No Offseason: WNBA First Round Playoff Deep Dive & Angel Reese’s Future

Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman

Episode Overview

This episode serves as a comprehensive preview and analysis of the 2025 WNBA playoffs first round, exploring each matchup with insider context, statistical analysis, and predictions. The show kicks off with a deep dive into the ongoing Angel Reese / Chicago Sky drama, discussing its implications and the state of player empowerment in the league. Hosts Zena, Sabrina, and Ben provide expert breakdowns, debate notable x-factors, and cap off the episode with bold championship predictions.

1. Angel Reese & Chicago Sky: Drama, Suspension, & Trade Rumors

Segment Start: [02:04]

Key Discussion Points

• Angel Reese’s Controversial Comments:
  Zena frames the situation: Angel Reese called out her team’s shortcomings in a Chicago Tribune interview, sparking widespread discussion and internal tension.

  • “Did she lie? I just don’t think she lied.” — Zena Keita [03:19]

• Timeline & Fallout (Sabrina):

  • Reese’s comments appeared before a game vs. Connecticut Sun; Chicago rallied for a win, but controversy brewed.
  • Reese apologized, noting her words were “misconstrued, taken out of context.”
  • She faced a “half-game suspension” for cumulative technicals, a rarity in pro sports.
  • Speculation is rampant about her future, with fans chanting “Free Angel,” and “Fire Jeff” (GM Jeff Pagliuca).

• Public Perception & Player Power:
  The hosts debate “who gets to call out dysfunction.” Zena draws a workplace analogy, challenging the view that stars “need” certain credentials to voice organizational issues.

  • “She is the only player in the WNBA that is leading her team in points, rebounds, and assists. Probably qualified…” — Zena Keita [11:37]

• On the Trade Market (Ben):

  • Reese on a rookie contract (cost-controlled), limiting her leverage but increasing appeal for teams willing to invest long-term.
  • Market is context-driven; not every team needs to be interested, but those rebuilding or with young cores, like Washington or Dallas, could be fits.
    • “It’s not necessarily a judgment on the player…but sometimes the context factors in.” — Ben Pickman [07:47]

Notable Quotes

• Zena: “It’s fascinating hypocrisy—some of y’all don’t want to go to your happy hours at work, let alone be able to constantly be around teammates…” [12:42]
• Sabrina: “It’ll be interesting to see how fellow WNBA executives react…you’re getting into the Angel Reese business—more than just the basketball package.” [05:37]

2. WNBA Playoff Format Explainer

Segment Start: [15:39]

• Playoff Structure (Sabrina):
  • Three rounds:
    • Quarterfinals (Best of 3, 1-1-1 home format)
    • Semifinals (Best of 5)
    • Finals (Best of 7 – new for 2025)
  • The change guarantees each playoff team at least one home game.
    • “This is an opportunity for every team…to get to host a playoff game as a reward for their success during the regular season.” — Sabrina Merchant [17:21]

3. First Round Playoff Matchups: Deep Dive

Segment Start: [18:20]

Each series gets a dedicated breakdown: key stats, matchup questions, and predictions.

Minnesota Lynx (1) vs. Golden State Valkyries (8)

Start: [19:51]

• Team Stats:

  • Minnesota: 1st in OffRtg, DefRtg, NetRtg
  • Golden State: 10th OffRtg, 3rd DefRtg, 8th NetRtg

• Analysis:

  • Minnesota swept season series; recent games closer but Lynx favored both strategically and by talent.
  • Golden State has elite paint defense but little answer for Minnesota’s shooting and Collier’s inside presence.

• Quotes:

  • “Minnesota wanted to play the Valkyries…this is a very, very good matchup for the Minnesota Lynx.” — Ben Pickman [22:22]
  • “For me, Collier is a problem. It’s the bench. How can Golden State contain that bench?” — Zena Keita [23:59]

Las Vegas Aces (2) vs. Seattle Storm (7)

Start: [26:09]

• Team Stats:

  • Las Vegas: 4th OffRtg, 8th DefRtg, 5th NetRtg; 16-game win streak
  • Seattle: 8th OffRtg, 4th DefRtg, 7th NetRtg

• Key X-Factor: Dominique Malonga

  • “The big X factor, I guess, is Dominique Malanga…she had 22 and 12…not afraid to go at the potential league MVP.” — Ben Pickman [27:12]

• Crunch Time Differences:

  • Vegas: Best in league (+29 NetRtg in clutch)
  • Seattle: Mediocre in close games (–12 NetRtg in clutch)

• Prediction:

  • Both hosts expect an Aces sweep (2–0), citing experience, star power, and late-game confidence.

