# WNBA playoffs

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).
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)

### 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.

## Playoff series history
### 2024 season

| Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 |
| 1 | New York Liberty | 2 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Atlanta Dream | 0 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Atlanta Dream | 0 | 1 | New York Liberty | 3 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 1 | | | |
| 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 2 | 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Seattle Storm | 0 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Seattle Storm | 0 | | | | 1 | New York Liberty | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 |
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 | | | | | | | 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 |
| 7 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 3 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | | | |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | | | |
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 0 | | | | | | |
Bold: series winner

### 2023 season

| Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 |
| 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 2 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Chicago Sky | 0 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Chicago Sky | 0 | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 3 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Dallas Wings | 0 | | | |
| 4 | Dallas Wings | 2 | 4 | Dallas Wings | 0 | | | |
| 5 | Atlanta Dream | 0 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Atlanta Dream | 0 | | | | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | New York Liberty | 1 |
| 2 | New York Liberty | 2 | | | | | | | 2 | New York Liberty | 1 |
| 7 | Washington Mystics | 0 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Washington Mystics | 0 | 2 | New York Liberty | 3 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 1 | | | |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 1 | | | |
| 6 | Minnesota Lynx | 1 | | | | | | |
Bold Series winner

### 2022 season

| Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Round One: Best-of-3 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-5 |
| 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 2 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 3 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Seattle Storm | 1 | | | |
| 4 | Seattle Storm | 2 | 4 | Seattle Storm | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Washington Mystics | 0 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Washington Mystics | 0 | | | | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 3 |
| | | | | | | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 1 |
| 2 | Chicago Sky | 2 | | | | | | | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 1 |
| 7 | New York Liberty | 1 | | | | | | |
| 7 | New York Liberty | 1 | 2 | Chicago Sky | 2 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 3 | | | |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | 3 | Connecticut Sun | 3 | | | |
| 6 | Dallas Wings | 1 | | | | | | |
Bold Series winner

### 2021 season

| First round Single elimination Sept. 23 | First round Single elimination Sept. 23 | First round Single elimination Sept. 23 | Second round Single elimination Sept. 26 | Second round Single elimination Sept. 26 | Second round Single elimination Sept. 26 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | Semifinals Best-of-five Sept. 28 – Oct. 8 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 | WNBA Finals Best-of-five Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 96 | 91 | 60 | 93 | 84 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Seattle Storm | 80 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 90 | 117 | 87 | 76 | 87 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 83 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 85$^{OT}$ | | | | | | | | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 77 | 91$^{OT}$ | 50 | 74 | – |
| 8 | New York Liberty | 82 | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Chicago Sky | 91 | 86 | 86 | 80 | – |
| | | | | | | 1 | Connecticut Sun | 95 | 79 | 83 | 69 | – | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Minnesota Lynx | 76 | 6 | Chicago Sky | 101$^{2OT}$ | 68 | 86 | 79 | – | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Chicago Sky | 81 | 6 | Chicago Sky | 89 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Dallas Wings | 64 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

### 2020 season

| First round: Single elimination (September 15) | First round: Single elimination (September 15) | First round: Single elimination (September 15) | Second round: Single elimination (September 17) | Second round: Single elimination (September 17) | Second round: Single elimination (September 17) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (September 20–29) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (October 2–11) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (October 2–11) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (October 2–11) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (October 2–11) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (October 2–11) |
| | | | | | | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 62 | 83 | 68 | 84 | 66 | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Minnesota Lynx | 80 | 7 | Connecticut Sun | 87 | 75 | 77 | 75 | 63 | | | | | |
| 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 85 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 79 | | | | | | | | 1 | Las Vegas Aces | 80 | 91 | 59 |
| 8 | Washington Mystics | 84 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Seattle Storm | 93 | 104 | 92 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Seattle Storm | Seattle Storm | Seattle Storm | 88 | 89 | 92 | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Los Angeles Sparks | 59 | 4 | Minnesota Lynx | Minnesota Lynx | Minnesota Lynx | 86 | 79 | 71 | | | | | |
| 6 | Chicago Sky | 81 | 7 | Connecticut Sun | 73 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Connecticut Sun | 94 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

