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WNBA Playoffs Open Sunday With New 1-1-1 First Round and Expanded Best-of-Seven Finals

The overhaul emphasizes competitive equity, reflecting growth-enabled logistics.

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Aerial Powers #23 of the Atlanta Dream drives the ball during the game against the Indiana Fever on June 21, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Game 1s for all four first-round series tip off Sept. 14 in a quadruple-header: Golden State at Minnesota, Indiana at Atlanta, New York at Phoenix, and Seattle at Las Vegas on ESPN/ABC.
  • The first round remains best-of-three but shifts to a 1-1-1 home format that guarantees every qualifier at least one home game.
  • The bracket follows 1 vs. 8 through 4 vs. 5, with best-of-five semifinals and a best-of-seven Finals using a 2-2-1-1-1 layout; Oct. 17 is the latest possible Finals date.
  • Eight teams qualified led by the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx, followed by the Aces, Dream, Mercury, Liberty, Fever, Storm and the expansion Golden State Valkyries.
  • Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says the playoff field will stay at eight until expansion reaches 18 teams by 2030, with Toronto and Portland set to join next season and CBA rules boosting playoff bonuses 10% due to the added potential games.