As the second half of the WNBA season continues, the stakes have risen with the playoffs near. Every game is now more crucial, and every loss or win could mean a lot in terms of the standings. There are three teams who have risen to the challenge and three that are diminishing hope.
WNBA Teams on the Rise
Las Vegas Aces
2025 Record: (21-14), 3rd conference, 5th overall)
Last 10 games: 9-1
The Las Vegas Aces have turned around their season in extraordinary fashion. It was looking bleak for the Aces after losing by 53 to the Minnesota Lynx back on August 2. Since then, the Aces have been on a seven game winning streak. At one point, the Aces were on the verge of falling out of the top eight in the standings, and now they are fighting for the possible four seed for the playoffs.
For the season the Aces average 82.2 points, and in their last seven wins, they are averaging 91.1 points. Over the last 10 games, Becky Hammon made the decision to shake up the lineup and bench Jewell Loyd. This change has panned out perfectly for the Aces, as Loyd has been far more production coming off the bench than she was in the starting lineup. As a starter, Loyd averaged 10.5 points, now coming off the bench she is averaging 14.6 points.
The Aces have gotten decent production from players like Dana Evans and Kierstan Bell, who have been interchangeable in that starting role. This Las Vegas team looks much different compared to the team they were in the beginning of the season, and right now this could push them to be a top four seed when the playoffs arrive. Plus, A’ja Wilson is back in the MVP conversation.
Los Angeles Sparks
2025 Record: (16-18, 6th conference, 9th overall)
Last 10 games: 6-4
The Los Angeles Sparks have turned their season around when it has mattered the most. The team is healthy, they are winning games, and are playing with a true identity. Getting Cameron Brink back from injury as she had played a huge role on defense for the Sparks.
The last time teams were analyzed for trending up and down, the Sparks were on the trending up list and continue to stay that way. Although the Sparks have only moved up one spot in the standings during the timeframe, they have a perfect scenario in terms of their offense where everybody on the starting five can score from anywhere on the court.
The Sparks are fighting for a spot in the playoffs, which will be here before we know it. The next upcoming stretch of games for the Sparks are going to be vital in determining whether or not they will be playing playoff basketball. They remain half a game back of the Seattle Storm for the eight seed.
Atlanta Dream
2025 Record: (22-12, 1st conference, 2nd overall)
Last 10 games: 8-2
Currently, The Atlanta Dream have carved out a path to the second seed. With injuries to Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, the Dream have managed to capture victories without their star players and are true contenders. Four of their current starting five are averaging double digits in points, and Allisha Gray is having a MVP caliber season.
Under head coach Karl Smekso, the Dream are a consistent team that can shoot the ball well. In addition, they protect the ball, and are considered top five defensive team. This Atlanta team can really do it all, and they aren’t even at full potential just yet.
The next four games on the Dream’s schedule are against teams that are playoff bound, so this will be the ultimate test if Atlanta can come away with a winning record.
WNBA Teams on the Decline
Seattle Storm
2025 Record: (17-18, 5th conference, 8th overall)
Last 10 games: 2-8
The Seattle Storm are an absolute mess. They were once considered a top five team, but now the Storm are close to falling beyond the eight seed. Nobody expected Seattle to completely fall off like they have, but here we are. Every game for the Storm becomes important as they now risk missing the playoffs entirely.
Seattle has a lot to figure out before the season ends. The Storm were just on a six game losing streak, with the majority of the losses coming by fewer than five points. Currently, the Storm are averaging 81.7 points, while opponents on average are scoring 79.9 points.
The Storm have to catch up with everybody else in order to make it to the playoffs, and now they have diminished their odds of being a high seed as well.
New York Liberty
2025 Record: (21-13, 2nd conference, 3rd overall)
Last 10 games: 4-6
The New York Liberty have been plagued by injuries since the beginning of the season, but losing Breanna Stewart for nearly a month has been gut wrenching. Riding a two game losing streak, New York has dropped from second to third in the standings, and it’s evident the Liberty are trending down without Stewie. In the absence of Stewart, the Liberty have lost six games in total.
There isn’t a reason to worry about the Liberty just yet. They are losing more games and Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces, who are right on their heels in terms of the standings. The most important thing for the Liberty is their health. Staying healthy heading into the playoffs will give this team a better chance than they have now.
Phoenix Mercury
2025 Record: (20-3, 2nd conference, 4th overall)
Last 10 games: 5-5
The Phoenix Mercury have found themselves in a tricky situation. Right now the Mercury are at risk of being surpassed at the fourth spot, and have had some bumps in the road when Satou Sabally was injured. Although coming off a massive 85-82 victory over the Storm, the Mercury still need to survive the rest of the regular season.
The Mercury are a middle of the road team in terms of shooting percentages; however they have a talented defense. The losses the Mercury have suffered have come against tough teams, but they still have a chance to move up to the second overall spot in the standings.
The Mercury’s recent loss to the Aces on Friday has really put the pressure on them, as the Aces are bouncing bacWk and looking like real contenders. Right now it’s looking like 1-5 seeds will be the Minnesota Lynx, Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and Las Vegas Aces, but the order is still in question for everybody but Minnesota.
The Mercury are under a lot of pressure to succeed, but will they succumb to it, or thrive through it?
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