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WNBA playoffs 2023: Schedule, results, news and highlights

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Wings coach has tears of joy after advancing in WNBA playoffs (0:49)

Wings coach Latricia Trammell sheds tears of joy after defeating the Dream to advance in the WNBA playoffs. (0:49)

The Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and Dallas Wings each swept their way into the WNBA semifinals. They needed an extra game to get there, but the Connecticut Sun join them after eliminating the Minnesota Lynx in Wednesday's winner-take-all Game 3.

The Sun and the defending champion Aces reached the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.

The Liberty clinched their first trip to the semifinals since 2015 with an overtime win Tuesday over the Washington Mystics. The Wings routed the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday to advance past the first round for the first time in franchise history since 2009.

The semifinals -- a best-of-five series with a 2-2-1 format in which the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5 -- open Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Las Vegas is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Los Angeles Sparks won in 2001 and 2002. The Aces were also the top seed in 2022, when they won their first championship.

Las Vegas and New York entered the season with high expectations, designated as superteams and the clear favorites. They were one of four teams -- along with the Sun and Wings -- to finish the regular season with a winning record.

Here's all the info you need for each matchup, including news and series-by-series analysis.

Navigate to each round: First Round | Semifinals

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The matchup to keep an eye on ahead of Wings-Aces

Chiney Ogwumike and Carolyn Peck preview the Wings-Aces semifinals matchup and highlight the strong frontcourts of both teams.

SEMIFINALS

(1) Las Vegas Aces vs. (4) Dallas Wings

Game 1:: Dallas at Las Vegas, 5 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN2)
Game 2: Dallas at Las Vegas, 10 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Las Vegas at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 29 (ESPN2)
Game 4*: Las Vegas as Dallas, tip TBD, Oct. 1 (TBD)
Game 5*: Dallas at Las Vegas, tip TBD, Oct. 3 (TBD)


(2) New York Liberty vs. (3) Connecticut Sun

Game 1: Connecticut at New York, 1 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Connecticut at New York, 8 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: New York at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 29 (ESPN2)
Game 4*: New York at Connecticut, tip TBD, Oct. 1 (TBD)
Game 5*: Connecticut at New York, tip TBD, Oct. 3 (TBD)

FIRST ROUND

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A'ja Wilson dominates with 38 points as Aces take Game 2

A'ja Wilson dominates with 38 points and 16 rebounds as the Aces sweep the Sky to advance to the WNBA semifinals.

(1) Las Vegas Aces defeat (8) Chicago Sky 2-0

Game 1: At Las Vegas 87, Chicago 59
Game 2: At Las Vegas 92, Chicago 70


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Crowd goes wild after Breanna Stewart's timely bucket

Breanna Stewart drains a jumper late in the fourth to hype up the home crowd.

(2) New York Liberty defeat (7) Washington Mystics 2-0

Game 1: At New York 90, Washington 75
Game 2: At New York 90, Washington 85 OT


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Napheesa Collier snatches the rebound and drains the dagger for the Lynx

Napheesa Collier grabs her own rebound and drains the dagger to secure the Game 2 victory for the Lynx.

(3) Connecticut Sun vs. (6) Minnesota Lynx

Game 1: At Connecticut 90, Minnesota 60
Game 2: Minnesota 82, at Connecticut 75
Game 3: Connecticut 90, at Minnesota 75


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Arike Ogunbowale knocks down trey

Arike Ogunbowale increases the Wings' lead with a 3-pointer in the fourth.

(4) Dallas Wings defeat (5) Atlanta Dream 2-0

Game 1: At Dallas 94, Atlanta 82
Game 2: At Dallas 101, Atlanta 74