Exciting Day in the WNBA: The Aces Set a Record and the Playoffs Take Shape
The WNBA gave us a day full of emotions. The Las Vegas Aces set a new franchise record with their thirteenth consecutive victory, while the Golden State Valkyries made history by becoming the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season. Additionally, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark announced that she will not return this season due to an injury. Undoubtedly, a memorable Thursday in the league. With only seven days left in the 2025 regular season, excitement and uncertainty remain in the WNBA. Six teams – Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, and Golden State Valkyries – have already secured their place in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, and Los Angeles Sparks are in an intense battle for the last two playoff spots available. Despite their loss to Las Vegas on Thursday, Minnesota has already secured the league’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. However, the Aces are the hottest team at the moment, while the current champions, New York, run the risk of not being among the top four seeds and losing home-court advantage in the first round, which is played in a best-of-three format. Here’s an analysis of the current situation of the nine teams involved in the fight for the playoffs, including their possible positions:Analysis of the Teams in the Playoff Race
Minnesota Lynx (32-9)
Upcoming matches: @ GS (September 6), @ IND (September 9), vs. GS (September 11)Perspective: For the Lynx, the most important thing is to stay healthy and make the playoffs with a good performance. Although Thursday’s loss to Las Vegas may have been frustrating, it shouldn’t affect their confidence. They have a 3-1 record against the Aces this season.
Atlanta Dream (27-14)Upcoming matches: vs. LA (September 5), vs. CON (September 8), @ CON (September 10)Outlook: Atlanta could secure three more wins. The Dream has a 2-0 record against the Sparks and 1-1 against the Sun. The Dream has the tiebreaker over Phoenix but not against Las Vegas, who are the other contenders for second place.
Las Vegas Aces (27-14)Upcoming matches: vs. CHI (September 7), vs. CHI (September 9), @ LA (September 11)Perspective: The Aces pulled off an unexpected 79-74 victory against Chicago on August 25th, but they are favored in the back-to-back games against the Sky in Las Vegas. Los Angeles may be playing for their playoff spot in the last game of the regular season. The Aces also have the tiebreaker against Atlanta and Phoenix.Phoenix Mercury (27-14)
Upcoming matches: @ CON (September 6), vs. LA (September 9), @ DAL (September 11)Perspective: The Mercury have won six straight games and eight of their last nine. They could be playing their best basketball of the season, especially with Kahleah Copper’s good performance in the last month after the injuries suffered at the beginning of the season. The Mercury are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round, but Atlanta and Las Vegas have the tiebreaker over Phoenix.New York Liberty (24-17)Upcoming matches: @ SEA (September 5), vs. WAS (September 9), @ CHI (September 11)Outlook: The Liberty are on the ropes in their quest for a top-four spot. New York needs to win their last three games and for Las Vegas to lose all three. The most realistic scenario is for the Liberty, who have lost four of their last six games, to focus on maintaining the number 5 spot, which is not assured.Golden State Valkyries (23-18)
Upcoming games: vs. MIN (September 6), @ SEA (September 9), @ MIN (September 11)Perspective: The Valkyries have done a great job qualifying for the postseason in their first year as an expansion team. They could move up to the number 5 spot, but they are currently in the number 6 spot. They still have to face the Lynx twice, and although Minnesota has nothing to play for at this point, the Valkyries’ other remaining opponent, Seattle, is still trying to secure their playoff spot.Seattle Storm (22-20)
Upcoming matches: vs. NY (September 5), vs. GS (September 9)Perspective: Generally, the Storm would be in good shape with their last two home games. But Seattle has a better away record this year (13-9) than at home (9-11). As for their last two opponents, the Storm have a 2-0 record against the Liberty and 1-2 against the Valkyries. The Storm have won five of their last seven games, but are coming off a frustrating home loss to Los Angeles on Monday.
Indiana Fever (21-20)
Upcoming matches: vs. CHI (September 5), @ WAS (September 7), vs. MIN (September 9)Perspective: Really, Caitlin Clark’s absence doesn’t change anything about what the Fever are doing on the court, as she hasn’t played since mid-July. The question is: can they finish the season well? Angel Reese, Chicago’s top scorer and rebounder, will miss Friday’s game against Indiana after receiving her eighth technical foul on Wednesday. Washington is already eliminated from the playoffs. Even so, the Fever have lost four of their last six games, so they are not out of danger.
Los Angeles Sparks (19-21)Upcoming games: @ ATL (September 5), vs. DAL (September 7), @ PHO (September 9), vs. LV (September 11)Perspective: The Sparks have the most remaining games of any playoff hopeful, but three of them are against teams vying for second place. They will need a strong finish to avoid a fifth consecutive season without making the playoffs, but they still have hope.
