View source for WNBA playoffs

{{Short description|Elimination tournament}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = 
| current_season  = 
| last_season     = 2024 WNBA playoffs
| upcoming_season = 
| logo            = 
| pixels          = 
| sport           = Basketball
| founded         = 1997
| teams           = 8
| champion        = [[New York Liberty]]
| champ_season    = 2024
| most successful club = [[Houston Comets]]<br>[[Minnesota Lynx]]<br>[[Seattle Storm]]<br>(4 titles each)
| TV              = [[ESPN]], [[ESPN2]], [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]
| website         = 
}}
The '''WNBA playoffs''' is an [[tournament#Knockout tournaments|elimination tournament]] among eight teams in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA), ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the [[WNBA Finals]].

==Format==
In the current format of the WNBA playoffs, the top eight teams in the regular season – regardless of conference – participate in a [[single-elimination tournament]] system. The eight teams are seeded by their regular season records, with the higher seeded team (or the team with the better record) in each series given homecourt advantage.

Round One is a [[best-of-three series]], played with a homecourt pattern of 2–1 (the higher seed hosts games 1 and 2, while the lower seed hosts game 3, if necessary). The Semifinals and Finals are both [[best-of-five]], played with a homecourt pattern of 2–2–1 (the higher seed hosts games 1, 2, and 5, while the lower seed hosts games 3 and 4).<ref name="2022format">{{cite press release|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-approves-new-playoff-format/ |title=WNBA Approves New Playoff Format |publisher=WNBA |date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref>

Beginning in 2025 the WNBA finals will expand to Best of 7 and the first round will change to a 1-1-1 format (with games 1 and 3 being hosted by the higher seed and game 2 by the lower seed)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huddleston |first=Ben |date=2024-10-11 |title=News: WNBA Finals format, Vince Carter, Cam Newton |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/10/wnba-expands-finals-best-of-seven-vince-carter-cam-newton/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Sports Media Watch |language=en-US}}</ref> 

===Tiebreaker procedures===
In case of ties, the following procedures are followed:
# Better winning percentage among all head-to-head games involving tied teams.
# Better winning percentage against all teams with a .500 or better record at the end of the season.
# Better point differential in games involving tied teams.
# Better point differential in all games.
# Coin toss (or draw of lots, if at least 3 teams are still tied after the first 4 tiebreakers fail).

== History ==
[[Image:WNBA_Playoffs_logo.png|thumb|275px|upright|right|WNBA playoffs logo until 2018.]]

The playoff format has changed throughout the years ever since the league's establishment.

In the league's first two seasons, 1997 and 1998, only the top four teams overall advanced to the playoffs, which comprised only two rounds. In 1997, only a single game was played in all matches. In 1998, each match became a best-of-three series. The homecourt pattern for best-of-three was 1–1–1.

As expansion began, the playoff format accommodated more teams. 1999 featured six teams, with the top three teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs, and the top seed of each conference getting a bye into the Conference Finals. The following season, it was expanded to eight teams with the top four teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs. In 2005, the WNBA Finals became a best-of-five series. Despite the departure of some teams later on, this format continued until 2015.

From 2016-2021, a new format was introduced, featuring a [[Playoff format#Stepladder|stepladder]]-like system. In this format, the first- and second-seeded teams entered the tournament at the Semifinals, third and fourth places started at the Second Round, and the remaining four began at the First Round. The format also eliminated conference seeding, instead having the top eight teams overall advance. The First and Second Rounds were only a single game, with the winning team immediately advancing to the next round. The Semifinals and Finals were both best-of-five series. After each round, the lower surviving seed faced the higher seed in the next round, while the higher surviving seed faced the lower seed.<ref name="2022format" />

The current format was adopted in 2022 and features the top 8 teams in the league (regardless of conference) playing a three-round series for the championship. The first round is a best-of-three series with the higher seed hosting both of the first two games, while the Semifinals and Finals remain a best-of-five series. The higher seed hosts the first, second, and (if necessary) fifth games. Beginning in 2025, Round One will switch back to a 1–1–1 pattern, and the Finals will become a [[best-of-seven series]], utilizing a 2–2–1–1–1 pattern similar to the NBA, with the higher seed hosting the first and second games, as well as the fifth and seventh games if necessary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=WNBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV Expand to Best-of-Seven Format Beginning in 2025 |url=https://www.wnba.com/webview/news/wnba-finals-format-expansion-2025 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref>

