Is the postseason better off without the Reese-Clark storyline?<\/p>\n
Yes and no. Yes because the worst talking heads who turn the storyline into something nastier and ugly will not be drawing the air out of WNBA<\/a> discussion. No, because genuine rivalry is one of the best parts of sports, and Reese v Clark is particularly captivating. Jakub Frankowicz<\/p>\n Yes. Both of them have plenty of years ahead to avail themselves of the playoff stage. This year the games can stand on their own, relying less on tabloid-style fodder while highlighting the W\u2019s depth and lifting more players into the spotlight. Bryan Armen Graham<\/p>\n Yes. Perhaps the only silver lining to the fact that both athletes have missed chunks of this season due to injury is that the toxic elements of the Reese-Clark storyline are non-existent coming into the postseason. Hopefully, that\u2019s a trend that carries over to next year, when (presumably) both will be back on the floor in top form. Stephanie Kaloi<\/p>\n Not really. It certainly wouldn\u2019t have been a real storyline given the sorry state of the Chicago Sky, who only made the playoffs last year because Teresa Witherspoon was coaching. But it does smart not have either player in the mix \u2013 especially Clark, whom you\u2019d have to think would have lifted Indiana out of the first round. Andrew Lawrence<\/p>\n I assume so. It feels like people are holding on to a college-era feud that\u2019s years old at this point. Meanwhile, Angel Reese clearly has bigger fish to fry \u2013 namely, a very real and completely valid tension within her own Chicago Sky organization. Tiana Randall<\/p>\n Team that will be missed the most<\/p>\n Another season sans a playoff appearance for the Los Angeles Sparks, who have gone five years without a trip to the postseason. The shock Kelsey Plum trade brought them closer, but they still came up short. A postseason without Plum\u2019s fiery competitiveness and long-range sharpshooting will be just a bit more dull. JF<\/p>\n The Dallas Wings. No Paige, no party. BAG<\/p>\n It feels strange to say because they\u2019re dead last in the standings, but not seeing the Dallas Wings out there will hurt a little bit. The team has largely operated seemingly in chaos most of the season, and many have questioned the leadership of both their GM and head coach, but they have a lot of heart. SK<\/p>\n The LA Sparks looked primed for a playoff berth after kicking off the season by trading for Plum. But in the end the team couldn\u2019t overcome injuries to Julie Allemand, Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink \u2013 who returned to the Sparks<\/a> halfway through the season after tearing her ACL last year. At full strength, this team would\u2019ve been a tough out. AL<\/p>\n I was genuinely surprised to see the Washington Mystics miss out on a playoff spot. While their season was marked by inconsistent performances, their wins weren\u2019t just wins, they were often very big ones against great teams. What stood out most, though, was how cohesive and connected the team looked on the court. Despite the ups and downs, there was a clear sense of chemistry, especially with the addition of impressive rookies like Sonia Citron, who brought a promising energy to the organization. TR<\/p>\n The Phoenix Mercury have home-court advantage in the first round but have drawn a very tough New York Liberty team. Photograph: Ethan Miller\/Getty ImagesHigh seed at risk of going out early<\/p>\n The New York Liberty have limped into the playoffs, both figuratively and literally, having lost nearly every piece of their rotation to injury at some point. If they can\u2019t get fully healthy and gel before their first-round matchup, look for the defending champs to head to an early exit. JF<\/p>\n The Phoenix Mercury. Their first-round draw is a stacked New York Liberty team who are finally healthy as they launch their title defense. BAG<\/p>\n The Phoenix Mercury. As solid as they were in the regular season, the other teams who earned home-court advantage \u2013 Minnesota, Atlanta and Las Vegas \u2013 are hungrier and have more to prove. SK<\/p>\n Am I crazy for picking Las Vegas? They haven\u2019t lost in over a month and may well be due. Meanwhile, Seattle, where former MVP Nneka Ogwumike and six-time all-star Skylar Diggins lead the league\u2019s fifth-best shooting outfit, only need to win twice to advance. The Storm split their four games against the Aces this season already. AL<\/p>\n Although the Atlanta Dream are somewhat of an underdog in these rankings, they\u2019ve proven they can deliver consistent wins. However, they can be unpredictable when facing stronger, more established teams. With standout players like Alisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Brittney Griner, the talent is undeniable. Still, I\u2019m not convinced they have the experience or composure to hold their own in clutch moments against top-tier competition. TR<\/p>\n Long shot to win<\/p>\n The Golden State Valkyries had a strong first season in the league, with Veronica Burton looking like a contender for Most Improved Player. But it may not be enough despite a terrific advantage on their home court, where they\u2019ve set a record this season for the highest attendance in WNBA history. JF<\/p>\n The Seattle Storm\u2019s playoff chances were dicey enough after a wildly inconsistent regular season. But that was before they had the misfortune of drawing a scorching-hot Las Vegas team that closed out the regular season with 16 wins on the trot. BAG<\/p>\n The Valkyries would face an incredibly steep battle, but their season has had a bit of magic to it. If they can get back into Ballhalla and tap into what Natalie Nakase has drilled all season, it\u2019s not entirely wild to believe they could pull off the biggest surprise in league history. After all, they\u2019ve kind of been doing that the entire time. SK<\/p>\n No franchise in any North American league has ever won a championship in its expansion season. The Valkyries have the absolute smallest statistical chance to do the impossible only because they beat out an injury ravaged LA squad (see above) for the final playoff spot. AL<\/p>\n Although the Indiana Fever have clinched a playoff spot, they\u2019re barely hanging on by a thread. Key players like Caitlin Clark<\/a>, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham are sidelined with injuries, along with important role players like Sydney Colson. They\u2019re lacking serious depth and are being forced to probably out perform their talents. With so many stars out, fan engagement may also dip, and in a league where fan culture plays a big role in pushing teams forward, that could be a major setback for their championship hopes. TR<\/p>\n The Golden State Valkyries have reached the playoffs in their first season, but might not be there for long. Photograph: Ezra Shaw\/Getty ImagesMost important player this postseason<\/p>\n Alyssa Thomas has always been a jack of all trades, even before her move to Phoenix this season. But she\u2019s taken it to another level in 2025, with a remarkable eight triple doubles. No team\u2019s hopes ride on a single player more than the Mercury do with Thomas. JF<\/p>\n A\u2019ja Wilson. No one else blends defensive dominance, scoring versatility and leadership with her consistency under pressure. She anchors Las Vegas\u2019s defense as an elite rim protector while commanding double-teams offensively, freeing teammates to thrive. BAG<\/p>\n A\u2019ja Wilson. She\u2019s led the Aces on one if the most impactful team comebacks we\u2019ve seen this season, is a very likely 2025 MVP and will probably end up taking the team on a deep run. She is (always, inevitably) the player to watch. SK<\/p>\n Napheesa Collier. She was the most important player last year, the best end-to-end player in the game this year, and should beat Wilson to the MVP with an assist from voter fatigue. The Lynx haven\u2019t exactly been shy about expressing how salty they still are about the way last season\u2019s championship ended and, as ever, Phee will be key to them exacting revenge. AL<\/p>\n Napheesa Collier. The Minnesota Lynx are a strong team with a clear hunger to win, especially after the sting of what many saw as a snub in the last championship. But despite their talent, there seems to be a lot of noise and distraction surrounding the organization this season. That\u2019s where Collier comes in. She has ability to center the team, refocus their energy, and push them to reprioritize, which could be exactly what the Lynx need to make a serious run at the title. TR<\/p>\n Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx have unfinished business. Photograph: Ellen Schmidt\/Getty ImagesPlayoff semi-finalists<\/p>\n