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WNBA playoffs 2023: Scores, schedules, matchups, predictions … – USA TODAY
The 2023 WNBA regular season is in the books. Two rounds of the playoffs are completed. Next up: The Finals.
The defending champion Las Vegas Aces have looked dominant the entire year, finishing with only six losses in the 40-game season, but the margin between super teams has closed after the New York Liberty beat the Aces three times in August, including the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Aces are looking to become the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002 to win back-to-back WNBA titles, while the Liberty (32-8) are vying for the franchise’s first-ever WNBA championship.
Here’s everything you need to know about the WNBA playoffs, from the schedule, to matchups and predictions:
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The WNBA playoffs consists of three rounds — first-round, semifinals and the WNBA Finals.
The eight teams with the highest winning percentages over the season will compete in the first-round, best-of-three series. Each team will be seeded based on their season record, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and Game 2. The lower seed will host Game 3, if necessary.
The semifinals and WNBA Finals are best-of-five series.
NEW WNBA PLAYOFF FORMAT: More games, no byes or single elimination-games
Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty
All times Eastern, *if necessary
Las Vegas leads series 1-0
All times Eastern, *if necessary
Aces win series 3-0
Liberty win series 3-1
Aces win the series 2-0
Cydney’s prediction: Aces in two.
Regular season: The Aces are 3-0 against the Sky this season.
Liberty win the series 2-0
Cydney’s prediction: Liberty in two.
Regular season: Series between the Liberty and Mystics is tied, 2-2.
The Sun win the series 2-1.
Cydney’s prediction: Sun in three.
Regular season: The Sun are 3-1 against the Lynx this season.
Wings win the series 2-0
Cydney’s prediction: Wings in two.
Regular season: The Wings swept the Dream, 3-0.
The end-of-season awards will be rolled out during the playoffs:
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