==Playoff series history==
{{see also|List of WNBA playoff series}}

===2024 season===
{{main|2024 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2024 WNBA season|2024 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2024 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2023 season===
{{main|2023 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2023 WNBA season|2023 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2023 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2022 season===
{{main|2022 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2022 WNBA season|2022 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2022 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2021 season===
{{main|2021 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2021 WNBA season|2021 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2021 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2020 season===
{{main|2020 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2020 WNBA season|2020 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2020 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2019 season===
{{main|2019 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2019 WNBA season|2019 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2019 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2018 season===
{{main|2018 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2018 WNBA season|2018 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2018 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2017 season===
{{main|2017 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2017 WNBA season|2017 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2017 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2016 season===
{{main|2016 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2016 WNBA season|2016 WNBA Finals}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2016 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2015 season===
{{main|2015 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2015 WNBA season|2015 WNBA Finals}}

{{trim|{{#section-h:2015 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2014 season===
{{main|2014 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2014 WNBA season|2014 WNBA Finals}}

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four.
{{trim|{{#section-h:2014 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2013 season===
{{main|2013 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2013 WNBA season|2013 WNBA Finals}}

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four.

{{trim|{{#section-h:2013 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2012 season===
{{main|2012 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2012 WNBA season|2012 WNBA Finals}}

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four.
{{trim|{{#section-h:2012 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2011 season===
{{main|2011 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2011 WNBA season|2011 WNBA Finals}}

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four.

{{trim|{{#section-h:2011 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2010 season===
{{main|2010 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2010 WNBA season|2010 WNBA Finals}}

There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four.  Starting in 2010, the first two rounds changed to a 1-1-1 format, with the higher-seeded team hosting games 1 & 3.

{{trim|{{#section-h:2010 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===2009 season===
{{main|2009 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2009 WNBA season|2009 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket |
| RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-5
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]
| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=''[[Atlanta Dream|Atlanta]]''
| RD1-score3=0
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4='''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''
| RD1-score4='''2'''

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]
| RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]''
| RD1-score7=1
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8='''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''
| RD1-score8='''2'''

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD3-score1=2
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''3'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2008 season===
{{main|2008 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2008 WNBA season|2008 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-5
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]''
| RD1-score3=1
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4='''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''
| RD1-score4='''2'''

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]''
| RD1-score7=1
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8='''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''
| RD1-score8='''2'''

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1='''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''
| RD3-score1='''3'''
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2=''[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]''
| RD3-score2=0
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2007 season===
{{main|2007 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2007 WNBA season|2007 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-5
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]
| RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD1-score8=1

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4=[[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]]
| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]''
| RD3-score1=2
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]'''
| RD3-score2='''3'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2006 season===
{{main|2006 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2006 WNBA season|2006 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-5
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]
| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD1-score4=0

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]
| RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Houston Comets|Houston]]
| RD1-score8=0

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1=''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]''
| RD2-score1=1
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2='''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''
| RD2-score2='''2'''

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3=''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]''
| RD2-score3=0
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4='''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''
| RD2-score4='''2'''

| RD3-seed1=E2
| RD3-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD3-score1='''3'''
| RD3-seed2=W2
| RD3-team2=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD3-score2=2
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2005 season===
{{main|2005 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2005 WNBA season|2005 WNBA Finals}}

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, this was also the first season where the WNBA finals was expanded to a best-of-5 game series.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-5
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]
| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD1-score4=0

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]''
| RD1-score7=1
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8='''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''
| RD1-score8='''2'''

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=[[Houston Comets|Houston]]
| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]''
| RD3-score1=1
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''
| RD3-score2='''3'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2004 season===
{{main|2004 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2004 WNBA season|2004 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]
| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]
| RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5=''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]''
| RD1-score5=1
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6='''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''
| RD1-score6='''2'''

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| RD1-score8=0

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3=W4
| RD2-team3=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD2-score3=1
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4='''''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]'''''
| RD2-score4='''2'''

