WNBA Playoffs

The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals.

Current Format

Following the WNBA regular season, four teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs and are seeded one to four.

Regular season records determine the seedings of the teams in each conference. The team with the best record receives seed one, the team with the next best record receives seed two, and so on.

These seedings are used to create a bracket that determines the match-ups throughout the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs, or Conference Semi-Finals, consists of two match-ups in each conference based on the seedings (1-4 and 2-3). The two winners advance to the second round, or Conference Finals, with a match-up between the 1-4 and 2-3 winners. At the conclusion of the Conference Finals, the winners of these series advance to the WNBA Finals.

The Conference Semi-Finals and the Conference Finals are each best-of-three series. Series are played in a 1-2 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage (better record) hosts games 2 and 3, while their opponent hosts game 1. The WNBA Finals are a best-of-five series played in a 2-2-1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage hosts games 1, 2, and 5 while their opponent hosts games 3 and 4.

8TeamBracket | RD1=Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD2-seed1=E
RD2-seed2=E
RD2-seed3=W
RD2-seed4=W
RD3-seed1=E
RD3-seed2=W

Playoff Series History

2008 Season

There were 14 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. The first two rounds of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series, with the finals being best-of-five.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Detroit
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Indiana
RD1-score2=1
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Connecticut
RD1-score3=1
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=New York
RD1-score4=2
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=San Antonio
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Sacramento
RD1-score6=1
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Seattle
RD1-score7=1
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Los Angeles
RD1-score8=2
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Detroit
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E3
RD2-team2=New York
RD2-score2=1
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=San Antonio
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W3
RD2-team4=Los Angeles
RD2-score4=1
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=Detroit
RD3-score1=3
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=San Antonio
RD3-score2=0

2007 Season

There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. The first two rounds of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series, with the finals being best-of-five.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Detroit
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=New York
RD1-score2=1
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Indiana
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Connecticut
RD1-score4=1
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Phoenix
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Seattle
RD1-score6=0
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=San Antonio
RD1-score7=2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Sacramento
RD1-score8=1
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Detroit
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=Indiana
RD2-score2=1
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Phoenix
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=San Antonio
RD2-score4=0
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=Detroit
RD3-score1=2
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Phoenix
RD3-score2=3

2006 Season

There were 14 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. The first two rounds of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series, with the finals being best-of-five.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Connecticut
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Washington
RD1-score2=0
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Detroit
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Indiana
RD1-score4=0
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Seattle
RD1-score6=1
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Sacramento
RD1-score7=2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Houston
RD1-score8=0
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Connecticut
RD2-score1=1
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=Detroit
RD2-score2=2
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Los Angeles
RD2-score3=0
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=Sacramento
RD2-score4=2
RD3-seed1=E2
RD3-team1=Detroit
RD3-score1=3
RD3-seed2=W2
RD3-team2=Sacramento
RD3-score2=2

2005 Season

There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. The first two rounds of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series, with the finals being switched to best-of-five.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Connecticut
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Detroit
RD1-score2=0
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Indiana
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=New York
RD1-score4=0
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Sacramento
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Los Angeles
RD1-score6=0
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Seattle
RD1-score7=1
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Houston
RD1-score8=2
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Connecticut
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=Indiana
RD2-score2=0
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Sacramento
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W3
RD2-team4=Houston
RD2-score4=0
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=Connecticut
RD3-score1=1
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Sacramento
RD3-score2=3

2004 Season

There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Connecticut
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Washington
RD1-score2=1
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=New York
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Detroit
RD1-score4=1
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=1
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Sacramento
RD1-score6=2
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Seattle
RD1-score7=2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Minnesota
RD1-score8=0
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Connecticut
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=New York
RD2-score2=0
RD2-seed3=W4
RD2-team3=Sacramento
RD2-score3=1
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=Seattle
RD2-score4=2
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=Connecticut
RD3-score1=1
RD3-seed2=W2
RD3-team2=Seattle
RD3-score2=2

2003 Season

There were 14 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Detroit
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Cleveland
RD1-score2=1
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Charlotte
RD1-score3=0
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Connecticut
RD1-score4=2
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Minnesota
RD1-score6=1
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Houston
RD1-score7=1
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Sacramento
RD1-score8=2
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Detroit
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E3
RD2-team2=Connecticut
RD2-score2=0
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Los Angeles
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W3
RD2-team4=Sacramento
RD2-score4=1
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=Detroit
RD3-score1=2
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Los Angeles
RD3-score2=1

