The New York Liberty have officially secured a spot in the 2025 WNBA playoffs, despite a Tuesday night loss to the Golden State Valkyries. The team’s playoff berth was confirmed after the Indiana Fever fell 85-79 to the Phoenix Mercury, sealing New York’s place in the postseason bracket.
The Liberty join Minnesota, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Phoenix as confirmed playoff teams. Minnesota, the league leader, had already secured the No. 1 seed earlier in the season. New York will enter the playoffs as the fifth seed, setting up a potential first-round matchup against the fourth-place Phoenix Mercury if the standings hold.
With a current record of 24-17, the Liberty will aim to defend its first postseason championship. This marks the fifth consecutive year the franchise has reached the playoffs, the longest streak in Liberty history. Among active WNBA teams, only the Las Vegas Aces have a longer consecutive playoff run at seven years.
The road to the postseason was far from smooth for New York. After a perfect 9-0 start to the season, injuries and inconsistency led to struggles that nearly derailed the championship defense. Despite these challenges, the team managed to maintain its position in the top half of the league.
While the fifth seed means the Liberty will not have home-court advantage in the first round, the team’s talent makes them a strong contender. The first-round series will follow a 1-1-1 format, instead of the previous format that guaranteed two games at the higher seed’s arena.
A major factor in New York’s success is the consistent performance of its “big three” stars: Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart. The Liberty have remained undefeated in the ten games where all three start and finish together, highlighting the impact of their combined presence on the court.
The team is currently on a late-season three-game West Coast road trip, which concludes Friday night against the Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET. This stretch will test the Liberty as they prepare for the high-pressure environment of the playoffs.
New York’s presence in the postseason extends the excitement for fans and strengthens the team’s reputation as a championship contender. Their mix of young talent and proven veterans positions them well for a deep playoff run. Analysts expect the Liberty to challenge top teams as they seek back-to-back playoff success.
The playoff appearance also reflects the franchise’s resilience. Overcoming midseason injuries and a rough patch in form demonstrates the team’s depth and determination. For fans, the streak of five straight playoff appearances marks an era of consistency and competitiveness.
With the WNBA Finals returning to a best-of-seven format this year, the stakes are higher than ever. The Liberty will look to leverage their experience from last season’s title run, combined with the star power of Ionescu, Jones, and Stewart, to make another championship push.
The fifth seed may not provide the easiest path, but the Liberty’s combination of skill, experience, and teamwork makes them a formidable opponent. Fans can expect intense games as New York begins its journey to defend its crown and aim for a second straight WNBA championship.