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]
| RD3-score1=1
| RD3-seed2=W2
| RD3-team2='''''[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''2'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2003 season===
{{main|2003 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2003 WNBA season|2003 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Cleveland Rockers|Cleveland]]
| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=''[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]''
| RD1-score3=0
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4='''[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]'''
| RD1-score4='''2'''

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]''
| RD1-score7=1
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8='''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''
| RD1-score8='''2'''

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=[[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]]
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1='''''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]'''''
| RD3-score1='''2'''
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2=[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| RD3-score2=1
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2002 season===
{{main|2002 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2002 WNBA season|2002 WNBA Finals}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Indiana Fever|Indiana]]
| RD1-score2=1

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]
| RD1-score3=0
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4='''''[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]'''''
| RD1-score4='''2'''

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Seattle Storm|Seattle]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=[[Houston Comets|Houston]]
| RD1-score7=1
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8='''''[[Utah Starzz|Utah]]'''''
| RD1-score8='''2'''

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=[[Utah Starzz|Utah]]
| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD3-score1=0
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''2'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2001 season===
{{main|2001 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2001 WNBA season|2001 WNBA Championship}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1=[[Cleveland Rockers|Cleveland]]
| RD1-score1=1
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2='''''[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]'''''
| RD1-score2='''2'''

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[Miami Sol|Miami]]
| RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Houston Comets|Houston]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Utah Starzz|Utah]]
| RD1-score8=0

| RD2-seed1=E4
| RD2-team1='''[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]'''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2=''[[New York Liberty|New York]]''
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E4
| RD3-team1=[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]
| RD3-score1=0
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''2'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===2000 season===
{{main|2000 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|2000 WNBA season|2000 WNBA Championship}}

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.

{{8TeamBracket | RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[Washington Mystics|Washington]]
| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3='''''[[Cleveland Rockers|Cleveland]]'''''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=[[Orlando Miracle|Orlando]]
| RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD1-score8=0

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E2
| RD2-team2=[[Cleveland Rockers|Cleveland]]
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3=''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]''
| RD2-score3=0
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4='''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''
| RD2-score4='''2'''

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD3-score1=0
| RD3-seed2=W2
| RD3-team2='''''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''2'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===1999 season===
{{main|1999 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{see|1999 WNBA season|1999 WNBA Championship}}

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=1
|nowrap=y| RD1='''Conference Semi-Finals'''<br />Single Game
| RD2='''Conference Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD3='''WNBA Finals'''<br />Best-of-3
| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Conference (WNBA)|Eastern Conference]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]'''

| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=''[[Detroit Shock|Detroit]]''
| RD1-score3=54
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4='''[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]'''
| RD1-score4='''60'''

| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7='''''[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]'''''
| RD1-score7='''71'''
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=[[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]]
| RD1-score8=58

| RD2-seed1=E1
| RD2-team1='''''[[New York Liberty|New York]]'''''
| RD2-score1='''2'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=[[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]]
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3='''''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''''
| RD2-score3='''2'''
| RD2-seed4=W2
| RD2-team4=[[Los Angeles Sparks|Los Angeles]]
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=[[New York Liberty|New York]]
| RD3-score1=1
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2='''''[[Houston Comets|Houston]]'''''
| RD3-score2='''2'''
}}
{{ubl
 |'''Bold''' – Game or Series winner|''Italics'' – Team with home-court advantage
}}

===1998 season===
{{main|1998 WNBA playoffs}}
{{see|1998 WNBA season|1998 WNBA Championship}}

There were 10 teams in the league. {{trim|{{#section-h:1998 WNBA playoffs|Bracket}}}}

===1997 season===
{{main|1997 WNBA playoffs}}
{{see|1997 WNBA season|1997 WNBA Championship}}

This was the first year of existence for the WNBA. There were only 8 teams in the league. {{trim|{{#section-h:1997 WNBA playoffs|Bracket}}}}

==See also==
*[[Women's National Basketball Association]]
*[[WNBA Finals]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wnba.com/history/playoff_index.html WNBA Playoff History]

{{WNBA Playoffs}}
{{WNBA}}

[[Category:WNBA playoffs| ]]