The WNBA postseason has arrived. The 2022 WNBA playoff race came down to the final day of the regular season, with the Las Vegas Aces clinching the top overall seed and home court advantage, and the New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury winning the last two spots in the postseason.
The defending champion Chicago Sky, who won a franchise-record 26 regular season games, are the No. 2 seed. But the Sky’s title defense got off to a rocky start as the Liberty stole the game 1 98-91 when the playoffs opened on Wednesday.
Eight teams advanced to the first round, which for the first time since 2015 consists of four best-of-three series to determine the semifinalists. For the past six seasons, the top two seeds received automatic byes into the semifinals, and single-elimination games determined the first two rounds. In the new 2-1 format, the higher seed hosts the first two games of the opening round.
The semifinals, scheduled to open on Aug. 28, and the WNBA Finals remain the best-of-five series. Both rounds follow a 2-2-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5 and the lower seeded team hosting Games 3 and 4.
Here’s all the information you need for every first-round matchup, including news and series-by-series analysis.
Game 1: In Las Vegas 79, Phoenix 63
Game 2: Phoenix at Las Vegas, Saturday, August 20 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 3*: Las Vegas at Phoenix, Tuesday, August 23 (TBD)
0:19
Marine Johannes is shown with a sweet pass without looking behind the head for a bucket.
Game 1: New York 98, to Chicago 91
Game 2: New York at Chicago, Saturday, August 20 (Noon ET, ESPN)
Game 3*: Chicago at New York, Tuesday, August 23 (TBD)
Game 1: Dallas at Connecticut, Thursday, August 18 (8 p.m. ET, ESPNU/NBA TV)
Game 2: Dallas at Connecticut, Sunday, August 21 (Noon ET, ABC)
Game 3*: Connecticut at Dallas, Wednesday, August 24 (TBD)
Game 1: Washington at Seattle, Thursday, August 18 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 2: Washington at Seattle, Sunday, August 21 (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3*: Seattle at Washington, Wednesday, August 24 (TBD)
* If necessary