WNBA playoff schedule: Every game in the first round, starting Sunday

The WNBA playoffs are finally here!

The first round tipped off Sunday with four games -- and three of the top four seeds came out with resounding victories.

The best-of-three first round is a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals is a best-of-five 2-2-1 setup, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.

For the first time, the WNBA Finals -- which are scheduled to open Oct. 3 -- will expand to a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1) in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

We'll update each series as games are played and each round as matchups are decided.

Jump to round:
First Round | Semifinals | WNBA Finals

MORE: Strengths, flaws for every team | Top 25 players in the postseason

FIRST ROUND

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries

Game 1: Lynx 101, Valkyries 72
Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Valkyries at Lynx, Friday, TBD, ESPN2

• Nakase calls out officiating after Valkyries lose big in Game 1

(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm

Game 1: Aces 102, Storm 77
Game 2: Aces at Storm, Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Storm at Aces, Thursday, TBD, ESPN2

• Longtime friends Ogwumike, Diggins hope to extend Storm's season

• From dormant to dominant: Inside the rise of Dominique Malonga

• Loyd: Storm drama in past, 'at peace' in Vegas

(3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever

Game 1: Dream 80, Fever 68
Game 2: Dream at Fever, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Fever at Dream, Thursday, TBD, ESPN2

• On brink of playoff elimination, Fever are banking on resilience in Game 2

• Dream's Hillmon wants to take perfect shot -- as player and photographer

• Dream defense stifles Fever in Game 1 victory

(4) Phoenix Mercury vs. (5) New York Liberty

Game 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Liberty at Mercury, Friday, TBD, ESPN2

• Inside Sunday's openers: How Liberty beat Mercury in OT

• Liberty win Game 1 on road; Stewart exits overtime with knee injury

• After season of adversity, can Liberty put together another title run?

* If necessary

SEMIFINALS

Sunday, Sept. 21

Game 1: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 1: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Sept. 26

Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Game 3: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Sunday, Sept. 28

Game 4*: 1 or 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Game 5*: TBD (TBD)
Game 5*: TBD (TBD)

* If necessary

WNBA FINALS

Friday, Oct. 3

Game 1: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 5

Game 2: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Game 3: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 10

Game 4: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 12

Game 5*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 17

Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

* If necessary

• Dream defense stifles Fever in Game 1 opener

  • Stewart scores 18, hurts knee in overtime of Liberty's Game 1 win

  • After season of adversity, can Liberty put together another title run?