Image Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

2025 WNBA Playoffs Picture: Which Teams are Still in Contention? Who Goes Out of the Race? Explaining All Playoff Scenarios

2025 WNBA Playoffs Race Heats Up

Image Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs race is heating up with just a handful of games remaining for each team. The Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream are the only three sides so far to clinch the playoff spot with five games still to go.

The league leaders have produced a stellar performance with 30 wins and 8 losses in 38 games. Aces and Dream are the latest teams to clinch the playoffs berth. The remaining teams are yet to officially qualify for the post-season run. With minimal separation in the standings, nearly seven teams remain firmly in contention for the spots.

The Atlanta Dream, who have proven unstoppable lately with an 7-3 record, earned the playoff qualification for the 11th time following a 100-78 win over the Wings. They have 3 of their remaining games against bottom teams, and their path to a top-3 seed is almost paved.

The Las Vegas Aces are another team who have caught fire at the right time. Riding the wave of MVP-caliber performances from A’ja Wilson, the Aces have gone 12-0 in their most recent 12 outings on the court. They are firmly in the top four hunt with their remaining opponents having a combined win percentage above .500.

WNBA Postseason Push presented by @draftkings is here!

Buckle up as we prepare for the last two weeks of the regular season

Don’t miss any of the action from August 28 – September 11 🏀 pic.twitter.com/ZVWIACKtXx
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 28, 2025

The Phoenix Mercury hold tiebreakers against the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever, rendering them less susceptible to dropping in the current rankings. Fairly easier fixtures make them favorites to qualify ahead of the Fever, and the Liberty at no. 4.

The New York Liberty, who were favorites for a top three finish have slipped to fifth in the table. Injuries have derailed their momentum, but with a heavy home stretch, the Liberty have 84% win probability in the concluding phase.

The battle for remaining three spots is high!

It is in the 6th to 8th seeds where the situation becomes particularly unclear and competitive for the involved teams. Seattle Storm, Golden State Valkyries, LA Sparks, Indiana Fever, and the Mystics are all in the play for the three spots. The Storm have momentum from the three straight wins, and they recently overcame Lynx. They have one tough assignment against the playoff-bound Aces.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever, plagued by injuries, face the potential playoff rivals so they can change the scenarios. With two consecutive wins over Storm and Sparks, they have raised their chances high for the playoffs. They can even avoid finishing No. 7 and No. 8 in the table.

earned the dub.#FeverWin pic.twitter.com/9IE6NiKuVP
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 30, 2025

The Golden State Valkyries are the best placed among the above teams with 5 of their last 7 games at home and against sub -.500 teams. They’re slight favorites to finish at the 7th, or even 8th. They will kick off their five-game homestand which can confirm their qualification.

With the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky, and the Connecticut Sun officially out of the playoffs race, the Washington Mystics, and the LA Sparks remain in the race. They have less probability. The Sparks face every one of their remaining games against teams still vying for playoff contention spots. Their most recent defeat against the Fever impacted their chances.

The Mystics will require several wins in the upcoming stretch, and even with those, they would still need to depend on several favorable tiebreaker outcomes.

Atlanta Dream

Golden State Valkyries

Indiana Fever

LA Sparks

Las Vegas Aces

Minnesota Lynx

New York Liberty

Phoenix Mercury

Seattle Storm

Washington Mystics

Gulshan Sharma

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soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.