WNBA Playoffs 2025: Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview

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The first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs reminded us why this league is so much fun to follow. From the expansion Valkyries battling the top-seeded Lynx, to the Mercury shocking the Liberty, to Indiana’s Cinderella-style breakthrough, Round 1 had everything — sweeps, upsets, and plenty of drama. Now the bracket tightens, the stakes rise, and only four teams are left standing on the road to the Finals.

📊 The WNBA Playoff Bracket 2025

WNBA Playoff Bracket 2025 Semifinals Round 1 Recap Round 2 Preview

🏀 WNBA Playoffs 2025: Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview

📅 Round 1 Recap

The opening round of the WNBA playoffs gave us everything: sweeps, upsets, and a couple of nail-biters.

  • (1) Lynx vs (8) Valkyries → Minnesota swept Golden State, but Game 2 was closer than expected. The expansion Valkyries showed fight, but the Lynx are too deep.
  • (4) Mercury vs (5) Liberty → Phoenix pulled off the upset, knocking out New York in three games. Breanna Stewart played her heart out, but the Mercury’s balanced attack sealed it.
  • (2) Aces vs (7) Storm → Vegas was pushed hard. Seattle ended their huge win streak in Game 2, but the Aces pulled through at home in Game 3.
  • (3) Dream vs (6) Fever → The Fever delivered the biggest surprise, ousting Atlanta in Game 3. Kelsey Mitchell led the way and Indiana earned their first series win in nearly a decade.

🔮 Round 2 Preview (Semifinals)

The semifinals shift to a best-of-five format. Here’s what’s on deck:

  • (1) Minnesota Lynx vs (4) Phoenix Mercury
    Top seed vs giant-slayers. Minnesota looks steady and well-rested, but Phoenix comes in riding upset energy. Can the Mercury keep it going against the league’s best?
  • (2) Las Vegas Aces vs (6) Indiana Fever
    The Aces survived a scare in Round 1, and now they’ll try to reassert dominance. The Fever are young, fearless, and already pulled off one upset — could they shock the defending champs?

🏁 What to Watch in Round 2

  • Can Phoenix keep the magic alive? Upsetting New York was huge — but Minnesota is a different beast.
  • Will Vegas look like Vegas again? After wobbling against Seattle, the Aces need a statement game.
  • Is Indiana this year’s Cinderella? They’re scrappy, they’re confident, and they’ve got nothing to lose.
  • Veteran vs upstart energy. Lynx and Aces have rings, experience, and history. Mercury and Fever are here to shake things up.

🏆 The Road Ahead

With four teams left, the semifinals are set to showcase the best of the WNBA: the steady powerhouses versus the hungry challengers. The Lynx and Aces know what it takes to win championships, while the Mercury and Fever are out to prove they belong on the biggest stage. Expect tighter games, higher stakes, and even more surprises as the race to the 2025 WNBA Finals heats up.

We’ll be updating this bracket all the way through the Finals, so check back after every round for the latest scores, previews, and breakdowns.

⬅️ Previous Post

WNBA Playoff Bracket 2025: Full Matchups & Schedule
Missed the start? Catch up on the complete bracket, first-round matchups, and key dates as the road to the Finals began. 👉 WNBA Playoff Bracket 2025: Full Matchups & Schedule

➡️ Next Post

WNBA Playoffs 2025: Semifinals Recap & Finals Preview
Coming soon! Stay tuned as we break down the semifinal results and look ahead to the 2025 WNBA Finals showdown. 👉 WNBA Playoffs 2025: Semifinals Recap & Finals Preview

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