WNBA playoffs 2022: Bracket and complete schedule
The 2022 WNBA Playoffs have tipped off, with the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces winning their first games. Don’t miss the remaining games!
The Las Vegas Aces and the Chicago Sky are the top two teams that are favored to win the championship, but the outcome of the postseason is far from being set in stone.
The top-seeded Aces started off strong with a 79-63 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, while the Chicago Sky fell to New York Liberty 98-91 in their first matchup.
The Connecticut Sun, Seattle Storm, and Washington Mystics could be formidable contenders, as all three teams prevailed in at least 22 games of the regular season. The Liberty, despite being underdogs, could pose a challenge as well, as proven by their first-game victory over the No. 2 seeded Sky.
WNBA format for 2022
There’s a new format for the WNBA playoffs beginning this year. The league is doing away with single-elimination games in favor of the more customary playoff system. The opening round consists of a best-of-three series which all eight teams will be joining, while both the semifinals and the finals will be having a best-of-five.
With the playoff bracket set, here are the teams that are going head-to-head in the first round.
WNBA Playoff bracket
- No. 1 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 8 Phoenix Mercury
- No. 2 Chicago Sky vs. No. 7 New York Liberty
- No. 3 Connecticut Sun vs. No. 6 Dallas Wings
- No. 4 Seattle Storm vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
How to watch the WNBA Playoff games
WNBA fans can catch the games on the various TV channels of ESPN, as well as ABC. Those who want to watch online can go on Watch ESPN and Sling TV.
- TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
- Live stream: Sling TV, Watch ESPN
2022 WNBA Playoff schedule
Thursday, Aug. 18
| GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Wings vs. Sun | 8 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Mystics vs. Storm | 10 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Saturday, Aug. 20
| GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty vs. Sky | 12 noon | ESPN |
| Mercury vs. Aces | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Sunday, Aug. 21
| GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Wings vs. Sun | 12 noon | ABC |
| Mystics vs. Storm | 4 p.m. | ESPN |