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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Lynx Punch Their Ticket đď¸
With Indianaâs loss to Dallas on Tuesday, the Minnesota Lynx became the first team to clinch a 2025 playoff berth, more than a month before the postseason tips off. (Sports Illustrated)
WHY IT MATTERS: At 27â5, Minnesota owns the best record in the league and is 6.5 games ahead of second-place New York. Theyâve been dominant from day one, and even with Napheesa Collier sidelined for at least two weeks, the Lynx have won three straight. Clinching this early is rare, and itâs a loud message to every title contender: the road to the championship runs through them.
2. Fight for Remaining Playoff Spots Heats UpđĽ
Outside of Minnesotaâs locked-up berth, the other seven playoff spots are still up for grabs. The race is especially tight for those battling for the lower seeds.
WHY IT MATTERS: Just 3.5 games separate the 5th-seeded Las Vegas Aces from the 10th-seeded Washington Mystics, with Indiana, Golden State, Seattle, and LA all in the mix. With just over a month to go, every game is now must-win.
3. Our Most Improved Player Shortlist đ
In our opinion, three names are leading the 2025 Most Improved Player race: Veronica Burton (Valkyries), Allisha Gray (Dream), and AzurĂĄ Stevens (Sparks).
Veronica Burton - Went from one start last year in Connecticut to starting all 31 games for Golden State. Sheâs posting career-highs in points (10.6), rebounds (4.3), and assists (5.2) while running the Valksâ offense.
Allisha Gray - In her ninth season, the three-time All-Star is having her best year yet, leading Atlanta in scoring (18.9 PPG) and pushing the Dream to 3rd in the standings.
AzurĂĄ Stevens - An injury comeback story turned breakout season: shooting 42.4% from three, boosting her scoring to 14.5 PPG, and grabbing 8.2 boards a game.
WHY IT MATTERS: The MIP award should be considered one of the leagueâs most prestigious honors because it reflects that rare, significant leap in a league where itâs extremely hard to even make a roster spot. The WNBA is an entirely different level from college and success there doesnât guarantee success in the pros. For these three to not only adapt but elevate their games at this level to this degree is remarkable.
đłď¸ Whoâs your pick for 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player?
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OVERTIME âąď¸
Round Two for Aâja: Aâja Wilsonâs second signature shoe, the Nike AâTwo, will debut Summer 2026 with all-new sneaker technology.
Bestie Domination: Former South Carolina teammates Allisha Gray and A'ja Wilson win Week 10 WNBA Player of the Week honors.
Power Rankings Shake-Up: ESPNâs latest WNBA Power Rankings have the Aces jumping from 8th to 5th, Fever dropping to 6th, and the Storm sliding to 9th after five straight losses.
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