What we know about the 2025 WNBA semifinals: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The WNBA semifinals will feature at least one bottom-four seed.
The Caitlin Clark-less No. 6 Indiana Fever stunned the No. 3 Atlanta Dream in a decisive Game 3 on Thursday in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. After winning Game 2 at home, Aliyah Boston converted a go-ahead layup inside the final 10 seconds of regulation as Indiana stole a series-clinching 87-85 win in Atlanta.
Advertisement
This is the Fever’s first trip to the semifinals since 2015, and they join the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the next round of the postseason.
Minnesota was the only team to record a sweep in Round 1, bouncing the No. 8 Golden State Valkyries in two games. Minnesota overcame a 17-point deficit on the road in Game 2 Wednesday to eliminate the Valkyries, who made league history as the first expansion team to reach the postseason in its debut season. Napheesa Collier and Co. are looking to follow up last year’s runner-up finish with championship.
So, who could the Lynx and Fever face next? Here’s what to know about the WNBA semifinals:
Do the WNBA playoffs reseed teams?
The WNBA playoffs follow a bracket format and do not reseed teams after the first round.
Advertisement
What are the semifinal matchups in the WNBA playoffs?
The Lynx will face the winner of the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury versus No. 5 New York Liberty series. So there could be a WNBA Finals rematch between the Lynx and defending champion Liberty in the semis.
The Fever, meanwhile, will face the winner of the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces versus No. 7 Seattle Storm matchup. Indiana will have home-court advantage if Seattle advances.
Here’s a full look at the semifinal bracket possibilities:
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 4 Phoenix Mercury/No. 5 New York Liberty
No. 2 Las Vegas Aces/No. 7 Seattle Storm vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
How many games are in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs?
After a best-of-three opening round, the semifinals feature a best-of-five format where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5.
Advertisement
When do the WNBA semifinals start?
Both semifinal series will tip off Sunday, Sept. 21.
What is the semifinal schedule in the WNBA playoffs?
Here’s what we know about the semifinal schedule so far (this section will be updated as more details are announced):
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 4 Phoenix Mercury/No. 5 New York Liberty
Game 1: Mercury/Liberty at Lynx — Sunday, Sept. 21, time TBD, TV channel TBD
Game 2: Mercury/Liberty at Lynx — Tuesday, Sept. 23, time TBD, ESPN
Game 3: Lynx at Mercury/Liberty — Friday, Sept. 26, time TBD, ESPN 2
Game 4 (if necessary): Lynx at Mercury/Liberty — Sunday, Sept. 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
Game 5 (if necessary): Mercury/Liberty at Lynx — Tuesday, Sept. 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
No. 2 Las Vegas Aces/No. 7 Seattle Storm vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 21, time TBD, TV channel TBD
Game 2: Tuesday, Sept. 23, time TBD, ESPN
Game 3: Friday, Sept. 26, time TBD, ESPN 2
Game 4 (if necessary): Sunday, Sept. 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, Sept. 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
How to watch, stream the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs
The WNBA postseason is airing across ESPN networks and ABC. All the action is available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.