Boors the world over once insisted that no one watches women’s sports. Now, grown men are trying to declare for the WNBA draft. That should illustrate just how popular women’s basketball has become over the last few years, buoyed in part by an insurgent class of superstars.
Made possible by the historic CBA that was signed in the eleventh hour of the off-season, the WNBA’s 30th anniversary season has been must-see TV. This year, the league welcomed two new expansion franchises—the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire—and a generational talent in rookie Olivia Miles, not to mention boatloads of new fans. And for the first time ever, the WNBA’s All-Star game was better-attended than the NBA’s.
Despite what the sensational headlines might lead you to believe, there has never been a better time to be a fan of the WNBA. The hoops, too, are as competitive as ever—league-wide parity means that any team can be beat on any given night. Case in point: the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx won only seven more games this season than the eighth-seeded New York Liberty, who they’ll play in the opening round when the playoffs begin on Sunday.
As someone who grew up watching the NBA, I’ll admit that it took me a few years to get accustomed to the flow of the women’s game. But diving deeper into the WNBA, and sitting in the upper bowl of a sold-out United Center at the WNBA All-Star Game in July, has brought back the kind of pure excitement and curiosity I felt when I first fell in love with basketball as a kid.
So, here’s a pro-tip for any WNBA newbies: instead of allowing right-wing panic about trans athletes to dictate your experience of the W, try actually watching the games. (Better yet, get to one in person). Trust me, the hoops (and the vibes) will not disappoint. What follows is a comprehensive guide to the WNBA postseason, tailor-made for fans who may only just be coming around to the beauty and ferocity of women’s basketball.
Note: The first round of the WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three series, the Semifinals is best-of-five and, for the second time in league history, the WNBA Finals will be best-of-seven.
The Juggernauts
Jackie Young, A’ja Wilson, and Dana EvansSteph Chambers/Getty Images
In this economy, it wouldn’t be wise to bet against the Las Vegas Aces. The reigning champs are seeded third, behind the Minnesota Lynx and the Golden State Valkyries, But the Aces are experienced and well-oiled, led by Becky Hammon and a staff of hoodie-blazer-wearing coaches who know exactly how to get their team playing their best basketball when it matters most. Oh, they also have four-time MVP and three-time DPOY A’ja Wilson, who every year strengthens her case for being the greatest player in league history. Leading the league once again in points and blocks, Wilson wisely opted to remain stateside to recover from a nagging back injury instead of competing in the FIBA World Cup. If the Aces continue playing the way they did in the final week of the regular season, they may well win their fourth chip in five years. To get in the mood, run back A’ja’s fadeaway game-winner during game three of the 2025 Finals as time expired. Absolute cinema.
