Minnesota Links Enter the playoffs as Favorite to win Championship. But what can stand in the way of number 1 seed? Who are their biggest challenges? And which players will have the most impact when all four first round series tip from ET, ESPN) on Sunday (ET, ESPN)?
ESPN surveyed WNBA experts to answer those questions and dissected the largest storyline to Postsen. Links were the most popular picks to win the title, and experts unanimously voted for a WNBA final match between Minnesota and No. 2 seeds Las vegas ekka – Which will establish a possible epic performance among MVP candidates Nefeesa colir And A’aza Wilson,
How far can hurt Indiana fever Go? How much will the first series be covered with the format going in a three-game chain, giving every team a domestic game guaranteeing a domestic game?
And experts think about the rescue of WNBA Champion New York LibertyWho are the number 5 seeds and the playoffs will not have a house.
Let’s take a look at how we expect to get out of the playoffs.
jump to: Playoff predictions
More: Strength, flaws for every team , Top 25 players , Schedule
Minnesota has been the best team this season. What are the biggest reasons to win (or not) Lynx title?
Myron medcalf: Aces are the biggest reasons that links cannot win a championship. I believe Neeffa Kolier is MVP, but Aja Wilson can reach a level that no other player can match and we are watching it now. Many people thought that the ACES will not win the title after its rough start for the season, but he has found his chemistry at the right time. And this is the biggest threat between links and a championship.
Kevin Pelton: The size can still make the links uncomfortable. They are below the average on defensive glass, rank 10th based on one percent, and play strong backup posts Jessica Shepard And Maria Cleindikova Five-out takes some of the vacancy away which makes the first five of Minnesota so powerful.
Andre Snelling: Links is a championship-tier team. The biggest reason will not win Minnesota if Aces are playing at their top levels. Las Vegas has the most prominent internal player of the league besides three circumference players capable of controlling the game. In a series, in and out of any defense, including links to handle, is difficult.
Center Andrews: Coliere has said that Links were better than a year ago, as what he experienced in the 2024 playoffs included losing five matches in the final. They dominated this regular season, and head in Postsen with stability and reliability with lack of other teams. But incredibly prominent regular-regular-seasons can exclude teams. (2015–16 Golden State Warriors and 2024-25 Cleveland cavaliers come to mind in NBA.) Therefore, Links need to capitalize on their regular season runs and capitalize the guard against the steam out of the steam under the stretch.
Alexa Philipo: Out of the last eight WNBA champions, six were number 1 seed-including the 2020 bubble season, which lacked home-court benefits-and Minnesota has been away and away from the best team in the league this year. With full force, the team to defeat Minnesota. But due to an ankle injury with the colir and Dijonai Carrington To deal with a shoulder issue (he played September 1), the links may not be so heavy.
WNBA playoff sets are 🔥
Who is your pick to take the title home? pic.twitter.com/kgr4ul0use
– Espnw (@ESPNW) September 12, 2025
If Links does not win the title, which team will be?
Pelton: If New York can find some harmony, Liberty can be a championship team. As Michael Voepel expands as part of our playoff preview, New York has been in Creator with all three stars on courtAnd in addition Emma miseman Coach Sandy allows Bondelo to employ better versions of the larger lineup which helped Minnesota in the Liberty Outstand last October.
Medcalf: Coach Becky Hamon’s decision to decide Jewel Lloyd Changes the dynamic of Ace from the bench. When they turn to their reserves, the talent drop-off is less important, now under the leadership of a player who scored 24.7 points on average only two sessions ago. Mix this team with Wilson and Momentum, and it is easy to see why the championship conversation with Aces Links.
1:44
A’Ja Wilson’s double-dobbal helps propel aces to win 16th direct win
A’Ja Wilson ends with 23 points and 19 rebounds as ACES Sparks defeats 103-75.
Snellings: except Nalisa Smith On both ends of the court, the interior of the aces was sidelined, and Loyd found his level out of the bench. Wilson confirmed his position as the best player in the league, and Jackie Young Playing at the All-WNBA level, ACES is designed for the success of Postson.
Philippou: It seems as if either Links, Aces or Liberty – in that order – will be crowned the champion. This is no disrespect of dreams or Mercury, which both had great weather. But players from Links, Aces and Liberty play a lot of postsen experiences, which can lead to a big difference.
Michael Vopel: 16-The confidence of the aces is intense after finishing the regular season on the winning streak of the game, which they needed to secure the number 2 seed. Therefore, they have been at the highest level for more than a month. If they can place it up, the speed can take them to the third title. And as my colleagues said, if it is not links or aces, we are probably seeing a repetition for Liberty, which can be in its best form in Postsen.
