WNBA playoff schedule: Seattle, Indiana pull even, force series to Game 3

The WNBA playoffs are underway, but no team is going quietly.

On Tuesday, both the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever won to force their series to a decisive Game 3. And the longest winning streak in the WNBA came to an end.

Facing elimination, Seattle rallied at home from a 14-point deficit to upset the Las Vegas Aces and end their 17-game winning streak. Earlier Tuesday, the Fever held court to knock off the Atlanta Dream.

The first round continues Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) on the other side of the bracket.

The best-of-three first round is a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals is a best-of-five 2-2-1 setup, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.

For the first time, the WNBA Finals -- which are scheduled to open Oct. 3 -- will expand to a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1) in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

We'll update each series as games are played and each round as matchups are decided.

Jump to round:
First Round | Semifinals | WNBA Finals

MORE: Strengths, flaws for every team | Top 25 players in the postseason

FIRST ROUND

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) Golden State Valkyries

Game 1: Lynx 101, Valkyries 72
Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Valkyries at Lynx, Friday, TBD, ESPN2

• Golden State coach Nakase fined for criticism of officials

• Nakase calls out officiating after Valkyries lose big in Game 1

(2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (7) Seattle Storm

Game 1: Aces 102, Storm 77
Game 2: Storm 86, Aces 83
Game 3: Storm at Aces, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

• Storm halt Aces 17-game win streak, force Game 3

• Longtime friends Ogwumike, Diggins hope to extend Storm's season

• From dormant to dominant: Inside the rise of Dominique Malonga

• Loyd: Storm drama in past, 'at peace' in Vegas

(3) Atlanta Dream vs. (6) Indiana Fever

Game 1: Dream 80, Fever 68
Game 2: Fever 77, Dream 60
Game 3: Fever at Dream, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

• Fever leap another hurdle, stay alive in Game 2 rout

• On brink of playoff elimination, Fever are banking on resilience in Game 2

• Dream's Hillmon wants to take perfect shot -- as player and photographer

• Dream defense stifles Fever in Game 1 victory

play

1:05

Kelsey Mitchell's 19 points help Fever force Game 3

Kelsey Mitchell scores 19 points as the Indiana Fever defeat the Atlanta Dream 77-60 in Game 2 of their playoff series.

(4) Phoenix Mercury vs. (5) New York Liberty

Game 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Liberty at Mercury, Friday, TBD, ESPN2

• Inside Sunday's openers: How Liberty beat Mercury in OT

• Liberty win Game 1 on road; Stewart exits overtime with knee injury

• After season of adversity, can Liberty put together another title run?

* If necessary

SEMIFINALS

Sunday, Sept. 21

Game 1: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 1: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Sept. 26

Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Game 3: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Sunday, Sept. 28

Game 4*: 1 or 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Game 5*: TBD (TBD)
Game 5*: TBD (TBD)

* If necessary

WNBA FINALS

Friday, Oct. 3

Game 1: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 5

Game 2: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Game 3: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 10

Game 4: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, Oct. 12

Game 5*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, Oct. 17

Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

* If necessary

• Dream defense stifles Fever in Game 1 opener

  • Stewart scores 18, hurts knee in overtime of Liberty's Game 1 win

  • After season of adversity, can Liberty put together another title run?