WNBA playoff schedule: Matchups, format, broadcast info

One of the most highly anticipated postseasons in WNBA history is underway.

Caitlin Clark made her postseason debut, but the Indiana Fever fell to the Connecticut Sun 2-0 in the opening round despite the No. 1 overall pick's individual brilliance.

Elsewhere, can A'ja Wilson guide the Las Vegas Aces to the second three-peat in league history? Will Breanna Stewart help the top-seeded New York Liberty win their first championship in franchise history? The two teams will meet in the semifinals.

All of those questions will soon be answered. Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 WNBA postseason.

When do the WNBA playoffs start?

The WNBA playoffs began on Sunday, Sept. 22.

How many teams make the WNBA playoffs?

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

What are the WNBA playoff matchups?

Here were the matchups for the first round of the WNBA playoffs (boldened teams advanced):

• No. 1 New York Liberty vs. No. 8 Atlanta Dream
• No. 2 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 7 Phoenix Mercury
• No. 3 Connecticut Sun vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
• No. 4 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm

The semifinals will see the Liberty play the Aces and the Lynx meet the Sun.

How many games are in a WNBA playoff series?

The first round of the WNBA playoffs features a best-of-three format where the higher seed hosts the first two games of the series and, if necessary, the lower seed hosts the decisive Game 3.

The semifinals and WNBA Finals both have a best-of-five format where the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and 5.

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.

When does Caitlin Clark play?

Caitlin Clark made her WNBA postseason debut on Sunday in the Indiana Fever's 93-69 loss to the Connecticut Sun, but her team was swept in the first round.

What is the WNBA playoff schedule?

Here is the full schedule for the 2024 WNBA playoffs. All times ET. (*- if necessary):

FIRST ROUND

No. 1 New York Liberty vs. No. 8 Atlanta Dream

• Game 1 - New York 83, Atlanta 69
• Game 2 - New York 91, Atlanta 82

No. 2 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 7 Phoenix Mercury

• Game 1 - Minnesota 102, Phoenix 95
• Game 2, Minnesota 101, Phoenix 88

No. 3 Connecticut Sun vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever

• Game 1 - Connecticut 93, Indiana 69
• Game 2, Connecticut 87, Indiana 81

No. 4 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm

• Game 1 - Las Vegas 78, Seattle 67
• Game 2 - Las Vegas 83, Storm 76

SEMIFINALS

The two semifinals will feature the Liberty and the Aces in a 2023 WNBA Finals rematch while the second is the Sun and Lynx. Here are the dates:

No. 1 New York Liberty vs. No. 4. Las Vegas Aces

Game 1, Las Vegas at New York - Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m., ABC

Game 2, Las Vegas at New York - Tuesday, Oct. 1, TBD

Game 3, New York at Las Vegas - Friday, Oct. 4 at 9:30 p.m., ESPN2

*-Game 4, New York at Las Vegas - Sunday, Oct. 6, TBD

*-Game 5, Las Vegas at New York - Tuesday, Oct. 8, TBD, ESPN2

No. 2 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 3. Connecticut Sun

Game 1, Connecticut at Minnesota - Sunday, Sept. 29 at 8:30 p.m., ESPN

Game 2, Connecticut at Minnesota - Tuesday, Oct. 1, TBD

Game 3, Minnesota at Connecticut - Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

*-Game 4, Minnesota at Connecticut - Sunday, Oct. 6, TBD

*-Game 5, Connecticut at Minnesota - Tuesday, Oct. 8, TBD, ESPN2

WNBA FINALS

• Thursday, Oct. 10 - Game 1
• Sunday, Oct. 13 - Game 2
• Wednesday, Oct. 16 - Game 3
• *-Friday, Oct. 18 - Game 4
• *-Sunday, Oct. 20 - Game 5