The WNBA debuted a new playoff format in 2016 in which the top eight teams regardless of conference qualify for the postseason.

This year’s 8-team playoff field includes: Minnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings and Seattle Storm. Click here to view the full standings.

Playoff Bracket

Playoff Schedule

FIRST ROUND – Elimination games; hosted by Seeds 5 and 6

Wednesday, Sept. 6: Washington 86, Dallas 76

Wednesday, Sept. 6: Phoenix 79, Seattle 69

SECOND ROUND – Elimination games; hosted by Seeds 3 and 4

Sunday, Sept. 10: Phoenix 88, Connecticut 83

Sunday, Sept. 10: Washington 82, New York 68

SEMIFINALS – Hosted by Seeds 1 and 2 (2-2-1)

Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 12 — Minnesota 101, Washington 81

Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 12 — Los Angeles 79, Phoenix 66

Game 2: Thursday, Sept. 14 — Minnesota 93, Washington 83

Game 2: Thursday, Sept. 14 — Los Angeles 86, Phoenix 72

Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 17 — Minnesota 81, Washington 70

Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 17 — Los Angeles 89, Phoenix 87

FINALS – Hosted by top Seed (2-2-1)

Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 24 — Los Angeles 85, Minnesota 84

Game 2: Tuesday, Sept. 26 — Minnesota 70, Los Angeles 68

Game 3: Friday, Sept. 29 — Los Angeles 75, Minnesota 64

Game 4: Sunday, Oct. 1 — Minnesota 80, Los Angeles 69

Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 4 — Minnesota 85, Los Angeles 76

Playoff Format

Effective with the 2016 season, the WNBA implemented changes to playoff seeding and qualification procedures as well as the postseason format. Under the new postseason structure, the eight teams with the highest winning percentages regardless of conference qualify for the playoffs and are seeded based on their record.

Additional features of the reconfigured playoff structure are as follows:

The number of playoff rounds increased from three to four. The top two seeds receive a bye to the semifinals (third round), and the third and fourth seeds receive a bye to the second round.

Teams will be re-seeded after each postseason round.

The first and second rounds are single elimination. In the first round, the No. 5 seed hosts the No. 8 seed and the No. 6 seed hosts the No. 7 seed. In the second round, the No. 3 seed hosts the lowest-seeded first-round winner and the No. 4 seed hosts the other first-round winner.