Profitable is what it’s all about, and to win, you must make the WNBA playoffs. And with additional league growth on the horizon and a possible CBA dispute on the road, all the pieces feels greater stakes this season.
Bearing that in thoughts, let’s take an in depth take a look at three groups that might face severe penalties in the event that they fall wanting making the postseason.
Las Vegas Aces
After successful back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, the Las Vegas Aces have been favorites to win three in a row in 2024. A mixture of fatigue and elevated competitors from different groups noticed the Aces eradicated within the semifinals final season, however issues didn’t appear too unhealthy. Going into the 2025 season, the Aces have been nonetheless projected to be a high group, a lock for the playoffs, and in rivalry to win their third title in 4 seasons. But, nothing has gone to plan for Vegas up to now this yr.
They’re lingering on the backside of the playoff race, struggling to keep up a fair file and battling for each win they do get. 3x MVP A’ja Wilson is enjoying phenomenally, in fact, however their different offensive choices can’t get into scoring rhythm, and their protection lacks effort most nights.
Their off yr isn’t simply an off yr, although. On account of trades already made, Las Vegas doesn’t personal its first-round draft picks for 2026 or 2027. So, in the event that they fail to make the playoffs, they won’t even be rewarded with a lottery choose in 2026. In the event that they find yourself blowing up their group and nonetheless not doing nicely subsequent season, they wouldn’t have their choose the next yr, both. Protected to say this state of affairs was not anticipated, and will result in extra seismic modifications than beforehand anticipated within the desert.
Chicago Sky
Chicago has been in a tough patch after successful their championship in 2021. It appeared like issues have been heading again in the best route after they drafted each Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese in 2024, and lots of thought they have been on the trail to a full rebuild. They have been awarded the No. 3 total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft this yr after which… traded it away to Washington. In return, they received Ariel Atkins, an important participant, but the transfer was not the kind of win-now push a “rebuilding” group would often make. It burned a bit extra when that No. 3 choose became Sonia Citron, who has performed so nicely for the Mystics that she took a visit to the All-Star Sport as a Rookie.
The Sky haven’t been stacking wins this season both. On the time of the commerce for Atkins, Sky entrance workplace members have been assured on this group’s skill to be within the playoffs. A couple of weeks into the season, Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL, they usually now sit within the lottery. But, they don’t even personal their first-round choose for subsequent season, both. That was traded away to Minnesota, that means that the Sky appear to be they’re headed for the lottery this season, however is not going to even have the prospect to determine in the event that they wish to hold or commerce the choose.
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever’s state of affairs isn’t dire within the sense that the way forward for their group depends upon them making the playoffs. But, it could be a bit disappointing to have them miss the playoffs completely, given how a lot they’ve rebuilt previously few years. But, as Caitlin Clark continues to be out indefinitely together with her third damage within the common season alone, the hopes for the Fever’s success this season should not as strong as they as soon as have been.
Clark is a participant who thrives in high-pressure video games, and her runs within the NCAA March Insanity tournaments are such an enormous a part of her historical past. Seeing her make a deep playoff run is inevitable, and it’s going to be enjoyable. Certain, there might be disappointment if it doesn’t occur this season, however the hope certainly is that she will heal up in time AND her Fever group can keep afloat whereas she is out to remain in a playoff place. Whereas the repercussions of the Fever lacking the playoffs can be extra emotional than transactional (just like the Aces and Sky), it’s nonetheless price noting that it could qualify as a tragic ending to an initially promising season.
As July leads into August, it’s go time for all three of those groups as we head into the ultimate third of the 2025 common season.
