With only four weeks remaining in the 2025 WNBA regular season, the battle for playoff positioning has intensified, creating a highly competitive final stretch. The Minnesota Lynx have cemented their spot in the postseason following recent victories, while nine other teams remain in contention for seven available playoff places.
The Las Vegas Aces, propelled by A’ja Wilson‘s dominant performances, have emerged as a key challenger, riding a seven-game winning streak that places them within striking distance of the league‘s upper echelon.
Minnesota Lynx Extend Commanding Lead at the Top
The Minnesota Lynx maintain their league-best record at 28-5 after securing a crucial 86-80 win against the New York Liberty this past Saturday. This victory marked the sixth consecutive win for Minnesota and their fourth with MVP-favorite Napheesa Collier sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Minnesota’s resilience and depth have been on full display, especially considering five of their last six wins were against other playoff-caliber teams, including three over the defending champion Liberty. Their continued dominance is reflected in the wide gap of 6.5 games separating them from the second-place Atlanta Dream, emphasizing the Lynx’s stronghold on the top seed.
Las Vegas Aces Rise Sharply with A’ja Wilson Leading the Charge
Climbing three spots in the standings to fifth place, the Las Vegas Aces have been the hottest team recently, boasting a 9-1 stretch over their last ten games. Their seven-game winning streak is largely fueled by star center A’ja Wilson, who has delivered back-to-back 30-point games to close out the week.
A three-time MVP award winner, Wilson has been the driving force behind the Aces’ surge, leading the WNBA in games with 30 or more points this season. Her remarkable consistency—scoring 30 points in three of her last four contests—has provided Las Vegas with the offensive firepower necessary to climb the tightly clustered playoff standings.
Atlanta Dream Hold onto Second Despite Recent Setbacks
The Atlanta Dream remain in second place with a 22-12 record, though they lost ground after a loss to the Seattle Storm ended their six-game winning streak last Friday. Nevertheless, the Dream bounced back with a convincing 79-63 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, showcasing their resilience heading into the late-season stretch.
Atlanta’s defensive prowess continues to be a key strength, and the return of Rhyne Howard from injury has brought additional scoring stability, as she has led the team in points for three games in a row. However, the lingering hamstring injury to Jordin Canada remains a concern for the team’s health and cohesiveness as they fight to maintain their playoff positioning.
Phoenix Mercury Struggle to Climb Despite Solid Performances
The Phoenix Mercury hold steadiness at 20-13, going 4-3 so far in August. Their defeats have come against some of the league’s strongest squads, including two losses to the Atlanta Dream and one to the Las Vegas Aces. These games highlight the importance of securing wins against top contenders late in the season.
After a narrow 85-82 victory over Seattle on Sunday, the Mercury remain just above the Aces in the standings. With crucial upcoming matchups against the Seattle Storm and a key game against the Aces themselves, the next week is critical to their playoff hopes. Alyssa Thomas’s continued historic pace—her fifth double-double this season—remains a beacon of hope for Phoenix.
Alyssa Thomas vs Seattle:19 PTS10 REB11 AST3 STLShe has more triple-doubles this season than any other player has in their entire career. pic.twitter.com/f2PJQ2ImfM —StatMuse (@statmuse)
New York Liberty Struggle Without Breanna Stewart
The New York Liberty find themselves in a precarious third-place position at 21-13, hampered by the absence of Breanna Stewart. While recent performances, including a 105-97 win over the Los Angeles Sparks and competitive losses to Las Vegas and Minnesota, suggest improvement, the Liberty’s 4-7 record without Stewart reveals the challenge they face.
Emma Meesseman has proven to be a valuable addition, scoring 20 or more points twice in the last week, but the Liberty still appear outmatched without their star player. Their narrow margins for error highlight the urgency to have Stewart return for the stretch run.
Golden State Valkyries Solidify Mid-Table Position with Key Wins
Golden State Valkyries have quietly maintained a competitive stance, currently holding the sixth position at 18-16. Although a four-game winning streak was interrupted by Atlanta last Sunday, the Valkyries secured an important tiebreaker over the Washington Mystics following Wednesday’s win.
