The 2025 WNBA Playoffs begin with urgency and unpredictability: a 1-1-1 first-round format, 70-plus minutes of must-watch games across ESPN and ABC, and matchups that could flip the bracket before fans finish their weekend. Here’s your complete guide to the First Round — times, channels and the storylines to track.
The 2025 WNBA Playoffs tip off with a First Round built for drama: short series, immediate pressure and a format that guarantees both teams at least one home game (1-1-1). That means no room for slow starts — every possession matters. Below is the full First-Round schedule (all times ET) and what fans should be watching as the postseason begins.
Sunday, Sept. 14 — Game 1s (TV)
• Golden State Valkyries @ Minnesota Lynx, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
• Indiana Fever @ Atlanta Dream, 3:00 p.m. (ABC)
• New York Liberty @ Phoenix Mercury, 5:00 p.m. (ESPN)
• Seattle Storm @ Las Vegas Aces, 10:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Midweek follows with Game 2s, returning to the road teams and keeping the stakes high: Tuesday and Wednesday matchups include Atlanta vs Indiana and Phoenix vs New York, with major national coverage across ESPN and ABC. If a series needs a deciding Game 3, the schedule slots those contests through September 19 (times TBD).
Why the format matters: the 1-1-1 structure fundamentally changes coaching strategy. With a Game 3 guaranteed to be at the lower-seed’s site, higher seeds must treat Game 1 like a must-win; a late comeback on the road doesn’t offer the same cushion it once did. That dynamic favors smart, adaptable teams that can win in different environments — a reason favorites like Minnesota and Las Vegas can’t be complacent despite impressive regular-season records.
Key matchups and storylines
• Golden State @ Minnesota — The Lynx (34-10) carry the best record into the postseason, but the Valkyries’ guard play and outside shooting can punish slow defensive rotations. Expect Minnesota to lean on interior defense and limit transition chances.
• Seattle @ Las Vegas — A late-night national slot, this is a tempo battle: can Seattle use pace to disarm the Aces’ half-court power, or will Las Vegas’ veteran stability prevail?
• New York @ Phoenix — Two evenly matched rosters that traded wins in the regular season; this series may come down to bench depth and adjustments after Game 1.
• Indiana @ Atlanta — A physical regional rivalry that could tilt on home-court execution and who controls the glass.
Broadcast and viewing notes
ESPN and ABC carry the marquee games; ESPN2 fills some later slot needs in the semis. The Finals expand to a best-of-seven, giving eventual champs more chances to prove they’re the league’s best — but first the eight teams must survive these short, ruthless series.
Final thought: the first round’s compressed format rewards urgency and coaching savvy. Expect surprises, tight finishes and a few breakout performances that will set the tone for a longer playoff march. Tune into Game 1s on Sept. 14 and watch how quickly the narrative can change — one quarter, or even one hot streak, can flip a series in this format.
