The WNBA postseason begins on Sunday with pundits and fans alike weighing whether the league’s established powerhouses or an emerging contender will lift the championship. Our writers have made their selections for champion, identified the players most likely to make an impact and flagged a handful of teams that could surprise in the playoffs.
This season has carried extra significance after commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced earlier this month that she will step down at the end of the year. For many observers, the campaign has served as a microcosm of Engelbert’s seven-year tenure: remarkable growth and high-quality basketball tempered by contentious moments that have tested the league’s cohesion.
On the positive side, the WNBA has shown continued expansion in reach and profile, with a new generation of stars breaking through and producing compelling, competitive games all year. At the same time, the season has been marred by episodic refereeing controversies and what critics describe as manufactured culture-war hysteria, issues that have occasionally overshadowed on-court achievements.
Those mixed dynamics shape the narrative heading into the playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx arrive as the team to beat after a dominant regular campaign, while the Las Vegas Aces — often described in dynastic terms — remain a central storyline as challengers with a history of success. Beyond those headline teams, ballots include several dark horses whose form late in the season gives them a plausible path to extended runs.
The opening rounds will test depth, coaching adjustments and the capacity of young stars to deliver on a bigger stage. Expect the postseason to amplify both the sport’s progress and its tensions, as teams vie not only for a trophy but also for momentum at a pivotal moment for the league’s future. Our full predictions, player spotlights and upset picks accompany this preview as the WNBA moves into its decisive weeks.