1:39
Elite in Naphesa Collier Lynx Finale joins 50/40/90 club
Naphesa Collier Seals Records against Valkyries with two 3-pointers, becoming the second WNBA player with 50/40/90 season.
Which player can have the biggest impact on Postsen?
Pelton: Jewel Lloyd Las is an attractive X factor for Vegas. Loyd scored higher points in less minutes after going to the bench, shooting 42% and 36% from the field and 42% as compared to 36%, as a starter, compared to 36% and 35%, respectively. If Lloyd has continued the success of his recent shooting, the ACES will probably return it to the final.
Eric Moody: Natasha hidman Coming out of the bench for links, especially below the vagabond of the weather. In the last six matches of the regular session, he scored 16.3 points and 4.2 in just 25.7 minutes. Playing with other talented players of Links allowed them to face low defensive pressure and helped them shine. With that speed, he is well deployed to be an important contributor to this poston.
Medcalf: Defensive presence of colir. To win a title, Links will have to fight through some elite classes and centers. The aggressive number generates headlines for the collar, but how it handles the defensive matchup – and dishonestly avoids trouble – will determine the fate of the links.
Philippou: Historically, New York has reached a championship roof when it becomes best Zoncl JonesShe was the final MVP when New York won last year, and Liberty was 34–0 in the regular-season game when she recorded a double-dobe. Jones is a matchup challenge, normally, and in the first round will benefit inside against Phoenix and, if New York Advanced, Minnesota in the semi -finals. While freedom still trusts a lot Sabarina Eonacu And Breena stewartIt is difficult to see them repeating without a major jones.
Voepel: Watch out for aces point guard Chelsea GrayWhich was MVP in the final in 2022. She was perfectly healthy in this season after disappearing last season last season, while recovering from a foot injury in the 2023 WNBA final. Gray received an average assistance of 5.4 in this season, but jumped into the last 10 matches of the regular season. Gray has the history of being the best in the largest sports, so we will see if this is the same in this year’s playoffs.
Playoff predictions
Who wins every best-three first round series?
(1) Minnesota Links Vs (8) Golden State Valcaries
Center Andrews: Links in 2
Sean Hurd: Links in 2
Myron medcalf: Links in 2
Eric Moody: Links in 2
Neil Pine: Links in 2
Kevin Pelton: Links in 2
Alexa Philipo: Links in 2
Andre Snelling: Links in 2
Michael Vopel: Links in 2
2:20
How to become a fort for ‘Balhlla’ Valcaries
Kendra Andrews introduced “The Bay” about the Golden State Volcaries Home Arena.
(2) Las vegas ekka Vs (7) Seattle Storm
Andrews: 3 in 3
Hurd: 3 in 3
Medcalf: 2 in 2
moody: 3 in 3
Pine: 2 in 2
Pelton: 3 in 3
Philippou: 3 in 3
Snellings: 2 in 2
Voepel: 2 in 2
The Las Vegas Aces has not been lost since a 53 -point defeat at the house of Minnesota Links on 2 August.
Full story: https://t.co/kjsokgxnfp pic.twitter.com/qh5fhsrevs
– ESPN (@ESPN) September 12, 2025
(3) Atlanta dream Vs (6) Indiana fever
Andrews: Dream in 2
Hurd: Dream in 2
Medcalf: Dream in 2
moody: Dream in 2
Pine: Dream in 2
Pelton: Dream in 2
Philippou: Dream in 2
Snellings: Dream in 2
Voepel: Dream in 3
(4) Phoenix mercury Vs (5) New York Liberty
Andrews: Freedom in 3
Hurd: Mercury in 3
Medcalf: Freedom in 3
moody: Freedom in 3
Pine: Freedom in 3
Pelton: Freedom in 3
Philippou: Freedom in 3
Snellings: Freedom in 3
Voepel: Freedom in 3
Which teams will be found in the WNBA final?
Andrews: Links vs.
Hurd: Links vs.
Medcalf: Links vs.
moody: Links vs.
Pine: Links vs.
Pelton: Links vs.
Philippou: Links vs.
Snellings: Links vs.
Voepel: Links vs.
1:01
Who should win the WNBA MVP in this season?
Monica McCant explains why the WNBA MVP race of this season is so close between A’Ja Wilson and Naphesa Collier.
Which team will win the championship?
Andrews: Links in 7
Hurd: Links in 6
Medcalf: Links in 7
moody: 7 in aces
Pine: Links in 7
Pelton: Links in 6
Philippou: Links in 6
Snellings: 6 in aces
Voepel: 7 in aces
Which player will be MVP final?
Andrews: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
Hurd: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
Medcalf: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
moody: A’aza Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Pine: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
Pelton: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
Philippou: Nefeesa Kolier, Minnesota Links
Snellings: A’aza Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Voepel: A’aza Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
