The first day of the WNBA playoffs provided thrilling competitive moments, despite no significant upsets occurring. The Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream both secured 1-0 leads in their respective playoff series with impressive performances during Sunday’s quadruple-header. Notably, the day featured the first overtime match of this postseason, where the New York Liberty triumphed over the Phoenix Mercury. Additionally, the Las Vegas Aces showcased their defensive prowess against the Seattle Storm. The action is set to continue on Tuesday with the initial Game 2 matchups.
The Minnesota Lynx entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, demonstrating their dominance throughout the 44-game regular season. With aspirations for their fifth championship title and their first since 2017, the Lynx will enjoy home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty, the reigning champions, faced challenges this season due to injuries and inconsistencies, landing them in the No. 5 seed. They are set to face a tough first-round opponent in the Phoenix Mercury, who are bolstered by standout player Alyssa Thomas, aiming to extend her remarkable season.
The Las Vegas Aces, who initially struggled early in the season, finished strong with a 16-game winning streak, securing the No. 2 seed. A'ja Wilson is making a compelling case for her fourth MVP award, as Becky Hammon’s squad seeks its third championship in four years. The Atlanta Dream have also exceeded expectations this season, thanks to strategic offseason moves that included acquiring veteran stars Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner. In contrast, the Indiana Fever, who returned to the playoffs for the second consecutive year, are contending with injuries to key players, including 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, who announced her season-ending earlier this month after appearing in only 13 games.
The WNBA playoff bracket was finalized following Thursday's action, setting the stage for an exciting first round. Here are the four matchups:
No. 1 Lynx vs. No. 8 Valkyries No. 2 Aces vs. No. 7 Storm No. 3 Dream vs. No. 6 Fever No. 4 Mercury vs. No. 5 LibertyIn the first round, teams will compete in a best-of-three series, followed by a best-of-five series in the semifinals. Notably, this year introduces a new format for the Finals, which will now be a best-of-seven series. Last year, the first round employed a 2-1 format, but this season will adopt a 1-1-1 structure, allowing for a more balanced hosting arrangement.
Here’s the first-round schedule along with scores (all times Eastern):
Sunday, Sept. 14 Game 1: Lynx 101, Valkyries 72 (Lynx lead 1-0) Game 1: Dream 80, Fever 68 (Dream lead 1-0) Game 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69 OT (Liberty lead 1-0) Game 1: Aces 102, Storm 77 (Aces lead 1-0) Tuesday, Sept. 16 Game 2: No. 3 Dream at No. 6 Fever, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Game 2: No. 2 Aces at No. 7 Storm, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Wednesday, Sept. 17 Game 2: No. 4 Mercury at No. 5 Liberty, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Game 2: No. 2 Lynx at No. 7 Valkyries, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Thursday, Sept. 18 *Game 3: No. 6 Fever at No. 3 Dream, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo *Game 3: No. 7 Storm at No. 2 Aces, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo Friday, Sept. 19 *Game 3: No. 7 Valkyries at No. 2 Lynx, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo *Game 3: No. 4 Liberty at No. 5 Mercury, TBD -- ESPN2/fuboLooking ahead, here’s the schedule for the semifinals (best-of-five) and Finals (best-of-seven):
Semifinals Schedule Sunday, Sept. 21 Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Tuesday, Sept. 23 Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Friday, Sept. 26 Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN2/fubo Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN2/fubo Sunday, Sept. 28 *Game 4: TBD vs. TBD, 1 or 5 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo *Game 4: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo Tuesday, Sept. 30 *Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, TBD *Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, TBD Finals Schedule Friday, Oct. 3 Game 1, 8 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Sunday, Oct. 5 Game 2, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo Wednesday, Oct. 8 Game 3, 8 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Friday, Oct. 10 Game 4, 8 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Sunday, Oct. 12 *Game 5, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo Wednesday, Oct. 15 *Game 6, 8 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo Friday, Oct. 17 *Game 7, 8 p.m. -- ESPN/fuboAs the WNBA playoffs unfold, fans can expect high-stakes action and memorable moments as teams vie for the coveted championship. Stay tuned for updates and highlights as the road to the Finals continues!