### 2019 season

| First round: Single elimination (Sept. 11) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 11) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 11) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 15) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 15) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 15) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 17 – Sept. 24) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 29 – Oct. 10) |
| | | | | | | 1 | Washington Mystics | 97 | 103 | 75 | 94 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 93 | 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 95 | 91 | 92 | 90 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Chicago Sky | 105 | 5 | Chicago Sky | 92 | | | | | | | 1 | Washington Mystics | 95 | 87 | 94 | 86 | 89 |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 76 | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Connecticut Sun | 86 | 99 | 81 | 90 | 78 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Connecticut Sun | Connecticut Sun | 84 | 94 | 78 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Los Angeles Sparks | 92 | 3 | Los Angeles Sparks | Los Angeles Sparks | 75 | 68 | 56 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Seattle Storm | 84 | 6 | Seattle Storm | 69 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Minnesota Lynx | 74 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

### 2018 season

| First round: Single elimination (Aug. 21) | First round: Single elimination (Aug. 21) | First round: Single elimination (Aug. 21) | Second round: Single elimination (Aug. 23) | Second round: Single elimination (Aug. 23) | Second round: Single elimination (Aug. 23) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Aug. 26 – Sept. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 7 – Sept. 12) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 7 – Sept. 12) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 7 – Sept. 12) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 7 – Sept. 12) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 7 – Sept. 12) |
| | | | | | | 1 | Seattle Storm | 91 | 91 | 66 | 84 | 94 | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Connecticut Sun | 86 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 87 | 87 | 86 | 86 | 84 | | | | | |
| 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 101 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 96 | | | | | | | | 1 | Seattle Storm | 89 | 75 | 98 |
| 8 | Dallas Wings | 83 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Washington Mystics | 76 | 73 | 82 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Atlanta Dream | 84 | 78 | 81 | 76 | 81 | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Washington Mystics | 96 | 3 | Washington Mystics | 87 | 75 | 76 | 97 | 86 | | | | | |
| 6 | Los Angeles Sparks | 75 | 6 | Los Angeles Sparks | 64 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Minnesota Lynx | 68 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals.

### 2017 season

| First round: Single elimination (Sept. 6) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 6) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 6) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 10) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 10) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 10) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 12 – Sept. 17) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 12 – Sept. 17) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 12 – Sept. 17) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 12 – Sept. 17) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 12 – Sept. 17) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Sept. 24 – Oct. 4) |
| | | | | | | 2 | Los Angeles Sparks | 79 | 86 | 89 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Connecticut Sun | 83 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 66 | 72 | 87 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 79 | 5 | Phoenix Mercury | 88 | | | | | | 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 84 | 70 | 64 | 80 | 85 |
| 8 | Seattle Storm | 69 | | | | | | | | | 2 | Los Angeles Sparks | 85 | 68 | 75 | 69 | 76 |
| | | | | | | 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 101 | 93 | 81 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | New York Liberty | 68 | 6 | Washington Mystics | 81 | 83 | 70 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Washington Mystics | 86 | 6 | Washington Mystics | 82 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Dallas Wings | 76 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals.

### 2016 season

| First round: Single elimination (Sept. 21) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 21) | First round: Single elimination (Sept. 21) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 24 and 25) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 24 and 25) | Second round: Single elimination (Sept. 24 and 25) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | Semifinals: Best-of-five (Sept. 28 – Oct. 6) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) | WNBA Finals: Best-of-five (Oct. 9 – 20) |
| | | | | | | 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 113 | 96 | 82 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | New York Liberty | 94 | 8 | Phoenix Mercury | Phoenix Mercury | 95 | 86 | 67 | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Indiana Fever | 78 | 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 101 | | | | | | | 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 76 | 79 | 75 | 85 | 76 |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | 89 | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Los Angeles Sparks | 78 | 60 | 92 | 79 | 77 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Los Angeles Sparks | 95 | 99 | 66 | 95 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Chicago Sky | 108 | 4 | Chicago Sky | 75 | 84 | 70 | 75 | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Atlanta Dream | 94 | 6 | Atlanta Dream | 98 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Seattle Storm | 85 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals.

