Updated 2025 WNBA Playoff Bracket, Standings After Aces Clinch Playoff Spot

The Las Vegas Aces extended their playoff streak to seven seasons after guaranteeing themselves of a spot in the WNBA postseason.

Las Vegas punched its ticket to the playoffs with a 79-74 win over the Chicago Sky on Monday night.

With the way the two-time champions are surging in the second half, securing a top-four seed and first-round bye is more than attainable as well.

2025 WNBA Playoff Standings

1. Minnesota Lynx, 30-7

2. Atlanta Dream, 24-13 (6 GB)

3. Las Vegas Aces, 25-14 (6 GB)

4. Phoenix Mercury, 22-14 (7.5 GB)

5. New York Liberty 23-15 (7.5 GB)

6. Seattle Storm, 20-18 (10.5 GB)

7. Golden State Valkyries, 19-18 (11 GB)

8. Indiana Fever, 19-18 (11 GB)

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9. Los Angeles Sparks, 17-18 (12 GB)

10. Washington Mystics, 16-22 (14.5 GB)

While their championship window didn't close completely, the 2024 season was a reality check for the Aces. They won 27 games in the regular season and swept the Seattle Storm in the first round, but they simply weren't good enough when encountering the New York Liberty in the semifinals.

Las Vegas' top-heavy, star-centric strategy of building the roster met its match with the Liberty, which boasted an even stronger core with slightly more variety off the bench.

The team suffered another blow this past offseason when Kelsey Plum indicated she wanted out and landed with the Los Angeles Sparks in a three-team trade. While the Aces netted Jewell Loyd from the swap, that was a downgrade to the backcourt.

All of the worst fears about Vegas were seemingly coming true when it took an 11-11 record into the All-Star break. Becky Hammon's squad was occupying the middle ground between being too good for the lottery but not good enough to challenge the genuine title contenders.

It turns out the Aces might've been written off prematurely.

Now being utilized off the bench, Loyd has rediscovered her scoring stroke. She's averaging 11.7 points on 41.2 percent shooting, including 39.5 percent on three-pointers in the month of August.

A'ja Wilson is pretty much the same player who unanimously won the MVP in 2024. She's putting up 23.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest.

Jackie Young was an All-Star for the fourth straight year, and Chelsea Gray is still one of the most respected floor generals in the league. Midseason acquisition NaLyssa Smith has eased some of the burden on Wilson inside, too.

In terms of the Aces' playoff ceiling, their three losses to the Minnesota Lynx are concerning. The most recent meeting was a 53-point blowout.

But there's little separation when it comes to the middle of the pack in the WNBA, and injuries to the Lynx's Napheesa Collier and Liberty's Breanna Stewart could open up the title race.

In short, don't write off Las Vegas.