The bracket is set! See how it all happened — SkimNews
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- Minnesota Lynx earned the No. 1 seed despite starting the year without Napheesa Collier, who sat following offseason surgery on both ankles; since her return on July 22, the Lynx are 8-1 and she is averaging 19.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals.
- Las Vegas Aces locked in the No. 3 seed behind A'ja Wilson's league-best 26.1 points per game — she has scored in double digits in every game this season and set a new single-season high with 33 three-pointers, surpassing her previous mark of 31 in 2022.
- Golden State Valkyries secured the No. 2 seed in their second straight playoff appearance after becoming the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the postseason in year one; they own the league's fewest points allowed per game and the longest active win streak at six games.
- Indiana Fever claimed the No. 6 seed behind Kelsey Mitchell's WNBA-record 21 consecutive games with 20+ points, and Indiana topped 100 points in a record 16 games this season — five more than any other team in league history.
- Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese is one of only two WNBA players averaging a double-double (16.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG), and Atlanta clinched the No. 4 seed after she posted a career-high 31 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Phoenix.
- Dallas Wings grabbed the No. 7 seed for their first playoff appearance since 2023, led by 2025 No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers (20.6 PPG, 5.8 APG), who will compete in the postseason for the first time.
- Washington Mystics took the No. 5 seed as the WNBA's youngest team, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 behind Shakira Austin's career-high 31-point game and double-double numbers (17.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG).
Why it matters: The bracket sets up a postseason with three compelling top-of-card storylines: the Lynx have gone 8-1 since Collier's return to reclaim favorite status, defending champion Las Vegas leans on Wilson as she pursues a fifth MVP, and 2025 No. 1 pick Bueckers makes her playoff debut against the expansion Valkyries, who are chasing a second straight postseason in just their second year. First-round games tip off Sunday.
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