The 2024 WNBA playoffs are slowly taking shape.
The New York Liberty became the first team to officially qualify for the postseason on August 17. After a loss in the WNBA finals to the Las Vegas Aces, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Co. secured their return to the playoffs by winning an incredible 23 of their first 27 games.
Over the next month, several more teams will join the Liberty in the postseason field, so as the battles for playoff spots and seedings heat up, here’s everything you need to know about the WNBA postseason:
How many games are there in the WNBA regular season?
Each team plays 40 games in the regular season.
When does the WNBA regular season end?
The last day of the 2024 regular season is Thursday, September 19.
When do the WNBA playoffs start?
The WNBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 22nd.
How many teams make it to the WNBA playoffs?
The best eight teams in the WNBA – regardless of conference – reach the playoffs.
Which teams are in the WNBA playoffs so far?
The Liberty are so far the only team to secure a spot in the playoffs.
How do the WNBA playoffs work?
In the WNBA playoffs, teams are seeded based on their regular season results, with the best team receiving first place.
In the first round, the pairings according to seeding are 1 against 8, 2 against 7, 3 against 6 and 4 against 5.
How many games are there in a WNBA playoff series?
The first round of the playoffs will be a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting the first two games of the series. Should the series go the full distance, the lower seed will host the deciding third game.
Both the semifinals and the WNBA final will be played in a best-of-five format, with the higher seeds hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.
When are the WNBA finals?
The full schedule for the WNBA Finals has not yet been released, but a potentially decisive fifth game will take place no later than Sunday, October 20, according to the WNBA.