Atlanta Dream (3) vs. Indiana Fever (6)

Start: [32:39]

• Team Stats:

  • Atlanta: 2nd OffRtg, 2nd DefRtg, 2nd NetRtg
  • Indiana: 3rd OffRtg, 7th DefRtg, 4th NetRtg

• Key Factors:

  • Evolving roles: Aaliyah Boston vs. Bri Jones as centerpieces
  • Battle on the glass: Atlanta best defensive rebounding team; Indiana best second-chance points team

• Quotes:

  • “Honestly, I’m kind of impressed at how the Fever graded out numbers wise…” — Sabrina Merchant [32:39]
  • “Who wins the paint and who dominates the boards? Because the Fever lead the league in second chance points per game.” — Ben Pickman [35:36]

• Prediction:

  • Both lean Atlanta (2–0), citing Dream’s depth and versatility.

Phoenix Mercury (4) vs. New York Liberty (5)

Start: [37:15]

• Team Stats:

  • Phoenix: 7th OffRtg, 5th DefRtg, 6th NetRtg
  • New York: 5th OffRtg, 6th DefRtg, 3rd NetRtg

• Regular Season Context:

  • Phoenix won season series 3–1, but NY’s lone win came when both teams had full lineups

• Matchup X-Factors:

  • Defending Sabrina Ionescu: Phoenix held her to 3/16, 2/9 shooting in losses; her hot streak enabled NY’s win
  • Jonquel Jones: Her performance often defines NY’s ceiling (“JJ is the most matchup-proof player on the Liberty.” — Sabrina Merchant [41:41])

• Depth & Inconsistency:

  • Liberty's inconsistent form and Phoenix’s depth discussed, but Jones’ and Ionescu’s form could tip the balance

• Predictions:

  • Ben: Liberty in 3 games
  • Sabrina: Liberty in 2, if Jones plays to potential

4. Predictions: Who Wins the WNBA Title?

Segment Start: [46:01]

• Zena Keita: Stands by preseason pick—the Minnesota Lynx. Praises team chemistry and consistency.

  • “The way in which they cheer for each other…that’s not a basketball statistic, but in moments…you want that team camaraderie.” [52:36]

• Ben Pickman: Picks a Liberty–Aces finals rematch, but predicts Las Vegas wins it all.

  • “...I like the Las Vegas Aces over the New York Liberty. In seven games, back in Las Vegas. Las Vegas with home court becoming WNBA champions again.” [50:19]

• Sabrina Merchant: With Zena, sticks with the Lynx: “Regular season success is the best predictor of postseason success in the WNBA. In seven of the last eight years, the one seed has gone on to win...I like Minnesota’s overall depth.” [50:22]

5. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Angel Reese:

  • “Did she lie? I just don’t think she lied.” — Zena [03:19]
  • “You’re getting into the Angel Reese business—more than just the basketball package.” — Sabrina [05:37]

• On Team Culture vs. Media Narratives

  • “Some of y’all don’t want to go to your happy hours at work, let alone be able to constantly be around teammates…” — Zena [12:42]

• On Parity/Predictions:

  • “Consistency wins…and this is a team that has been good all year and knows how to pick themselves up.” — Sabrina [52:22]
  • “I trust Becky Hammon’s adjustments…and what Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young can do defensively…Las Vegas Aces getting back to being the WNBA champions.” — Ben [49:20]

6. Key Timestamps

• Opening & Angel Reese Segment: [02:04–14:09]
• Playoffs Format Explainer: [15:39–17:52]
• Lynx vs. Valkyries: [19:51–26:09]
• Aces vs. Storm: [26:09–32:39]
• Dream vs. Fever: [32:39–37:15]
• Mercury vs. Liberty: [37:15–44:32]
• Picks & Championship Predictions: [46:01–52:36]

7. Episode Tone & Chemistry

• Energetic and candid, with plenty of banter and friendly disagreement.
• Insightful analysis balanced by humor (e.g., “that chip on the shoulder of Phoenix…looks like I could dip it in some guac.” — Zena [40:56])
• Consistently connects basketball analysis to larger themes—team dynamics, fan narratives, league trends.

Summary Takeaway

If you want a one-stop, knowledgeable preview of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs with layers of behind-the-scenes info, candid opinions on league controversies, and sharp, stat-driven breakdowns, this episode of No Offseason delivers. The Angel Reese saga is dissected with nuance, and every playoff series gets both a tactical and cultural assessment. The show closes with confident, reasoned championship predictions—Lynx, Aces, or Liberty—setting the stage for a can’t-miss postseason.