The 2024 WNBA Playoffs are upon us, folks! Get your popcorn, your jerseys, and maybe a stress ball or two because things are heating up faster than Las Vegas in July. Coming off a record-shattering season in viewership, the WNBA has reached its grandest stage yet, and it’s serving up some mouthwatering matchups that could rival the drama of a prime-time soap opera.
With the Semifinals in full swing, fans are in for a treat. The reigning champs and 4th seed Las Vegas Aces, led by MVP candidate and hoop wizard A’ja Wilson, are itching to claim a three-peat like some sort of insatiable dynasty monster. But standing in their way is a ferocious pack of challengers hungry to snatch the crown and crash their victory parade.
The Liberty’s “Triple-Headed Monster” vs. The Aces’ Grit
Let’s talk about the No. 1 seed, New York Liberty, aka “the Avengers of the WNBA.” Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones have teamed up to form a three-headed, court-stomping, bucket-dropping hydra. The Liberty are ready to make sure the Aces’ back-to-back title dreams vanish faster than a Houdini act.
And here’s where it gets juicy: The Liberty has already drawn first blood, claiming a comfortable 87-77 victory in Game 1. Stewart was playing like she was on some sort of cheat code, and Ionescu? She drained threes like she had a Wi-Fi connection to the hoop. If the Aces don’t bounce back in Game 2, we might need to cue the “Doomsday” music for them.
Meanwhile, in the Other Corner… Lynx vs. Sun: A Battle of Superstars
On the other side of the bracket, we’ve got the Minnesota Lynx locking horns with the No. 3-seed Connecticut Sun. Minnesota’s season has been nothing short of a Disney movie, with Napheesa Collier’s MVP-level breakout turning every game into a highlight reel. But Connecticut isn’t one to back down, especially with Alyssa Thomas—a player so versatile she might as well be a Swiss army knife with a jump shot—leading the charge.
Game 1 was a nail-biter with the Sun edging out the Lynx 73-70. Thomas was a defensive menace, and you could practically see the frustration oozing from Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s pores. But don’t count the Lynx out just yet. Minnesota is known to bounce back with a vengeance, and Game 2 might just be the ultimate revenge plot.
What’s Next? Semifinals Schedule Breakdown
Got your calendar out? Here’s what you don’t want to miss:
- Tuesday, Oct. 1
- Aces vs. Liberty, Game 2 – 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Sun vs. Lynx, Game 2 – 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Friday, Oct. 4
- Lynx vs. Sun, Game 3 – 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Liberty vs. Aces, Game 3 – 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
With both series off to thrilling starts, expect intensity, drama, and maybe a few broken ankles (figuratively speaking) in these pivotal matchups. If either series goes to a Game 5, it’s going to be a spectacle fit for Broadway.
The Finals: Who Will Write Their Name in WNBA History?
Assuming the chaos settles and we get through the semifinals without any major upsets (or celebrity Twitter feuds), the WNBA Finals will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 10. That’s right, the best of the best will clash in a best-of-five series to see who takes home the hardware. Will it be the unstoppable Liberty, the defending champion Aces, or will a surprise contender shock the world?
- Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 10 – Time: TBD
- Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 13 – Time: TBD
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Time: TBD
- Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18* – Time: TBD (*If necessary)
- Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 20* – Time: TBD (*If necessary)
If you love basketball, love drama, or just love seeing world-class athletes leave it all on the floor, the 2024 WNBA Playoffs are must-watch TV. So grab your remote, your favorite snack, and buckle up, because this postseason is about to go zero to sixty real quick.
And for those who still need a reason to tune in? Remember: Legends are made in October, but dynasties are made in the playoffs. See you on the court!