W’s Playoff Picture Becomes Clearer

^{September 08 2025 | Edition #135}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

The final week is here, finally! And what a rollercoaster it’s been. Between holding our breath and cheering for our favorites, this stretch has given us a lot to talk about. Even the weekend games served up a little bit of everything: clashes, history-making moments, jaw-dropping plays, and, of course, another playoff spot locked in.

Also, before the post-season tips off, here’s our pick for the team most likely to take it all!

SGG’s Bracket Breakdown: Our Favorites for the Finals

“I have absolutely zero clue who will win a championship this year.” That was the viral post making the rounds, and for once, WNBA fans everywhere were on the same page.

We know that the playoff picture is basically set. Seven of eight teams have already punched their tickets, leaving just one battle: Seattle Storm (22-21) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (20-22) for that final spot.

On paper, it feels like Seattle’s spot to lose. The Sparks have to deal with Phoenix (27-15), a matchup that’s given them trouble, while Seattle closes against the Valkyries, a team they’ve already beaten. So, a Storm win or a Sparks loss will seal the deal.

Now, onto the seeding chaos. The top four seeds look pretty much settled; it’s just about the order. We’ve got the Aces at 2 (like most of you voted), Dream at 3, and Mercury at 4.

At 5, the Liberty (25-17) sit two games ahead of the Valkyries (23-19). The Fever trail GSV by half a game with just one left, and it’s against Minnesota. Advantage Valks. And speaking of Golden State, they’ve stolen Indy’s shine in more ways than one.

The Valkyries broke the WNBA attendance record by packing Chase Center more than any team before. Check the crazy numbers for yourself!

Moving on…

For the title, the Lynx looked like the clear favorites for most of the season, but the Aces’ late surge and the Dream’s consistency have kept things spicy.

Still, if we had to bet, we’re leaning toward an Aces–Lynx Finals, with Minnesota winning it all. Not to forget, though, in this league, nothing has stayed predictable for long. We’re in for a historic post-season, folks!

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Double-Double & Double Trouble For Charles

It was supposed to be a sweep! But, out of contention or not, Connecticut wasn’t just showing up to play nice. They came in with heart, proving they could still take down one of the league’s best. Marina Mabrey led with 23 points, but the spotlight quickly turned into a Tina Charles revenge show.

Facing her former team, Charles dropped a 22–10 double-double and then got into a fiery back-and-forth with Alyssa Thomas (14 pts, 10 ast) that earned her a tech. This is what happens when two vets with fire meet head-on. Catch the moment here!

However, the real magic was rookie Leïla Lacan (14 pts) pulling off something unthinkable. Who drops six points in the final 30 seconds of a tie game!? She somehow did so to seal an 87-84 win for the Sun.

Elsewhere, unlike Phoenix, the other top squads had no trouble handling business. In San Francisco, the Valkyries gave their fans a final Chase Center thriller against Minnesota. Golden State actually outscored the Lynx in three of four quarters, but Natisha Hiedeman wasn’t gonna let them off easy, dropping a season-high 24 points off the bench.

Add Jessica Shepard’s double-double, and Minnesota spoiled the farewell night with a 78-72 win.

Then came the Aces vs. Sky. The outcome was predictable. But the drama…not so much. Angel Reese was expected to sit out half the game as punishment for her comments, but instead, she missed the entire night with back issues. Still, she was courtside, and let’s just say the team dynamic on that bench looked… well, off. See for yourself!

As for the action, A’ja Wilson stayed on brand, torching Chicago with 31 points. That makes it 14 straight wins for Vegas and a brand-new league record: 13 games this season with 30+ from A’ja. Michaela Onyenwere and Rachel Banham tried to keep Chicago close, but against this Aces buzzsaw, there was no chance.

Moore Than Jordan? Maya Moore Channels MJ With Iconic Ring Pose

Playoff Dreams Continue

Most of you didn’t trust the Fever to make it… Well, here they are, playoff-bound!

