The 2023 WNBA regular season is over. Two rounds of the playoffs are completed. Next step: the final.
The reigning champion The Aces of Las Vegas looked dominant all year, finishing with just six losses during the 40-game season, but the gap between the super teams narrowed after the New York Liberty beat the Aces three times in August , including the WNBA Commissioners Cup.
The Aces are looking to become the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002 to win back-to-back WNBA titles, while the Liberty (32-8) are battling for the franchise’s first-ever WNBA championship.
Here’s everything you need to know about the WNBA playoffs, from schedule to matchups and predictions:
LAS VEGAS ASES: Celebrated at the White House for the 2022 WNBA Championship
WNBA playoff format
The WNBA playoffs consist of three rounds: the first round, the semifinals and the WNBA finals.
The eight teams with the highest winning percentages throughout the season will face off in the best-of-three first-round series. Each team will be seeded based on their season record, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and Game 2. The lower seed will host Game 3, if necessary.
The WNBA semifinals and finals are best-of-five series.
NEW WNBA PLAYOFFS FORMAT: No more games, no byes or single elimination games
WNBA Finals Schedule
The Las Vegas Aces vs. the New York Liberty
All times Eastern, *if necessary
Las Vegas leads the series 1-0
- Game 1: Ace 99, Liberty 82
- Game 2, Wednesday: New York at Las Vegas, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
- Match 3, October 15: Las Vegas at New York, 3 p.m. (ABC)
- *Match 4, October 18: Las Vegas at New York, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
- *Match 5, October 20: New York at Las Vegas, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
WNBA Playoff Schedule: Semifinals
All times Eastern, *if necessary
(1) Las Vegas Aces vs. (4) Dallas Wings
Aces win the series 3-0
(2) Liberty of New York against. (3) Connecticut Sun
Liberty wins the series 3-1
WNBA Playoff Schedule: First Round
(1) Las Vegas Aces vs. (8) Chicago Sky
Aces win the series 2-0
- Game 1: Las Vegas 87, Chicago 59
- Game 2: Las Vegas 92, Chicago 70
Cydney’s prediction: Ace in two.
Regular season: The Aces are 3-0 against the Sky this season.
(2) New York Liberty vs. (7) Washington Mystics
Freedom win the series 2-0
- Game 1: New York 90, Washington 75
- Game 2: New York 90, Washington 85 (OT)
Cydney’s prediction: Freedom in two.
Regular season: The series between Liberty and Mystics is tied 2-2.
(3) Connecticut Sun vs. (6) Minnesota Lynx
The Sun wins the series 2-1.
- Game 1: Connecticut 90, Minnesota 60
- Game 2: Minnesota 82, Connecticut 75
- Game 3: Connecticut 90, Minnesota 75
Cydney’s prediction: Sun in three.
Regular season: The Sun are 3-1 against the Lynx this season.
(4) Dallas Wings vs. (5) Atlanta Dream
Wings win the series 2-0
- Game 1: Dallas 94, Atlanta 82
- Game 2: Dallas 101, Atlanta 74
Cydney’s prediction: Wings in two.
Regular season: The Wings swept the Dream, 3-0.
Who is the 2023 WNBA MVP?
End of season rewards will be revealed during the playoffs:
- WNBA power players: Jewell Lloyd (PPG Lead), Alyssa Thomas (RPG Lead), Courtney Vandersloot (APG Lead)
- Yes WNBA Coachright: Stephanie White, Connecticut Sun
- Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year: Alysha Clark, Las Vegas Ace
- Kia WNBA Most Improved Player: Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
- Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Ace
- WNBA All-Defensive Team: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun; Brittney Sykes, Washington Mystics; Breanna Stewart, Liberty of New York; Jordan Canada, Los Angeles Sparks.
- Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player: Breanna StewartFreedom of New York
- Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
- WNBA All-Star Team: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever; Jordan Horston, Seattle Storm; Dorka Juhász, Minnesota Lynx; Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx; Li Meng, Washington Mystics.
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