2002 Season

There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=New York
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Indiana
RD1-score2=1
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Charlotte
RD1-score3=0
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Washington
RD1-score4=2
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Seattle
RD1-score6=0
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Houston
RD1-score7=1
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Utah
RD1-score8=2
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=New York
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E3
RD2-team2=Washington
RD2-score2=0
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Los Angeles
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W3
RD2-team4=Utah
RD2-score4=0
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=New York
RD3-score1=0
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Los Angeles
RD3-score2=2

2001 Season

There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Cleveland
RD1-score1=1
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Charlotte
RD1-score2=2
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=New York
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Miami
RD1-score4=1
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Houston
RD1-score6=0
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Sacramento
RD1-score7=2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Utah
RD1-score8=0
RD2-seed1=E4
RD2-team1=Charlotte
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=New York
RD2-score2=1
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Los Angeles
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=Sacramento
RD2-score4=1
RD3-seed1=E4
RD3-team1=Charlotte
RD3-score1=0
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Los Angeles
RD3-score2=2

2000 Season

There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.8TeamBracket | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=New York
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Washington
RD1-score2=0
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Cleveland
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Orlando
RD1-score4=1
RD1-seed5=W1
RD1-team5=Los Angeles
RD1-score5=2
RD1-seed6=W4
RD1-team6=Phoenix
RD1-score6=0
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Houston
RD1-score7=2
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Sacramento
RD1-score8=0
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=New York
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=Cleveland
RD2-score2=0
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Los Angeles
RD2-score3=0
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=Houston
RD2-score4=2
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=New York
RD3-score1=0
RD3-seed2=W2
RD3-team2=Houston
RD3-score2=2

1999 Season

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the three teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to three. The top seeded team in each conference got a bye for the first round.3RoundBracket-Byes | RD1= Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-1
RD2= Conference Finals
Best-of-3
RD3= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed3=E2
RD1-team3=Detroit
RD1-score3=0
RD1-seed4=E3
RD1-team4=Charlotte
RD1-score4=1
RD1-seed7=W2
RD1-team7=Los Angeles
RD1-score7=1
RD1-seed8=W3
RD1-team8=Sacramento
RD1-score8=0
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=New York
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E3
RD2-team2=Charlotte
RD2-score2=1
RD2-seed3=W1
RD2-team3=Houston
RD2-score3=2
RD2-seed4=W2
RD2-team4=Los Angeles
RD2-score4=1
RD3-seed1=E1
RD3-team1=New York
RD3-score1=1
RD3-seed2=W1
RD3-team2=Houston
RD3-score2=2

1998 Season

There were 10 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in the league were seeded one to four. Houston was switched to the Western Conference in 1997 so two Western Conference teams matched up in the WNBA Finals. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-three series.4TeamBracket | RD1= WNBA Semi-Finals
Best-of-3
RD2= WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
RD1-seed1=W1
RD1-team1=Houston
RD1-score1=2
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Charlotte
RD1-score2=0
RD1-seed3=W3
RD1-team3=Phoenix
RD1-score3=2
RD1-seed4=E2
RD1-team4=Cleveland
RD1-score4=1
RD2-seed1=W1
RD2-team1=Houston
RD2-score1=2
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=Phoenix
RD2-score2=1

1997 Season

This was the first year of existence for the WNBA. There were only 8 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in the league were seeded one to four. Houston was in the Eastern Conference in 1997 so two Eastern Conference teams matched up in the WNBA Finals. Each round of the playoffs were played a best-of-one series.4TeamBracket | RD1= WNBA Semi-Finals
Best-of-1
RD2= WNBA Finals
Best-of-1
RD1-seed1=E1
RD1-team1=Houston
RD1-score1=1
RD1-seed2=E4
RD1-team2=Charlotte
RD1-score2=0
RD1-seed3=W3
RD1-team3=Phoenix
RD1-score3=0
RD1-seed4=E2
RD1-team4=New York
RD1-score4=1
RD2-seed1=E1
RD2-team1=Houston
RD2-score1=1
RD2-seed2=E2
RD2-team2=New York
RD2-score2=0

ee also

*WNBA
*2008 WNBA season
*WNBA Finals

External links

* [http://www.wnba.com WNBA Home Page]
* [http://www.wnba.com/history/playoff_index.html WNBA Playoff History]