The conclusion of Thursday night’s WNBA games means one thing: the playoffs are here. After one of the most dynamic and exciting regular seasons in recent memory, eight teams are battling for the title of 2024 WNBA champion.
So which teams are playing? When and where will they play? What are the rankings? We will provide you with this and much more information.
When are the WNBA playoffs?
The WNBA playoffs begin on September 22nd. They could end no later than October 20th, when the 5th game of the WNBA finals is scheduled.
What is the WNBA playoff format?
The first round of the WNBA playoffs is best-of-three. The semifinals and finals are then best-of-five. The top eight teams qualify for the first round. Although the league is divided into Eastern and Western Conferences, these have no impact on the playoffs or rankings. If your record is good enough, you’re in the playoffs, regardless of which conference you play in.
Which teams are playing?
-
New York Liberty (32-8)
-
Minnesota Lynx (30-10)
-
Connecticut Sun (28-12)
-
Las Vegas Aces (26-13)
-
Seattle Storm (24-15)
-
Indiana Fever (20-20)
-
Phoenix Mercury (19-20)
-
Atlanta Dreams (15-25)
The Indiana Fever, who have the first picks in the 2023 and 2024 WNBA Draft in Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Las Vegas Aces have won the last two WNBA championships and are trying to win their third consecutive title, something they haven’t done since the Houston Comets won four straight titles from 1997-2000.
What are the pairings in the first round?
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
What is the schedule for the first round?
Kickoff times for the first two games of each series have been announced. Game 3 will be announced later if it needs to be played.
Sunday, September 22:
Tuesday, September 24
-
Dream-Liberty, Game 2 – 7:30 p.m. ET
-
Storm-Aces, Game 2 – 9:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, September 25
-
Fever-Sun, Game 2, 7:30 p.m. ET
-
Mercury-Lynx, Game 2 – 9:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, September 26
-
Dream-Liberty, Game 3 (if necessary) – to be announced
-
Storm-Aces, Game 3 (if necessary) – TBD
Friday, September 27
-
Lynx-Mercury, Game 3 (if necessary) – to be announced
-
Sun Fever, Game 3 (if necessary) – TBD
The semifinals are scheduled to begin on Sunday 29 September and the finals will kick off on Thursday 10 October.
