When do the WNBA playoffs start? WNBA Playoffs Schedule in Full

When do the 2025 WNBA playoffs start? First round, WNBA postseason Bracket, schedule dates, and More





The 2025 WNBA regular season is in the books. Two rounds of the playoffs are completed. Next up: The Finals.


The field for the 2025 playoffs is set, with eight of the league's 13 teams earning a chance to compete for this year's championship. The postseason bracket was finalized on the final night of the regular season on Thursday.

The reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty have carried their title defense to the postseason, but they aren't the No. 1 seed like last year.


The best-of-three first round is a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals, a best-of-five format, are 2-2-1, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.

For the first time, the WNBA Finals will expand to a best-of-seven series and will have a 2-2-1-1-1 structure, in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.


Track the playoff race with our Updated Teams WNBA standings page. We'll update playoff matchups as they're decided. The regular season wraps up Sept. 11.



When do the WNBA playoffs start?


The WNBA playoffs begin on Sunday, Sept. 14.


which teams make the WNBA playoffs?


The top eight teams in the WNBA -- regardless of conference -- make the playoffs.

No. 1 Minnesota Lynx

No. 2 Las Vegas Aces

No. 3 Atlanta Dream

No. 4 Phoenix Mercury

No. 5 New York Liberty

No. 6 Indiana Fever

No. 7 Seattle Storm

No. 8 Golden State Valkyries


WNBA playoff bracket: first-round matchups


Here are the matchups for the first round of the WNBA playoffs:


No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries

No. 2 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm

No. 3 Indiana Fever vs. No. 6 Atlanta Dream

No. 4. Phoenix Mercury  vs  No. 5. New York Liberty 



What channel are the WNBA playoffs on?


The WNBA playoffs will air on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. All games will stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.


2025 WNBA Playoff: TV Schedule, Scores for Round 1 matchups, results, channel, start-times.




First round (best-of-three)


Here is the full schedule for the 2025 WNBA playoffs. All times ET. (*- if necessary):


Sunday, Sept. 14

Game 1: No. 8 Valkyries at No. 1 Lynx, 1 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

Game 1: No. 6 Fever at No. 3 Dream, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo

Game 1: No. 5 Liberty at No. 4 Mercury, 5 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

Game 1: No. 7 Storm at No. 2 Aces, 10 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo


Tuesday, Sept. 16

Game 2: No. 3 Dream at No. 6 Fever, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

Game 2: No. 2 Aces at No. 7 Storm, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo


Wednesday, Sept. 17

Game 2: No. 4 Mercury at No. 5 Liberty, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

Game 2: No. 2 Lynx at No. 7 Valkyries, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo


Thursday, Sept. 18

*Game 3: No. 6 Fever at No. 3 Dream, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo

*Game 3: No. 7 Storm at No. 2 Aces, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo


Friday, Sept. 19

*Game 3: No. 7 Valkyries at No. 2 Lynx, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo

*Game 3: No. 4 Liberty at No. 5 Mercury, TBD -- ESPN2/fubo



WNBA Playoffs 2025: Semifinals TV schedule, Matchups dates, start-times, channel.



Semifinals matchups (best-of-five)

All times ET.


Sunday, Sept. 21

Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo

Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo


Tuesday, Sept. 23

Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo


Friday, Sept. 26

Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. -- ESPN2/fubo

Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. -- ESPN2/fubo


Sunday, Sept. 28

*Game 4: TBD vs. TBD, 1 or 5 p.m. -- ESPN/fubo

*Game 4: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. -- ABC/fubo


Tuesday, Sept. 30

*Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, TBD

*Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, TBD


* = If Necessary

When is the 2025 WNBA Finals: full schedule dates, channel, start-times.




Friday, Oct. 3:  Game 1: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 5:  Game 2: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 8:  Game 3: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 10:  Game 4: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 12:  Game 5*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 15:  Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 17:  Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

* If necessary 





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