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

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 seeded teams are poised to battle it out for the title of 2024 WNBA champion.

So which teams are playing? When and where are they playing? What are the seedings? We’ve got you covered with that info and more.

When are the WNBA playoffs?

The WNBA playoffs begin on September 22. The last day they can finish is October 20, which would be Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

What is the WNBA playoff format?

There are three rounds of five games each in the WNBA playoffs: the first round, the semifinals, and the finals. The top eight teams qualify for the first round. Although the league is divided into Eastern and Western Divisions, these have no bearing on the playoffs or seeding. If your record is good enough, you’ll be in the playoffs regardless of where you play.

Which teams are playing?

1. New York Liberty (32-8)

2. Minnesota Lynx (30-9)

3. Connecticut Sun (28-12)

4. Las Vegas Aces (26-13)

5. Seattle Storm (24-15)

6. Indiana Fever (20-20)

7. Phoenix Mercury (19-20)

8. Atlanta Dream (15-25)

The Indiana Fever, with Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark as the first picks in the 2023 and 2024 WNBA Drafts, 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, something that has never happened before in WNBA history.

What are the matchups for the first round?

1. New York Liberty vs. 8. Atlanta Dream

2. Minnesota Lynx vs. 7. Phoenix Mercury

3. Connecticut Sun vs. 6.Indiana Fever

4. Las Vegas Aces vs. 5. Seattle Storm

What does the first round schedule look like?

We don’t know exactly when each team will play yet, but we do have a schedule per day.

Sunday September 22nd:

• Match #1, Match 1

• Match #2, Match 1

• Match #3, Match 1

• Match #4, Match 1

Tuesday September 24

• Match #1, Match 2

• Match #2, Match 2

Wednesday September 25

• Match #3, Match 2

• Match #4, Match 2

Thursday September 26

• Matchup #1, Game 3 (if necessary)

• Matchup #2, Game 3 (if necessary)

Friday September 27

• Matchup #3, Game 3 (if necessary)

• Matchup #4, Game 3 (if necessary)

The semi-finals start on Sunday 29 September and the finals start on Thursday 10 October.