A Thrilling First Round Sets the Stage
After a series of electrifying first-round matchups, the 2025 WNBA semifinals are officially set, promising high-stakes drama and compelling basketball. Three of the four opening series went to a decisive Game 3, with the final contests decided by a combined four points. The field has been narrowed to four formidable teams: the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, the surging Las Vegas Aces, the resilient Phoenix Mercury, and the giant-killing Indiana Fever. The best-of-five semifinal series will begin on Sunday, September 21, with two powerhouse clashes.
No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
In what is perhaps the most intriguing storyline of the postseason, the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever will take on the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces. The Fever, who have battled through a season plagued by injuries, pulled off a stunning upset against the third-seeded Atlanta Dream. They clinched their first playoff series victory in a decade with an 87-85 Game 3 win, sealed by a go-ahead basket from Aliyah Boston with just 7.4 seconds remaining. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 24 points in the decisive game.
Their journey, however, gets no easier. They now face a formidable Aces team that is riding a wave of momentum. After a slow start to the season, Las Vegas closed the regular season on a franchise-record 16-game winning streak, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. The Aces survived their own first-round scare, defeating the Seattle Storm 74-73 in a thrilling Game 3. The victory was powered by a spectacular 38-point performance from superstar A’ja Wilson and a game-winning putback by Jackie Young with 12.4 seconds left.
Key Matchup and Storylines
- Wilson vs. Boston: The series will feature a marquee matchup in the paint between two South Carolina greats: A’ja Wilson, the newly named co-Defensive Player of the Year, and Aliyah Boston.
- Caitlin Clark’s Absence: Despite the Fever’s inspiring run, they will have to continue without rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. Sidelined with groin and ankle injuries, Clark was not included on the team’s active playoff roster and is therefore ineligible to return this postseason.
- Regular Season Anomaly: The Fever surprisingly won the regular-season series 2-1 against the Aces, though those games occurred before Las Vegas began its dominant winning streak.
The Aces enter their seventh consecutive semifinals as heavy favorites, but the Fever’s proven grit and chemistry make them a dangerous underdog.
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 4 Phoenix Mercury
On the other side of the bracket, the league-best Minnesota Lynx will face the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx were the only team to sweep their first-round series, making quick work of the expansion Golden State Valkyries in two games. Having dominated the regular season with a 34-10 record, Minnesota boasts the league’s top-ranked offense and defense, led by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier and co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith.
Their opponents, the Phoenix Mercury, are fresh off a monumental upset. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury eliminated the defending champion New York Liberty, winning the decisive Game 3 on the road, 79-73. The victory was highlighted by a remarkable 20-point, 11-rebound, and 11-assist triple-double from Alyssa Thomas. The Liberty, who were hampered by an MCL sprain to star Breanna Stewart, could not overcome Phoenix’s relentless defense and balanced attack, which saw Satou Sabally score 23 points in the final game.
What to Watch For
The Lynx enter as the clear favorites with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. However, the Mercury have proven they are battle-tested and capable of defeating the league’s elite. The clash between Minnesota’s systematic dominance and Phoenix’s veteran-led tenacity promises to be a physical and strategic series.
Semifinals Schedule
The WNBA semifinals tip off with a doubleheader on Sunday, September 21:
- Game 1: Aces vs. Fever, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 1: Lynx vs. Mercury, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
