The 2025 WNBA season will be remembered as much for who was missing as for who made it to the postseason.
As the regular season wrapped up, eight teams secured playoff berths. However, the league was also dealing with an unsettling number of serious injuries. Particularly, ACL tears sidelined some of its most important players, such as Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky), rookie Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics), and Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm).
ACL Tears Shape the Season
Courtney Vandersloot’s injury set the tone early. The veteran point guard tore her right ACL in June during a game against Indiana.
Her injury not only ended her season, but also derailed Chicago’s hopes of contending. Vandersloot has said she intends to return in 2026. Yet, her absence highlighted just how dependent the Sky were on her leadership and playmaking.
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Dallas suffered a similar blow in late August when rookie JJ Quinerly went down with a sprained ACL in her left knee. Though technically less severe than a full tear, the injury was enough to end her season, cutting her development short and weakening an already thin Wings roster.
Indiana lost Sydney Colson in August to a torn left ACL. It was a quieter but still significant loss for a young team leaning on veteran guidance. Earlier in the year, Washington’s promising rookie guard Georgia Amoore underwent surgery for a right ACL tear; this was before she ever had the chance to establish herself in the rotation.
These four ACL cases alone underscored a troubling trend. In a season where the league expanded, drew record attention, and showcased a deep talent pool, the fragility of players’ health became impossible to ignore.
Additional Absences
The league’s injury storylines did not stop with ACLs. Seattle was hit with devastating news in May when Katie Lou Samuelson suffered an ACL tear of her own. Though the Storm managed to scrape into the postseason, Samuelson’s loss severely limits their potential to advance. The Storm’s Nika Mühl has also been out with an ACL tear since last October. Mühl is expected to be back in the rotation in the 2026 season.
Dallas, already weakened by Quinerly’s injury, lost Li Yueru for the remainder of the year. This setback further strained the Wings’ frontcourt. In Connecticut, Leïla Lacan missed time for personal reasons after dealing with an earlier eye injury. Her situation is not ACL-related, but her absence at critical stretches still disrupted the Sun’s rhythm as they prepared for the playoffs.
Playoff Field Finalized
The Lynx secured the top seed with a season defined by balance and defense. Meanwhile, Las Vegas once again secured a high seed as the reigning dynasty of the league. New York, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, looks poised to make another deep run for a championship repeat. Phoenix and Atlanta solidified their places with consistent late-season play.
Indiana returned to the postseason on the strength of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, giving fans a glimpse of what the franchise’s future might hold. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement came from Golden State, the league’s newest expansion team, which clinched a playoff berth in its inaugural season and brought an instant jolt of energy to the WNBA. Seattle rounded out the bracket, though their injury woes leave them facing long odds against healthier competition.
Impact of Injuries on Contenders
For teams on the outside looking in, injuries were a defining factor. Chicago could not survive the loss of Vandersloot. Additionally, Washington fell short without Amoore. Dallas’ season collapsed under the combined absences of Quinerly and Li.
Even the teams that did reach the postseason will feel the impact. Indiana enters without Colson’s veteran leadership, Seattle without Samuelson’s shooting, and Connecticut with lingering questions about Lacan’s availability. By contrast, the top seeds remain relatively healthy. Minnesota, Las Vegas, and New York carry both depth and star power into the playoffs. This gives them a clear edge in the battle for the championship.
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Looking Ahead
The 2025 season has been defined by contrasts: the thrill of expansion and competitive parity alongside the heartbreak of season-ending injuries. The surge of ACL tears has reignited conversations about player health and training demands.
Additionally, there is a need for better prevention and recovery programs across women’s basketball. While fans prepare for an exciting playoff run, the absence of players like Vandersloot, Quinerly, Colson, Amoore, and Samuelson will linger as a reminder of how fragile success can be.
In the end, this year’s postseason will showcase the league’s brightest talents, but it will also carry the shadow of those who cannot take the floor. The story of the 2025 WNBA season is not only about who is in the playoffs but also about who was lost along the way.
By the Numbers: 2025 WNBA Injuries & Playoffs
- ACL injuries: 6 (Vandersloot, Quinerly, Colson, Amoore, Samuelson, plus Lacan still under evaluation)
- Non-ACL injuries/absences: 2 (Li Yueru, Lacan’s missed games)
- Teams that clinched playoffs: Minnesota, Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix, Atlanta, Indiana, Golden State, Seattle
- Biggest absences: Vandersloot (Sky), Samuelson (Storm), Quinerly (Wings), Colson (Fever), Amoore (Mystics)
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