The 2013 WNBA playoffs is the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 2013 season. Four teams from each of the league's two conferences will qualify for the playoffs, seeded 1 to 4 in a tournament bracket, with the two opening rounds in a best-of-three format, and the final in a best-of-five format.
The Minnesota Lynx won the 2013 WNBA Finals, sweeping the Atlanta Dream in three games. The Lynx became the second WNBA team to sweep through the playoffs since the WNBA adopted the best-of-five format for the finals. The Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals, and the Seattle Storm in the conference semifinals. The Mercury had reached the Finals by defeating the Los Angeles Sparks in three games.
The Atlanta Dream won the Eastern Conference sweeping the defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever in two games. The Dream had defeated the Washington Mystics in the conference semifinals. The Fever had reached the Eastern Conference Finals by upsetting the top-seeded Chicago Sky.
The Lynx won their third straight Western Conference Championship and second WNBA title in three years. The Dream, meanwhile, failed to win a title despite making their third trip to the finals in four years.
Tiebreak procedures
Two-team tie Better record in head-to-head games. Better winning percentage within own conference. Better winning percentage against all teams with .500 or better record at the end of the season. Better point differential in games head-to-head. Coin toss.
Three or more-team tie Better winning percentage among all head-to-head games involving tied teams. Better winning percentage against teams within conference (for first two rounds of playoffs) or better record against teams in the opposite conference (for Finals). Better winning percentage against all teams with a .500 or better record at the end of the season. Better point differential in games involving tied teams. Coin toss.
Playoff qualifying
Eastern Conference SeedTeamWLTiebreakerClinchedPlayoff berthConference homecourt 1 Chicago Sky 24 10 August 23 August 31 2 Atlanta Dream 17 17 3-2 vs. WAS September 4 3 Washington Mystics 17 17 2-3 vs. ATL September 10 4 Indiana Fever 16 18 September 7
Western Conference SeedTeamWLTiebreakerClinchedPlayoff berthConference homecourtLeague homecourt 1 Minnesota Lynx 26 8 August 22 September 10 September 14 2 Los Angeles Sparks 24 10 August 23 3 Phoenix Mercury 19 15 September 6 4 Seattle Storm 17 17 August 31
Bracket
Eastern Conference
Conference semifinals
(1) Chicago Sky vs. (4) Indiana Fever
Regular-season series Indiana won the regular-season series 3–1:
(2) Atlanta Dream vs. (3) Washington Mystics
Regular-season series Atlanta won the regular season series 3–2:
Conference finals
(2) Atlanta Dream vs. (4) Indiana Fever
Regular-season series Atlanta won the regular season series 3–1:
Western Conference
Conference semifinals
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (4) Seattle Storm
Regular-season series Minnesota won the regular season series 4–0:
(2) Los Angeles Sparks vs. (3) Phoenix Mercury
Regular-season series Regular season series tied 2-2:
Conference finals
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (3) Phoenix Mercury
Regular-season series Minnesota won the regular-season series 5-0:
WNBA Finals
Minnesota Lynx vs. Atlanta Dream
Regular Season Series The season series was tied, 1-1:
References
External links 2013 WNBA Playoffs Official Site