WNBA playoffs#2000 season
{{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
Minnesota Lynx
Seattle Storm
(4 titles each)
| website =
}}
The WNBA playoffs is an 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).{{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}}
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){{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}}
=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
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 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.
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.{{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}}
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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| RD1-seed1=E1
| RD1-team1=Indiana
| RD1-score1=2
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=Washington
| RD1-score2=0
| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=Atlanta
| RD1-score3=0
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=Detroit
| RD1-score4=2
| RD1-seed5=W1
| RD1-team5=Phoenix
| RD1-score5=2
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=San Antonio
| 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=Indiana
| RD2-score1=2
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=Detroit
| RD2-score2=1
| RD2-seed3=W1
| RD2-team3=Phoenix
| RD2-score3=2
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=Los Angeles
| RD2-score4=1
| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=Indiana
| RD3-score1=2
| RD3-seed2=W1
| RD3-team2=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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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
}}
{{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
Best-of-3
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| 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=1
| 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
}}
{{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
Single Game
| RD2=Conference Finals
Best-of-3
| RD3=WNBA Finals
Best-of-3
| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference
| RD1-group2=Western Conference
| RD1-seed3=E2
| RD1-team3=Detroit
| RD1-score3=54
| RD1-seed4=E3
| RD1-team4=Charlotte
| RD1-score4=60
| RD1-seed7=W2
| RD1-team7=Los Angeles
| RD1-score7=71
| RD1-seed8=W3
| RD1-team8=Sacramento
| RD1-score8=58
| 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
}}
{{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. 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 1998 so two Western Conference teams matched up in the WNBA Finals.
{{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. 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 Championship.
{{trim|{{#section-h:1997 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}