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The WNBA playoffs start this weekend, making it a really big time for women’s basketball fans. First-round predictions are already swirling, and plenty of people will tune in to cheer on their favorite teams and players.
Will Diana Taurasi get the title during what may be her last WNBA season? Will Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever move beyond their slow start to work their way through the playoffs? So many questions…
But cheering on your favorite team from home isn’t as easy as flipping on your TV. WNBA games are spread across several networks and streaming services, so you’ll need to do a little research in advance. Here’s why WNBA games are so hard to watch right now.
So, why are WNBA games so hard to watch?
Unfortunately, this is an issue facing fans of several pro sports: The games aren’t all in one spot. The WNBA just signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, NBCUniversal, which influences where games will be shown. But it also means that you won’t be able to tune in to just one spot each time you want to cheer on your team.
You can get WNBA League Pass, but there are some restrictions there. Certain nationally-televised games (a.k.a. those on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Prime Video) are not available live on WNBA League Pass.
How do I watch the WNBA playoffs?
The WNBA playoffs are exclusive to ABC and ESPN this year. On Sunday, all of the games except the Fever vs. Sun game will be broadcast on ESPN. (That game will be on ABC.)
For cord-cutters, keep in mind that the games won’t be on League Pass or ESPN+—you need to go to ABC or ESPN to cheer on your team.
Which teams are in the WNBA playoffs?
These are the teams that made it to the WNBA playoffs:
- New York Liberty
- Minnesota Lynx
- Connecticut Sun
- Las Vegas Aces
- Seattle Storm
- Indiana Fever
- Phoenix Mercury
- Atlanta Dream
In the first round, the Atlanta Dream will face the New York Liberty, the Indiana Fever will take on the Connecticut Sun, the Phoenix Mercury will play the Minnesota Lynx, and the Seattle Storm will play the Las Vegas Aces.
Let’s go!
