Seattle Storm vs New York Liberty Picks and Predictions September 5th 2025

Storm vs. Liberty Prediction: Seattle Fighting for Playoff Spot, New York Seeking Rhythm

The Seattle Storm host the New York Liberty on Friday night in a critical late-season matchup at Climate Pledge Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET in Seattle, WA.

Seattle (22-20) is clinging to a postseason berth with just two games left. After beating the Lynx and Sky in consecutive outings, the Storm stumbled Monday, blowing a fourth-quarter lead in a 91-85 loss to the Sparks. With Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike combining for 42 points in that defeat, Seattle knows the margin for error is gone.

New York (24-17) is playoff-bound but aiming to secure a higher seed. The Liberty welcomed back former MVP Breanna Stewart, yet team chemistry has been a challenge with injuries throughout the year. Since Stewart’s return, New York is 2-2, most recently dropping a 66-58 contest to the expansion Golden State Valkyries.

Matchup Overview

• Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
• Date: Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 – 10:00 PM ET
• Probable Status: Stewart active (NYL), Diggins/Ogwumike available (SEA)
• Betting Odds: Storm ML -125, Liberty ML +105, Spread SEA -1.5, O/U 161.5

The Storm Can Win If…

Seattle must close strong. In Monday’s loss, they were outscored 23-12 in the final frame, undoing three quarters of solid basketball. Ogwumike and Diggins remain the driving forces, and when both score efficiently, the Storm have the inside-out balance needed to compete with anyone.

Having already beaten New York twice this year, including a 79-70 road win on July 6, Seattle will look to maintain defensive pressure and limit turnovers. With the postseason on the line, intensity will be the difference.

Find expert betting breakdowns on our WNBA Picks page.

The Liberty Can Win If…

New York must smooth out its chemistry issues. Stewart and Natasha Cloud each scored 19 in Tuesday’s loss, but the Liberty shot just 38% and struggled late. With playoff seeding at stake, they need consistent production from Jonquel Jones inside and Marine Johannès on the perimeter.

If New York can establish rhythm early and avoid another slow offensive performance, they have the talent to hand Seattle its first loss in the season series.

Stay updated on lines and totals with the WNBA Scores and Odds board.

Handicapper Spotlight

With playoff positioning on the line, our WNBA handicappers are locked in on Storm vs. Liberty. Check the leaderboard below to see who’s hot and which side the pros are backing tonight.

Betting Outlook

Seattle is a slight favorite at -125, with my model projecting a 82-79 Storm win. The Storm’s urgency, coupled with home-court advantage, gives them the edge in a must-have matchup.

At a total of 161.5, the lean is toward the over, as both lineups have scoring firepower and pace tends to increase in late-season games with playoff implications.

For playoff betting strategies, review the NBA/ WNBA Expert Betting Guide before placing your wagers.