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The 2021 WNBA playoffs are finally here, and the first round didn’t disappoint. In the first game, the Chicago Sky resisted a determined team of the Dallas Wings thanks to Kahleah Copper and a big fourth quarter from Courtney Vandersloot. Later, the Phoenix Mercury won a thriller against the New York Liberty on a last-second free throw from Brianna Turner.
Next up is the second knockout round on Sunday afternoon. The Mercury will face the Seattle Storm, while the Sky will face the Minnesota Lynx.
As a quick reminder of the revamped playoff format that began in 2016, the top eight teams advance to the playoffs, regardless of their conference affiliation. The top two seeds get a pass to the semi-finals, while the No. 3 and 4 seeds get a pass to the second round. Teams ranked 5-8 start playing in the first round. The first and second rounds are knockout, while the semi-finals and finals are both best-of-five series. After each round, the teams are re-seeded.
This season, the Connecticut Sun finished with the best record in the league at 26-6. In addition to a pass to the semi-finals, they also gained a field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Las Vegas Aces, because of their second place, also landed their ticket to the semi-finals.
With the playoff schedule now set, here’s a look at the first round games and the full 2021 WNBA Playoff schedule:
First round (single elimination)
(Hourly US / Eastern)
Thursday 23 September
No.6 Chicago Sky 81, No.7 Dallas Wings 64
N ° 5 Phoenix Mercury 83, N ° 10 New York Liberty 82
Second round (single elimination)
(Hourly US / Eastern)
Sunday September 26
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 4 Seattle Storm, 3:00 PM ABC – broadcast via fuboTV (Try Free)
No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 3 Minnesota Lynx, 5:00 PM ESPN2 – broadcast via fuboTV (Try Free)
Semi finals
(Hourly US / Eastern)
Tuesday September 28 (game 1)
TBD at # 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at Connecticut Sun # 1
Thursday, September 30 (game 2)
TBD at # 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at Connecticut Sun # 1
Sunday October 3 (game 3)
TBD at # 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at Connecticut Sun # 1
Wednesday October 6 (game 4) *
TBD at # 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at Connecticut Sun # 1
Friday October 8 (Game 5) *
TBD at # 2 Las Vegas Aces
TBD at Connecticut Sun # 1
*If necessary
WNBA Finals
(Hourly US / Eastern)
Sunday October 10 (game 1)
TBD against TBD
Wednesday October 13 (game 2)
TBD against TBD
Friday, October 15 (game 3)
TBD against TBD
Sunday October 17 (Game 4) *
TBD against TBD
Tuesday, October 19 (game 5) *
TBD against TBD
*If necessary
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