WNBA Playoffs: What You Need to Know Before the First Round

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With the conclusion of Thursday night’s WNBA games, one thing is clear, The 2024 WNBA Playoffs are here. This season has been one of the most dynamic and exciting regular seasons in recent memory, with players and teams reaching new heights. Now, the top eight teams will compete for the ultimate prize — the 2024 WNBA Championship.

Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know heading into the first round of the playoffs, from teams to schedules and key matchups.

When Do the WNBA Playoffs Start?

The WNBA Playoffs officially begin on September 22, 2024, and will run until October 20, should the finals go to a decisive Game 5. This year promises to deliver thrilling matchups and intense competition as teams fight for the title.

What Is the Playoff Format?

The WNBA uses a straightforward playoff format:

The first round is a best-of-three series.The semifinals and finals transition to a best-of-five series.

Eight teams qualify for the playoffs based on their regular season records, and the league's Eastern and Western conferences have no impact on the seeding. Essentially, it’s all about the top records, regardless of conference.

Which Teams Are Competing?

Here are the eight teams vying for the championship:

• New York Liberty (32-8)

• Minnesota Lynx (30-10)

• Connecticut Sun (28-12)

• Las Vegas Aces (27-13)

• Seattle Storm (25-15)

• Indiana Fever (20-20)

• Phoenix Mercury (19-21)

• Atlanta Dream (15-25)


Some key storylines include.

The Indiana Fever, led by Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, are making their first playoff appearance since 2016.

• The Las Vegas Aces, back-to-back champions, are chasing their third consecutive title — something not done since the Houston Comets' four-peat from 1997-2000.



First-Round Matchups

The first round offers some intriguing matchups between rising teams and playoff veterans:

• No. 1 New York Liberty vs. No. 8 Atlanta Dream

• No. 2 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 7 Phoenix Mercury

• No. 3 Connecticut Sun vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever

• No. 4 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm


These matchups showcase elite talent across the board, from the New York Liberty’s stacked lineup to the Las Vegas Aces’ attempt at a dynasty.

First-Round Schedule

The action begins on Sunday, September 22 with all four Game 1 matchups. Game 3 for each series will be played only if necessary. Here’s the full schedule for the opening round.


Sunday, September 22

• Dream vs. Liberty, Game 1 – 1 p.m. ET

• Fever vs. Sun, Game 1 – 3 p.m. ET

• Mercury vs. Lynx, Game 1 – 5 p.m. ET

• Storm vs. Aces, Game 1 – 10 p.m. ET


Tuesday, September 24

• Dream vs. Liberty, Game 2 – 7:30 p.m. ET

• Storm vs. Aces, Game 2 – 9:30 p.m. ET


Wednesday, September 25

• Fever vs. Sun, Game 2 – 7:30 p.m. ET

• Mercury vs. Lynx, Game 2 – 9:30 p.m. ET


Thursday, September 26 (if necessary)

• Dream vs. Liberty, Game 3 – TBD

• Storm vs. Aces, Game 3 – TBD


Friday, September 27 (if necessary)

• Mercury vs. Lynx, Game 3 – TBD

• Fever vs. Sun, Game 3 – TBD

The semifinals are scheduled to start on Sunday, September 29, while the WNBA Finals are set to tip off on Thursday, October 10.


Key Storylines to Watch

• The Liberty’s Dominance: Can the Liberty, with their league-best 32-8 record, deliver in the postseason? With a roster featuring MVP candidate Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, they are strong contenders.

• Can the Aces Three-Peat?: The Las Vegas Aces are gunning for a historic third consecutive championship. While the competition is fierce, their experience and depth could propel them to another title.

• Rising Stars: Indiana Fever rookies Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark have injected new life into the franchise. Their playoff run will be closely watched as they look to upset higher-seeded teams.


The 2024 WNBA Playoffs promise to deliver an exhilarating mix of competition, star power, and high-stakes drama. With a packed field of elite teams and rising stars, the race to the WNBA Championship will be nothing short of electric. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the league, this year’s playoffs are bound to be unforgettable.

Be sure to tune in starting September 22 for the start of what could be the most exciting WNBA postseason in recent memory!

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