The WNBA playoffs are down to three teams, as the Phoenix Mercury eliminated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx on Sunday with an 86-81 Game 4 win to advance to the Finals.

The Lynx played without superstar Napheesa Collier, who suffered an ankle injury on a controversial play at the end of Game 3.

Experts say the fallout could be significant if further evidence emerges. Potential reforms could include expanding replay review, bringing in third-party oversight for officials, or even congressional scrutiny, as professional sports are held to high standards of fairness. For the WNBA, which is still in a growth phase, maintaining credibility is vital to sustaining fan support and attracting corporate investment.

Sponsors and broadcasters are also watching closely. Many of the league’s biggest partners have invested heavily in branding the WNBA as a symbol of integrity, empowerment, and athletic excellence. A scandal suggesting the Finals are “predetermined” could undermine those efforts and force companies to reconsider their messaging strategies.

They were also without head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended for the game due to her disparaging comments about the officiating following the Game 3 loss.

Phoenix will face the winner of Tuesday’s Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces. Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled for Friday.

The first round saw multiple thrilling games, and three of the four series went to a decisive Game 3. The shorthanded Fever ousted the third-seeded Atlanta Dream in a significant upset, knocking the Dream out on their home floor. The Aces won a tight Game 3 over the Seattle Storm after seeing their 17-game winning streak get snapped in a Game 2 loss in the first round. The Phoenix Mercury knocked out the reigning champion New York Liberty, taking them down despite dropping the opening game of their series in overtime.

The top-seeded Lynx were the only team to pull off a two-game sweep in the first round, knocking out the Golden State Valkyries. Minnesota entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed after being the WNBA’s most dominant team throughout the 44-game regular season.

Why Caitlin Clark cannot play in WNBA playoffs as Fever move on to face Aces in semifinals
Jack Maloney

Below is a look at the matchups and the full schedule for the 2025 playoffs.

WNBA playoff bracket

Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
Teams played a best-of-three series in the first round, a best-of-five series in the semifinals, and — in a new change this year  — will play a best-of-seven affair in the Finals.

The WNBA is facing one of the most explosive controversies in its history after a referee whistleblower came forward with claims that the league has been predetermining playoff outcomes, sending shockwaves through the basketball world. The allegations come on the heels of a series of highly controversial calls that eliminated a fan-favorite team from championship contention, leaving players, coaches, and fans demanding answers.

According to the whistleblower, who reportedly worked in the league’s officiating system, referees have been under “direct pressure” from league executives to favor certain outcomes in the postseason. The claim suggests that the WNBA deliberately orchestrates matchups in order to maximize television ratings, sponsorship opportunities, and market appeal. While conspiracy theories about officiating are nothing new in sports, this marks the first time an insider has openly accused the league of manipulating results.

The timing of the revelation could not be more dramatic. Just days earlier, a string of questionable calls marred a critical playoff matchup. A series of phantom fouls, no-calls on blatant infractions, and a controversial final possession left fans convinced that the referees had swung the game. Social media erupted with accusations of rigging, with slow-motion replays circulating that appeared to show star players from the fan-favorite squad being unfairly penalized at crucial moments.

The whistleblower’s testimony has now given those suspicions new weight. In leaked comments, the official claimed, “We were told to protect the bigger markets. It wasn’t about fairness — it was about business.” The source further alleged that referees were instructed on how to “manage” games to keep certain stars on the floor and ensure that big-market teams advanced deeper into the playoffs.

The WNBA has moved quickly to deny the allegations, issuing a forceful statement rejecting the idea of predetermination. “The integrity of our game is our highest priority,” the league said. “Any suggestion that playoff outcomes are manipulated is false and damaging to our athletes, officials, and fans.” Despite the denial, the outcry has only intensified as sports media outlets amplify the claims and fans demand transparency.

Players themselves have responded with a mix of outrage and caution. Some have hinted that they, too, have long suspected bias in officiating. “You can feel it on the court sometimes,” one veteran said anonymously. “Certain calls always seem to go one way.” Others have avoided direct comment but emphasized the need for independent review systems and greater accountability for referees. Coaches, meanwhile, have privately expressed concern about speaking out too strongly for fear of fines or league retaliation.

The controversy has already reignited comparisons to past officiating scandals in other sports, most notably the NBA’s infamous Tim Donaghy betting scandal. While the WNBA situation does not involve gambling, the mere idea of league interference is enough to rattle fans and jeopardize trust in the product. For a league that has enjoyed record ratings and rising popularity, the stakes could not be higher.

For fans, the biggest heartbreak lies in the team that was eliminated under dubious circumstances. Many had rallied behind the squad as underdogs, and their abrupt exit has left supporters furious. “We didn’t lose — we were robbed,” one fan tweeted, summing up the raw emotion spreading across basketball communities online. The whistleblower’s claims have only deepened that sense of injustice, turning frustration into full-blown suspicion of the league itself.

As the Finals approach, the controversy looms large. Every whistle, every foul, and every replay review will be scrutinized by fans, analysts, and players alike. The league faces immense pressure to restore credibility, but unless the accusations are thoroughly addressed — and possibly investigated by an independent body — the shadow of conspiracy may hang over this postseason and beyond.

One thing is certain: the WNBA has reached a pivotal crossroads. Whether this whistleblower’s claims prove accurate or not, the very perception of rigged games threatens to undo years of progress in building the league’s reputation. For now, fans are left asking a haunting question — is the basketball they love truly decided on the court, or somewhere behind closed doors?

In 2024, the first round had a 2-1 format, which meant the higher seed got the first two games at home, while the lower seed only got to host if they made it to Game 3. This year it is a 1-1-1 format, with Games 1 and 3 hosted by the higher seed while the lower seed hosts Game 2.