The WNBA regular season is nearing its end, which means the playoffs are right around the corner. But when do the 2021 WNBA Playoffs start?
When Do the 2021 WNBA Playoffs Starts?
The Seattle Storm took home the crown in the 2020 bubble, and they’re back in the WNBA Playoffs in 2021 to retain their place on the league’s throne.
The beginning of that journey will come on Thursday, Sept. 23 when the 2021 WNBA Playoffs start. Per usual, the postseason will open with the single-elimination first round, which will send the No. 8 seed to the No. 5 seed’s home arena and the No. 7 seed on the road to take on the No. 6 seed.
Who Will Be in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs?
As of right now, five teams have clinched their spots in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs; the Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, and Phoenix Mercury will all have a shot at the league’s title. That leaves three bids still up for grabs.
It could come down to the final day for some of the playoff spots and seeding to be decided. The regular season comes to a close on Sunday, Sept. 19 with five games that day to end the campaign before the WNBA playoffs start.
Sunday, Sept. 19 WNBA Schedule
Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun – 1 p.m. EST (NBA TV, NESN+, NBA TV CANADA)
Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury – 3 p.m. EST (ABC, SN1)
Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics – 3 p.m. EST (ESPN3, NBCSN Washington, TSN2)
Los Angeles Sparks at Dallas Wings – 5 p.m. EST (NBA TV, BSSW+, TSN2)
Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky – 6 p.m. EST (CBSSN, The U, Fever.WNBA.com)
2021 WNBA Finals
We can’t know for sure when the 2021 WNBA Finals will start just yet, but we can know when the ultimate round of the playoffs will end. The last possible date for the Finals is Tuesday, Oct. 19, so we know we will know the champion of the 25th WNBA season by at least that day.
