Five WNBA Stars Who Will Decide the 2025 Playoff Race

Trevor Gomes|published: Mon 11th August, 20:15 2025

Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts with a possible injury after a play against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Entering the homestretch of the WNBA season, the playoff picture is far from certain.

The Minnesota Lynx have distanced themselves as the top seed, and the bottom three teams in the league — the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun — are out of contention.

What’s left? Nine teams vying for the other seven playoff seeds.

Only five games separate the current second seed New York Liberty (20-11) and eighth seed Golden State Valkyries (15-15). The Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics are just behind Golden State.

The last month of the schedule, with roughly 10 games per team, could entirely reshape the playoff bracket.

Teams start to lean on stars now more than ever. These are the five players who will most decide the playoff standings.

Caitlin Clark (G, Indiana Fever)

The two-time All-Star has missed 19 of 32 games this season due to quad and groin injuries. The Fever surprisingly stayed afloat. Indiana is 18-14 overall, tied for fifth-best in the league, and 10-9 without Clark.

Though playing without Clark leaves an offensive void in Indiana’s backcourt, All-Star Kelsey Mitchell is doing her part to fill it.

The 29-year-old is averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game and 20.4 points in the 19 games Clark has missed.

When Clark returns, she’ll form one of the league’s best backcourt duos with Mitchell and might even voluntarily defer to the playmaking role.

Indiana also recently lost point guards Sydney Colson (torn left ACL) and Aari McDonald (broken bone in right foot) for the season — another reason Clark’s return is so important for this team.

Brittney Sykes (G, Seattle Storm)

Aug 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) dribbles against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Washington trading Sykes to Seattle was the most impactful deal of the deadline. The Storm went all in to upgrade their offense, which ranks eighth in the league in scoring (81.9 points per game).

In the two games since her arrival, Sykes has averaged a team-leading 20.5 points per game. She should slot in as at least Seattle’s third offensive option, with the potential to be the go-to scorer on many nights.

The Storm are 16-16, good for the seventh seed, but are at risk of falling out of the playoffs. Sykes should help them avoid that.

Sonia Citron (G, Washington Mystics)

Jun 22, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) makes a go-ahead three point field goal against the Dallas Wings in the final seconds of overtime at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

On the opposite side of the Sykes deal, the Mystics lost their leading scorer. Washington got a first-round pick next year in return, but not much in the way of immediate scoring help.

This leaves All-Star rookie guard Citron as the first option on a team looking toward the future but still gunning for a surprise postseason appearance.

The Notre Dame product is averaging 14.8 points per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 38.8% from 3-point range. She was already second on the Mystics in scoring, but without Sykes, she’ll have to bear even more of the offensive load.

Fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen also deserves a mention here as Washington’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer. Expect these rookies to shape the Mystics’ playoff chances.

Alyssa Thomas (F, Phoenix Mercury)

Jul 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) controls the ball while Washington Mystics forward Shakira Austin (0) defends in the first quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

The Sun legend is playing for a different franchise for the first time in Year 11 but is still breaking records with her versatility.

Thomas recorded three straight triple-doubles from Aug. 3 to Aug. 7, becoming the first player in WNBA history to do so. She’s averaging a career-high 16.1 points, a league-leading nine assists and 8.7 rebounds per game.

Phoenix is fourth in the standings at 19-12, and the remainder of their season will largely depend on Thomas, who leads the Mercury in three of the five major statistics.

Rhyne Howard (G, Atlanta Dream)

Jun 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) attempts to drive past Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the second quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Howard missed a month of the season with a left knee injury, but Atlanta held strong without her. The Dream are 20-11, tied with the Liberty for second in the league.

The 6-foot-2 guard is second on the team in scoring (15.9) and assists (4.4) and remains a key element of Atlanta’s offense. Her efficiency from the field and 3-point range — 34% and 29.5%, respectively — is down compared with last year, however.

She returned to the court Sunday for Atlanta’s 74-66 road win over Phoenix. If Howard can find a shooting rhythm, Atlanta could separate itself as the second-best team in the W.

Latest