WNBA Playoffs 2022: Complete schedule and how to watch

The 2022 WNBA Playoffs are set to start this week. Here’s everything you need to know to watch in person, on television or online.

The 2022 WNBA Playoffs kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 17, starting a frantic run through the middle of September when a champion will eventually be crowned.

The top seed is the Las Vegas Aces who dramatically remade their offense this season after hiring new coach Becky Hammon and moving on from Liz Cambage and an attempt to play a Twin Towers approach with her and A’ja Wilson. They finished first in the league in offensive efficiency by a wide margin with Kelsey Plum, Wilson and Jackie Young all finishing in the top 12 in individual scoring.

The defending champion Chicago Sky hold the No. 2 seed, playing strong defense and with incredible balance on offense. Candace Parker is still the face of this team but they have six different players who averaged double-digit scoring and six who averaged at least 2.0 assists per game.

Those teams aren’t the only potential contenders — 538 gives the Connecticut Sun, who last to the Sky in the Finals last year, a 31 percent chance of winning it all this season. The Seattle Storm, in Sue Bird’s final season, also are given a 12 percent chance of coming out on top.

WNBA Playoffs 2022: How to watch online and on television

All WNBA playoff games will be available to watch on either NBATV or the ESPN family of channels.

WNBA Playoffs 2022: First-round schedule

No. 1 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 8 Phoenix Mercury

Game 1: Phoenix at Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 17 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 2: Phoenix at Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 20 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 3: Las Vegas at Phoenix, Tuesday, Aug. 23 (TBD)

No. 2 Chicago Sky vs. No. 7 New York Liberty

Game 1: New York at Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 17 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 2: New York at Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 20 (12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Chicago at New York, Tuesday, Aug. 23 (TBD)

No. 3 Connecticut Sun vs. No. 6 Dallas Wings

Game 1: Dallas at Connecticut, Thursday, Aug. 18 (8 p.m. ET, ESPNU/NBA TV)
Game 2: Dallas at Connecticut, Sunday, Aug. 21 (12 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 3: Connecticut at Dallas, Wednesday, Aug. 24 (TBD)

No. 4 Seattle Storm vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics

Game 1: Washington at Seattle, Thursday, Aug. 18 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 2: Washington at Seattle, Sunday, Aug. 21 (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Seattle at Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 24 (TBD)