WNBA Playoff Shocks and Showdowns: Who Rose to the Occasion and Who Fell Flat?
The opening day of the 2025 WNBA playoffs was a mixed bag of dominant performances and nail-biting finishes. While the top seeds asserted their authority, a few key players and teams emerged as clear winners, and others were left to lick their wounds. The playoff atmosphere proved to be a different beast, separating the contenders from those with more work to do after game one. This initial round of action set a dramatic tone for the rest of the postseason, leaving fans with plenty to discuss as the series moves forward.
The Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces left no doubt about their championship aspirations, delivering performances that displayed why they are the class of the league. The Lynx, fueled by the league's best regular-season record of 34-10, dismantled the expansion Golden State Valkyries with a decisive 101-72 victory that was never truly in doubt. Their offense was a well-oiled machine, with five players scoring in double figures, demonstrating a remarkable and unmatched depth. The Lynx’s suffocating defense also held the Valkyries to just 72 points, a testament to their two-way dominance. The Aces' defense was the true star of their 102-77 rout of the Seattle Storm, setting the tone early and holding Seattle to a franchise playoff-low 25 points in the first half. Anchored by two-time Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson, the Aces' defensive pressure was relentless, forcing 10 steals and six blocks. This defensive masterclass turned turnovers into easy buckets, as the Aces scored 21 points off Seattle's mistakes, showing they are ready to defend their championship crown.
In a thrilling overtime victory for the New York Liberty, Natasha Cloud proved to be the clutch performer they acquired her for. She delivered a standout performance against her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, tallying 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Cloud was a force in the fourth quarter and overtime, scoring 10 points in the final moments to secure the hard-fought 76-69 win for the defending champions. Meanwhile, Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon also emerged as a key winner after an impressive outing. A candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, Hillmon demonstrated that her impact extends to the postseason, coming up big with 16 points and nine rebounds, along with three blocks and a steal. Her performance was particularly effective in the second half, which helped the Dream pull away from the Indiana Fever in their victory.
For every winner, there was a team left with a bitter taste in its mouth after a disappointing game one performance. The Indiana Fever's season came to a grinding halt in a tough loss to the Atlanta Dream, as the absence of superstar Caitlin Clark was glaringly obvious. Without her playmaking and shot creation, the Fever's offense was stagnant and lacked a consistent rhythm. While Kelsey Mitchell had a strong outing with 27 points, the rest of the team combined for a trivial 41 points on just 28.8 percent shooting. The Fever simply could not find a way to generate easy points in the high-stakes playoff environment, and they will need to find another gear to extend their season.
The Golden State Valkyries' inaugural playoff game was a harsh introduction to the postseason. Sidelined by injuries to key players Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton, the expansion team was completely outmatched by the Minnesota Lynx. Their offense struggled to generate any momentum, shooting a dismal 33.9 percent from the field and committing 16 turnovers. The Valkyries' magical run has been put on pause, and they will need a monumental effort to extend their season and avoid a quick elimination.
While the New York Liberty ultimately emerged victorious, the biggest loss of the night was the potential injury to star forward Breanna Stewart. Stewart, who has a history of knee problems, went down in overtime with a left knee injury. The severity is currently unknown, but if she is forced to miss significant time, it could spell disaster for the Liberty's hopes of a repeat championship. Her absence would be a devastating blow, forcing the team to reevaluate their entire game plan and rely on their other stars to step up significantly. The Liberty's ability to navigate this new challenge will be a defining story of their playoff run, and all eyes will be on Stewart's status as they prepare for the next game.
