The semifinals of the 2021 WNBA playoffs got off to an incredible start with a pair of thrilling Game 1s, and if Thursday night’s action is anything close to that, we’ll be in for a treat. Up first, the Connecticut Sun will look to bounce back from a surprising loss and even up their series with the Chicago Sky. Later on, the Las Vegas Aces will try to defend their home court and take a commanding 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Mercury.
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)
Thursday, Sept. 23
No. 6 Chicago Sky 81, No. 7 Dallas Wings 64
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury 83, No. 10 New York Liberty 82
Second round (single elimination)
Sunday, Sept. 26
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury 85, No. 4 Seattle Storm 80 (OT)
No. 6 Chicago Sky 89, No. 3 Minnesota Lynx 76
Semifinals
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Tuesday, Sept. 28 (Game 1)
- No. 6 Chicago Sky 101, No. 1 Connecticut Sun 95 (Sky lead 1-0)
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces 96, No. 5 Phoenix Mercury 90 (Aces lead 1-0)
Thursday, Sept. 30 (Game 2)
- No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 1 Connecticut Sun, 8 p.m., ESPN 2 — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
- No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces, 10 p.m., ESPN 2 — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
Sunday, Oct. 3 (Game 3)
- No. 1 Connecticut Sun at No. 6 Chicago Sky, 1 p.m., ESPN — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces at No. 5 Phoenix Mercury, 3 p.m., ABC — stream via fuboTV (Try for free)
Wednesday, Oct. 6 (Game 4)*
- No. 1 Connecticut Sun at No. 6 Chicago Sky, TBD
- No. 2 Las Vegas Aces at No. 5 Phoenix Mercury, TBD
Friday, Oct. 8 (Game 5)*
- No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 1 Connecticut Sun, TBD
- No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces, TBD
*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
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