The WNBA’s regular season is coming to a close and the playoff race is heating up.
With four teams already clinching a playoff berth, four spots remain before the regular season concludes on Sept. 11, and each game will carry some importance.
The Minnesota Lynx clinched the top seed over the weekend. The Las Vegas Aces are 5.5 games back of the Lynx and sit as the No. 2 seed, followed by the Atlanta Dream and the Phoenix Mercury.
The New York Liberty, Golden State Valkyries, Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever would also qualify for the postseason. Those four teams have not clinched a spot. The Los Angeles Sparks are on the outside looking in, ninth place and 2.5 games behind the Fever.
What is the WNBA playoff schedule?
(All times Eastern)
First round
Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 14 (four games)
Game 2: Tuesday, Sept. 16 (two games), Wednesday, Sept. 17 (two games)
Game 3*: Thursday, Sept. 18 (two games), Friday, Sept. 19 (two games)
Semifinals
Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 21 (two games)
Game 2: Tuesday, Sept. 23 (two games)
Game 3: Friday, Sept. 26 (two games)
Game 4*: Sunday, Sept. 28 (two games)
Game 5*: Tuesday, Sept. 30 (two games)
WNBA Finals
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m. (ABC)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m. (ABC)
Game 6*: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 7*: Friday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
* = if necessary