• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

WNBA’s First Round Sweeps Highlight Odd Playoff Format 

  • In 2022, the league changed to a best-of-three first-round format where the higher-seeded team hosts the first two games.
  • All four first-round series of the 2024 WNBA playoffs ended in a sweep.
Mark Smith-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the WNBA playoffs tipped off with four first-round series. And in just four days, all of them were over, with each ending in a sweep for the higher-seeded team.

While it’s not exactly out of the ordinary for the WNBA’s opening round to finish in less than a week—teams compete in best-of-three series—the abrupt end to the W’s opening round highlights a problem in the league’s first-round playoff structure.

Conventional wisdom suggests the format of a best-of-three series would give the higher-seeded team the advantage by hosting Game 1 and a possible do-or-die Game 3. However, the W gives the ostensibly better team homecourt in the first two games, making the possibility of a sweep more likely. 

It doesn’t help that eight teams make the playoffs in a 12-team league, so the one-eight and two-seven match-ups are often lopsided. This year, the top-seeded New York Liberty won more than twice as many games (32) as the eighth-seeded Atlanta Dream (15).  

The Rationale

Since the format was instituted in 2022, there have been 12 first-round series. The higher-seeded team has won every time, with only three series going into a decisive third game. 

The W instituted this format largely due to the league’s travel restrictions. Prior to this season, the league had yet to provide season-long charter flights to all teams, so instead, the W seemed to sacrifice parity to limit travel.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced in May, a week before the start of the season, that the league would provide charter flights to all teams. However, the W did not follow the charter flights with the change to the playoff format.

Change Is Coming

Timing may have factored into why the league couldn’t make an otherwise obvious change. A playoff format change is decided through a board of governors meeting which usually happens months before the regular season. That is exactly what happened when it changed to the current playoff structure in November 2021.

It’s very possible that these changes could be made as soon as next year, and Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides said as much before Game 1 of their series against the Connecticut Sun.

“I think there’s going to be some changes,” Sides said. “The last time I was in this position, it was the one-game elimination. … Now, we have charter flights. We can get back and forth. I’m sure it’s something they’re going to talk about.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Struggling to Prevent Repeat Dildo Incidents

The league appears to have no answers to the copycats plaguing games.
NC State

NC State ‘Cardiac Pack’ Team Loses NCAA Suit for NIL Back Pay

The 1983 team was among college basketball’s greatest Cinderella stories. 
WNBA

Crypto Group Says It’s Behind WNBA Dildo Epidemic

The group backs a memecoin that launched last week.

Featured Today

Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.

LAFC’s Record Son Deal Brings Global Buzz and Local Pride

Los Angeles has the largest Korean community in the country.
Apr 6, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Marc Leishman (center) celebrates with his teammates after winning the final round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
August 7, 2025

Trump Golf Courses Secure 2026 Stops on LIV, PGA

For the fifth consecutive year, LIV golf returns to a Trump course.
DiJonai Carrington
August 7, 2025

This WNBA Trade Deadline Could Be League’s Last Snoozer

A new CBA could give GMs more flexibility.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
August 7, 2025

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.
August 7, 2025

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.
August 6, 2025

US Open Breaks Prize Money Record, Still Leads All Grand Slams

The total 2025 US Open prize money is $85 million.
Diana Taurasi
August 6, 2025

Diana Taurasi Warns Against WNBA Work Stoppage 

Taurasi saw several key negotiations in her legendary career.