The 2022 WNBA Playoffs are upon us. Six WNBA teams have already secured a spot and five more are fighting for the last two berths. To keep you up to date, On Her Turf has put together a guide with everything you need to know: which teams have qualified, the new 2022 WNBA playoff format, and a full schedule (with details to watch).
This guide will continue to be updated. So bookmark this page and keep checking back for updates during the 2022 WNBA Playoffs.
Table of Contents
When are the WNBA playoffs?
The 2022 WNBA Playoffs begin Wednesday, August 17, just three days after the conclusion of the regular season.
Games marked with an asterisk
may change due to time/network. |
DATE |
TIME WINDOW (ET) |
ROUND |
NUMBER OF GAMES |
TELEVISION NETWORK | Wednesday 08/17/22 | 7 p.m. and 9 p.m | Round 1 – Game 1 | 2 |
ESPN2 | Thursday, 08/18/22 | 7 p.m. and 9 p.m | Round 1 – Game 1 | 2 |
ESPNU, ESPN2 | Saturday 08/20/22 | 12 p.m. and 9 p.m | Round 1 – Game 2 | 2 |
ESPN2 | Sunday 08/21/22 | 12 p.m. and 4 p.m | Round 1 – Game 2 | 2 |
ABC, ESPN2 | Tuesday 08/23/22 | 7 p.m. and 9 p.m | Round 1 – Game 3 (if required) | 2* |
ESPN2 | Wednesday 08/24/22 | 7 p.m. and 9 p.m | Round 1 – Game 3 (if required) | 2* |
ESPN2 | Sunday 08/28/22 | 4 p.m. and 8 p.m | Semifinals – Game 1 | 2 |
ESPN, ESPN2 | Wednesday 8/31/22 | 7 p.m. and 9 p.m | Semifinals – Game 2 | 2 |
ESPN2 | Sunday, 9/4/22 | 1 p.m. and 3 p.m | Semifinals – Game 3 | 2 |
ESPN2, ABC | Tuesday 9/6/22 | 8 p.m. and 10 p.m | Semifinals – Game 4 (if required) | 2* |
ESPN2 | Thursday, 9/8/22 | 8 p.m. and 10 p.m | Semifinals – Game 5 (if required) | 2* |
ESPN2 | Sunday 9/11/22 | 3 pm | WNBA Finals – Game 1 | 1 |
ABC | Tuesday 09/13/22 | 21 clock | WNBA Finals – Game 2 | 1 |
ESPN | Thursday 15.9.22 | 21 clock | WNBA Finals – Game 3 | 1 |
ESPN | Sunday 18.9.22 | 3 pm | WNBA Finals Game 4 (if required) | 1* |
ESPN | Tuesday 09/20/22 | 21 clock | WNBA Finals Game 5 (if required) | 1* |
ESPN
How do teams qualify for the WNBA Playoffs?
At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams with the highest winning percentage (regardless of conference) earn a spot in the WNBA Playoffs.
If teams are tied in the table, they will be separated according to the tiebreak procedure described here.
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Which teams qualified for the 2022 WNBA Playoffs?
- As of Thursday, August 11, six WNBA teams have secured a playoff spot:
- Chicago sky
- Las Vegas Aces
- Connecticut sun
- Seattle Storm
- Washington mystic
Dallas Wings
- Five WNBA teams are battling for the remaining two playoff spots:
- Minnesota Lynx (14-20)
- Atlanta Dream (14-20)
- New York Liberty (14-20)
- Phoenix Mercury (14-20)
Los Angeles Sparks (13-21)
A team eliminated from the playoffs:
How will the 2022 WNBA Playoffs play out?
A new format will be used for the 2022 WNBA Playoffs.
FIRST ROUND:
Deviating from the previous playoff format, all eight teams take part in a best-of-three first round. The bracket is set so that team #1 plays team #8, and so on. The higher-ranked team will host the first two games of the series. The lower ranked team will host the third game of the series (if required).
SEMIFINALS:
The four winners of the best-of-three series advance to a best-of-five semi-final round. Teams will not be reset after the first round. As in previous years, the higher ranked team will host games 1, 2 and 5 (if required), while the lower ranked team will host games 3 and 4 (if required).
WNBA FINALS:
The two winning teams of the semifinal round play in a best-of-five WNBA Finals series that uses the same host format as the semifinal round. Follow Alex Azzi on Twitter
@AlexAzziNBC