includes Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Lloyd, and Jackie Young. These are some of the most accomplished players the league has seen in years, each with a championship pedigree. But that has not led to a good season, even though the Aces are now playing better basketball when it counts. They will have to get much better if they hope to have any chance at playing deeper than Round 1.

In the 6th position sits the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever (18-15). Clark has missed a total of 20 games, and you would think that would be enough to sink any team, right? Granted, Clark was having a rough 2nd season, shooting 36.7% from the field and a horrid 27.9% from three-point range. That just ain’t gonna get it done for the Fever, or Clark. She must get back and get back to form, or the Fever have no chance in the playoffs. But what they have been able to do without her has been impressive. Kelsey Mitchell is having quite a year, averaging 20 points a game and taking over as the #1 option. Aliyah Boston continues to have better command of her shot and play in the paint. Her assortment of moves allows her to create her shot. Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull can beat you from outside or inside, as well as Natasha Howard. But the key, other than a healthy team, is the return of Clark. This team has been playing solid basketball, and if they can maintain this play and then add a rested, better, determined Clark, the postseason run looks very different.

The battle for the last two spots has the expansion Golden State Valkyries (16-15) in a position none of us saw coming, 7th in the playoff standings. They have played some of the best ball of the year and have a fan base looking to make history. They have layed an inspired brand of basketball. A bunch of women who were on the bench, playing little to no time, found a home and a purpose. Players like Tiffany Hayes, Veronica Burton, and Janelle Salaun have made a huge impact. The loss of their leading scorer, Kayla Thornton, has not slowed this team down either. They have won six of their last nine games, and I have a feeling this team is going to play postseason basketball.

The Seattle Storm (16-16) has hit a rough patch, losing seven of its last 10 games, and is fighting to stay in the playoff race. At one point in the year, the Storm were at the top of the standings behind the Lynx. Nneka Ogwumike has had a good year, but she will have to get her team’s heads back in it. Their front line of Dominique Molanga (#2 in 2025 draft), Gabby Williams, and Ezi Magbegor has the potential to be in the league. They will have to see if they can find something to help Sylar Diggins and Nneka for the Storm to have postseason dreams beyond Round 1.

The Rest of the Field

The Los Angeles Sparks (15-17) have been playing some of the best ball in the league for the last six weeks. They have gone from a sure lottery team to a game out of playoff contention. Rickea Jackson has been the most lethal scoring threat the league does not talk about enough. She has been able to score almost at will during this run, and alongside Dearica Hamby, the two look to turn the fortunes for the Sparks. Hamby has been playing like a player possessed. She drives to the basket almost violently in her quest to score the basketball. Her energy and ability to run the floor as a big has helped turn this season around. The return of “get out of my paint,” Cameron Brink, has given LA their defensive identity back. With Brink manning the hole, other teams are adjusting their shots or just getting them swatted away. Let’s see if the Sparks have enough left to eliminate one of the teams above them.

The Washington Mystics (14-17) will need a heck of a finish to have a chance at the playoffs, but their future is bright. Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are all-stars, and they are really good. Iriafen owns the paint and is a walking double-double. Citron is a pure shooter that can kill you from anywhere on the court. Her basketball IQ is going to make her one of the best in the game sooner rather than later. Wait till Georgia Amoore, out all year injured, comes back. Once that happens and she gets into playing shape, this will be a team the league will have to watch for next year.