### 2015 season

| Conference Semi-Finals: Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals: Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals: Best-of-3 | Conference Finals: Best-of-3 | Conference Finals: Best-of-3 | Conference Finals: Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals: Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals: Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals: Best-of-5 |
| E1 | New York | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 1 | E1 | New York | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | New York | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| E2 | Chicago | 1 | E3 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 2 | | | | E3 | Indiana | 2 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 1 | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Phoenix | 2 | W2 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Tulsa | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2014 season

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.
| Conference semi-finals: best-of-3 | Conference semi-finals: best-of-3 | Conference semi-finals: best-of-3 | Conference finals: best-of-3 | Conference finals: best-of-3 | Conference finals: best-of-3 | WNBA finals: best-of-5 | WNBA finals: best-of-5 | WNBA finals: best-of-5 |
| E1 | Atlanta | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Chicago | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Chicago | 2 | E4 | Chicago | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E4 | Chicago | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Indiana | 2 | E2 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 0 | | | | E4 | Chicago | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Minnesota | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Minnesota | 2 | W2 | Minnesota | 1 | | | |
| W3 | San Antonio | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2013 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Chicago | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 2 | E4 | Indiana | 0 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E4 | Indiana | 0 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| E2 | Atlanta | 2 | E2 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 1 | | | | E2 | Atlanta | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Los Angeles | 1 | W3 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2012 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 0 | E1 | Connecticut | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Connecticut | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| E2 | Indiana | 2 | E2 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| E3 | Atlanta | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Atlanta | 1 | | | | E2 | Indiana | 3 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 1 |
| W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 1 |
| W4 | Seattle | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Seattle | 1 | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Los Angeles | 2 | W2 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| W3 | San Antonio | 0 | | | | | | |

### 2011 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 1 | E1 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| E2 | Connecticut | 0 | E3 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| E3 | Atlanta | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Atlanta | 2 | | | | E3 | Atlanta | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Minnesota | 3 |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Minnesota | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 1 | W3 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2010 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Atlanta | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Atlanta | 2 | E4 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E4 | Atlanta | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | New York | 0 | | | |
| E2 | New York | 2 | E2 | New York | 0 | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 1 | | | | E4 | Atlanta | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Seattle | 3 |
| W1 | Seattle | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Seattle | 3 |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | W1 | Seattle | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Seattle | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Phoenix | 2 | W2 | Phoenix | 0 | | | |
| W3 | San Antonio | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2009 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Indiana | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Atlanta | 0 | E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 2 | | | | E1 | Indiana | 2 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | San Antonio | 1 | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 1 | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2008 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 1 | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | New York | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Connecticut | 1 | E3 | New York | 1 | | | |
| E3 | New York | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | New York | 2 | | | | E1 | Detroit | 3 |
| | | | | | | W1 | San Antonio | 0 |
| W1 | San Antonio | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | San Antonio | 0 |
| W4 | Sacramento | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Sacramento | 1 | W1 | San Antonio | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | San Antonio | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 1 | W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2007 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | New York | 1 | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Indiana | 2 | E2 | Indiana | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Connecticut | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Connecticut | 1 | | | | E1 | Detroit | 2 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Phoenix | 3 |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | San Antonio | 0 | | | |
| W2 | San Antonio | 2 | W2 | San Antonio | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Sacramento | 1 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2006 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | E1 | Connecticut | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Connecticut | 1 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| E2 | Detroit | 2 | E2 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 0 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Indiana | 0 | | | | E2 | Detroit | 3 |
| | | | | | | W2 | Sacramento | 2 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | | W2 | Sacramento | 2 |
| W4 | Seattle | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Seattle | 1 | W1 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Sacramento | 2 | | | |
| W2 | Sacramento | 2 | W2 | Sacramento | 2 | | | |
| W3 | Houston | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2005 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 | WNBA Finals Best-of-5 |
| E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Detroit | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Detroit | 0 | E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Indiana | 0 | | | |
| E2 | Indiana | 2 | E2 | Indiana | 0 | | | |
| E3 | New York | 0 | | | | | | |
| E3 | New York | 0 | | | | E1 | Connecticut | 1 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Sacramento | 3 |
| W1 | Sacramento | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Sacramento | 3 |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Los Angeles | 0 | W1 | Sacramento | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Sacramento | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Houston | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 1 | W3 | Houston | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Houston | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2004 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 1 | E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Connecticut | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | New York | 0 | | | |
| E2 | New York | 2 | E2 | New York | 0 | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Detroit | 1 | | | | E1 | Connecticut | 1 |
| | | | | | | W2 | Seattle | 2 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | | | | | W2 | Seattle | 2 |
| W4 | Sacramento | 2 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Sacramento | 2 | W4 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W4 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Seattle | 2 | | | |
| W2 | Seattle | 2 | W2 | Seattle | 2 | | | |
| W3 | Minnesota | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2003 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Cleveland | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Cleveland | 1 | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | Detroit | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Connecticut | 0 | | | |
| E2 | Charlotte | 0 | E3 | Connecticut | 0 | | | |
| E3 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Connecticut | 2 | | | | E1 | Detroit | 2 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 1 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 1 |
| W4 | Minnesota | 1 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Minnesota | 1 | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Houston | 1 | W3 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Sacramento | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2002 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| E1 | New York | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Indiana | 1 | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Washington | 0 | | | |
| E2 | Charlotte | 0 | E3 | Washington | 0 | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 2 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Washington | 2 | | | | E1 | New York | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Seattle | 0 | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W3 | Utah | 0 | | | |
| W2 | Houston | 1 | W3 | Utah | 0 | | | |
| W3 | Utah | 2 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2001 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| E1 | Cleveland | 1 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Charlotte | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Charlotte | 2 | E4 | Charlotte | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E4 | Charlotte | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | New York | 1 | | | |
| E2 | New York | 2 | E2 | New York | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Miami | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Miami | 1 | | | | E4 | Charlotte | 0 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 |
| W4 | Houston | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Houston | 0 | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Sacramento | 2 | W2 | Sacramento | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Utah | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 2000 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| E1 | New York | 2 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | | | | | | |
| E4 | Washington | 0 | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E2 | Cleveland | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Cleveland | 2 | E2 | Cleveland | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Orlando | 1 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Orlando | 1 | | | | E1 | New York | 0 |
| | | | | | | W2 | Houston | 2 |
| W1 | Los Angeles | 2 | | | | | | | W2 | Houston | 2 |
| W4 | Phoenix | 0 | | | | | | |
| W4 | Phoenix | 0 | W1 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Los Angeles | 0 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Houston | 2 | | | |
| W2 | Houston | 2 | W2 | Houston | 2 | | | |
| W3 | Sacramento | 0 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 1999 season

