The 2021 WNBA playoffs are finally here, and the first round did not disappoint. In the first game, the Chicago Sky held off a determined Dallas Wings team thanks to Kahleah Copper and a big fourth quarter from Courtney Vandersloot. Later on, the Phoenix Mercury won a thriller over the New York Liberty on a last-second free throw by Brianna Turner.
Next up is the single-elimination second round on Sunday afternoon. The Mercury will take on the Seattle Storm, while the Sky will face the Minnesota Lynx.
As a quick refresher of the revamped playoff format that began in 2016, the top eight teams make the playoffs regardless of conference affiliation. The top-two seeds get a bye all the way to the semifinals, while the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds get a bye to the second round. Teams seeded 5-8 begin play in the first round. The first and second rounds are single elimination, while the semifinals and Finals are both best-of-five series. After each round, the teams are re-seeded.
This season, the Connecticut Sun finished with the best record in the league at 26-6. In addition to a bye to the semis, they have also earned home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Las Vegas Aces, by virtue of finishing second, have also punched their ticket to the semis.
With the playoff bracket now set, here’s a look at the first-round matchups and the full schedule for the 2021 WNBA Playoffs:
First round (single elimination)
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Thursday, Sept. 23
- Sky 81, Wings 64
- Mercury 83, Liberty 82
Second round (single elimination)
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Sunday, Sept. 26
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 4 Seattle Storm, 3 p.m., ABC — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 3 Minnesota Lynx, 5 p.m., ESPN2 — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
Semifinals
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Tuesday, Sept. 28 (Game 1)
TBD at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at No. 1 Connecticut Sun
Thursday, Sept. 30 (Game 2)
TBD at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at No. 1 Connecticut Sun
Sunday, Oct. 3 (Game 3)
TBD at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at No. 1 Connecticut Sun
Wednesday, Oct. 6 (Game 4)*
TBD at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at No. 1 Connecticut Sun
Friday, Oct. 8 (Game 5)*
TBD at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at No. 1 Connecticut Sun
*If necessary
WNBA Finals
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Sunday, Oct. 10 (Game 1)
TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Game 2)
TBD vs. TBD
Friday, Oct. 15 (Game 3)
TBD vs. TBD
Sunday, Oct. 17 (Game 4)*
TBD vs. TBD
Tuesday, Oct. 19 (Game 5)*
TBD vs. TBD
*If necessary