Without Caitlin Clark, battling through five season-ending injuries, and facing everything in between, Indiana showed everyone how to fight. The Mystics came in with nothing to lose, but turnovers became their undoing. The Fever forced 22 of them (second-most this season) and turned them into 27 points in a dominating 94-65 victory.

Indiana’s frontcourt of Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston combined for 29 points and 15 rebounds. Add five players in double digits, and it was a total team effort. Speaking of team chemistry, the DC squad showed some magic, too. That insane pass from beyond half-court landing in Sonia Citron’s hands near the rim? It was pure eye candy!

And even if it didn’t lead to a win, with 17 points, Citron broke Washington’s single-season scoring record! If only the postseason had been in the cards for her…

Meanwhile, the playoff chase had LA sweating as well. A loss here would’ve officially eliminated them. Good save, LA! The Wings gave it a fight, though. Trailing by double digits early, they grabbed a lead late in the third. But thanks to a 19-0 Sparks run and strong performances from all five starters, LA sealed the 91-77 win.

And maybe not a 44-ball this time, Paige Bueckers was dazzling again….18 points of pure flair. Among multiple flashy layups, the best came when she bulldozed her way to the rim through a wall of defenders. For the cherry on top, she muscled right into Kelsey Plum on her way back, sending her to the floor! Check the moment out.

Despite her brilliance, the Sparks’ desperation for a playoff push was too much, while the Wings are now locked into at least a tie for the league’s worst record.

Wait, WHAT?! Did Satou Sabally Really Tug Aneesah Morrow’s Jersey Before Throwing a Brutal Punch?

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

A’ja Wilson’s outfit inspo these days isn’t coming from a fashion icon; it’s coming straight out of Bam Adebayo’s wardrobe. She clearly loves it. So do we, by the way. And while she is busy pulling that off, her coach, Becky Hammon, was actually celebrating “A’ja Day,” like most of Vegas. The iconic pink wig made its way to the coach! Check out how she pulled off the A’ja-dedicated look!

Seattle Storm 2025: Expectations vs. Reality

The biggest turnaround in Seattle basketball history!

That sentence alone summed up the Storm’s 2024 season. Despite a controversial offseason that even saw Jewell Loyd depart, 2025 was supposed to be a step up. Skylar Diggins was ready to set the tone. “Hell yeah, I feel confident – did you see our roster?” Only if she knew the ride wouldn’t go exactly as planned.

Sure, inconsistency has been part of the narrative, but Noelle Quinn reminded everyone what really held them back. Hear from the coach (with a pinch of shade at the team)!

Still, with players like Skylar, Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, and rookie Dominique Malonga (the No. 2 pick) on the roster, a playoff berth was considered the bare minimum. And yeah, they will likely grab it. However, the journey has been anything but impressive.

The timing of their tumbles couldn’t have been worse. Six straight losses mid-season had fans holding their breath. Then came the turning point. Call it luck, call it the effect Brittney Sykes brought in a mid-season trade, or the team finally embracing Quinn’s mantra of “Just hoop”; Seattle rattled off a 6–2 run, including a win over the Lynx, putting themselves back in contention.

All they had to do was hold it together for the final three games. But two losses later, the chance to officially punch their postseason ticket has been slipping away. How bad is it? This post-game clip of Diggins almost breaking down said it all. She did apologise later. But it’ll take you a glance to tell she was devastated!

Now, to put truth on the table, Seattle hasn’t been offensively dominant enough to contend for a championship this year. Still with this roster, lessons learned, coaching staff stepping up more, and key players returning, 2026 could be everything 2025 was meant to be!

From Seattle, With Love: The Storm’s Beautiful Tribute to Sue Bird

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Iowa’s Gamble Could Be the Reason Behind Caitlin Clark’s Injury - Full Story

2. Vague Injury Update Fuels Angel Reese Trade Rumors - Full Story

3. Lexie Hull’s Mom Sees What Others Missed in Maya Moore’s HOF Moment - Full Story

4. "You’re Not That Caliber of Player!”: Is ‘Entitlement’ Holding Angel Reese Back? - Full Story

5. ‘No Space for Hate!’ WNBA Turns to AI to Protect Its Stars - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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