The past four months have been leading up to this event. After a record-setting 44-game regular season, the stage is set for the WNBA playoffs to begin.
There are plenty of storylines to follow.
Can the Liberty successfully defend their championship title? Or will the Lynx, last year’s finalists, charge back with a vengeance to the top after the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 Finals?
Or will it be the Aces, who finished the season on an insane 16-game winning streak?
The Valkyries are the first expansion team to secure a postseason berth in its inaugural season, setting a high bar for future newcomers.
The Caitlin Clark-less Fever and Nneka Ogwumike-led Storm are also in the mix for this year’s crown.
While the Lynx are the clear favorites to win it all, the competition this year is intense, with possibilities for surprises or an unexpected contender making a strong showing due to the league’s balanced matchups this season.
Storm coach Noelle Quinn previously said that’s what makes this season “unique.”
“I haven’t seen a season quite like this one,” she said. “In previous years, it was apparent who the leading teams were as the season progressed, but that clarity has been missing this season. … Every team has managed to defeat another at some point.”
It all starts with a four-game slate Sunday, with all eight teams vying to be crowned this year’s champion playing.
Here’s a breakdown of all four of the WNBA’s first-round series:
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries
Records: Lynx 34-10, Valkyries 23-21
Season series: Lynx 4-0
Players to watch: Lynx F Napheesa Collier (23 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG), Valkyries G Veronica Burton (12 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6 APG)
Key battle: The highly-ranked defense of the Lynx takes on the Valkyries’ 10th-ranked offense. The Valkyries will face significant challenges in scoring.
This issue was evident during the regular season, with an average score of 67.8 points against the Lynx. The Valkyries also hold the lowest team shooting percentage in the league, with 41 percent from the field throughout the season.
X factor: Natisha Hiedeman. She gives the Lynx a big boost off the bench, and she cooked the Valkyries in the past two meetings, pouring in 21 and 24 points on 63.6 percent shooting (60 percent from 3.)
Kenney: Lynx in 2. The Valkyries had a lot of franchise firsts this year. But their first playoff game win will have to wait another year.
Lehman: Lynx in 2. Valkyries’ hopes of avoiding sweep dashed when Game 2 was moved out of Ballhalla.
(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm
Records: Aces 30-14, Storm 23-21
Season series: Tied 2-2
Players to watch: Aces F A’ja Wilson (23.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 BPG), Storm F Nneka Ogwumike (18.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 51.9 FG%)
Key matchup: Can anyone stop Wilson, the three-time MVP who averaged 26.1 points over the Aces’ season-ending 16-game winning streak? Ezi Magbegor will get first crack. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for 6-foot-6 rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in the draft.
X factor: The resuscitation of the Aces’ season roughly coincides with Becky Hammon moving six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd to the bench. Her scoring, when she’s on, still can tilt games.
Kenney: Aces in 2. Las Vegas is the hottest team in the WNBA. The Storm aren’t putting out this fire.
Lehman: Aces in 2. A’ja and Co. take the winning streak to 18.
(3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever
Records: Dream 30-14, Fever: 24-20
Season series: Tied 2-2
Players to watch: Dream G Allisha Gray (18.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 38.4 3P%), Fever G Kelsey Mitchell (20.2 PPG, 3.4 APG, 39.4 3P%)
Key matchup: The Fever’s third-ranked offense versus the Dream’s second-ranked defense. Even with Caitlin Clark largely MIA, the Fever put up 84.9 points per game. The Dream allowed just 76.8 while leading the WNBA in total rebounds and defensive rebounds.
X factor: Point guard play. The Fever are on their fourth-stringer in veteran midseason pickup Odyssey Sims. The Dream have Jordin Canada coming off an injury and rookie Te-Hina Paopao.
Kenney: Dream in 2. Atlanta picks up not only its first playoff win since 2018, but sweeps the series.
Lehman: Dream in 3. Fever are solid value for one win, even without Clark.
(4) Phoenix Mercury vs. (5) New York Liberty
Records: Mercury 27-17, Liberty 27-17
Season series: Mercury 3-1
Players to watch: Mercury F Satou Sabally (16.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.5 APG), Liberty G Sabrina Ionescu (18.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.7 APG)
Key matchup: Alyssa Thomas versus Breanna Stewart. Talk about an exciting frontcourt battle between two greats. Both are the motors of their teams. Thomas averaged 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists against New York this season.
X factor: Jonquel Jones. The Liberty’s success is in part dependent on what version of Jones shows up. Will we see 2024 Finals MVP Jones, who has made only a handful of cameos during the regular season?
Kenney: Liberty in 3. The Liberty are finally healthy. They’ve never played the Mercury with a full team (including Emma Meesseman.) The one time their Big 3 were healthy, the full game against the Mercury, the Liberty won. The defending champions will take this one.
Lehman: Mercury in 3. Went back and forth here. Typically foolish to pick against Breanna Stewart in an elimination game. But having to play Game 3 on the road — where they’ve been iffy all year — comes back to haunt the Liberty, who just run out of time to really click in the short series.
