The 2025 WNBA playoffs will run through Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Lynx have been the league’s strongest team all season, and now they have a No. 1 overall seed to show for it. They clinched home-court advantage throughout the postseason with a 94-70 Saturday win over the Connecticut Sun.

2. Las Vegas Aces, 26-14 (5 GB)

3. Atlanta Dream, 25-14 (5.5 GB)

4. Phoenix Mercury, 24-14 (6 GB)

5. New York Liberty, 24-15 (6.5 GB)

6. Indiana Fever, 21-18 (9.5 GB)

7. Seattle Storm, 21-19 (10 GB)

8. Golden State Valkyries, 19-18 (10.5 GB)

9. Los Angeles Sparks, 17-20 (12.5 GB)

10. Washington Mystics, 16-23 (14.5 GB)

The ankle sprain for star Napheesa Collier was a setback the Lynx were hoping to avoid.

Through her first 26 games before the injury, Collier averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks. Despite missing some time, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year winner will in all likelihood add an MVP to her trophy cabinet.

Collier’s value to Minnesota is obvious. Her absence, however, served to reinforce how much depth head coach Cheryl Reeve has at her disposal. The team boasts a plus-3.7 net rating without her in the lineup, per WNBA.com.

Lynx guards Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride were both All-Stars, while forward Alanna Smith was one of the bigger omissions. Being able to bring Maria Kliundikova, Jessica Shepard and Natisha Hiedeman off the bench is a big luxury as well.

In addition, the early returns from midseason acquisition DiJonai Carrington are encouraging for Minnesota. She’s averaging 8.1 points and one steal while shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc since her arrival, replicating the form that made her the 2024 Most Improved Player.

The Lynx’s quest to avenge their WNBA Finals loss from a season ago ultimately hinges on the health and performance of Collier. With the quality of talent in the league, it’s almost impossible to win a title without having at least one elite talent on the floor.

With Collier back in the lineup, though, Minnesota will head into the postseason as the clear favorite.