WNBA: Five things to watch before the All-Star break begins

Three more gamedays with nine total games remain before the 2025 WNBA All-Star break arrives.

While the forthcoming hiatus can encourage unfocused play, every teams’ one or two games offer opportunities to not only finish off the first half of the season strong, but also to set themselves up for a successful second half.

Even in the longest season in WNBA history, every game matters, as any one of 44 games could swing the eventual playoff standings. With that longer-range perspective in mind, here’s a look a five stake-setting questions for the final three days of the first half of the 2025 WNBA season:

Can the Sky enter the edge of the playoff picture?

As Zachary Draves documented, the Chicago Sky earned their best win of the season with their Saturday afternoon upset of the Minnesota Lynx. The victory was the culmination of a stretch of improved play from the Sky, a streak of increased competitiveness that makes it conceivable that Chicago could push themselves into the playoff conversation.

The next step, though, requires another win over the Lynx, as the Sky host the league leaders for the second game of their back-to-back set on Monday (8 p.m. ET, League Pass). The season-long reputations of these teams suggest that Minnesota should easily put away Chicago. Yet, even in first game of the season between the two teams, the Sky only lost to the Lynx by five points.

Regardless of the outcome of Monday’s game, the Sky will have another chance to build on their positive play, hosting the Dream for a midday matchup on Wednesday (12 p.m. ET, League Pass). Chicago has not been competitive against Atlanta this season, losing twice by a combined 31 points.

Can the surprise squads solidify their playoff positions?

The Washington Mystics and Golden State Valkyries share the honor as the WNBA’s most surprising teams, with the supposedly rebuilding team from DC and the new team from the Bay both currently in position for playoff berths. Can both teams maintain their status at the season’s midpoint?

Beckett Harrison already covered how the Mystics’ play should result in raised expectations, which should only increase after another comeback win over a supposedly superior team on Sunday. They certainly should be favored to close out their first half with a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, League Pass). It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.

The Valkyries face a tougher challenge, hosting the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night (10 p.m. ET, League Pass) before visiting the Seattle Storm on Wednesday afternoon (3 p.m. ET, League Pass). Golden State played Phoenix in early June, when a poor fourth quarter resulted in a nine-point loss. The Valkyries, however, have had the Storm’s number, most recently holding Seattle to 57 points in a 27-point victory.

Can the Mercury split with the Lynx?

Last Thursday, DeWanna Bonner’s (re)debut in Phoenix produced a Mercury win over the visiting Lynx, fueled by a career-high 29 points from her fiancée Alyssa Thomas. After a date with Golden State on Monday, Phoenix concludes their first half of the season with their fourth and final matchup against Minnesota on Wednesday (1 p.m. ET, League Pass).

Another win and the Mercury will have split their season series with the Lynx, which could prove pivotal if second-place Phoenix can threaten first-place Minnesota in the standings. To pull it off, the Mercury might need the services of Kahleah Copper (hamstring) and Satou Sabally (ankle) this time around; both players’ statuses remain uncertain. On the other side, Minnesota could be motivated by the possible second-half addition of Emma Meeseman.

Can the Liberty set up their repeat run?

After stumbling through much of June, the New York Liberty, finally, have won two games in a row for the first time since their season-opening nine-game winning streak. Can the defending champs enter the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak, setting themselves for a championship-sharpening second half?

To be in such a position, New York will have to earn their second win of the season over the Indiana Fever, who will be arriving in Brooklyn on a back-to-back, having played the Connecticut Sun in Boston on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Even without Jonquel Jones, the Liberty should be primed to take advantage of the favorable schedule spot on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN). And depending on how Phoenix’s final two games unfold, a win could elevate New York back to second place in the overall standings.

Can the Aces get to average?

A’ja Wilson is anything but average. The rest of the Las Vegas Aces?

Vegas can reach the break at an absolutely average 11-11 if they can escape Texas with a win over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, League Pass). Although a convincing victory over a playoff-caliber opponent would do more to ease the anxieties of the Aces faithful, wins of any and all kinds, even over the woeful Wings, are a needed stimulant for the former champs. A victory would also give Vegas only their third two-game winning streak of the season; the Aces have yet to pull off a three-game winning streak this season.

Game information

Minnesota Lynx (18-4) vs. Chicago Sky (7-13)

When: Monday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Phoenix Mercury (14-6) vs. Golden State Valkyries (10-10)

When: Monday, July 14 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Indiana Fever (11-10) vs. Connecticut Sun (3-18)

When: Tuesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: TD Garden in Boston, MA

How to watch: ESPN

Washington Mystics (11-10) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (7-14)

When: Tuesday, July 15 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Atlanta Dream (12-9) vs. Chicago Sky (7-13)

When: Wednesday, July 16 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Phoenix Mercury (14-6) vs. Minnesota Lynx (18-4)

When: Wednesday, July 16 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Golden State Valkyries (10-10) vs. Seattle Storm (13-9)

When: Wednesday, July 16 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Indiana Fever (11-10) vs. New York Liberty (14-6)

When: Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

How to watch: CBS Sports Network

Las Vegas Aces (10-11) vs. Dallas Wings (6-16)

When: Wednesday, July 16 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: College Park Center in Arlington, TX

How to watch: WNBA League Pass