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.
| Conference Semi-Finals Single Game | Conference Semi-Finals Single Game | Conference Semi-Finals Single Game | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Finals Best-of-3 |
| | | | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E1 | New York | 2 | | | |
| Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | E3 | Charlotte | 1 | | | |
| E2 | Detroit | 54 | E3 | Charlotte | 1 | | | |
| E3 | Charlotte | 60 | | | | | | |
| E3 | Charlotte | 60 | | | | E1 | New York | 1 |
| | | | | | | W1 | Houston | 2 |
| | | | W1 | Houston | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W1 | Houston | 2 | | | |
| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | W2 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W2 | Los Angeles | 71 | W2 | Los Angeles | 1 | | | |
| W3 | Sacramento | 58 | | | | | | |
* Bold – Game or Series winner
* Italics – Team with home-court advantage

### 1998 season

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.
| Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | WNBA Championship Best-of-3 | WNBA Championship Best-of-3 | WNBA Championship Best-of-3 |
| 1 | Houston | 2 | | | |
| 4 | Charlotte | 0 | | | |
| 4 | Charlotte | 0 | 1 | Houston | 2 |
| | | | 3 | Phoenix | 1 |
| 2 | Cleveland | 1 | 3 | Phoenix | 1 |
| 3 | Phoenix | 2 | | | |
* Bold – Series winner

### 1997 season

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.
| Semi-Finals Single game | Semi-Finals Single game | Semi-Finals Single game | WNBA Championship Single game | WNBA Championship Single game | WNBA Championship Single game |
| 1 | Houston | 70 | | | |
| 4 | Charlotte | 54 | | | |
| 4 | Charlotte | 54 | 1 | Houston | 65 |
| | | | 2 | New York | 51 |
| 2 | New York | 59 | 2 | New York | 51 |
| 3 | Phoenix | 41 | | | |
* Bold – Game winner