With established tiebreakers against Los Angeles and Indiana already in their favor, the team’s final push to secure a playoff berth will rest on their ability to maintain pace, especially with a winnable matchup against Seattle looming on the horizon.
Indiana Fever Battle Injuries Amid Crucial Victories
The Indiana Fever sit seventh with a 19-16 record after an overtime comeback victory against the Connecticut Sun erased a 21-point deficit. However, concerns loom with Sophie Cunningham’s injury, following a troubling right-leg issue that forced her from the court. Cunningham’s absence could severely impact Indiana’s playoff chances.
With key players Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson ruled out for the season and Caitlin Clark’s return still uncertain, the Fever’s depth is heavily tested. Despite a heroic 38-point performance from Kesley Mitchell in the recent win, the team’s survival in this competitive playoff race remains precarious.
Los Angeles Sparks Face Defensive Struggles Despite Offensive Firepower
The Los Angeles Sparks have cooled off after a strong 9-2 stretch, dropping two of three last week and now standing outside a playoff spot at 16-18. Their offense, paced by Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, averaging over 90 points in recent games, has been prolific.
However, a porous defense allowing a league-worst 92.3 points per game since the All-Star break continues to hamper the Sparks’ playoff prospects. Without improved defensive consistency, Los Angeles will face increasing challenges to stay competitive down the stretch.
Washington Mystics Rely on Rookie Sonia Citron’s Breakout Week
Washington Mystics remain on the playoff bubble at 16-18, bolstered by rookie guard Sonia Citron’s impressive performances. Two consecutive 20-point games helped secure crucial victories over Indiana and Los Angeles, giving the Mystics hope as the postseason nears.
Although Washington has yet to mount a sustained hot streak, their recent successes demonstrate potential for a late-season push, especially if teams above them falter in the standings.
Seattle Storm Struggle to Maintain Form After Significant Decline
The Seattle Storm’s campaign has encountered a severe slump, falling below .500 with a 17-18 record following a loss to Phoenix. After standing at 16-11 entering August, Seattle has lost seven of their past eight games, putting them precariously on the playoff edge.
The team‘s defense, once a hallmark strength, has slipped to near the bottom of the league rankings since the All-Star break. Despite close losses in most contests, the Storm must find a way to execute better in late-game situations to salvage their postseason aspirations.
Dallas Wings Show Promise Amid Clear Playoff Elimination
The Dallas Wings, trailing by 7.5 games behind the No. 10 Washington Mystics, remain mathematically alive but realistically out of playoff contention at 9-26. Nonetheless, recent performances, including an upset win over Indiana and competitive finishes, signal a resilient young core.
Maddy Siegrist’s return from injury has reignited the Wings’ offense, and Paige Bueckers continues to vie for Rookie of the Year honors against Sonia Citron. Though their postseason hopes are slim, Dallas’s development provides optimism for future seasons.
Connecticut Sun Show Fighting Spirit Despite Ongoing Struggles
The Connecticut Sun managed a couple of rare victories to improve to 6-27, narrowly missing their first two–game winning streak of the year after losing a significant halftime lead to Indiana. Rising talents like Leila Lacan and Aneesah Morrow offer hope, though consistent wins remain elusive.
Chicago Sky Face Uphill Battle Without Angel Reese
The Chicago Sky have endured a difficult stretch, currently sitting at 8-25. The absence of star player Angel Reese due to a back injury has coincided with a 1-6 record for the team, underscoring her critical role. Although Reese has returned to practice, the Sky remain near the bottom of the standings, closely rivaling Connecticut for the league’s poorest record.
Playoff Race Intensifies Amid Player Injuries and Team Resilience
As the WNBA season nears its climax, the playoff race has become fiercely competitive, with several teams jostling for limited postseason spots. The Minnesota Lynx’s dominance remains unquestioned, but teams like the Las Vegas Aces, energized by A’ja Wilson‘s scoring prowess, are surging.
Injuries to key players across the league, including Breanna Stewart, Sophie Cunningham, and others, are influencing team trajectories, increasing the unpredictability of upcoming matchups. With the final weeks holding significant implications for playoff seeding and momentum, fans can expect intense, closely fought contests as each team fights to secure their postseason fate.