WNBA Dimes

**Introduction**
Sunday, September 14 marked the opening day of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs, with all four first-round Game 1 matchups played across the league’s playoff field. Top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, No. 2 Las Vegas Aces, No. 3 Atlanta Dream and defending champion New York Liberty all secured victories on their home floors to take early 1-0 series leads ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_season)).

After a record 44-game regular season, the postseason format features a best-of-three opening round (1-1-1 format) and, for the first time in league history, a best-of-seven WNBA Finals. The field includes seven returning playoff teams and one newcomer: the Golden State Valkyries, who became the first expansion franchise to reach the postseason in their inaugural campaign ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/series-preview-2025-playoffs-first-round)).

## (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries
The Lynx delivered a statement win in Minneapolis, dominating the Valkyries 101-72 in Game 1. Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 20 points, 6 rebounds and a 7-of-11 shooting night (including a three-pointer and a perfect 5-for-5 at the stripe). Natisha Hiedeman added 18 points off two 3-pointers, while Kayla McBride contributed 17. Jessica Shepard chipped in a double-double (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Courtney Williams registered 11 points and 4 steals to spark Minnesota’s depth surge ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-valkyries-lynx-game-1-recap)).

Golden State jumped out to a 28-21 first-quarter lead behind two 3-pointers from Veronica Burton (14 points, 7 assists, 3 steals) and a balanced bench attack. However, Minnesota closed the second quarter on a 12-3 run to seize momentum, then opened the third with a barrage of 3-point strikes, turning a one-point deficit into a 21-point advantage. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase received a fourth-quarter technical foul amid frustrations over officiating, but Minnesota’s relentless offense and tenacious defense ultimately proved decisive ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/valkyries-get-harsh-welcome-wnba-playoffs-101-72-21046369.php?utm_source=openai)).

## (3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever
In College Park, the Dream flexed their record-setting prowess with an 80-68 triumph over the Fever. Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 20 points apiece, while Sixth Woman of the Year Naz Hillmon poured in 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Gray’s pull-up jumper and Howard’s timely 3-pointer extended a second-half lead, and Brionna Jones provided a key tiebreaking layup that underscored Atlanta’s balanced attack ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-fever-dream-game-1-recap)).

For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell carried the offense with a game-high 27 points. Rookie Aliyah Boston battled on the boards, totaling 12 rebounds along with 5 assists. The Fever, hampered by season-ending injuries to Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and Aari McDonald, managed to cut the deficit to 10 late in the fourth quarter, but Hillmon answered with a crucial three-point play to restore double-digit separation ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-fever-dream-game-1-recap)).

## (5) New York Liberty vs. (4) Phoenix Mercury
In a thrilling overtime showdown at PHX Arena, the Liberty outlasted the Mercury 76-69. Natasha Cloud spearheaded New York’s comeback with a team-high 23 points, knocking down the first OT 3-pointer in an 8-0 Liberty run. Breanna Stewart added 18 points before exiting with a knee injury late in OT; her absence looms as a pivotal storyline for the series ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-liberty-mercury-game-1-recap)).

Phoenix received 15 points from Kahleah Copper and a near triple-double from Alyssa Thomas (14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists), but cold shooting (33% FG, 23% 3PT) and untimely turnovers proved costly. Leonie Fiebich’s clutch corner 3 with under two minutes left in OT sealed New York’s victory, swinging home-court advantage back to the Liberty for Game 2 on Wednesday at Barclays Center ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-liberty-mercury-game-1-recap)).

## (2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm
A’ja Wilson asserted her dominance with 29 points as the Aces rolled past Seattle 102-77. Wilson’s efficient output paced a balanced Las Vegas attack—Jackie Young (18 points, 7 assists, 4 steals), Jewell Loyd (14), Dana Evans (13) and NaLyssa Smith (11 points, 9 rebounds) each made significant contributions in the rout. The Aces, winners of 16 straight to close the regular season, shot 51% overall and 48% from deep, overwhelming Seattle’s top-four defense ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-storm-aces-game-1-recap)).

Seattle’s Gabby Williams top-scored for the visitors with 16 points. Dominique Malonga posted a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds), and Skylar Diggins (12) and Nneka Ogwumike (11) chipped in, but Las Vegas answered every Storm charge with a timely run. With their depth and offensive firepower, the Aces can clinch the series on Tuesday night in Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-storm-aces-game-1-recap)).

## Series Context and Format
Sunday’s results adhered largely to seeding, underscoring home-court importance in the best-of-three first round. The Minnesota Lynx (34-10) seek their fifth championship behind MVP candidate Collier and the league’s top offense, while the Las Vegas Aces (30-14) enter the next game on a historic postseason-caliber win streak ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/series-preview-2025-playoffs-first-round)). Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream have doubled their win total from last season and shattered franchise records under first-year coach Karl Smesko, and the Liberty draw confidence from their title-defending pedigree and postseason familiarity ([wnba.com](https://www.wnba.com/news/series-preview-2025-playoffs-first-round)).

## Looking Ahead: Game 2 Schedule
Game 2 tips on Tuesday, September 16: Atlanta travels to Indianapolis for a 7:30 p.m. ET start; Las Vegas visits Seattle at 9:30 p.m. ET. Wednesday’s slate features Phoenix at New York (8:00 p.m. ET) and Minnesota at Golden State (10:00 p.m. ET) at the SAP Center. Winners will advance to the semifinals, with any necessary Game 3s scheduled for September 18–19 ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_season)).